how hook up bluesound node 2 to external dac

Might depend on your DAC. I use coax. If you have an Ayre Codex for example then USB as it doesn’t have S/PDIF. Toslink should be your last option in my opinion. Always best just to try each and judge for yourself.

Mine is not here now, but I believe you need s/pdif or toslink cables out to your dac input.  Don’t hook anything to the analog outputs of the node 2i.  Does your dac accept spdif or toslink?

Yes my dac has coaxial, toslink, aes/ebu and usb.  It's a PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube DAC. 

All you need to connect to an external dac is a digital coax cable.  The analog and digital output are active at the same time from the Node.  So you can run the analog outs from the Node to one of your preamp inputs.  Run the coax to your dac and connect the dac to another preamp input.  Now you can compare the sound of your external dac to the Nodes internal dac by just switching source inputs on your preamp.  Some volume compensation may be necessary.

Got everything sorted, now just experimenting what options are available.  One more question is cables, which one is is your best experience.  In my system cables really do make a difference. 

Mike 

There is no USB out on the Bluesound node2
Coax or optical.

Coaxial or optical? 

Try both, I prefer coaxial in my system.

Since all outputs are active on the Node you can experiment between optical and coax. I happened to prefer coax with my system.

I've gotten most of my questions answered.  I am using an android tablet with blueos, my question is it better to use a laptop for the app. Tell me what your experiences are. 

Thanks 
Mike 

If you have a laptop why not just try it yourself. It’s not going to make a bit of difference SQ wise. Usability might be better, but at the expense of convenience.

Laptop for the app why would you want to do that?