External DAC connection

Thank you all for your suggestions. The reason why I don't want to connect my Apple TV directly to Marantz is so I can pass the sound to the Benchmark DAC to reduce some of the jitter which plagues Apple TV. One solution would be to use the OPPO HDMI IN as a de-embedder an use the optical out to route to the DAC. In this case no need for an external de-embedder. 
I understand that Apple TV has limits to sampling and I should look at a better source (or maybe build one using Mac Mini) - but I really don't need a music server as I am driving all my ripped CD's on FLAC through the OPPO via a HD. 
A decent streamer with excellent sound is all that I need at this time. Open to moving to TIDAL or Spotify (slightly better than Apple).

use your TV to de-embed. Run HDMI into it, and then use the optical digital output to your benchmark

The only problem with that is A/V sync; at least for me, it was out of sync. I can't remember, however, which was delayed; audio or video

You really should just use the HDMI into your receiver, but if you are curious, you can usually use your TV to de-embed. Run HDMI into it, and then use the optical digital output to your benchmark.

@ericjcabrera , excellent post. 
I would also point out Apple and pandora have pretty low rez output. You would do better with other streaming companies.
B

Neither of those multiple connections appear to be utilizing the AV7701’s DAC since you state the final connection is to one of the analog inputs of the AV7701.

Why not instead keep it simple; connect Apple TV via HDMI into one of the AV7701 HDMI inputs? Or does the AV7701’s HDMI inputs not convert the audio portion of the HDMI signal? Is that why you are considering the Audio De-Embedder?

Also, I am somewhat confused: it seems rather redundant to feed Apple TV HDMI signal into the BDP105 & then feeding the 105 digital signal out via coax to DAC1; and then from DAC1 analog output to analog input of AV7701. Is there a reason you feel the need to use redundancy in that chain of connections?

Personally, I connect my Apple TV via HDMI to my Oppo BDP105 HDMI input & allow the BDP105’s DAC to render the signal - simple. I then connect BDP105 balanced 2 channel output to my balanced input of my Hybrid Integrated.

My recommendation is determine which DAC you prefer; either the AV7701, BDP105, or DAC1. If for some reason you prefer the redundant DAC’s in such a connection scheme, more power to you; I haven’t tried a redundant scheme myself, so I cannot comment on its merits