Official OPPO BDP-83 Owner's Thread [technical talk only] - Page 573

What about on a 1080i set? Would that make a difference BDP-83 vs PS3.

I doubt it. My buddy has the PS3 hooked up to a 1080i 65" Mitsubishi and I think that's as good as it gets.

Thanks!

The Stags Leap was definitely fine. SACD play... not so much.

That said, I am (and have always been) overly critical of the -83's SACD current state. Playback is excellent, although I do favor the MC sound slightly more than 2 channel stereo. Arguably, the sound quality may be slightly better in analog 2ch mode. However, I just prefer the presentation of a properly engineered multi-channel SACD.

It is odd then, that I found Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" to be more enjoyable in 2ch. But, I did. I think it has something to do with the blending of vocals and piano. To my ears, that sounds more natural, spacious and clear, in 2ch - without any added information.

I did notice a small number of rice crispies littered throughout the disc. I find them more noticeable when listening in 2ch mode. Strange?

I should note that my current configuration is HDMI, not analog. I finalized on that connection since, to my ears, I don't think analog is worth the tradeoffs of using audio management in the -83, versus processing (including Audyssey) in my Denon. I did notice similar artifacts, however, when using an all analog path.

"Time Out," by David Brubeck and Paul Desmond was amazing. Not only was the music wonderful, but the production was outstanding. I felt as if I was on the stage or in the studio. Instrument placement and moreover, microphone placement, was superb. An excellent recording overall. Yes. Snap. Krackle and Pop showed up from time to time. Even that could not spoil my enjoyment of this disc.

Digressing, I think the newer vintages of this Cabernet benefit more from an open bottle, than do earlier years. The 2nd half of bottles from 2005 and up, usually do well by breathing, while the first half is enjoyed. The two bottles of 2004 that we opened for this listening were very neutral from first glass to last. So as not to give the appearance of over-consumption, let me point out there were four of us present and consuming. Sadly, I may have to stop inviting people over to drink this wine. I opened my last case and... well, you know.


Many people share your thoughts on mc vs. 2ch playback. Especially those that are using analog connections. I found many redbook CD's sound better that way. But, again - I use HDMI for my single connection between the -83 and my AVR. I suppose that I could also use 2ch analog simultaneously, yet for whatever reason, I don't. Perhaps, it is because I often flip between 2ch and MC listening.

I'm sure the 05 DCM helps, but you're probably right about the sound, even without it.


I'm running the latest public beta firmware. The SACD rice crispies have been plaguing me since the day I opened the box - regardless of firmware version. Oppo has done great work reducing them, especially with the last release of firmware. I applaud them for that. There is still (admittedly) more work to be done, though. I believe they will correct the problem completely. I just hope it is with the next release of firmware!

I highly recommend the Stags Leap. If you can find the 04, you will be amazed. The 05 is not up to the standards of the 04, yet it is still superior in its own rights. The 2004 vintage was very well produced. It may be the casking, which is alternated every other year. I'm anxious to open the 2006 to see if it feels like the 2004. We'll know at Thanksgiving!

Perhaps by then, the -83's SACD problems will be history.

I loaded the current beta software today. It solved the glitched beginnings problem! Great stuff. And what a nice/easy update process it is via USB drive!

Not to digress more, but at the price point you referenced, is this this "Fay" offering?

well i installed the experimental firmware to fix 12 rounds. so far working fine. partway into the movie, everything ok, loads as fast as any other java laden BD. now if we can just get the split bitrate meters............

Try some good SACDs of more recent vintage than the wine.

Is thi s possible?

Thanks rdgrimes and Neuromancer for responding to this issue today. I had not realized DTS-CD is a separate format.

I'm still a bit confused about what the 83 is doing. Playing the BD of T2 Judgment Day, both case insert and on-disc menu say it has "5.1 DTS-ES". I'm using m-ch analog outs only (no digital connections) into a 5.1 system. With the DTS 5.1-ES track selected, I appear to be getting full 5.1 sound which I presume means I'm hearing the core as decoded by the 83. But the 83's OSD bottom left field says "DTS 6.1" -- what is this indicating? That it is the Discrete 6.1 variant of ES that is actually on the disc? And the case insert and on-disc menu are incorrect?

I think it's SLV, but now you have me wondering. I will have to find out.



I think an accompaniment of fine firmware would be better

It appears that somehow (I have no idea how) my parental control was put "on". I can't get it off, and I don't know what the password is.

Any ideas?

you never told us.

[ sorry. i had to. ]

It just doesn't make sense. I mean, if I set the Parental Control, I would have had to put in a password, right? I never did.

0000

I found this possibility intriguing, since I have a Panasonic display with Viera Link. It was enabled by default, but unfortunately when I disabled it and played an SACD, it didn't change the rice krispies. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Quick question for people with a good knowledge of how these machines actually work. If the rice krispie thing was not an issue, is there any reason to expect the audio quality to be different on a SACD between the -83 and the 980H if both are simply being used as a transport? If you're bitstreaming DSD via HDMI to a capable receiver or processor, what if anything would make one player "better" at sending 1's and 0's? I don't discount the possibility that there is a difference, I'm simply curious if there is.

It could be that the 2 channel is just a better mix.

Believe it or not, there are a number of audiophiles (myself being one of them) who will often prefer the mono version of a golden oldie to the stereo one. The mono was the one that was going on the radio, in the jukeboxes, and on the 45s, so they put a lot more attention into it.

But I digress ..........

For bitstreaming DSD over HDMI, there would be no difference at all.

Could jitter be a factor in that case? I get that the player would be sending 1's and 0's, but is it possible their timing could be different from one machine to another.

See, that's one of the reasons I asked the question to begin with. I see audiophiles write about jitter, but A) I am an enthusiast, not an audiophile, and B) I have no idea what the hell they're talking about.

...and you don't want to either. Do you enjoy your music as it is right now? If yes, then don't ruin it.
I used to enjoy my movies a bit more than I do now. Now I find myself criticizing the PQ and AQ more often than I care too.
I'm staying away from delving into the the abyss of obsessing about how perfect I can get my music discs to sound. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.

Couldn't agree more with this. I do enjoy my system right now, and perhaps knowing more about it is not a good thing!

Thanks Dave!

THAT'S THE HT BUG TALKING.... gotcha

Steve

WE all get it from time to time... Some alittle more than others... MYSELF INCLUDED... no use in me lying and tell you that I don't

Steve

Steve,

Still reading about your experiences with noise though attenuated with the latest beta FW.

I appreciate what you've been feeling and articulating about your experience with playing SACDs on the BDP-83 via HDMI and the noise interferences. I also realize that OppO had indicated that it was a known problem (bug?). Your most recent posts mentioned Denon. And I also realize that other BDP-83 owners are having similar experiences feeding other AVR/Pre Pro than Denon as well.

One of the reasons I got rid of my 4308CI (even after the $100 FW upgrade) was the handshake problems, video freezes (same thing?), and loud popping sounds through the speakers all of which I encountered from several sources, i.e., CATV box, HD-DVD player connected via HDMI to the 4308CI. What that particular Denon model contributed to those unpleasant experiences, I am not sure of. They're gone now.

Presently using a Yamaha DSP-A1 (my ole stand-by and no HDMI inputs). BDP-83 connected via M.CH, stereo analogs and digital optical. Except for occasional loud pops only recently through my speakers only from Fios cable box to KDL52XBR5 directly via HDMI, all other problems and noise disappeared.

SQ listening to SACDs, DVD-A, HDCD, Blu-ray music DVDs, DTS MA, Dolby THD over M.CH or stereo analog sound gorgeous and are void of any interference. In fact with the latest beta FW, the SQ sounds even better. I am not imagining that.

I am still sorting out the possible AVRs/Pre Pros, and I know others have trouble free listening from HDMI connections. In the mean time, I am enjoying the music played on BDP-83 as much as I have been when I am playing music on my other players, a Denon DCD3300 and Denon DVD3910 (which I still have and love).

Don't know if and how your Denon may be involved with the interference you're experiencing. In any case, I'll raise a Dr. Frank Reisling Reserve 2005 and wish you well. BTW: the 2L discs (blu-ray & SACD) sound exquisite as Kal may have alluded to indirectly.

As someone who thrives on music, film and enjoys good wine and the performance of BDP-83, just connecting with you.

Hope the solution arrives soon.
Best, Richard.

On the other hand, remember how many times have you put in a particular movie to check for a certain playback problem, and next thing you know it's two hours later and you have just watched the whole movie. Now that's LOVE of HT.

The default password is ''0000''.

I see smartpants already answered 8 hrs ago

I know that's right...

Steve