Choosing a CD or SACD player over my Oppo BDP 95

A used or NOS Sony 5400!

I have one and two spares.   SOTA SACD/CD playback that may "Never" be matched for the price.  Beats or matches $10K players IMO.

Ok, first option in.

The Oppo 105 would be a big upgrade (dual ESS Saber Dacs + dedicated audio out section with XLR or RCA) and you like Oppo, so thats the best sounding red book/universal disc spinner for $1200 on the planet right now. Beyond that I would look to using your Oppo 95 as a transport out to a new DAC of your choice, their are many. doing this would give you flexability for the future ( HD digital audio cloud services) whenever you want to make the jump and add a music server.

Thank you Mattmiller. That option is on the list...

If not stated in the earlier thread, what's your budget and what kind of presentation do you generally prefer?

Well, I made a command decision this morning and snagged a mint "lightly used" Oppo BDP105 on Ebay (I know) for $860.00. It seems to be a solid deal and I admit to liking the multi-functionality the Oppo's provide. Less connecting, space taken up etc. I do appreciate the fine input given by all. I figure by selling my BDP95 the net expense to "upgrade" is minimal. 

Good choice!

Thanks lynott!

The Oppo 95 and 105 use the same dacs.  In conversations with Oppo at the time of the changeover, I was told that if I didn't mind the fan and was only going to use it as a two channel CD player, there were no differences.  The big improvements between the two models were on the AV side.

seikosha, I had heard that as well. Then I talk to people who swear the 105 sounds more refined. I guess I'll find out soon, thanks for the input. If anything, I'll have the latest...

Keep me posted & Happy Listening! beernut.

Use your Hippo... I mean Oppo as a transport. Get the DAC listed below which has various D-to-A rates. Connect using toslink to help isolate the ground of the Oppo from the DAC (and, potentially, the rest of the system).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251473429943?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

This DAC sounds particularly nice and compares well against very expensive DACs. It is an absolute steal. And If you don’t like it, the cost is so low that won’t matter.  

This is a SIGNIFICANT step up in performance over the Oppo. 

BEERNUT, choice well made! Now you have true versatility. 

Seikosha, I’m not sure who you spoke with about the differences in the audio stages of the Oppo 95 vs Opp 105? They do not use the same dacs! Let me assure you they are wrong and you are giving out misinformation. The real fact is that the 95 and 105 have completely different audio stages and dac’s! I wont go into details here, do some research and you will see for your self. . the 95 dosen’t have dual dacs’s! or minimal direct path audio circutry, or XLR outs. AND if the two units are alike in anyway it IS the video.


AND bpolettti,

"This is a SIGNIFICANT step up in performance over the Oppo"

Ha! I doubt that seriously!! You would have to spend well over $2500 to get a "better" sounding DAC...really, give it a good source and you will see. And not a wireless or TOSLINK connected source either!  Use a USB audio 2.0 connected source for native DSD capability.

Matt M

Hi Matt,

From Oppos website...info on the 95.

• SABRE32 Reference Audio DAC - The DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) is one of the most important components for digital audio playback. The SABRE32 Reference ES9018 from ESS Technology is the world’s best performing 32-bit audio DAC solution targeted for high-end consumer applications and professional studio equipment. With the ESS patented 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the SABRE32 Reference DAC delivers an unprecedented DNR (Dynamic Range) of up to 135dB and THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise) of -120dB, the industry’s highest performance level that will satisfy even the most demanding audio enthusiast. The BDP-95 uses two ES9018 DAC chips.

• XLR Balanced Stereo Output - The stereo output offers both XLR balanced and RCA single-ended connectors. The balanced output features a true differential signal path all the way from the DAC to the 3-pin XLR connector. By transmitting a pair of differential signals, the balanced output provides better common-mode noise rejection and improves signal quality.

And the 95 has a "Pure Audio" mode that turns off all the Video processing when you are just listening to music.

 Info on the 105 from Oppos website:

SABRE32 Reference Audio DAC - The DAC is one of the most important components for digital audio playback. The SABRE32 Reference ES9018 from ESS Technology is the world’s best performing 32-bit audio DAC solution targeted for high-end consumer applications and professional studio equipment. With the ESS patented 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the SABRE32 Reference DAC delivers an unprecedented DNR (Dynamic Range) of up to 135dB and THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise) of -120dB, the industry’s highest performance level that will satisfy even the most demanding audio enthusiast. 

Perhaps you are confusing the 95 with another model?

The Oppo 95 does have balance outs i own one. The big difference for me was the fan noise on the 95. the 105 has no fan. I compared the 95 and 105 side by side and for me the 105 had a big step up in video over the 95. The audio of the 105 was a little bit better, but not enough for me to make the change. Oppo are good units with great customer service and 95 or 105 are good choices in their price ranges

They both use OpAmps for the output stage people but if ya needs the Swiss Army knife enjoy!

When I used analog XLR from my Oppo 105 and Sony 5400ES, I preferred the sound with the Sony, especially for SACD.  Now I use HDMI from both, and a Bryston SP3 does the analog processing.  I'll be moving the Sony to a second setup that will use its analog XLR.

db-

the Bryston SP3 does not accept XLR ?

"This is a SIGNIFICANT step up in performance over the Oppo"

"Ha! I doubt that seriously!! You would have to spend well over $2500 to get a "better" sounding DAC...really, give it a good source and you will see. And not a wireless or TOSLINK connected source either! Use a USB audio 2.0 connected source for native DSD capability.

Matt M"


No, it doesn't take much to beat BDP95.  And that little DAC is quite good.  In a blind A-B, even the little Onkyo C-7030 smokes the BPD95.

Ha!  Crom laughs at your comment! 

Audia Flight

jafant, did you have a chance to audition an Audia Flight?

jafant,

The Bryston SP3 does have XLR input capability, but I use HDMI from the Oppo and Sony disc players because I think the analog processing of the SP3 is superior.  Analog from my Ayre C-5xeMP goes through a Parasound JC 2 BP, and I'm really happy with the sound so I haven't tried XLR from the Ayre through the SP3.  Front LR from the SP3 is passed through the JC 2 BP to access a pair of JC 1 mono blocks.

Very nice system- dbphd.

No, theothergreg, I have not had any opportunity to audition the Audia Flight. AudioNet is also on my list.

Marantz DV-9500/9600 ?

Marantz UD9004 ?