Signal chain DAC question


Occasionally I'll stream Amazon Ultra HD from my Samsung 9X via an HDMI to my Oppo 105, thence to the Pathos integrated via balanced IC's.

Question: Which DAC is in use in this chain? The Samsung or the Oppo's?
128x128simao
If it comes out of the balanced ICs, then it's the Oppo DAC. The HDMI carries digital, not analog.
@melm Thanks! So if I switched to RCA, would that be the Samsung DAC? Or is that completely out of the equation?
If the Samsung has left-right RCA out you could connect it to the integrated using the Samsung DAC. 
If you switched from the balanced ICs to the RCA it would make no difference.

If you want to hear from the Samsung phone DAC, and i'm not sure why you should want to, keep it away from the Oppo.

Use the phone's headphone output connected to RCA terminations and into the Pathos.
Well, Bob, based on extensive research and testing, the 9x was one of the best. But thanks for contributing to the conversation. 
I have a Samsung 9x phone and very much prefer all my other dacs to it. The DragonFly Black is for example much better.

If you are using it at home I would go with the Oppo and maybe even get a computer as a streamer, or an actual streamer.