Is it worth it? DAC question

My bad---it is USB, not HDMI. Sorry about that. I connected everything as directed and was able to toggle with the Node’s app and was able to activate the toggle to turn on the external DAC. However, once connected, there’s no difference in sound---everything is still going thru the Node. I tried headphones on the Ifi and nothing. The yellow light on the Ifi stays on for a bit then goes off. The true bass doesn’t work either so something is still not right. Do I need to do something with the RCA cables??

You’re likely to get a meaningful upgrade with the iFi, but you’ll likely need a decent SPDIF digital cable to run from the Node to the DAC to be able to realize the advantages.

I recommend ignoring advice from anyone who has speaker cables that are more expensive than their speakers and who recommend a digital cable more expensive than the DAC

Take the RCA cables out of the Node and insert them in the DAC. Your node will then send a digital signal to the DAC over USB and your DAC will convert that signal to analog and send it to the amp over RCA. 

@nealkot Thank you! That works when I play through my MacBook. When i disconnect the cable from my MacBook and connect it to the Node---nothing. I was beginning to think the Zen Dac wasn't working but it works fine with my computer, just not the Node. About to give up at this point. 

I am likely missing something, but it seems the Node isn't recognizing the DAC.

Call Bluesound, there must be a way to instruct the node to do that.