Oppo BDP-105 "Sound Quality" Check Thread for Audiophiles - Page 12

Originally Posted by wse 

Can the 103 be used as a DAC?

Originally Posted by wse 

Is there a table comparing features between 103 and 105?

Originally Posted by jima4a I would ask on the regular 103 or 105 threads. Basically if you want to use analog out (XLR stereo or multi) or feed direct from computer via USB, then 105, otherwise 103. I wish I had gone 105. As you said recently, it is expensive to upgrade- just go for the quality.

Originally Posted by wse 

Just wondering, yes I am going for the 105

Originally Posted by Pokey77 No matter how good your downstream components are, if your source is substandard, that's the way your system will sound. Get the best source you can afford. You'll thank yourself later.

Originally Posted by bobpaule 

Let's hear it from the Jonestown gang:) Flamesuit on!

Originally Posted by gsr 

It lacks the coax / optical SPDIF and async USB inputs the 105 has, but it can be used as a DAC for HDMI sources.

Originally Posted by bobpaule 

the last DAC does HDMI duty.

Originally Posted by wse 

Is there a table comparing features between 103 and 105?

Originally Posted by bobpaule 

Fellas, the Oppo utilizes 2 x 24 bit DACs doing quad duty each.

The A1UDCI, and its D&M Holdings clones, the UD9004 (add shielded everything, copper chassis), and the MVP881 (glass front plate with buttons out of a 1950ies horror movie) carry 6x 32 bit AKM4399 chips, for SACD MCH you have x3 (2 channels per each), for SACD Stereo you get one dedicated DAC with fully balanced pathway, the last DAC does HDMI duty.

Show me a HT processor or receiver that has the processing power of the AKM chips, oh well Theta or Classe, but 6-10k, when you can spend a third of that for an A1 these days.

In other words what matters is one step DSD conversion, and then true transmission of the analog signal, preferably balanced. I treated my room ceiling and walls with fiberglass 2" panels, replacing the dropped ceiling tiles with DYIHometheater 24x24" and the wall with Dow-Corning 703 24x48" and the thick carpet over concrete floors made an amazing impact. Burlap sticks well to those with 3M 77.

By all means XT32 everything enjoying your receiver or processor's every imaginable combo of signal processing and reincoding if that suits you. Unfortunately for me 6 pairs of 0.5m King Cobras and a pair of XLRs with no processing except volume control will cut the mustard. It is because of the A1 that my SACD collection is now close to 500 titles. For everything else there is a PS3/Harmony adapter to create the ultimate 3D player/streamer.

And remember, all 10k SACD players before the A1UDCI mostly did 2 channel (yes, Esoterics feature AKM DACs too), while some of the very expensive MCH players are Oppo knockoffs, no fresh Ayre there:) After all design and components can be very expensive, unless you sponsor a halo product.

Let's hear it from the Jonestown gang:) Flamesuit on!

Originally Posted by bobpaule 

Fellas, the Oppo utilizes 2 x 24 bit DACs doing quad duty each.

The A1UDCI, and its D&M Holdings clones, the UD9004 (add shielded everything, copper chassis), and the MVP881 (glass front plate with buttons out of a 1950ies horror movie) carry 6x 32 bit AKM4399 chips, for SACD MCH you have x3 (2 channels per each), for SACD Stereo you get one dedicated DAC with fully balanced pathway, the last DAC does HDMI duty.

Show me a HT processor or receiver that has the processing power of the AKM chips, oh well Theta or Classe, but 6-10k, when you can spend a third of that for an A1 these days.

In other words what matters is one step DSD conversion, and then true transmission of the analog signal, preferably balanced. I treated my room ceiling and walls with fiberglass 2" panels, replacing the dropped ceiling tiles with DYIHometheater 24x24" and the wall with Dow-Corning 703 24x48" and the thick carpet over concrete floors made an amazing impact. Burlap sticks well to those with 3M 77.

By all means XT32 everything enjoying your receiver or processor's every imaginable combo of signal processing and reincoding if that suits you. Unfortunately for me 6 pairs of 0.5m King Cobras and a pair of XLRs with no processing except volume control will cut the mustard. It is because of the A1 that my SACD collection is now close to 500 titles. For everything else there is a PS3/Harmony adapter to create the ultimate 3D player/streamer.

And remember, all 10k SACD players before the A1UDCI mostly did 2 channel (yes, Esoterics feature AKM DACs too), while some of the very expensive MCH players are Oppo knockoffs, no fresh Ayre there:) After all design and components can be very expensive, unless you sponsor a halo product.

Let's hear it from the Jonestown gang:) Flamesuit on!

Originally Posted by wmcclain 

"One thing I don't understand: everything you just said." -- The Limey (1999)

-Bill

Originally Posted by Eleanor D 

There seems to be some debate about the relative merits of different chips and I lack the technical background to sort it all out. What is one step DSD conversion (and does the terminology imply that there is some sort of dreaded two step conversion?)

I do understand that the DAC chip is just one part of the equation, which is why Oppo continues to modify its designs and why additional modifications can help quite a lot. (Don't Ayre and Theta use the same platform and chip set that is in the Oppo?) And one nice feature of the Oppo is that you can use the balanced outputs for FL and FR in a multichannel setup. The Marantz (and the Denon?) does not allow this. The Marantz also has numerous ergonomic problems (the interminable load times for Blu Ray among them.)

Last but not least, I know what my ears tell me. I know that time plays tricks on one's perceptions so I won't swear to it; perhaps I am just drinking the Kool Aid But my modded 105 seems to be as warm and engaging, yet still just as detailed, as the UD9004, perhaps even better. And the 105 plays all discs flawlessly, zooms as needed to fill my screen, does not occasionally confuse 2ch and MCH playback, does not occasionally boost the rear speaker volumes without warning. With comparable audio quality and hands down superior ergonomics, the 105 is a clear winner in my book.

Okay, give me that Kool Aid!

Originally Posted by Kris Deering 

The Oppo uses 2 of the SABRE32 8-channel DACs, one for the multi-channel output and one for the dedicated stereo and headphone outputs. Each set can be run fully differential and the Oppo has a fully differential balanced output for stereo playback. The AKM has a dynamic range of 123 dB in stereo mode, the Sabre is 133 dB. Both are 32 bit resolution. The Denon is an outstanding player for sound but doesn't offer near the features of the Oppo for playback and its usability is cumbersome and slow.

Originally Posted by wse 

I am getting the BDP-105 in a few days will try and see what happens through the Classé SSP-800 and direct to the amps!


Is there anything I should be worried about? Beside the fact that if I like the direct approach I will sell the Classé.


I only use BluRay and the Apple TV

Originally Posted by googly moogly 

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?

Originally Posted by wse 

I am getting the BDP-105 in a few days will try and see what happens through the Classé SSP-800 and direct to the amps!


Is there anything I should be worried about? Beside the fact that if I like the direct approach I will sell the Classé.


I only use BluRay and the Apple TV

Originally Posted by Sharp1080 

I really think you'll like the BDP-105 thru the SSP-800, especially when you play your Blu Ray discs. Prometheus was the disc that made me realize how subtle yet detailed sounds in movies can enhance the performance.

Originally Posted by Sharp1080 

I really think you'll like the BDP-105 thru the SSP-800, especially when you play your Blu Ray discs. Prometheus was the disc that made me realize how subtle yet detailed sounds in movies can enhance the performance.

Originally Posted by wse 

I will try the 105 with Skyfall, just got it from Netflix today, Oppo should arrive today!

Originally Posted by SergeantYnot Skyfall's soundtrack was lackluster compared to Prometheus. The big crash sequence is pure audio and visual enjoyment. Make sure to crank up the subs at that point. That was the most gut wrenching (no joke) bass I ever experienced in my life

Originally Posted by Sharp1080 

I really think you'll like the BDP-105 thru the SSP-800, especially when you play your Blu Ray discs. Prometheus was the disc that made me realize how subtle yet detailed sounds in movies can enhance the performance.

Originally Posted by mt14942 

Did you use the m/c analog outputs or the HDMI connection to the SSP-800? I used the HDMI out to the SSP-800 and was very impressed with the audio, but I don't have the 105 yet and with my player I prefer the HDMI route for bluray.