Current model DVD with 5.1 / 7.1 analog out - "Oppo Like" features


Hi,
My Oppo 103 has developed a problem during audio playback and I think it's time for retirement.

My challenge is that I use the Oppo as a surround Preamp to create a crude 5.1 system.

HDMI signal feeds Oppo HDMI IN,  Oppo HDMI OUT goes to TV, Front channels got to my 2 channel rig and rear channels get fed to an older amp.  Then I use the Oppo settings to try to match the rear levels to the front and get a quasi surround sound.

So, I use the Oppo not only as a player, but also as a preamp along with it's various settings to create the 5.1 surround.

A cursory review of the Forum suggests that this particular group of features is not easy to come by and that if I want this setup I might have to find a used Oppo.

Do I have other reasonably priced options (less than $1,500)?  I don't need the streaming features of the Oppo as I have a Lumin D2 for that, but I would like to find a way to retain my crude surround setup if I can.

Thanks,
Phil

phil0618

Just out of curiosity, what do you have against using a processor or an AVR?

HI,
Super late reply, I don't have anything against AVRs per se except maybe footprint (they tend to be huge and I like lower profile gear), and I'm also more of a two channel / audio guy at heart. and never saw myself getting much past 5.1  And AVR's have a whole lot of features I'm not likely to use.  The one  feature that many do have that is great is DSP, but I already have a minidsp that I use for sub integration so I've got some of the room correction handled.

So, meantime, in the intervening time between posts, I did buy the used Oppo, 103 have added a center channel speaker and also added a Parasound P7 preamp in place of the Schiit Freya - the Parasound preamp was a near necessity for integration as I wanted to run three Schiit Aegirs in balanced/bridged mode across the front three channels with my KEF LS50 Metas and the Parasound has balanced Ins/Outs for up to 7 channels.  I confess that adding the center channel was kind of a revelation - much more realistic audio now.

I have also purchase a Essence Evolve II-4K HDMI v2.0 Multi-Channel (5.1) DAC that Kal Rubinson had recommended.  Haven't tried that yet, it's sort of an insurance policy in case the Oppo has issues, but I imagine curiosity will get the best of me and I'll stick it in the system at some stage.