Hello,
I have been using my 105 as a 7 channel preamp direct to my power amp as the poster below describes, as many of you have been discussing. I bought it for that purpose. I used it for a few weeks the normal way with my existing NAD 163 Prepro and the 7 channel 973 power amp, rated at 140 wpc into 8 ohms. I use it to drive 7 magnepan speakers, including pairs of MG 1.6QRs, 10QRs, MMGW. and a CC5. Those speakers are less than 8 ohms, not real efficient, and the amp cranks out considerably more than 140 wpc into them. I have been using this sysem for 7 years and know it very well. When I had thoroughtly gotten used to the sound of the 105 in my system playing 2 ch CDs, SACDs, DVDs and BRDs, I converted over to straight driving the power amp. My prepro has nothing connected now. I was so blown away by the clarity, resolution, deffinition, and "sound" that I would never go back. I set mine up per Bob P's recommendations, so I get the sub with 2 channels, and any other combo of 5.1 or 7.1 automatically without having to mess with any changes. My Lady is not afraid of it, and can turn it on, set an input and run the volume very simply with no confusion. It is a no brainer, and better and less complicated than I have ever had in my house, and I have always had very good stereo. I know there are many newer, better and more expensive amps out there now, but I can not imagine anything sounding any better than I have right now. Plus, I like to play stuff pretty loud, and I have not managed to get the volume up over 85% at any time--with absolutely crystal clear, awesome sound!
If you are thinking of trying the direct approach, do not be afraid of it. Just do it. You might be like me and not want to go back to the old way. Anything electronic, and every cable you insert, even good ones, modifies your sound. The clarity and detail acquired by the purer method is habit forming.
I do however still have to figure out a way to play an alalog input from my phono preamp into one of the OPPO inputs.
BC
Quote:
Originally Posted by
decooney 
Jeff / Perpendicular,
Tonight I was reading a 2012 Home Theater Review awards article about the BDP-103 from earlier this year and just realized something. If I wanted to completely bypass my Integra DHC 40.1 preamp all together (effectively eliminate it), and just use the Oppo BDP-103 or BDP-105 for BluRay with all 5.1 RCA analog channels out direct to each of my amplifier(s) analog inputs, I could then make full use of the internal DAC in the Oppo player instead, thus using it like a preamp with volume control and all? (If the Oppo players will actually work like a preamp with volume and all, its another option I had not considered trying). I was thinking all along about two channel audio, but in reverse, I could do 5.1 direct to my amps as well. If so, that's another interesting option and I wonder if it would sound better removing one additional layer out of the chain. I recall you saying you had tried direct-attach for stereo, but had not asked if you had tried the same with 5.1 direct-to-amp inputs for home theater surround. Hmmm...
Quote: from HTR article -
Re: BDP-103 "
Mate it directly to a multi-channel amp and watch as the 103 kicks your AV preamp to the curb, serving as the quintessential centerpiece", unquote.
Update;
Just found an interesting conversation going on over at Stereophile tonight where another guy is asking the same questions I am now about wanting to potentially elminate his primary preamp-processor completely and just use the Oppo as a BDP/DAC/Preamp control center. Theoretically, since I just watch digital capble TV and run Blu Rays through my existing pre-pro, and the new Oppo units allow both HDMI and USB inputs, I could effectively eliminate my existing pre-pro if I wanted to. Ugh, there I said it again. The comment they made on the other site is "
So, beyond its universal disc playing capability of the Oppo,, it really can function like a DAC that has digital inputs and a volume control. It has analog stereo output but no facility to handle subwoofer output in a 2.1 configuration as I can see". I don't run a subwoofer for my high end two channel setup, so that is the only thing that would be missing that I can find so far. In theory it all seems good, but would have to try it and see if I could totally elminate my existing pre-pro unit. Can't think of any other reason I could not elminate it all together if the Oppo truly does all of this well. It's like a modern day integrated preamp invented all over again with a Blu Ray and DAC inside of it. Very clever. hmmm.
.
