Denafrips Ares DAC has arrived... need help with Oppo connectivity

No idea what I did, but the stream from the DAC now functions.  Thanks for the helpful suggestions.  The music streaming from the Oppo into the Ares sound pretty nice from the get-go, but I need to do some critical listening.   Mark

Update:   I had some audio pals over to join me with the comparison with the Ares in my system.  The clear conclusion was that the addition of the Ares to the signal path offered no SQ difference compared to connecting the Oppo 103 directly into my preamp.  No one was able to discern a difference between the two.    I will continue the comparison in the days ahead, but will be surprised if other CD's lead me to a different conclusion.  Cheers.

Stfroth and 4hannons
I agree, it does seem odd.  No sonic difference when trying 4 different DACs with my Oppo.  I did go in and upgrade the settings on my Oppo as described on page 61 and 62 of the Oppo manual. Still, I can't discern any difference after the setting changes.  With an excellent Don Sachs tube preamp, a Pass Labs amp, Spatial Audio M4 TS speakers, Cerious Technology power and IC cables, and Supra wire to my speakers, I am not sure where the shortcoming would be in my system.  It might be my 64 year old ears, but much younger ears fail to hear any difference either.  Still, it seems logical that I would hear some perceptible difference in SQ, but I hear none.  

Stforth,
I had Don Sachs upgrade all my Harman Kardon Citation gear (I, II, and V), but his preamp is vastly better than the upgraded C-I.  Don is a genius with both his tube preamp, based on 6SN7 tubes, and his KT88-based amp.  In my experience, his tube gear gives one a glimpse of high-end sound at a fraction of the cost of major audio companies.   Send me a PM and I will be happy to chat with you about the preamp.  

I have fooled around with a boatload of modestly-priced cables, but really like the Cerious Technology graphene cables, followed by Silnote and Shunyata.   I could hear more difference in SQ swapping the various IC's and power cords than I have with the 4 DACs I have auditioned.  Cheers, Mark

4hannons and stforh,

It is very odd that I don't hear at least some difference in the sound with the addition of a DAC.  I will borrow my pal's Oppo 95 which has the Modwright tubes mods for a comparison as well as a non-Oppo CD player.  

A further thought:  I just switched my DSPeaker Anti-Mode processor back into the signal path and it makes a remarkable difference.  It clearly attenuates the mid-bass hump and makes the sound more coherent and balanced.  It has been a very worthy component in my system.  

I am using a Oppo 205 at the moment and it sounds excellent.  Inserting the Denafrips into the system produces no sonic difference that I can discern.  My foray into upgraded DAC's has come to an end.  If if felt my Oppo was deficient, I would continue my search and consider much more expensive DACs, but the Oppo sounds fantastic.  I am keen to do further comparisons of the new 205 to my 103 to see if I hear any difference.  I can clearly state that the 205 sounds excellent in my system, but the Denafrips DAC adds nothing.  Cheers, Mark