[King Titus]

Oppo 980H and Oppo 83


Is there a sq difference, between these units for multi channel SACD playback with HDMI?


If similar, the 980H would be fine as I do not need the Blu-ray ability.


Thanks for the opinions.

 

[TunerHead]

I haven't heard the new 83, but I've been totally un-impressed with both the 970 and 980 (or at least I think those were the model numbers, I purchased the ones that all the reviewers said were the best for Audio), but I'm only using two channel, and comparing them to my main transport and Dac really isn't fair...and the only other SACD player I've heard was an Esoteric, so once again, bad comparison.


Both had the absolute best DVD resolution I've seen FWIW.


Not much of an answer was it, sorry.


L'wood

 

[ccotenj]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16843818


I haven't heard the new 83, but I've been totally un-impressed with both the 970 and 980 (or at least I think those were the model numbers, I purchased the ones that all the reviewers said were the best for Audio), but I'm only using two channel, and comparing them to my main transport and Dac really isn't fair...and the only other SACD player I've heard was an Esoteric, so once again, bad comparison.

Quote:
Originally Posted by King Titus /forum/post/16833951


Oppo 980H and Oppo 83


Is there a sq difference, between these units for multi channel SACD playback with HDMI?


If similar, the 980H would be fine as I do not need the Blu-ray ability.


Thanks for the opinions.

you want the 980h...

 

[Kal Rubinson]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16843818


I haven't heard the new 83, but I've been totally un-impressed with both the 970 and 980 (or at least I think those were the model numbers, I purchased the ones that all the reviewers said were the best for Audio), but I'm only using two channel, and comparing them to my main transport and Dac really isn't fair...and the only other SACD player I've heard was an Esoteric, so once again, bad comparison.


Both had the absolute best DVD resolution I've seen FWIW.


Not much of an answer was it, sorry.


L'wood

Of course, if you use the analog outputs. My high praise for the 980 and 83 is based primarily on using their HDMI outputs.

 

[TunerHead]

Kal I wasn't knocking yours or any other's reviews of the Oppo's audio playback especially since I didn't use the HDMI outputs, I'm sure it's a great budget piece, but it doesn't compare to higher quality cdp's nor Dac's, in my opinion.


L'wood

 

[Kal Rubinson]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16843982


Kal I wasn't knocking yours or any other's reviews of the Oppo's audio playback especially since I didn't use the HDMI outputs, I'm sure it's a great budget piece, but it doesn't compare to higher quality cdp's nor Dac's, in my opinion.

L'wood

Sure but you need to qualify your comments, as I do, by stipulating how you are using/evaluating the products.

 

[VladP]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16843982


Kal I wasn't knocking yours or any other's reviews of the Oppo's audio playback especially since I didn't use the HDMI outputs, I'm sure it's a great budget piece, but it doesn't compare to higher quality cdp's nor Dac's, in my opinion.


L'wood

I like when people say that they did not use HDMI, but of course "it doesn't compare to higher quality cdp's nor Dacs..." And how would you know? You don't have BDP-83, but you do have an opinion and what a baseless opinion it is.

 

[TunerHead]

Thanks for the kind reply Vlad, did you notice that I didn't mention the 83 model?


And I should have known better, this being an Audio-Video forum, that 2 channel Stereo isn't something most of you would be familiar with, I'll keep that in mind if I bother to post again.


L'wood

 

[ccotenj]

man, you are really intent on getting off on the wrong foot around here, aren't you??

you might want to spend a bit of time poking around here before you impugn the membership with such impunity...

 

[geekhd]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16844187


And I should have known better, this being an Audio-Video forum, that 2 channel Stereo isn't something most of you would be familiar with, I'll keep that in mind if I bother to post again.


L'wood

CD is for 2 channels and this is "CD Players & Dedicated Music Transports" section in case you are not familiar.

 

[TunerHead]

Oh, I see, a 'dedicated music transport' is only for more than one channel.


I've enjoyed my stay, have a nice day.

 

[WilliamZX11]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16844187


Thanks for the kind reply Vlad, did you notice that I didn't mention the 83 model?


And I should have known better, this being an Audio-Video forum, that 2 channel Stereo isn't something most of you would be familiar with, I'll keep that in mind if I bother to post again.


L'wood

Maybe it's because the OP asked about multi channel SACD over HDMI. You're not using HDMI, or multi channel, so I really don't understand your reply. Was it simply to knock Oppo?


I'll bet the Oppo does much better multi channel SACD over HDMI than the Esoteric player. Probably not a fair comparison.

 

[ccotenj]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16844589


Oh, I see, a 'dedicated music transport' is only for more than one channel.


I've enjoyed my stay, have a nice day.

well, most of us use more than 1 channel... i'd assume that you do too...

Quote:
Originally Posted by WilliamZX11 /forum/post/16844608


Maybe it's because the OP asked about multi channel SACD over HDMI. You're not using HDMI, or multi channel, so I really don't understand your reply. Was it simply to knock Oppo?


I'll bet the Oppo does much better multi channel SACD over HDMI than the Esoteric player. Probably not a fair comparison.

i'm guessing the poster is an audio asylum refugee coming over to try to educate us riff-raff...

 

[VladP]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TunerHead /forum/post/16844187


Thanks for the kind reply Vlad, did you notice that I didn't mention the 83 model?


And I should have known better, this being an Audio-Video forum, that 2 channel Stereo isn't something most of you would be familiar with, I'll keep that in mind if I bother to post again.


L'wood

I would think that I am familiar with 2 channel stereo after being in this hobby for 30 years. I may even say that I might be more familiar with it than you, but then I would be like you making baseless statements.

 

[Tong Chia]



Quote:
Originally Posted by King Titus /forum/post/16833951


Oppo 980H and Oppo 83


Is there a sq difference, between these units for multi channel SACD playback with HDMI?


If similar, the 980H would be fine as I do not need the Blu-ray ability.


Thanks for the opinions.

I have both of them and I do not hear a difference via HDMI.


980H is the better option and 3X cheaper if you do not

need Bluray.


There is a problem with the BDP83 with popping sounds on certain disks.

 

[Ron Temple]

I own both and use analog outputs. I hear a definite differences in 2 channel and multi-channel output. I found the 980 decent and a great buy. The 83 adds tonal richness, larger soundstage, better separation and is an all round winner in my house. Before I purchased, I heard the 83 at a friends who owned the 980 and a Denon 2900. On his system, there was a definite improvement. It convinced me to give it a try and I was able to achieve a similar overall system upgrade. The 980s going to be sold along with my old Sony BD player. Just my $.02...via HDMI passing bits, I'm assuming you guys are hearing your pre/pro's DACs and wouldn't hear a difference.

 

[HighEndWire]

I have yet to do (but it is on my list to try) an HDMI comparison of the 980 and 983. I currently do not have HDMI in the main system. The bedroom system sits on the other side of the wall and I have a Marantz SR6300 rec'r in there that has HDMI. The 980 is in the bedroom system and the 983 is in the main system. I have analog cables going each way (and HDMI and will try the 983 when I get a chance). The 983 is much better over analog for SACD. Until I had HDMI in the bedroom system, I left my Sony 2000ES CD/SACD channel in the bedroom system along with the 980 as I wasn't overly impressed with SACD from the 980, although for a $170 player it is really hard to criticize it. The 980 is much better via HDMI in my system. I have 250+ SACDs and about 70 DVD-As and I'll probably want something better in the main system than the 983 for hi-rez (I have a dedicated CD player). I still have my Marantz DV9600 in the main system which is better via analog vs. the 983, although I've had better SACD playback than the DV9600. I'm probably going to wait until I have a pre/pro with HDMI before I decide what to do (e.g. mod the 983). I like hi-rez but the size of the collection does not grow greatly at this point (maybe 10-12 discs/year) and I'm willing to upgrade, but to a point.

 

[Mupi]

If HDMI is used then there is really nothing much to say about the source.


If HDMI is used for SACD play back, then the source is not doing anything. It would be the DSD processing on the receiver/processor that is doing the job.


I have used both the analog and HDMI outputs of OPPO 980H for SACD using Yamaha RX-V663 and didnt really notice any difference. I also tried the Denon 2808 for SACD playback via HDMI and it was worse than the yamaha 663. So I dont have the Denon 2808 anymore.


When it comes to SACD most people talk about the surround mix. Obviously the surround mix is not the same as the original 2ch mix. I am not a big fan of music coming from all directions. As we all know, a stage performance does not come from behind or sides. It is mainly at the front but with depth and separation to distinguish the instruments. That is the kind of sound stage I like to hear with 2ch music.


So I am only interested in the original 2ch mix. I didnt want to spend on analog gear like turn table etc. so to me SACD was the closest to the LP version that I could afford. But to be honest I dont hear a world of difference between SACD and RB CD versions. I have Dark Side of the Moon and Brothers in Arms and I cant hardly hear a difference between the SACD and RB CD versions. Yes I did set the 980H for 2ch audio for SACD and I did confirm this on the on screen display. I also dont have cheap gear. I have the Magnepan MG12 speakers, Rotel RB-1080 amp. For SACD playback I use the Yamaha 663 as the pre-pro and for regular CD I use the Anthem AVM20.


If you want to invest on a Blu-Ray player and also want to play SACD, then go with the BDP-83 but if you just want SACD play back then get the 980.


I mostly listen to soft rock and in this genre there arent many SACD's that I like to buy. So I no longer bother to buy SACD's.


As we all know just because it is SACD it is not going to be great. Dark Side of the Moon is a very old recording and I doubt if they did a great job with the original.

Brothers in Arms was originally recorded at 44Hz (first digital recording). It makes no sense to make a SACD out of 44Hz recording. No matter how good the equipment is now, it cant sound any better than 44Hz recording because you cant just create something from nothing.


Anyway... just venting out

 

[Mupi]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson /forum/post/16843926


Of course, if you use the analog outputs. My high praise for the 980 and 83 is based primarily on using their HDMI outputs.

well if I am using the HDMI output of 980H for SACD playback what is really there to praise about? It is the DSD processing of the receiver/processor that is doing the job so what can anyone say about the source when using its digital output for audio.

 

[ccotenj]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mupi /forum/post/16851483


well if I am using the HDMI output of 980H for SACD playback what is really there to praise about? It is the DSD processing of the receiver/processor that is doing the job so what can anyone say about the source when using its digital output for audio.

you DO realize that you can do the dsd to pcm processing in the player, correct?