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Oppo CD/ Channel Islands DAC connectivity issue

I recently got a CIA VDA-2 DAC.  I connected my iMac to stream music from my external HD to the DAC via a Toslink cable and from it to my preamp via RCA interconnects and it works dandy.  However, the DAC only as two inputs: a Toslink and a digital input (RCA) .  I connect my Oppo CD player from the coax jack on the back of it to the digital input on the DAC via a Belden 1694A digital cable, which is terminated on both ends with RCA connectors.  With this connection to my DAC, I get no signal to the DAC.   Can somebody give me an idea of what I am doing wrong?  It has been suggested that I need to re-program the output of the Oppo, but I have no idea what that entails.  
Thanks for any advice you sharp fellows can provide. Cheers, Whitestix

whitestix
10 responses Add your response
whitestix OP
710 posts
 
My take is that the Oppo 103D offers a glimpse of audio nirvana for a paltry sum.  I paid $350 to get a mod on it by Stereo Dave's in Seattle and it was by far the best mod I have ever had. The music soundstage widened by a significant degree and the instruments were better articulated.  "Cheap and cheerful" is the way I roll.  
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,825 posts
 
I had a VDA 2 and thought it was pretty good for the money but you are right, the OPPO 103 sounds pretty good in its own right.  I mostly use mine with my NAD M51 DAC but its outputs sound pretty damn good with SACD and HDCD for a $600 machine 
whitestix OP
710 posts
 
A follow-up post now that the CIA DAC is operable.  Spending an afternoon yesterday and the morning today comparing the Oppo straight into my preamp vs. through the CIA DAC, I conclusively conclude that there is no sonic benefits to the DAC.  Maybe a better DAC, like the Schitt Gungir, would lead to a different outcome, but I think the DAC in the Oppo103 is quite good.   
whitestix OP
710 posts
 
Erik,
I changed the setting on the Oppo from Bitstream to 192k LPCM and the optical output now works.  Thanks a million for the help.

whitestix OP
710 posts
 
I checked the Oppo manual and am I right in assuming that I have to hook up the Oppo to a television to get to this Settings Menu?  My TV is on the fritz....   
whitestix OP
710 posts
 
Thanks Eric, I reckon you are on to the solution.  

erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
Hi

From the Settings Menu-->

Audio Format Setup -> Coaxial/Optical Output ->

Under here you'll see a number of options.  Try LPCM first, then if that doesn't work, try 48 kHz.

Best,

Erik
whitestix OP
710 posts
 
Gents,
Thanks for weighing in.  Per CIA's suggestion, I swapped the Belden digital cable for a regular IC and still see no signal on the CIA DAC.  Erik, can you expand on your post as i think you might be getting me on the right track.  Thanks guys. 
erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
Look in the Oppo settings menu, perhaps under Audio Processing.

Make sure you are outputting linear PCM.
mb1audio
151 posts
 
Are you changing the input switch on your dac? 

You may also want to try a different cable. You can use a regular IC for the test if you don't have any other digital cables.
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