I2S setting using Denafrips Pontus and Iris


Hello, I'm new to this forum so I hope I am posting in the right place.
Can you help me please?
I have a Denafrips Pontus and I have just purchased as Iris. I may send the Iris back soon and order a Gaia instead. I have used a spare cheap Amazon HDMI cable from the Iris Out to the HDMI (i2s) Input on the Pontus.
I followed the instructions on the Vinshine youtube website:
I put my Pontus on to the i2s input.
I pressed the Mute button. the lights cycle.
I clicked the Phase button repeatedly.
On two of the "clicks" of the phase button I get sound but with terrible distortion.On all the other settings I am getting good sound.

Why am I getting sound from more than one of the "clicks"? I am not sure if one sounds better than the other yet but surely as the Pontus and Iris are both made by Denafrips then one of the settings I choose should be the correct one?

Also, would I get a better sound by using an HDMI cable that has the video pins removed? If not, using a standard HDMI cable, what would you recommend please? I can hear a big difference when using different makes of USB in my system so I assume a decent HDMI cable would be the way to go as well.
Finally, am I doing the right thing using i2s or would any of the other outputs on the Iris be a better way to go?

Thank you for your help.
dyson2004
I replaced an AudioQuest HDMI with a WireWorld Chroma for my i2s. There are no "video pins."

Don’t know anything about Chinese DACs.
The ones I have just work.
The Denafrips DACs are designed to support multiple different i2s formats. Unfortunately, there is no standard so different brands use different pinouts. The Denafrips DACs are some of the few that can be used with other brand’s products. 
The Denafrips website includes documentation on how to configure the DDC and the DAC for the correct configuration. 
If @jaytor 's suggestion doesn't lead to a solution, contact Alvin @ @vinshineaudio and I'd bet he can get you there...cheers,
Spencer