Official OPPO BDP-105 Owner's Thread - Page 62

Originally Posted by bthrb4u 

yes that's exactly how you want the setup on the oppo to be. Are you using a mac or windows OS

Originally Posted by vlach 

Why use the 105's USB DAC through stereo XLR to AVM 50v for ARC when you can connect it directly via HDMI? This way you would avoid an extra (and unnecessary) conversion step from analog back to digital. It would be D/A instead of A/D/A.

Originally Posted by TrebleClef 

Thanks for your opinion. Much appreciated.
Regarding the 2 XLR outputs from the OPPO: Do you connect those directly to the L and R Front Mains on your Proc? Is this the preferred output connector to use? My EMOTIVA does not have XLR connectors, so I suppose I would need an XLR to RCA cable? Given that there are only two XLR outputs, how is the Sub output relayed to the Processor?
Additionally, why wouldn't I just use HDMI?
Sorry for the Newb questions.

Originally Posted by bthrb4u 

sounds like a good night. Best of luck

Originally Posted by bthrb4u 

i heard that if you read the specifications for anthem and then compare them to a brand like parasound, you can't help but wonder how they are still in business. I mean, that's what i heard. Something about how the specifications are no better than receiver specs. I've heard of a lot of companies with this status.

Originally Posted by luismanrara 

Read this whole thread, already tired. waiting for wednesday's delivery.

Originally Posted by bthrb4u 

no, not inflammatory, just was brought my joking attitude from another forum over to this one. I appologize
Death cab for cutie, nice!

Originally Posted by bthrb4u 

I was just trying to help you when you weren't getting anything from the higher bitrate files. Seems like you found the problem. The reason wasapi is so nice is because it bypasses the windows mixer which alters the digital image. You don't want this with hd audio. That's the problem with computer audio, you use the computer and have jitter, you get rid of that and then you have the os mixer. Get rid of both and you have a signal as pure as can be.

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

You have to set the Sub volume in the first step. You made no mention of that.
I presume you are using Stereo Signal FRONT LEFT/RIGHT and using the XLR outputs in lieu of the normal LF/RF RCA outputs from the multi-channel set. Meanwhile the Sub is wired from the RCA output of the multi-channel set.
For maximum accuracy, I suggest you use the LPCM test tracks from AIX Audio Calibration, Blu-ray (with an SPL meter) instead of the internal test tones, but the procedure is similar.
Suppose you decide to use the 5.1 LPCM test track. First set Down-mix to 5.1. Then set LF/C/RF/RS/LS to Large and Sub to ON (also LR/RR to OFF, although it won't affect what follows). You need to set Center and the 2 Surrounds to Large to avoid down-mix attenuation when playing the 5.1 test track (down-mix is the lesser of your Down-mix setting and the speakers you actually have turned on). Set LF/RF to -10dB volume trim (to adjust for the input sensitivity of your power amp). Leave Sub at 0dB volume trim. The volume trim for the other speaker outputs does not matter since they are not wired. Using the 5.1 LPCM test track, verify that LF and RF are producing the same output level. If not, then raise the volume trim a bit on the weaker speaker. Now adjust the volume knob on the Sub to produce the same output level you just established for LF/RF. The volume knob setting on the Sub will thus have adjusted for BOTH the needed +10dB boost (all speakers Large) and the 6dB difference between the XLR outputs and the RCA outputs. Note that volume setting for future reference.
Now, without changing anything in the OPPO, raise the volume knob on the Sub until its output is an ADDITIONAL +5dB HIGHER than LF/RF.
Now switch LF/RF to Small, and set C/LS/RS to OFF. Set Stereo Down-mix. Set a Crossover frequency. (The correct choice of Crossover frequency will depend upon the capabilities of your speakers and Sub and how they couple to the room. Start with 80Hz if you are still figuring this out.)
You are done. The additional +5dB boost you added to the Sub in that last adjustment takes care of the +15dB boost the Sub needs with LF/RF set to Small. (The difference between the XLR and RCA outputs is also still accounted for in that setting.)
Now here's an additional refinement: Unless you are in a large listening room, or a room with extensive bass treatments, a "desirable" room response characteristic called Room Gain comes into play -- one of the aspects of perceiving sound as being played in a good listening room instead of, say, outdoors. Room Gain has the effect of boosting bass frequencies a few dB -- 2 to 4 dB is typical. And so the most pleasing adjustment of the Subwoofer volume may actually be a few dB HIGHER than the precise match to LF/RF described above.
To experiment with that, set the Sub about +2dB higher than LF/RF in the first step -- +7dB higher in the 2nd step. Do some listening and see what you think.
Bass response is *HIGHLY* dependent on how the Subwoofer (and the woofers of LF/RF) couple to the room. There are tools you can get that let you chart the bass response of your system at various mic locations around the seating. Room problems can result in resonance peaks at certain frequencies and cancellation nulls at other, nearby frequencies. Thus proper bass setup can be a complicated task. But the above volume setting stuff is the starting point. Do re-check this stuff if you move the speakers or Sub -- even inches matter for bass frequencies.
Finally, if you want to try SACD DSD-Direct-to-Analog Conversion, you should ONLY play the Stereo layer of your SACDs. There is no audio processing possible and so if you play the 5.1 layer the extra channels just get discarded. Now when doing this -- again because there is no audio processing -- the speakers are treated as Large (no Crossover). And so there will be NO SUBWOOFER OUTPUT. There's no LFE channel in the 2.0 layer of course, and there's no bass being steered to the Sub from the mains. The upshot is that you don't have to fiddle with the volume setting on the Sub because the Sub will be silent! Voila!
--Bob

Originally Posted by Elihu 

I know this might cause some people angst since most people have opinions not based in true real world observations but I wanted to post my experience here.
I was in the market for a new Blu Ray player that could be used in a 2 channel setup. I looked at many of them. The Theta player, the Marantz 9004, Denon player and of course the Oppo player. I actually purchased an Oppo bdp-105 and came across a good deal on an Ayre DX-5 player and bought it. I actually had both of them at the same time and spent 2-3 days testing the video and audio between the players.
I know this will not right any wrong or for the most part people's perception will go unchanged but since few people have had the experience to compare these players side by side in their own home, I thought I would share what is seen. Also, I am ISF certified so I know video pretty well. I have not responded to any forum post before on this forum, on audiogon's forum, on avsforum or any other forum but this one topic has just reached a point where it pisses me off, thus causing me to react by posting a post about a high end player. Most people will discount it and that's fine. It is their loss. The point that pisses me off is when they discount high end brands because they use a license from OPPO and think the OPPO is even in the same league as all high end players. Sad part is, they feel vindicated by their triumph showing the Lexicon to be a total rip off but that is not ammunition to dismiss an entire companies progress in making a better player.
From what alot of people said on this forum and many other forums I almost didn't purchase the Ayre. I should have known considering 99% of those posters didn't even have an Ayre to even observe. The main reason I did is because of the few reviewers that have sung the praises of Ayre over the years that I trust for the audio side but I was still skeptical on the video side because of the comments of people on forums such as this.
If people care about the specifics please feel free to respond with questions but after viewing the Ayre DX-5 compared to the OPPO BDP-105 it is so easy to say that the Ayre kicks its butt all over the place with audio and video. This was before proper burn in AND after proper burn in. Straight out of the box the Ayre blows it away and after burn in, there is no comparison in video or sound. If anyone can actually compare the players themselves and they don't see and hear the differences then they don't belong in high end. They should question their ears and eyes and stay in the low end or buy mid-fi for the quality upgrades and not the video and audio upgrades because they obviously don't get it.
Also, any person that says the Ayre is a rebadged OPPO then you are obviously stupid. I know calling people names gets you flamed on forums but fact is fact. If you don't like being called stupid then fine...I will then relegate you to just ignorant.
PS:
One more thing needs to be said. The fact that the Absolute Sound avoids Ayre because they won't send them a demo or they won't report because of a tussle over an accusation of theft (that still seemed a valid accusation on Ayre's part) then it shows how partial and biased they are. It saddens me that Ayre products are not reviewed because of this because I personally prefer the formatting, layout, and writers at the Absolute Sound vs. Stereophile. I like the technical expertise of writers and Stereophile and the writing style of their journalists but the magazine is just awful to read for flow.
Either way, partiality is so evident is this small niche of an industry and the fact the Absolute Sounds leaves out such a great product as the Ayre truly does a disservice to the audiophile that only subscribes to the Absolute Sound. They are missing out on being exposed to such a great player. Put your differences aside, make up and stop excluding items that should be in your magazine. Even if Ayre is wrong a magazine should be the bigger man because you are to report the facts for your readers, not your personal vendettas.

Originally Posted by Elihu 

I know this might cause some people angst since most people have opinions not based in true real world observations but I wanted to post my experience here.
I was in the market for a new Blu Ray player that could be used in a 2 channel setup. I looked at many of them. The Theta player, the Marantz 9004, Denon player and of course the Oppo player. I actually purchased an Oppo bdp-105 and came across a good deal on an Ayre DX-5 player and bought it. I actually had both of them at the same time and spent 2-3 days testing the video and audio between the players.
I know this will not right any wrong or for the most part people's perception will go unchanged but since few people have had the experience to compare these players side by side in their own home, I thought I would share what is seen. Also, I am ISF certified so I know video pretty well. I have not responded to any forum post before on this forum, on audiogon's forum, on avsforum or any other forum but this one topic has just reached a point where it pisses me off, thus causing me to react by posting a post about a high end player. Most people will discount it and that's fine. It is their loss. The point that pisses me off is when they discount high end brands because they use a license from OPPO and think the OPPO is even in the same league as all high end players. Sad part is, they feel vindicated by their triumph showing the Lexicon to be a total rip off but that is not ammunition to dismiss an entire companies progress in making a better player.
From what alot of people said on this forum and many other forums I almost didn't purchase the Ayre. I should have known considering 99% of those posters didn't even have an Ayre to even observe. The main reason I did is because of the few reviewers that have sung the praises of Ayre over the years that I trust for the audio side but I was still skeptical on the video side because of the comments of people on forums such as this.
If people care about the specifics please feel free to respond with questions but after viewing the Ayre DX-5 compared to the OPPO BDP-105 it is so easy to say that the Ayre kicks its butt all over the place with audio and video. This was before proper burn in AND after proper burn in. Straight out of the box the Ayre blows it away and after burn in, there is no comparison in video or sound..

Originally Posted by TrebleClef 

Well that is encouraging.
I was beginning to get depressed about the Bass response I was getting.
How many hours would you say it took before you noticed this increase?
That said, I am still not happy about the Stereo Only (no subwoofer) capability from the USB DAC.

Originally Posted by Elihu 

If anyone can actually compare the players themselves and they don't see and hear the differences then they don't belong in high end. They should question their ears and eyes and stay in the low end or buy mid-fi for the quality upgrades and not the video and audio upgrades because they obviously don't get it.
Also, any person that says the Ayre is a rebadged OPPO then you are obviously stupid. I know calling people names gets you flamed on forums but fact is fact. If you don't like being called stupid then fine...I will then relegate you to just ignorant.

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

When using DSD, the multi-channel Analog Speaker Configuration settings are left unchanged -- they are just ignored.
I suggest "Stay in Tune with PentaTone", SACD, tracks 43-48 for confirming volume trims with SACD Output PCM vs. SACD Output DSD. (NOTE: The Subwoofer test track, track 48, is about +4dB hot on that disc.) But Crossover processing, distance adjustments, and down-mix CAN NOT HAPPEN while using SACD DSD-Direct-to-Analog Conversion. If you need those, then you should use SACD Output PCM instead.
Now if you are playing the stereo layer of an SACD, and don't care that the full frequency range will go to your main speakers (i.e., no bass steered to your sub), then you may very well find you can use SACD Output DSD -- i.e., try it and see if you like it.
Note that distance settings are less important for music playback since there are no visual cues to indicate that placement of sound BETWEEN speakers might not be an exact match to action on screen. Phase management for the Sub is also not an issue since there is no Crossover processing.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Elihu 

I know this might cause some people angst since most people have opinions not based in true real world observations but I wanted to post my experience here.
I was in the market for a new Blu Ray player that could be used in a 2 channel setup. I looked at many of them. The Theta player, the Marantz 9004, Denon player and of course the Oppo player. I actually purchased an Oppo bdp-105 and came across a good deal on an Ayre DX-5 player and bought it. I actually had both of them at the same time and spent 2-3 days testing the video and audio between the players.
I know this will not right any wrong or for the most part people's perception will go unchanged but since few people have had the experience to compare these players side by side in their own home, I thought I would share what is seen. Also, I am ISF certified so I know video pretty well. I have not responded to any forum post before on this forum, on audiogon's forum, on avsforum or any other forum but this one topic has just reached a point where it pisses me off, thus causing me to react by posting a post about a high end player. Most people will discount it and that's fine. It is their loss. The point that pisses me off is when they discount high end brands because they use a license from OPPO and think the OPPO is even in the same league as all high end players. Sad part is, they feel vindicated by their triumph showing the Lexicon to be a total rip off but that is not ammunition to dismiss an entire companies progress in making a better player.
From what alot of people said on this forum and many other forums I almost didn't purchase the Ayre. I should have known considering 99% of those posters didn't even have an Ayre to even observe. The main reason I did is because of the few reviewers that have sung the praises of Ayre over the years that I trust for the audio side but I was still skeptical on the video side because of the comments of people on forums such as this.
If people care about the specifics please feel free to respond with questions but after viewing the Ayre DX-5 compared to the OPPO BDP-105 it is so easy to say that the Ayre kicks its butt all over the place with audio and video. This was before proper burn in AND after proper burn in. Straight out of the box the Ayre blows it away and after burn in, there is no comparison in video or sound. If anyone can actually compare the players themselves and they don't see and hear the differences then they don't belong in high end. They should question their ears and eyes and stay in the low end or buy mid-fi for the quality upgrades and not the video and audio upgrades because they obviously don't get it.
Also, any person that says the Ayre is a rebadged OPPO then you are obviously stupid. I know calling people names gets you flamed on forums but fact is fact. If you don't like being called stupid then fine...I will then relegate you to just ignorant.
PS:
One more thing needs to be said. The fact that the Absolute Sound avoids Ayre because they won't send them a demo or they won't report because of a tussle over an accusation of theft (that still seemed a valid accusation on Ayre's part) then it shows how partial and biased they are. It saddens me that Ayre products are not reviewed because of this because I personally prefer the formatting, layout, and writers at the Absolute Sound vs. Stereophile. I like the technical expertise of writers and Stereophile and the writing style of their journalists but the magazine is just awful to read for flow.
Either way, partiality is so evident is this small niche of an industry and the fact the Absolute Sounds leaves out such a great product as the Ayre truly does a disservice to the audiophile that only subscribes to the Absolute Sound. They are missing out on being exposed to such a great player. Put your differences aside, make up and stop excluding items that should be in your magazine. Even if Ayre is wrong a magazine should be the bigger man because you are to report the facts for your readers, not your personal vendettas.

Originally Posted by boyce89976 

Aren't you comparing a $10,000 unit (Ayre) to a $1,200 unit?

Originally Posted by RichB 

This is quite an opus completely devoid of specifics.
If you think theAyre blows the bdp-105 away on video, you do not like accurate images.
Oppo players have been thoroughly measured by secrets and others as one of the most accurate players out there.
I am glad you are happy with your purchase, but what is your purpose here?
- Rich

Originally Posted by JohnAV 

Another example of the law of diminishing returns when a another party has to boast that his $10000 box beats a $1200 box. Have fun thinking you have the ultimate digital source.

Originally Posted by dahlgren 

Has anyone had a chance to compare the Marantz UD7007 to the 105 based on video and audio quality? I know the 7007 doesn't have the USB access or a headphone jack. Trying to make a decision on which to buy. Coincidentally they are exactly the same price.