New Oppo 105 D BluRay connection question.

[vneal]

I just moved up from an Oppo 103D to a 105D. Mostly for 1) the headphone connection and the 2) better DAC .I have always used the HDMI only on the old 103B tp my Emotiva preamp. But the 105D manual shows--

"The BDP-105D features a dedicated 2-channel analog output with specially optimized ES9018 DAC and output driving stages. The stereo output offers both XLR balanced and RCA single-ended connectors. The balanced output features a true differential signal path all the way from the DAC to the 3-pin XLR connector. By transmitting a pair of differential signals, the balanced output provides better common-mode noise rejection and improves signal quality."

So I am thinking about going the XLR balanced route to the preamp. Please give me your thoughts.

[AudioHTIT]

I would also use the balanced connection, this gives you the option of using the Oppo's DAC when listening to stereo. You can compare the sound to the XMC-1's DAC by listening through the HDMI input. For even further flexibility you could also add a coax or TOSLink cable for an audio only digital connection, this is normally considered to have less jitter than HDMI for audio, you may or may not hear a difference.

[sonicseeker]

I also run the HDMI and the Balanced from my OPPO 95 and find the balanced sounds a little better to me.

[vcautokid]

Another vote for the balanced connection. You can take advantage of it using say the XSP-1 or XMC-1 balanced inputs for that fully differential balanced architecture with common mode noise canceling and additional gain. It's a win any way you do it.

[vneal]

As usual thanks for the answers

[solarrdadd]

in my 2 channel rig, i have my 105 connected via XLR to a XSP-1 and my ears are very happy.
good luck to you, keep us posted.