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Is it worth it? DAC question

I have a simple second system consisting of a Sugden A21, a Bluesound Node and  Tekton Lore speakers. I have a spare Ifi Zen DAC V2 that I used about a year ago when I used my MacBook. Is it worth it to try and connect the Ifi as an external DAC or is the Node better as is? If I did try it, how do I connect the Node to the Ifi?

bluorion
bluorion OP
471 posts
 

Hi @dancub and others--I need some help. I connected the external dc adapter and the HDMI to the Zen DAC V2. It's lit up. But on the Bluesound Node app (version 4.0), the external DAC switch will not let me turn it on. No sound from the Zen DAC headphone amp either. The Node is working fine, but not the external DAC. What am I doing wrong???

kennymacc
399 posts
 

Yes!!!

soix
9,456 posts
 

There is no HDMI input to the Zen DAC that I can see so not sure what you’re talking about here.  You need to run a USB cable between the Node and the Zen DAC. 

kennyc
1,472 posts
 

Seems incompatible- The Bluesound Node manual shows RCA, COAX, and Optical outs, while the iFi Zen DAC manual only has USB input.

Maybe similar to different species, it’s impossible for reproduction ;)

dancub
80 posts
 

Ditto on the "no HDMI" connector. Not sure what you mean by "external dc adapter" , . . maybe the power wall wart for the DAC? 

@soix is right, need to connect a USB cable 'tween the Node and DAC.

@kennyc  also right. Even if current set up breeds, the offspring will be sterile. 

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