Qutest + Node 2i coax issue

I bought a Chord Qutest this week to upgrade my system’s sound. My streamer’s a Node 2i, which I’d been running into the DAC on my Hegel H160 integrated via RCA coax.
I’m fairly new to digital audio, so had assumed I could connect the Qutest and Node 2i via USB. When I realized that’s not possible, I decided on Coax. I bought a cheap RCA to BNC just to get music going while I found a better cable, but I couldn’t get any sound when I hooked it up.
So today I bought a more expensive cable, a Cardas Parsec RCA to BNC, then rushed home and hooked it up, excited to hear my amazing new DAC. And . . . . nothing.
Hoping somebody here has maybe been through this and can help—or if you’ve had success with a Node2i/Qutest/Coax combo I’d love to know how you did it. The Bluesound site doesn’t offer any usable advice, unfortunately.
Is it the two cables I’ve tried? Is it my streamer? Is it the Qutest? And what can I do to make this work?
The Coax output on the Node 2i works when I use it as an RCA to RCA output to my Hegel amp, so I’m tempted to say that’s not the problem. When I connect the coax from the Node 2i, the Qutest’s centre light doesn’t come on . . . suggesting (I think?) it’s not getting any signal at all.
The Qutest also works when I use a USB from my MacBook. 
I have not tried a Toslink cable because I don’t have one, and have heard they’re typically brighter in this set-up—something I’m trying to avoid.
I have reset my Node2i and unplugged everything a few times with no luck.