Official OPPO BDP-105 Owner's Thread - Page 131

Quick question about bass management given my unique situation:

I recently purchased a Rel R-528 sub, which features a high-level input as well as the LFE connection. Rel insists it is mandatory for the front speakers to be set to LARGE to take full advantage of this sub. After much experimentation and advice from AVS members in the Marantz 8801 thread, I have found the best results come when in fact my mains are set to large, and the LPF on the Marantz are set to 250Hz. I am EXTREMELY happy with this set up. The high-level connection on the sub gives me exceptional bass, even when I play two channel music from my Mac Mini music server into the USB input of the 105.

My question is in regards to the settings for the 105 with this configuration. Should I set the speakers to LARGE in the speaker configuration settings of the 105 as well? I understand these settings don't apply for the USB input or when listening to DSD output from SACD, but for all other material that I listen to through the 105's DACs (DVD-A, CDs), I'm not sure how to configure it.

Thanks in advance.

Harmony has discrete on/off IR codes, but I had to call it a BDP-83 to get them (they don't include them if you say your device is a BDP-105, but the 83 codes work fine). I bought the cheapest Harmony remote several years ago and use it to download discrete IR codes for all of my various components from their website. I then use the Harmony to program a Sony universal remote with direct IR learning. Of course, I could just use the Harmony remote, but I prefer to use macros on a Sony RM-VL900. Harmony's website has never let me down; they have discrete IR codes for everything I've tried.

What make/model is the headphone chip in the 105? I thought that was posted on this thread somewhere, but I can't find it?

Yes, the remote for the BDP-83 and BDP-93/95 has discrete on/off commands:

Backlit Version

Non-backlit Version

Thanks for the input, Bill!

One question though - Our local high--end audio store (where I do most of my business), says Harmony uses toggles rather than discrete codes in their macros, that's why they don't sell or recommend them, since they say it is too easy for sequences to get out of sync with on/off commands and such.

Your post indicates that Harmony CAN supply discrete codes, so if that is true I will disregard the store's info and invest in the cheapest Harmony remote, using that to transfer commands to my MX-500. I might even program some macros into the Harmony

Cheers,
Paul

Thanks, gsr! I have just called OPPO and ordered the BDP-80 remote for a whopping 13 bucks (including shipping)! The tech checked and it indeed does have discrete on/off buttons. He indicated the discrete functions were deleted in order to add the dedicated Netflix and VUDU access buttons per their licensing requirements (which I will never use...grr). So hopefully next week I will get a remote programmed that my wife can deal with.

And Bill, I may still look into a cheap Harmony remote as well, for command transfer purposes as you described.

Cheers,
Paul

I am considering getting a BDP-105 but wondered if anyone here has heard the 105 vs the Sony XA7ES for 2 channel audio? I am very attached to my XA7ES but wouldn't mind combining my 2 channel listening into the 105 if the SQ is in the same ballpark as with the Sony. Anyway if anyone has any experience with both please comment. For reference my pre-amp is the Emotiva UMC-200 (wanted the new higher end one but its still not out and got impatient LOL). My speakers are Monitor Audio GS20's and the amp is a Sunfire Cinema Grand 5x200.

Thanks!

The problem is that thought he difference between each step is very small, the difference between step 0 and 1 is farly significant.

He lied, whatever commands are available to be used can be used on the logitech. If it does not have discrete commands in the database then you can't use them but most devices have them and you can use them. It would be a worthless device if all the components turned off each time you changed modes with the remote.

And there lies the problem these sales people lie all the time so they can push you into buying a more expensive product!

I didn't think Pioneer was making plasma displays. Did you mean to say Panasonic Viera VT50?

I did a setup of a BDP-105 at my friends and he had an older harmony.
If you do not find the commands listed, you can learn them from the remote and then use them.
If you want to help others, enter a ticket on the Logitech Harmony support site. Perhaps if they get enough of them, they might update the master DB.

One trick for Harmony, is you can add specific commands to an activity during startup.
If you put the Power-ON in here explicitly, it appears to always send them.
This is much better because the Harmony is brain dead and thinks it is doing you a favor by remembering its state.
Of course, when a command is missed, you now have to sequence through the help screen.
I hate this about those remotes. Perhaps the new owners will do better.

- Rich

Cool! I just ordered one. For 13 bucks I couldn't pass it up. I can always use another remote, especially one with discrete commands.

Paul, you don't really need the Harmony if you're getting the BDP-80 remote and all you want to do is teach the discrete on/off codes to your existing universal remote. But I have found their IR database to be very useful for many different components.

You are right - my mistake. Due to the fact our new Viera is replacing a vintage Pioneer Elite 42" plasma monitor that expired a few weeks ago (with a sound like a rifle shot when the power supply grenaded). My wife loved our old unit, and still hasn't fully accepted the Viera - she thinks the new TV is too big for the room.

Cheers,
Paul

Yep, I probably don't need the Harmony, but my wife might like it better than my hoary old MX-500. All she uses the MX for is powering up and turning off the system, then she reverts to the dedicated remotes for the cable box, blu-ray, DVD, HD-DVD, and (dare I admit it) the VCR! Buying the 105 is allowing me to ditch the DVD player (retained until now for its ability to play DVD Audio and SACD) and the cheap LG blu-ray (which had HDMI handshake issues with the Viera, and therefore prompted me to look into the 105). I use the MX-500 more than she does at this point.

Cheers,
Paul

I've only had the 105 for 3 days, and I am already impressed with OPPO.

Here's why...I was demonstrating the musical prowess of the unit for my wife last night, put in one of the CDs of her local concert band (she plays the oboe). She uses our A/V system to play the CDs and analyze how her performances went. Our old DVD player was able to do a 2x fast forward, outputting audible content while fast forwarding. Using that, she was able to locate areas within the tracks very easily. Unfortunately, the 105 does not have this capability, it only allows "jumps" of a few seconds ahead, with no audible content until the "jump" is completed. So she threw the remote back at me, saying this was a major problem. I may need to put the old DVD player back in the system, just for her band CDs!

I e-mailed OPPO this morning, inquiring if the ability to do a 2x audible fast forward was possible, and within 3 hours got the following response:

Paul

The ability to hear the audio being played at a sped up rate when using fast forward is something that we can consider for a future firmware release.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.

Nice to know my request didn't go into the proverbial corporate "Black Hole". If any of you guys out there would have the need (or desire) for an audible fast forward feature, please let OPPO know. That will let them know there is more than one guy who requested this, and probably increase the chances of it making it into their firmware.

Cheers,
Paul

I'm not sure why you quoted my post, since neither my post nor the question I was responding to have anything to do with the transition between Volume 0 and Volume 1.

That aside, Volume 0 is implemented as Mute. Volume 1 is 99 steps below full reference volume at -0.5dB per step in the 105. So Volume 1 is an attenuation of -49.5dB.

Whether the step between 0 and 1 is too large is thus dependent on how loud -49.5dB is in your system.
--Bob

Bob, a quick question regarding the Oppo's volume control. I understand how the 105 works. Does the 95 work the same way with a 0.5db step for each step on the volume control?

Thanks!

I called Oppo and got a link to the unsigned driver for windows 8 32 / 64 x86 x64. Here is the link [URL=http://]http://download.oppodigital.com/BDP0103/USB_DAC_Driver_Win8/OPPO-USB-AUDIO-2.0-DRIVER(WINDOWS)_v1.61.zip[/URL] ....
Follow these instructions : [URL=http://]http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/preinstallation-failed-please-run-setup-again-if-you-are-asked-confirm-installation-software-please-confirm-13783[/URL]

I did this and it worked on windows 8 64 bit. I am using cplay and it sounds great!
Edited by Alan Valenti - 2/28/13 at 6:19pm

My local audio shop is telling me to purchase the Cambridge Audio Azur 752BD instead of the Oppo 105. Have any of yous played with one of these? My dealer tells me that the OPPO guys used to work for Cambridge. He says that the Cambridge is a better built unit. Just wanted to hear from some people that know .

I doubt that the Oppo guys worked for Oppo although Cambridge does source hardware/technology from Oppo's parent company

Does this dealer sell both or just one brand . Assuming just one brand, take that into consideration when making your own decision.

I suggest you try both in your system.
Pick the one you like best.

- Rich

Of course my dealer only sells Cambrdge. I know thats why he wants to steer me away from Oppo. I do think that he knows his **** so to speak and I trust his opinion to some degree. Even if it is biased. I was hoping that some of you guys have had experience with Cambridge and could give me some wisdom.

Define "better built".

The Oppo has measurable performance at the limit of both state-of-the-art test equipment, and sheer physics.

If the dealer--translation: sales guy--means some kind of fancy faceplate, etc., save your money.

Electronics salesmen make as much sense in this day and age as car salesmen. It's all online.

I've never played with the Cambridge, so I can't tell you. However, I do work (part-time) for an authorized Oppo dealer. No one at the shop wants to sell the Oppo because there is a very tiny mark-up. Much more profits selling other brands. We also carry Denon and Marantz and their mark-up is MUCH higher than the Oppo. Oppo units are sold specifically to those who come and ask for it.

Clever.
I have followed many of your posts on the AV-8801 thread and I know as you have stated that you are much more thorough then most. I am a rookie to this sport and had hoped that I could learn from some of the seasoned veterans.

 

Let you ears decide! Yes your dealer wants to push Cambridge the margins are 40- 50 points :)

I dont know what the "Sales Guy" ment by better built. I do know that the prices between the two units is comparable within a hundred bucks I think. Im not so worried about the money just want the better piece. I keep reading about OPPO on the AV8801 thread and have never heard mention of the Cambridge. That alone speaks volumes to me.