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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
whitestix OP
709 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
709 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.   
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 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
709 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.  
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