@capeman
Does your Ayon decode DSD? Not all DACs do, so you want to check. If it does, then yes, use the digital outputs of the Oppo, and in the settings, change SACD output to DSD.
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Mahler: I am using the analog Balanced out into my Ayon CD5S which is combo CD player/Pre Amp/DAC. It has class A output. I haven't tried using the digital out yet on the oppo only the analogs, but I will at some point. I suspected I should change this to DSD from factory PCM setting but wasn't sure and wanted to get some input before I started messing with settings. So thank you for the help.
In_Shore: Thank you for the suggestions in trying to improve the stock unit. Something I may consider in the future. Also I see where there are some drop in power supplies which also supposedly give an improvement as well
Thank you all for your response.
Capeman |
Audio & video improvement with this multi format player is further enhanced by simply changing the power supply board and especially having Modwright do a full upgrade including the internal vibration option.
Also like most players in this price range benefit enormously from draining self induced vibrations by using Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ or similar devices , it’s immediately appreciated with video and sound quality.
However since Oppo have announced they will cease all production of media players extraordinary claims of performance have popped up all over ,
The Oppo 205 is a all around good performer with video and audio, used as a transport with a Reclocker to dramatically reduce jitter along with a decent R2R ladder dac this could satisfy many for audio only .
Further improvements can be had as mentioned above although my question , is the stock Oppo 205 at current asking prices good value ?
As a owner of a Modwright 205 with Symposium Rollerblocks under it I use it primarily for video.
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I don’t own a 205, but I have a 105 and a 203, both of which are set to output DSD from SACD. I didn’t even know that outputting PCM was an option, but there are some DACs that will only do DSD over PCM so perhaps that is the reason. My DAC is a Bryston DAC 3 which accepts DSD over HDMI. Most AV receivers do the same. What DAC are you using?
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Just received my 205 Monday and out of the box I think it sounds great. Question on set-up though. I will be using to play SACD disks mainly and maybe some streaming from my laptop. But under audio settings it came through set for SACD /PCM should I change this to SACD DSD? for best sound/results. I am running out via balanced to my AYON CD5S. Also wondering about the filters if anyone has had success or preferences from the default setting. I am an old dog still trying to learn so any response would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Capeman |
@dlcockrum,
Dave,
My apologies and you are right, that is for the 203.
I didn't pay attention to the last digit of the unit in this discussion.😴
Best to you as well
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lucidear,
That is the DAC for the 203. Are you sure that it is the one to be offered in the 205?
I hope that the 203 is not a preview of the 205 to come (video-centric).
Best to you,
Dave |
@junzhang10 ,
the DAC is AKM 4458 (Asahi Kasei) not ESS.
SOURCE: oppo digital site. |
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Best to you Randy,
Dave |
Thanks much, Dave.
BTW, what is TOTL? |
Sonica will have the new DAC. I could guess 205 will get the same chip. I hope the price will stay the same even though this will be a major upgrade.
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Ricevs; "
Gustard X20U Pro ". Who's the manufacturer? Importer. Can't find any details via Google.
junzhang10: what's the source of your info? |
205 will have 4K, new ESS 9038 DAC, better power supply. I am still very happy with my 95 except lack of audio streaming capability.
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The power supply in the 105 has a switching supply for the digital section. One of the things I do is change this to a linear supply. This makes everything better, including the picture. The power supply for the DAC system is OK but nothing great. I update the diodes in the power supply, change a bunch of caps, add WA quantum chips to caps and the DAC and update the clock on the DAC to a low jitter clock. I change the output stage completely to a zero feedback fet buffer running off my own custom shunt regulators. I also do extensive mods to the transport mechanism that no one else does or would even try. Check out my 105 mod page for details. If you are looking for an all in one than a modded 205 could be good but as a DAC there are better options. For instance, my level 1.5 modded Gustard X20U Pro ($525 for the mod) simply kills my modded Oppo 105 ($1800 mod!). Hopefully, I can make the new Oppo Sonica DAC sound almost as good as the modded Gustard because it costs about the same and has a lot more features (wireless streaming, phone app., usb input for hard drives). We shall know soon. The 103 has only a switching supply whereas the 105 also added a linear power supply for the DACs and output stages. |
Hi Randy,
The mostly overwhelmingly positive reviews of the 105 were critical of leanness in the midrange, a trait shared by most "affordable" digital players. I found this to be true while auditioning a friend’s 105. This is likely attributed to a suboptimal power stage IME as the digital section is TOTL. Even Dan Wright commented on how good the digital section of the 105 is sans modification, so the improvements of the MW 105 version are primarily in the power supply/power filtering (external with a large toroidal transformer) and, of course, adding the tube sections to the player’s output stage and to the power supply.
No experience with the 103.
Best to you Randy,
Dave
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what were the power supply shortfalls of the 105?
and how did it differ from the 103? |
I cannot argue with any of your points, ricevs, nor do your points argue with mine, excepting possibly someone misconstruing your "Silly Boy" disposition toward my post as condescension toward two SOTA upgrades that are unanimously accepted by estabished modders and their customers for providing significant audible improvement.
Why that you post is if modding a player being a superior path is a source of contention with me, I am baffled. This was exactly my point. As you say, only after attacking the weaknesses in the power section will the improved dac make more than a small incemental difference in sound quality.
Check my Virtual System page if you have further doubts about my experience with and preference for modded digital sources. "I'm sure you will be more than satisfied", as Joe Pesci once said in My Cousin Vinny.
Best to you ricevs,
Dave |
There are lots of things that "improve" the sound of a player. The power supply has many parts. The Audio Magic thang is not a clock, by the way. It is a power filter and so is the Bybee thang. I have used both. I do like the Audio Magic thang. However, doing these things alone will bring very little change to a stock player. You really need to address the player as a whole: output stage, clocking, power supply to output stage, power supply to clock, power supply to DAC, raw DC supply, raw AC supply, damping, wires, jacks, etc. etc. Have been modding players and DACs for over 30 years. There are no shortcuts. The rumor is that the new ESS DACs do indeed sound better, so I would imagine the stock 205 sounding a little better than a stock 105 (if it indeed has a 9038 DAC in it)......but without mods it will just be nice, nothing special. Yes, I will be modding all the new Oppos. |
As ptss states, all you guys chasing the latest digital chipsets might consider that it is the power supplies in the Oppos, Marantz. Etc players that are holding back the sonics. Adding an Audio Magic Gen Zx clock and a Bybee DC power supply rail to your existing players will have these not-yet-released Mega-MIP players running for cover unless Oppo’s new one sufficiently addresses the power supply shortfalls of the 105. |
ok, well maybe they'll bore some holes in the top and stick some tubes thru them... |
The 9038 chip seems primarily a 'features' upgrade to enhance flexibility for designers. They don't stress improved sound quality.. |
It is rumored to use the new ESS DAC chips.
But without listening to it (in a blind test) no one can say.
OTOH, it is always fun to speculate so my guess is that it will sound a lot better if it has a fancier case and is released on the date of the next harmonic convergence. |
