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Official OPPO BDP-95 Owner's Thread - Page 179

post #5341 of 10456
8/17/11 at 10:18pm
So I got the AIX and PentaTone discs, and I measured the difference between the Oppo outputing multichannel analog, the Oppo outputing multichannel LPCM, and the Oppo outputing a bitstream decoded by the Onkyo 805.
Audyssey was off, all speakers set to small/80hz on both the Oppo and Onkyo, Onkyo mode was multichannel/DSD/bitstream where appropriate, bass management on.
Secondary audio was off on the Oppo (which is necessary to get HD bitstream).
I had to use the channel idenfitication tracks on the AIX disc, since the speaker calibration tracks didn't have DTS versions.
The table below shows the level of the front left speaker/subwoofer level, with the volume adjusted to get 75db on the front most of the time:

Track Oppo analog Oppo LPCM Onkyo Bitstream
AIX 96/24/7.1 Dolby TrueHD 70/77 (+7) 69/76 (+7) 74/80 (+6)
AIX 96/24/7.1 DTS HD MA 75/85 (+10) 74/80 (+6) 75/81 (+6)
AIX 96/24/7.1 LPCM 75/80 (+5) 74/80 (+6) 75/80 (+5)
AIX 96/24/5.1 LPCM 75/80 (+5) 74/80 (+6) 75/80 (+5)
AIX 48/16/5.1 Dolby Digital 75/80 (+5) 74/80 (+6) 78/84 (+6)
AIX 48/24/5.1 DTS 75/85 (+10) 74/79 (+5) 75/80 (+5)
PentaTone DSD tracks 43/48 75/84 (+9) 75/84 (+9) 75/85 (+10)

So this data confirms the bug that I've reported: on DTS tracks, the Oppo applies about +5db extra on the subwoofer output, when it shouldn't, since neither its LPCM output nor the Onkyo decoding do it.
What surprises me is that it also reproes on plain old 5.1 DTS and also on the 7.1 track, which means that I was wrong when guessing that it is due to the 5.1->7.1 upmix (that the Oppo only does on the analog outputs).
Also, I still can't find more than a 1db difference between the analog, LPCM and Onkyo outputs on the LOTR "Fellowship of the Ring" BD, with is a DTS-HD MA 6.1 track that seems immune to this bug.
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post #5342 of 10456
8/18/11 at 12:16am
^ That's interesting data. Please email that to Oppo.

By the way, it looks like your Onkyo is not handling the "dialog normalization" meta-data in the TrueHD 7.1 track which is likely why it's output is higher than when using LPCM from the Oppo.

I'm puzzled by why you are getting the 4dB hotter subwoofer in the SACD LPCM output. I'm not seeing that in my testing.
--Bob
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post #5343 of 10456
8/18/11 at 12:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

^ That's interesting data. Please email that to Oppo.

By the way, it looks like your Onkyo is not handling the "dialog normalization" meta-data in the TrueHD 7.1 track which is likely why it's output is higher than when using LPCM from the Oppo.

I'm puzzled by why you are getting the 4dB hotter subwoofer in the SACD LPCM output. I'm not seeing that in my testing.
--Bob

Are you saying that you're seeing different deltas when playing SACD analog vs. LPCM?

My sub is calibrated at +3db above the speakers, when measured by the AVR test tone (and matched by the THX calibration track).
So those 3db can become 4 or 5db depending on the frequency of the test tone, and the imprecision of the RadioShack SPL meter (especially when switching betwen 70 and 80db settings).

I believe the Onkyo shows "Dialog Normalization +4db" when playing TrueHD tracks - but I've always seen it 4db hot on any TrueHD track. I'll check what it says on the AIX track (it also showed some Normalization on the DD 5.1 track).
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post #5344 of 10456
8/18/11 at 12:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bathes2051 View Post

That's because my sub is calibrated at +3db above the speakers, when measured by the AVR test tone (and matched by the THX calibration track).
So those 3db can become 4 or 5db depending on the frequency of the test tone, and the imprecision of the RadioShack SPL meter (especially when switching betwen 70 and 80db settings).

I believe the Onkyo shows "Dialog Normalization +4db" when playing TrueHD tracks - but I've always seen it 4db hot on any TrueHD track. I'll check what it says on the AIX track (it also showed some Normalization on the DD 5.1 track).

Yes I presumed the general hotter level of the sub across the board in your chart was due to something like that, but the sub output for the SACD tests is an ADDITIONAL +4dB hotter. That's the part I can't explain. I'm not seeing that.

The AIX Channel ID TrueHD 7.1 track has 4dB dialog normalization encoded, so it is normal for it to produce an absolute level 4dB lower than, say the 7.1 LPCM track.
--Bob
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post #5345 of 10456
8/18/11 at 3:21am
I would like to utilize the balanced XLR outputs on the 95 and connect them directly to an amp. The multi-channel will be connected to a pre/pro. I believe that the XLR's and multi-channel outs are both active all the time. Other than keeping off the pre/pro, can I select settings on the 95 to turn off the multi-channel outputs so that audio is going out only through the XLR stereo outs?
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post #5346 of 10456
8/18/11 at 4:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by marcuslaw View Post

Other than keeping off the pre/pro, can I select settings on the 95 to turn off the multi-channel outputs so that audio is going out only through the XLR stereo outs?

Nope, they're both always active.
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post #5347 of 10456
8/18/11 at 5:31am
Quote:


...the 93 has very high quality analog and is WAY ahead of any so-called "competition" from other players.

I'm guessing (for CD playback) it sounds better than the 83. I love my BDP-83 but it sucks for CD's. It's very cold and sterile sounding.
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post #5348 of 10456
8/18/11 at 7:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Majestyk View Post

I'm guessing (for CD playback) it sounds better than the 83. I love my BDP-83 but it sucks for CD's. It's very cold and sterile sounding.

When I got my BDP-83 I tried it for CD's and ended up still using my Arcam FMJ cd player. When I got the BDP 95, I have started using the Oppo as my cd player. I am very impressed with it (I use the balanced output). I have tried regular classical cd's and am impressed with how good the recordings are for what I thought were just ok recordings. I have also tried a couple of Celine Dion French language recordings which sound fantastic.
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post #5349 of 10456
8/18/11 at 8:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottm18 View Post

Bottom line: The Arcam DV139 and it's high-end Wolfsons is one of the best disc spinners ever made and I got a ridiculous price on it so I would be rather reticent to give it up. However, if the Oppo keeps up with its Hi-Rez audio prowess (and offers the other potent extras like Blu-Ray and multimedia play), I may give it a shot. Does anybody here own both and can compare?

I was not impressed with the sonic signature of the 95 using its analog outs through my Arcam AV9 in comparison to the analog outs of my Sony ES blu-ray and SACD players which had no sonic signature. You can read my comments in this thread. However, I suggest you try the 95 as Oppo has a generous return policy, and your impression may differ from mine.
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post #5350 of 10456
8/18/11 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

Yes I presumed the general hotter level of the sub across the board in your chart was due to something like that, but the sub output for the SACD tests is an ADDITIONAL +4dB hotter. That's the part I can't explain. I'm not seeing that.
--Bob

Are you seeing the same levels between analog and LPCM?
If yes, then my extra dBs could be some room harmonics on this particular track. It seems to be a full 120Hz track from its description, and my sub doesn't like anything above 100 - I think I turned the LPF off before these tests, but I'll double-check.
If no, how much is your amp/AVR appying to the analog SW input? The Onkyo is supposed to apply +15db by default.

I've emailed Oppo about this.
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post #5351 of 10456
8/18/11 at 9:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bathes2051 View Post

Are you seeing the same levels between analog and LPCM?
If yes, then my extra dBs could be some room harmonics on this particular track. It seems to be a full 120Hz track from its description, and my sub doesn't like anything above 100 - I think I turned the LPF off before these tests, but I'll double-check.
If no, how much is your amp/AVR appying to the analog SW input? The Onkyo is supposed to apply +15db by default.

I've emailed Oppo about this.

I don't test multi-channel analog in my setup. I'm concentrating on testing Stereo down-mix analog. Also, I use a 93, not a 95.

I posted your results to the other Beta testers to see what they say.

My D2v applies +10dB on its multi-channel analog subwoofer input. If I were to do multi-channel analog into the D2v, I would have the D2v re-digitize that so it could apply Anthem Room Correction (ARC), as well as the rest of its audio adjustments such as volume trims, bass steering, and speaker distance delays. As such I'd have all the analog speaker outputs in the Oppo set to Large, in which case it is safe to apply +5dB output volume trim on the multi-channel analog subwoofer output. That would give me the requisite +15dB.

Other D2v users who have posted here as using multi-channel analog into the D2v are doing the same and not reporting any issues with level.
--Bob
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post #5352 of 10456
8/18/11 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gsr View Post

Nope, they're both always active.

Anyone know how an Emotiva XPA-5 will treat dual incoming signals on two of the five channels (i.e., XLR directly from the 95 and an RCA in from a pre/pro)?
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post #5353 of 10456
8/18/11 at 12:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marcuslaw View Post

Anyone know how an Emotiva XPA-5 will treat dual incoming signals on two of the five channels (i.e., XLR directly from the 95 and an RCA in from a pre/pro)?

If you want to know if you can access two of the five channels on XPA-5, using both XLR and RCA into each of the two channels, you can do this as long as only ONE of the two input signals is live at a time. I was hoping to have two sets of stereo signals (one XLR, one RCA) coming into the same pair of inputs on the XPA-5 and then use the Balanced/Unbalanced switch (on the back of the XPA-5) for each of those channels to choose between the two sets of inputs. When I called Emotiva about this, they said that it would not be a good idea for the amp to have both a balanced and an unbalanced signal coming into a given channel at the same time even though the switch on the back of the amp makes it seem like you could do it.

I hope this answers your question.
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post #5354 of 10456
8/18/11 at 1:42pm
New review posted at DVDBeaver.com:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/blu-r...yer_review.htm
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post #5355 of 10456
8/18/11 at 2:41pm
^ That's actually a reproduction of a review originally posted back in April of this year. I only mention that as it means the reviewer did not have access to the current Official firmware.
--Bob
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post #5356 of 10456
8/18/11 at 4:27pm
Here's a new review of the 95:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/o...blu-ray-player

Since he defers features in common with the 93 to his 93 review, here's the link to that earlier review of the 93:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/o...blu-ray-player

--Bob
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post #5357 of 10456
8/18/11 at 4:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ViciAudio View Post

I would very much like to see test results comparing the eSATA and USB inputs on the Oppo...

I emailed Oppo a couple of weeks back to find out what would happen if you powered an external enclosure with USB and also connected Esata - would it default to the Esata? They told me it would show up as two devices but noted their own testing showed no speed improvements using the Esata versus USB.

I have no issues using USB either - navigating folders is fairly snappy. It's not instant-but it feels respectable as opposed to sluggish. The player seems to index one layer at a time so I'd avoid leaving lots of loose files in the root directory and cluster your folders by artist then album.

If you really want those menus to fly an SSD would probably shave off a couple of ms by reducing the seek time ... if got your lotsa money and very little time!
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post #5358 of 10456
8/18/11 at 5:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

Here's a new review of the 95:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/o...blu-ray-player

Since he defers features in common with the 93 to his 93 review, here's the link to that earlier review of the 93:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/o...blu-ray-player

--Bob

Thanks for the plug Bob!
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post #5359 of 10456
8/19/11 at 5:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by erwinfrombelgium View Post
Hello, I have read only the final 10 pages to date here. So I hope I didn't miss what I want to know: How is the 95 vs the 93NXE? I read reviews about the 95 vs the 93NE or this one on 6moons about the 93NE vs the 93NXE.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/nuforce16/1.html

The 95 is mentioned there, but not tested. I understand the 93NE adds a triode/class A flavour to make it sound more musical. And the 93NXE adds more resolution to that. But where does that leave the 95?

Edit: I discovered that ModWright is offering a $500 SolidState upgrade for the 95 that seems to do about the same thing to it than NuForce to the 93?
http://www.modwright.com/modifications/25
I have been trying to find reviews/experiences about modded BDP-95's, but I didn't find any. Does this mean mods are not worth the effort/money? I know about the law of deminishing returns, but still.

I did found Audiocom (UK) who sells the European customers the standard EU version. They also supply their own "Signature" or "Reference" version.
Link with description:
http://www.audiocominternational.com...5eu-p-235.html

Prices in GBP:
Oppo BDP-95EU1 (standard, zone B Blu-ray) £750
Oppo BDP-95EU2 (standard, multi-zone Blu-ray) £833
Oppo BDP-95EU Reference (multi-zone Blu-ray) £1,583
Oppo BDP-95EU Signature (multi-zone Blu-ray) £2,499

Last one seems very high priced for what it offers compared to the Reference version. And this rings a few alarmbells: "Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT) for power & audio PWB." WTF?

The Reference version would be about the same price for me (in Belgium) than the Modwright SS $500 mod, since anything from USA gets a 30% premium for duties and VAT (and more expensive shipping).

Any idea's or links to reviews?
Thanks!
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post #5360 of 10456
8/19/11 at 5:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by erwinfrombelgium View Post
Any idea's or links to reviews?
Thanks!
Why not try the 95 in its stock form then you would have a baseline as to whether you feel mods are needed. If the stock 95 is to your liking it would save you quite a bit money which you could put towards some great music or whatever else your system might need.

Bill
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post #5361 of 10456
8/19/11 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by More4less View Post

I had the Outlaw 970 with the Oppo 83. I put the Parasound P 7 in and gave it some time to break in. It sounded fantastic for music. I had been using the Outlaw processing 2 channel into 7.1 because it gave a nice full perspective. The Outlaw is pretty highly regarded for music but the Parasound is in another level as far as I am concerned. As soon as I got the P 7 going I found I much preferred using two channels for 2 channel sources. About two weeks ago, I got the Oppo 95 and am stunned by how good it sounds through the Parasound. I use the two channel balanced inputs for cd's and stereo SACD's and the 7.1 inputs for the Oppo using the Parasound volume control. (I still use the Outlaw for cable tv connected to the other 7.1 inputs). (Actually only using 5.1) I love the Oppo and Parasound combination. There is a very interesting review in avguide.com (search for 'parasound p 7 and Marantz review'. It is hard to be able to find places to compare lots of different high end equipment, so I have given a lot of trust to reviews like that one. With the Oppo the density and yet clarity of sound is amazing. It is easy to hear distinct musical lines even in heavily orchestrated music. There is a weight to the music and a richness that I love even with the clarity (and the Parasound lets this through). These qualities don't always go together.

Interesting article more4less.

What made you go for the Parasound against, say the marantz in this article, The reviewer speaks very highly of the Marantz, especially its sound neutrality.

Needless to say OPPO hit it out of the ball park and I want my music to sound its best using the Oppo 95's analog outputs but I'm not sure if the analog stage of the Arcam-300 receiver provides the transparency needed for music, but at the same time wonder if the Parasound unit would make enough of a difference to make the purchase? I would love a phono input though
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post #5362 of 10456
8/19/11 at 12:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by luismanrara View Post

Interesting article more4less.

What made you go for the Parasound against, say the marantz in this article, The reviewer speaks very highly of the Marantz, especially its sound neutrality.

Needless to say OPPO hit it out of the ball park and I want my music to sound its best using the Oppo 95's analog outputs but I'm not sure if the analog stage of the Arcam-300 receiver provides the transparency needed for music, but at the same time wonder if the Parasound unit would make enough of a difference to make the purchase? I would love a phono input though

I originally thought I would get the Marantz. The Analog Shop in Victor carries both brands (but neither was on hand to listen to) and I just couldn't get over the idea that using the analog outs from the Oppo would match up better with the analog Parasound. It was just a history of trust for analog and simplicity, I think. I could not be happier. ( I thought the review also suggested that the sound of the Parasound would match my preferences better).
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post #5363 of 10456
8/19/11 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by erwinfrombelgium View Post

I have been trying to find reviews/experiences about modded BDP-95's, but I didn't find any. Does this mean mods are not worth the effort/money? I know about the law of diminishing returns, but still.

I did found Audiocom (UK) who sells the European customers the standard EU version. They also supply their own "Signature" or "Reference" version.
Link with description:
http://www.audiocominternational.com...5eu-p-235.html

Prices in GBP:
Oppo BDP-95EU1 (standard, zone B Blu-ray) £750
Oppo BDP-95EU2 (standard, multi-zone Blu-ray) £833
Oppo BDP-95EU Reference (multi-zone Blu-ray) £1,583
Oppo BDP-95EU Signature (multi-zone Blu-ray) £2,499

Last one seems very high priced for what it offers compared to the Reference version. And this rings a few alarm bells: "Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT) for power & audio PWB." WTF?

The Reference version would be about the same price for me (in Belgium) than the Modwright SS $500 mod, since anything from USA gets a 30% premium for duties and VAT (and more expensive shipping).

Any idea's or links to reviews?
Thanks!

I own a Modwright BDP-95. I had the tube mod done on the dedicated Stereo section and the SS mod on the seven channel analog section. I also sprung for the special umbilical for the outboard power supply. I will be submitting a more formal review soon after some intensive tube rolling. I thought I would not like the solid state mod, but I love it. It seems to take the sandpaper edge off the highs in vocals and delivers an overall smoothness not there in the stock unit and improves dynamics.
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post #5364 of 10456
8/19/11 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyberbod View Post

I own a Modwright BDP-95. I had the tube mod done on the dedicated Stereo section and the SS mod on the seven channel analog section. I also sprung for the special umbilical for the outboard power supply. I will be submitting a more formal review soon after some intensive tube rolling. I thought I would not like the solid state mod, but I love it. It seems to take the sandpaper edge off the highs in vocals and delivers an overall smoothness not there in the stock unit and improves dynamics.

How many hours did you put on the stock unit before doing the mod's?
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post #5365 of 10456
8/19/11 at 5:55pm
Sorry if this Q has already been asked and answered...I setup file sharing on my Windows 7 computer and I'd like to stream my home shared "public" music files to my BDP-95. The manual, p. 44, says that "My Network" is an experimental feature right now. When I go to My Network on my DVD player, it shows my computer, but when I click on it, I get a message "Server error: Please ensure that your server allows your player to access its library." Anything I can do here to either my computer or the Oppo to allow access? I tried to access 2 different Windows user accounts, one password protected and one not...I get the same message in both cases.
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post #5366 of 10456
8/19/11 at 7:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dschiller View Post

Sorry if this Q has already been asked and answered...I setup file sharing on my Windows 7 computer and I'd like to stream my home shared "public" music files to my BDP-95. The manual, p. 44, says that "My Network" is an experimental feature right now. When I go to My Network on my DVD player, it shows my computer, but when I click on it, I get a message "Server error: Please ensure that your server allows your player to access its library." Anything I can do here to either my computer or the Oppo to allow access? I tried to access 2 different Windows user accounts, one password protected and one not...I get the same message in both cases.

The player can't browse your Windows PC's file system over the network on its own. There needs to be a "DLNA Server" running on the PC that serves up the contents to the player.

So if you've got a file permissions problem, it is that the DLNA Server package running on your Windows PC can't see the files you'd like to stream.

Note that simply turning on file sharing in Windows is not the same as firing up a DLNA server.

Check the top of the first post of this thread for links to the FAQs that will help you get that going.
--Bob
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post #5367 of 10456
8/19/11 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by More4less View Post

I originally thought I would get the Marantz. The Analog Shop in Victor carries both brands (but neither was on hand to listen to) and I just couldn't get over the idea that using the analog outs from the Oppo would match up better with the analog Parasound. It was just a history of trust for analog and simplicity, I think. I could not be happier. ( I thought the review also suggested that the sound of the Parasound would match my preferences better).

The outlaw you have has a pretty good analogue bypass...have you tried that combo? If using a good analogue bypass, the pre/pro shouldn't be introducing any color to the sound.
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post #5368 of 10456
8/19/11 at 10:02pm
OK, thanks, Bob. Sorry I should have checked the FAQ first before posting. I'll definitely look into how to get a DLNA server up and running on my desktop PC.
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post #5369 of 10456
8/20/11 at 7:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by USAFChief View Post

The outlaw you have has a pretty good analogue bypass...have you tried that combo? If using a good analogue bypass, the pre/pro shouldn't be introducing any color to the sound.

With the Oppo 83, I tried different combinations with the Outlaw (bypass which I used for multichannel, the outlaw processor for stereo cd's, the Outlaw for 7.1 processing for stereo, bypass for stereo. When I got the Parasound, I found I liked the cd's from my Arcam FMJ cd player (Arcam doing the processing) to the Parasound and the Oppo 83 multichannel analog outs through the Parasound. I was really impressed with the Parasound. I did not try the Outlaw bypass with the Oppo 95. I am so happy with the Oppo 95 Parasound combination (including cd's) and since I clearly liked the Parasound better than the Outlaw with the 83, I have left it as is.
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post #5370 of 10456
8/20/11 at 8:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dschiller View Post

Sorry if this Q has already been asked and answered...I setup file sharing on my Windows 7 computer and I'd like to stream my home shared "public" music files to my BDP-95. The manual, p. 44, says that "My Network" is an experimental feature right now. When I go to My Network on my DVD player, it shows my computer, but when I click on it, I get a message "Server error: Please ensure that your server allows your player to access its library." Anything I can do here to either my computer or the Oppo to allow access? I tried to access 2 different Windows user accounts, one password protected and one not...I get the same message in both cases.

Win7 has great support for DLNA, both as a media server and as a controller (Play To ..., if the target device supports that). It is fairly easy to enable streaming (usually enabled by default) as described here:
Win7 Streaming
Another great Win7/streaming article, explaining in more detail, some of the jargon: Median Streaming win Win7
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