Should I connect my OPPO BDP 105 to my PontisII?

Definitely connect the SPDIF out from the Oppo to the Pontus as it’ll sound much better than the Oppo’s analog outs. Don’t discount the importance of the digital cable as it’ll make a big impact on what you ultimately hear. If in budget I’d very highly recommend one of these Acoustic Zen MC2 cables as it did wonders in elevating performance in my digital front end…

https://tmraudio.com/hidden-parent/fresh-arrivals/acoustic-zen-mc2-digital-rca-to-bnc-digital-coaxial-cable-mc-2-single-1m-interconnect/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649951192-acoustic-zen-mc2-digital-coax-cable-1m/

The DH Labs D750 might also be a good choice although I’ve never heard that one. Incidentally, I added the Iris to get i2S and it was a substantial improvement on many levels, and the AZ cable above provided improvements at that level if that helps give some perspective. Hope this helps, and best of luck.

Thanks as always.  Cable on order....

Which one if I may ask?

Soil,

I went with an audioquest optilink.  Most of my cables are audiolink.  Thought I'd start there and upgrade as needed.  Greatly appreciate all of your suggestions! Iris, Pontus, Pulsemini....

I should also add that first impression of the streamer, DAC, DDC combo is bliss!  The sound is on another level than before.   It really opened up the sound. I'm beyond happy with this group of components. 

I obviously couldn't type in my post to Soix!  Sorry for the incorrect spelling for you handle.  and then I said most of my cables are audiolink, when I meant Audioquest.....

I connected the OPPO to the Pontus, but all I get is a constant "clicking" sound.  Thought it might be a faulty cable, so tried another.  Same thing.  Any ideas of what would cause this????

What output are you using from the Oppo?  The HDMI output is for A/V only and doesn’t work for i2S if that’s what you’re using. 

I used the SPDiF out.  (Optical).  I do have the HDMI cable running to my TV.  Would that cause a problem?  If so, how to connect the OPPO to the TV optimally? 

Well, first I wouldn’t use an optical cable for to the Pontus as you’re introducing additional conversions to and from light transmission and it’s limited to 24/96.  Check the settings in the Oppo to make sure the digital outs are active and properly configured, and you also may want to try a 1m wire SPDIF digital cable in case the optical connection on either side is compromised (a regular analog RCA interconnect may work for this too just for trial purposes).  Here’s a decent cable that’s not too pricey if you need one, and you can easily return it if it doesn’t work…

https://www.amazon.com/Geistnotes-Apogee-Wyde-Cable-WE-RR/dp/B01N29180M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RBCMHOO0RK3W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BaI3PBEjKIocRjAsFYUFL87J2dPa9D_7Bf5HPi1GRxuXOcDjEvJtFBXBwae46wQS.XdUyeEpPfIdiQ-3B13GSh513lUYCIQoL1kJuoYG4md4&dib_tag=se&keywords=apogee%2Bwyde%2Beye%2Bcable&qid=1712844475&sprefix=Apogee%2Bwyde%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1&th=1

Good luck!

Will do!  Thanks!!!  BTW.  The sound continues to get even better with the new streamer/DDC/DAC.  Full and rich.  Better definition, ect....

Just a question here- if you want to play an SACD, doesn’t that have to be done from the analog outputs of the OPPO? I recall with my Sony XA9000, I used a coax to a Bel Canto dac for CD withe the outputs of the BC into my integrated amp and the outputs of the Sony into another set of inputs on the integrated for SACD. I initially thought it would cause a ground loop, but it didn’t. I don’t know whether your particular setup can do SACD without this setup, but I think the OPPO cannot output DSD data directly. I had a 205 and I don’t think it could. If you don’t play SACDs it doesn’t really matter.

I use my used $250 OPPO to output DSD via the HDMI output to this device.

GeerFab Audio D.BOB Digital BreakOut Box – Upscale Audio

I use a Schitt Yggi+ LIM or a Benchmark DAC3B to convert. Way better than the OPPO doing the conversion.

@yyzsantabarbara - very interesting piece of gear if you have a lot of SACDs. 

@chayro It also plays CD'd great. It improves on the internal OPPO DAC with an external DAC. Not sure how this is legal (the pure DSD out) but it is out there for sale.