Oppo-95 or Sony XA5400ES - Page 14

Originally Posted by dbphd 

I'm planning to connect DirecTV HD-DVR via HDMI and Mac Mini via asynchronous USB to an Oppo BDP-105 that will replace the BDP-95. I will use the analog output of the 105 as I do that of the 95. I have been experimenting with the LPCM option for SACDs, and I prefer it for certain recordings. Some posts have suggested the audio of the 105 is superior to that of the 95, but I'm not looking for that nor do I expect it. The HDMI and asynchronous USB inputs of the 105 are what I want

Originally Posted by WestCoastD 


yeah, that's one cool thing about the BDP-105, it provides HDMI INP, as well as USB INP, great versatility.

Originally Posted by dahester 

If you have the rack space, I highly recommend the XA5400ES and BDP-S5000ES combo. It's a shame the Blu-ray/SACD functionality wasn't combined together (like the old PS3 fat). With the XA5400ES the engineers were able to focus on two channel analog performance. Both SACD and CD are rendered flawlessly, particularly through the XLRs. (The S5000ES may lack 3D, but it has outrageously good picture quality, noticeably sharper than the PS3 and LG BH200 I have on hand). I know everyone is in love with Oppo, and there's little doubt they make the best universal players. In the realm of separates, the Japanese old guard still know what they are doing. I've been quietly slipping Blu-rays and SACDs into these machines without a single problem.

I've probably owned over 100 different electronic components over the years. These two ES models were designed by the Sony A-Team and it shows in the look, feel, and performance. I would consider them to be modern day classics. But the ES product line is shrinking, and the build quality in some cases has been shameful (esp. more recent BD models). The trend does not look good for 'the elevated standard', so if you want in on some of the last 'big iron' components, now is the time. Consider this: prices on eBay for both models have trended up in the last year. Interestingly, the Sony BDP-CX7000ES 400 disc changer was obviously discontinued too early, as prices have now skyrocketed to $4000.