Oppo BDP-105 "Sound Quality" Check Thread for Audiophiles - Page 5

See the following technical note posted by OPPO UK on this:

http://www.oppo-bluray.co.uk/UserFiles/Docs/PDF/BDP-105EU%20Direct%20Power%20Amplifier%20Connection%20V2.pdf

The range of Volume control on the 105 is set so that precision is maintained even at low Volume settings, which is why the Volume control doesn't go all the way down to -90dB or some such. If I recall correctly, they've got it set at 0.5dB per step, so -50dB at Volume 1. Volume 0 is implemented as Mute.

Note that the XLR outputs are the standard +6dB hotter than the RCA outputs.
--Bob

It's not too loud at 1, it's too loud considering the volume is at 1. I'm not sure how anyone can think it's too loud but it's def at a listenable level at the absolute minimum setting. If it was a big deal I'm guessing you can just set the trim setting a lot higher by the same amount across all the speakers.

I don't follow you. The trim controls of the 105 are not active if there's a disc in the player.

Not true. The internal TEST TONES in the player are not active if there is a disc in the player, but the Analog Speaker Configuration > Volume Trim controls for each speaker output ARE active and can be adjusted on the fly while the calibration disc is playing.
--Bob

^^^

You're right, Bob..my bad. Originally tried Digital Video Essentials and gave up when I couldn't follow their multi-channel test signals with the 105 speaker configuration overlay.

Where's the best place to order the AIX dics?

They sell direct: http://www.aixrecords.com/catalog/bd/oppo_sampler_bd.html

-Bill

Thanks. Ordering right now.

My experience so far.
I am brand new to the 105 and have it connected directly to my Pass Labs X250. My amp has 30db of gain and 22 Ohms input impedance. My speakers have a stingy sensitivity at ~85db.
In my system (2.1), the volume gets only a little louder than loud enough (for most of the movies I've tried). For Kung Fu Panda, though, 100 on the volume is NOT quite loud enough. With my Integra DTR7.8 in the mix, a volume of -7db was freaking LOUD. Or... it sounded loud. Interestingly, the Oppo's stereo mixdown and analog outs present a much more textured and nuanced sound on Bluray. It's very different from the Integra and other surround receivers I've heard which seem to present audio as soft, medium, or loud - and nothing in between.
So... I am really encouraged with the analog outs of the Oppo but disappointed with the volume control / gain. I guess I need to think about putting a pre/pro back in. or a 2 channel preamp AND a processor. or ... I dunno. I'll stick with this for a while.
Also, volume setting 1 is way too loud (for me). It's about as loud as someone talking from across a table.
After only ~20 hours of use, the DAC is sounding really nice. Compared to My Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2, the Oppo's DAC is fuller, goes lower, and the soundstage is much wider. It's about as smooth in the midrange and this is where I expect it to improve with burn-in. It's also nice that I CAN use Integer Mode out of Audirvana with the Oppo. You can't with a W4S DAC-2. I can't hear a noticeable difference right now.
Running it as a DAC, the volume goes plenty loud. I'm hopeful a firmware update can address my volume issue on Bluray.

Looking to connect some Emotiva Stealth 8 powered studio monitors - anyone heard these? I like the simplicity of the BDP-105 direct to the monitors.

Just don't try to calibrate using an SACD as DSD.

has anyone else compared the dacs on the av8801 and the bdp-105?
i have the av8801, and am considering the bdp-105, and wanted to know if it would make a difference. Thanks!

Could a kind 105 owner help me out regarding 2 channel CD playback. Basically I would like to know your experience of how the Oppo compared to your stand alone CD player?
I have a Cyrus CD8x which I really like the sound off (after careful cable and power matching) but I can't have both. Has the updated power supply of the 105 rectified the bright sound during cd playback which was reported previously by owners of 95?
Edited by googly moogly - 2/2/13 at 12:50am

Research this tread and the 8801 thread, I and others have this combo, I personally consider it deadly:D

Taken the plunge...the missus will kill me probably but a 105 on the way to me on Monday.

Mainly bought for stereo but happy to enjoy the other features I think either the 105 will replace my Ayre CX-7 and put that on the market or somebody local will pick up a brand spanking new 105 at a discount-I don't really plan to keep both but we will see.

I'm currently digging out discs for stereo music analysis only. :-)

I seriously doubt the PASS power amp have a 22 ohm input impedance; 22K ohm would be reasonable.

I really love the way Nelson Pass designed amplifiers sound, as I have built a Nelson Pass Bride of Son of Zen preamp (balanced) and a Zen power amp (version 2, with biamp monoblocks), and I have in the works an Aleph2 and Zen version 4.

You are going to have so much fun. It depends on which flavor you like more. Please do me a favor when you compare them I would appreciate any feedback on the soundstages between the two players. That was my major discovery. You will be using the same cables for both units?

not asking about the combo

asking if anyone has compared the 2 dacs, to see if the av8801 dac is comparable to the oppo dac.

I found the two very close with the prefernce for the 105 for 2ch cd and sacd, both excell at hirez files and the 8801 fed bitstream from the 105 with Audyssey engaged is my preference for multi/ch sacd. The reason I refered to searching is that myself and others have posted on the sound of the two. My take if your in the market for a player get the 105 and be done as I find it hard to choose on some sources which says alot about the 8801, but when critical I refer to the 105' s Sabre dacs , but I could easily live with the 8801 for all processing!

Confusing ain't it

Yes I use balanced from CX-7 into my AX-7 in my opinion there's no comparison between balanced and single end on the Ayre stuff. I will simply swap the cables-I'll even use the same input channel.

For a bit of fun I'll post my "trial" playlist but it will probably be next weekend to do a comparison.

Here's my playlist-anybody with any good or novel ways how to approach this then I'm up for suggestions.

I have a fair amount of SACD's a couple of DVD-A's-I will of course try these in a wider sense to see how the Oppo performs but in terms of direct comparison I will go strictly with redbook or plain vanilla CD.

This list is a mix of genres and discs I am really familiar with and are my starting point as a list to compare with....

JOEL FREDERISKEN-REQUIEM FOR A PINK MOON
PHILADELPHIA INT.RECORDS 40TH ANNIVERSARY BOX SET-DISC 2
MILES DAVIS KIND OF BLUE -JAPANESE MASTERSOUND IMPORT
BLUE NILE HATS 2012 REMASTER
LED ZEP-MOTHERSHIP
BOB DYLAN NEW MORNING (MOST RECENT REMASTER)
BEATLES REVOLVER-FROM THE MONO BOX SET
BEATLES-ABBEY ROAD REMASTER
DAVID SYLVIAN A VICTIM OF STARS
FLYING LOTUS COSMOOGRAMMA
RADIOHEAD-THE BENDS/KIDA/OK COMP
YES-CLOSE TO THE EDGE JAPANESE HDCD
BRIAN ENO-DISCREET MUSIC LAST REMASTER
PINK FLOYD THE WALL-DISCOVERY BOX SET VERSION
AC/DC BACK IN BLACK LAST REMASTER
GENESIS=THE LAMB LIES DOWN AND WIND AND WUTHERING FROM THE 2007 BOX SETS
QUEEN A DAY AT THE RACES LAST REMASTER
RUSH MOVING PICTURES DELUXE EDITION
RUSH PERMANENT WAVES ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING

I'll probably remember others that are important as I go through it......and as I say I will do things like compare the SACD/CD layers on the Oppo with hybrid discs
Edited by BenGodzilla - 2/2/13 at 12:06pm

Got my AIX calibration disc on Saturday and used it to adjust the speaker levels in the 105. Then I set speaker balance using Oppo's internal tones and got very different SPL numbers. Anyone know what might account for this? All settings are temporary, I will not set any speaker beyond 0.0 dB in my final setup.

Using AIX signal
LF: -1.0 dB
SW: -2.0 dB
C: -0.5 dB
RF: 3.5 dB
RS: 3.5 dB
LS: 5.5 dB

Using Internal test tone
LF: 0.0 dB
SW: -10.0 dB
C: -3.5 dB
RF: 1.0 dB
RS: 1.5 dB
LS: 2.5 dB

^ Are you using the 5.1 LPCM track from AIX? That's the one you should be using.
--Bob

Looking at your AIX numbers, it strikes me as odd that you have such a discrepancy between your F/L and F/R channels. Room configuration?

No. I used the 48 kHz sound track. I'll redo with the LPCM track and post later today. Thanks.

I'm using a Shack meter and 75 dB setting.

One side of my room has full shelves and two 2x4 feet sound panels along the ceiling, and the other side is bare with just a sound panel at first reflection point. This could be the reason for the discrepancy. What's really strange is the subwoofer numbers, -10 dB with internal tone vs -2 with AIX.

I'm still learning to use AIX with 105's speaker configuration setup. Seems I have to hurry my adjustments to keep up with the test signal, but it's not as tricky frustrating as using DVE for speaker balance.

I thought I could do setup by ear, but no way. The disc is very helpful.

Anyone? If this isn't worthy of a reply in a oppo 105 sound thread perhaps you could explain what I need to do make it so.

There are a few testimonies to this being the case on this forum. I just read an old Hi-fi News tonight from May last year that stated that the 95 sounded like a 3K CD player.

This in the main is the feeling about the 105 in that the CD playback is very very good-there have been a smaller % of reviews and testimonies stating that the sound is disappointing.

In terms of the sonic signatures I have seen a few posters suggest there is not much between the 95 and the 105. I am looking at the player in a wider sense in that it can stream play BluRay etc but like yourself I am not keeping a stand alone CD player and the Oppo.

I will update this thread as I've stated above once I've done a head to head.
Edited by BenGodzilla - 2/3/13 at 12:49pm

Here's a pic of my living room. You can see the DIY sound panels above the shelves.



The room is 11x19x9 feet. Behind the couch are two budget subs stacked under the shelves and one Hsu subwoofer.



I use two power amps -- a Rotel 200w stereo amp and a Rotel 1077 multichannel amp, which is rated 100w/ch, for the center and Side Surround speakers.

Here's another image of more sound panels above my main listening spot. It fairly reduces ringing along the back wall.



And here's the setup, with additional panels in between the main speakers. There are two RGPC line conditioners sharing the cabinet with the BDP-105 and Totem speakers.


Edited by Pres2play - 2/3/13 at 2:04pm