Oppo BDP-105 "Sound Quality" Check Thread for Audiophiles - Page 13

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.

Originally Posted by wse 

I use HDMi Direct for movies in BluRay, and MC Analog for SACDs I have not tried the 105 yet hopefully this afternoon!

This is an other reason why I got the OPPO BDP-105! "Oppo has a fully differential balanced output for stereo playback."

Originally Posted by Torqdog 

I have both Skyfall and Prometheus and if I had to pick one, I'd go with Prometheus. The first ten minutes of that movie are what I'm talkin about........good LFE, music score and directional surround. They both have good soundtracks but Prometheus is reference quality, IMHO

If I were wse and had my new 105 which replaced my 95, I think for the sake of comparison I'd want to play something I'm familiar with that I had heard numerous times on the 95.

Originally Posted by Sharp1080 

I used the HDMI. I also tried the XLR outputs just for s__t and giggles. I think with this combo the HDMI sounds fantastic, I discovered the true capabilities of my SSP-800 when I connected the BDP-105 into my system. I was hearing spatial cues and details I had not heard before. I absolutely love this combination.

Originally Posted by wse 

I use HDMi Direct for movies in BluRay, and MC Analog for SACDs I have not tried the 105 yet hopefully this afternoon!

This is an other reason why I got the OPPO BDP-105! "Oppo has a fully differential balanced output for stereo playback."

Originally Posted by mt14942 

I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you get it. The balance analog outputs would be the main reason I would also get the 105 over the 103.

Originally Posted by SergeantYnot With your 105, will you continue using HDMI for movies, and multichannel for music? I take it you're using Audyssey or some ARC for movies?

Originally Posted by SergeantYnot I consider the BD of Prometheus the finest implementation of 7.1 I have ever heard on my system, and that was watched with the 95 at the time. The intricate details of the alien ship, like the steam and water droplets hitting the ground are pristine in every channel. Sounds like the rocks blowing around in the wind, and even the alien technology like the holograms all are very unique. It's quite an incredible experience for home theater audio. I frequently discuss with one of my audiophile friends how movie studios are getting lazy with their soundtracks; the audio mixing in movies like Prometheus definitely are appreciated.

My main motivation for upgrading to dual subs is the big crash sequence. When I saw that scene in the Imax theater, I had never experienced gut wrenching bass like that before, maybe being on a roller coaster ride would be a comparable feeling. Perhaps the Imax theater had too much bass that day, but I had an epiphany right after walking out of the theater thinking "I'm gonna need a bigger sub".

Originally Posted by gsr 

The better SABRE DAC and overall better analog output board implementation in the 105 vs 103 makes a much bigger difference than worrying about using balanced versus unbalanced outputs - dual differential or not.

Originally Posted by Torqdog 

I have both Skyfall and Prometheus and if I had to pick one, I'd go with Prometheus. The first ten minutes of that movie are what I'm talkin about........good LFE, music score and directional surround. They both have good soundtracks but Prometheus is reference quality, IMHO

If I were wse and had my new 105 which replaced my 95, I think for the sake of comparison I'd want to play something I'm familiar with that I had heard numerous times on the 95.

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 SergeantYnot 

I consider the BD of Prometheus the finest implementation of 7.1 I have ever heard on my system, and that was watched with the 95 at the time. The intricate details of the alien ship, like the steam and water droplets hitting the ground are pristine in every channel. Sounds like the rocks blowing around in the wind, and even the alien technology like the holograms all are very unique. It's quite an incredible experience for home theater audio. I frequently discuss with one of my audiophile friends how movie studios are getting lazy with their soundtracks; the audio mixing in movies like Prometheus definitely are appreciated.

My main motivation for upgrading to dual subs is the big crash sequence. When I saw that scene in the Imax theater, I had never experienced gut wrenching bass like that before, maybe being on a roller coaster ride would be a comparable feeling. Perhaps the Imax theater had too much bass that day, but I had an epiphany right after walking out of the theater thinking "I'm gonna need a bigger sub".

Originally Posted by Pokey77 Prometheus is the best Blu ray I've played on my system. It is clearly better in both video and sound than Skyfall. I'm a big Bond fan, but Prometheus really is quite a reference disc. I've still to watch some of my faves like the Matrix, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, 3:10 toYuma. Did watch Hidalgo and Iron Man and they both look stunning. But still, Prometheus is still my reference. Not my favorite, but still the best. Dances with Wolves also looked quite nice.

Originally Posted by wse 

Front Channels: three B&W 800 Diamonds powered by monoblock Classé CA-M600 crossover at 40HZ 

Surround Channels: Four B&W802D powered by Classé CA-5200 crossover at 80HZ

That way the subs takes the load off from the surround channels

If I can sell the BDP-95 I will make the move to the 105.

Originally Posted by VRDnhorns Why dont you put the 95 in the wife's room?

Originally Posted by BenGodzilla 

Can I just point out Prometheus is a god awful movie truly terrible. If I started a band and we made a reference quality audio recording but the music was dire-would it be a benchmark?

Originally Posted by wse 

No TVs in any rooms! I sold the BDP-95 and I just received the BDP-105

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

Give OPPO Tech Support a call and they'll walk you through diagnosing this. For example, when you select the Front or Rear HDMI Input (whichever one you are using), and press the Info button on the OPPO remote (upper right of the Arrow keys), what does it display on your TV regarding the format of the audio/video input coming in on that HDMI Input?

The single most common reason for HDMI problems is cabling. Note that with HDMI a cable which is too short can cause problems just like a long cable. (The sweet spot for HDMI cable length between any two devices is 6 feet, 2 meters.) You can check if cabling is the problem by temporarily setting your source device to output 480p (not 480i). 480p is the "simplest" HDMI signal. If that works, then try 1080i from the source. Then try 1080p if your source can output that. If the lower resolution (lower bandwidth) signals work but the higher bandwidth signals do not work, then that is evidence of cabling problems. Keep in mind that HDMI is an end to end protocol so the HDMI run from the source all the way through to the AVR and TV must be considered. Any daisy-chained cables, adapters, wall plates, HDMI switches or other gizmos anywhere in the length of the HDMI path can be the cause.

Obviously if the HDMI Inputs are bad on your unit, OPPO will take care of you under Warranty.
--Bob

Originally Posted by BenGodzilla 

Can I just point out Prometheus is a god awful movie truly terrible.
 

Originally Posted by VRDnhorns 

Replaced an Oppo HDMI 6' cable with a $15 Radio Shack cable. Uverse Lipsync issue fixed, sounds better, picture looks the same or slightly better.

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson 

Yes.  A waste of time.

Originally Posted by BenGodzilla 

Can I just point out Prometheus is a god awful movie truly terrible.

If I started a band and we made a reference quality audio recording but the music was dire-would it be a benchmark?

Originally Posted by smargo77 

I just read the review of the 105 from the absolute sound



the review was 'rave" and a "no brainer"

Originally Posted by Ettepet 

There is a review of the Oppo 105 in the German magazine "Stereoplay" (April issue). The review is extremely positive, but still placing it "only" fifth in their overal Blu-Ray player listing (Ayre DX 5 and 2x McIntosh clearly above it).

Originally Posted by wse 

How much money do they get in advertising from these firms? Oh by the way they only cost 10 times more and we have Oppo inside!

Originally Posted by Ettepet Very possible, but having heard tube amplification I am sure there is some room for improvement left seeing the Oppo is built with solid state only.