High Quality Universal Player??

I have the opportunity of buying a 2011 Modwright BDP-95 tubed player with outboard power supply for $1000.00. I presently have a stock BDP-105 universal player, and I'm curious as to how the audio compares between the two and whether this will give the improvement I seek for now. The modified 105 is out of my price range at this point.

Does Oppo support streaming Tidal wirelessly through WiFi?

yes

TY- thaluza

Happy Listening!

I got a BDP-95 for $450. I am very satisfied............For now.

SACD can be ripped if you can find a Playstation 3 without the first firmware upgrade. I have never tried it but read it could be done.

milpai -

It seems Oppo is playing this one close to the vest. I am eager to see the 205's specifications (and price).

jafant -

I ripped all of my cd's onto a hard drive via my Mac Mini, and found that I liked the sound, and especially the convenience, of my file playback system well enough to sell the Sony. I still have SACD's and DVD-A discs which I have not figured out how to rip, so I need a universal player to play those discs. The Sony is a wonderful sounding player and a good value at its used price, in my opinion.

@thaluza,
I hope Oppo gets the AKM top-of-the-line DAC in UDP-205. The best thing about this player is, it does not have the "apps" which would make loading faster. The only discouraging info in - they have decided to do away with HDCD.

thaluza

why did you sell the Sony 5400ES?  Thanks! for sharing your story on the Pioneer Elite.

"The Pioneer does have two USB inputs, one in the front and one in the back, and one can access a server with the 88FD to play files from the server."

I stand corrected thaluzza. Thank you. It is very hard to tell from the small pics on Pioneer’s website and I missed this in the text: "The BDP-88FD is also designed to play high resolution music content from USB, disc, and hard drive devices."

This Pioneer looks like a real contender in this <$2k marketspace. However, the only review I could find said that it only supported streaming from YouTube and Picasa for those that are interested. 

Dave

Cool thaluza, every opinion is pertinent.

Rwwear - With respect to the Oppo UDP-205, I am considering it, too. I actually bought the Pioneer for my living room, but I have been very impressed with it in my main audio system as a disc player. I am waiting to read owner impressions on the UDP-205’s audio performance. It seems it will have the newest, and presumably best, ESS Sabre dac. I just wanted to put the Pioneer in the mix for the consideration of others who are researching universal players. It really is a nice player for optical disc playback. For a point of reference, I have owned the aforementioned Sony, a Modwright Oppo 83-SE, an Audio Aero Capitole, a Cary 306/200, and a Naim 5i.

The Pioneer does have two USB inputs, one in the front and one in the back, and one can access a server with the 88FD to play files from the server. I am not a Tidal subscriber, and I am not sure if one can get Tidal with the 88FD currently. I am guessing not currently, but Pioneer has begun to support Tidal in the past year or so for some of their AV receivers. The 88FD is updateable.

Obviously, the Pioneer is a much better built machine. The power supply, chassis and circuit isolation are reminiscent of the top Denon players of the 90's, but with today's top digital technology. Too bad it doesn't have USB input for Tidal streaming. I real deal breaker for many.

Dave

But does the Pioneer come in silver thaluza? The new Oppo UDP 205 may be better than the Pioneer anyway.

https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/

Randy unless your DAC has HDMI inputs you will only be able to play CDs and DVDs through the digital out. That leaves out BluRay audio and SACD.
I believe all high quality DACs should have HDMI inputs but few do. The new Bryston DAC is one that does.

For those considering a universal player, the Pioneer Elite BDP-88F is a contender. I just got a refurbished one from Accessories for Less at 50% off msrp. They are sold out now, but the BDP-88F shows up for sale there from time to time.

Initial impressions are very good, especially with SACD and DVD-Audio playback. With redbook, it is not as good as my file-based playback source (Mac Mini and Yamamoto YDA-01 dac), but I am still breaking the Pioneer in, and the Pioneer is still very enjoyable to listen to nonetheless. I haven't enjoyed optical disc playback this much since I sold my Sony XA5400ES player.

The Pioneer has at least two advantages over the Oppo 105D. First, it uses a much heavier transformer. The Pioneer weighs 29.5 pounds, versus the Oppo at 17.3 pounds. Second, the drawer mechanism is really nice, much better than that of the Oppo. It is smoother and very well damped. Both players use the same ES9018 ESS Sabre 32 bit chip. Having had both players in my room, I prefer the Pioneer’s fuller bodied, weightier, sound. It is more reminiscent of the Sony player that I once had.

not yet - waiting on Oppo & reviews of it

did you buy a player- randy-11 ?

No complaints about my Oppo 103 in my Krell/Vandersteen system.
103-class B rated by Stereophile,
105-class A.
New models are 203/205.
Happy hunting!

Tom

I think the tray is black and hard to see. This is another reason I prefer lighter faceplate colors such as silver.

I guess that is a Photochop mock-up as I don't see a disc tray...

I confess I haven't read all the posts in this thread, but Oppo support is the best I've ever experienced for any product I own.  That, coupled with the fine disc players they offer, would seem to make an Oppo 203 or 205 the obvious choice.

The new Oppo UDP-205 will be available soon. And ill be available in silver.
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/

mine?  I just replaced my pre-amp with an ARC LS-25 MkII.

I'd like to replace my Maggie 1.5 QE speakers with the 3.7i but the local dealer doesn't allow in home listening, so that is the big holdup.  I am waiting for Oppo to release their new player...  

But better to test it with the top speaker -- maybe I'll get cone speakers...

randy-11

an update on your situation?

True- nutty
and it has plenty of current for loudspeakers like my Thiel CS 2.4SE !!!

jafant,

Thanks! It is built like a tank. Very powerful. Great low frequency grip. 

N

nutty-

I like the Anthem 225 integrated amp as well.  Happy Listening!

 Sorry to hear about your Lexicon. My OppoBDP105D is not my primary player but it keeps getting better with each disc I spin through it. SACD, HDCD playback great. I'm planning on upgrading the powercord again. (Currently Nordost Shiva) Does anyone have any positive feedback on power cords for Oppo? I'm currently using Audioquest Cheetah balanced (solid silver) interconnects with upgraded DBS. 

I've been mostly running it through a Anthem I225 Integrated Amplifier.  But it sounds superior through the Pre-output jacks, into my Levinson no. 334, or through my Classe' preamp/Levinson combo. I am still pleased with the purchass. Glad I got one before production stopped. Additionally, I can always send it out for mods.

N

I bought a Lexicon RT20. It was like 28 pounds; quite the beast.  But the transport was really heavy and clunky; it died within a few months and the replacements and labor meant another $400.  Another boat anchor.  I would stay away from those and get something newer.

Thanks, I'll look at those.

randy-11

consider a Lexicon RT 10 or 20, Esoteric should be on your list as well.

2 things:
So now that the Oppo BDPxxx supply is being cut off and the UDP line is coming out, what effect do you predict on the price of used BDPs>

And regarding my previous 103/105; MCintosh/Yamaha post, what I was trying to get at is would I be able to appreciate the superior analog sound quality of a BDP-95 or 105 connected to my humble Rotel RX-1052 receiver and Canton Ergo speakers? The 103 is a fraction of the price and still cost more than I spent on the Rotel. Since there is very low probability of being able to demo both, I turn to the collective intelligence and experience of AG. I can pretty easily hear the superiority of my NAD C546BEE over the Oppo DV-980H I want to replace on redbooks. I could go the dedicated CD/SACD route (Marantz? Arcam?) and keep the 980 for DVD-A. There's a nice Lexicon RT-20 listed, but I fear it may be outdated. Bang-for-the-buck advice wanted.

The BDP105D also currently offers 4k upscaling only. 

N

Oppo is bringing out a new 4K player this fall. 

You may be able to locate units at Oppo vendors. I found mine at Audio Advisor after speaking with Oppo. There may be others out there, but they may only have silver.

N

They are "out of stock" for all the BDPs now. If you want to buy direct you have to wait for the new models.

To all the New oppo HD 231 coming out in early Dec, will be Oppo new flagship.
the 105 is excellent .the 231 will do everything a bit better still.
price wise Init set yet but count on at least $1600. I know of no player that can  compete evrn at double the cost . Oppo does it right just engineer only a few great products.  Similar to Schiit Audio, except a Oppo is not modular .they want the$$  for future engineering  they said.

I have not evaluated the 103D vs the 105D. However reports suggest the 105D has superior "audio" circuitry. In addition , the 105D includes a headphone amplifier which is pretty nice. The 103D does not. The 105D also includes 3 digital inputs, Coax, Optical and USB. The 103D doesn't appear to. The 103D does not include XLR connections either. The 105D chassis larger and heavier and the faceplate design is different. I would say that if auditioned simultaneously you would be able to pick a wimner. Not saying the Oppo is the best spinner on the market. Just saying it's going to meet my immediate needs for multimedia.  

N

unh... not a fan of McIntosh (except the looks and build quality)

a quantitative assessment is impossible, esp. to 0.1 level

now... Oppo has a wonderful 30 trial policy and it is very fair - you only pay shipping one way

also, they are working on new players

and as a universal player, it will handle video too

you might want to do what I am doing - assembling some program material to really test things carefully

e.g. rip 2 copies of a favorite CD; you will put one copy on each player with a few seconds time lag on one of them and then listen to the exact same passage twice - right after the other one

for material, I usually pick female vocals, something with snare drums (listen for that first impulse 'hit') and high quality recordings/mastering

e.g. I use the famous jazz at the Pawnshop for part of it, even tho it is not my favorite jazz

How good of a system would one need to be able to appreciate the difference in 2 channel analog out sound quality between the Oppo BDP-103 and BDP-105D? Is it obvious on a reasonable good 2 channel receiver such as a Yamaha RS300 with some Polk towers; or do you need McIntosh separates and Sonus Fabers?

And is the 105D 2.6 times better?

CA and Oppo both use the Mediatek chipsets.

http://hometheaterreview.com/cambridge-audio-azur-752bd-universal-disc-player/

Bill

I thought the Cambridge used the Oppo 105 guts with a slightly different out put stage? at least that's what the dealer told me. maybe i'm getting the models mixed up.

Oppp 105D or 105. using oneboard DAC for CD, SACD playback. If you prefer Tidal, using IPad App to control the OPPO. Sound super.

jafant,

I don't own a modern Oppo player (I do own an older mod'd Oppo player), but I have to defend Oppo. The DBP-105D is special. It may not be the best CD player, DAC or streamer. But it is nearly universally praised as one of the best "Jacks of All Trades". It does nearly everything pretty well, build quality is good, support is excellent, it is not glitchy and it is a bargain compared to any other comparable product (if there is even a comparable product), or bundle of products that may be required to provide all of the same functionality.

Again, may not be the best sounding CD player, DAC or streamer, but it is a competent jack of all trades at a reasonable price. Remember, it is one of the world's most highly rated Blue Ray Video player, in addition to all of the audio attributes that are important to us audiophiles.

randy-11 wrote:
"I tried out an Oppo BDP-103 vs. my current Cal Audio for a while. I liked the Oppo but it did not sound any better and it could not receive my iTunes Apple Lossless files over WiFi, so I sent it back. There is a currently active thread on this"

Can you point me to that thread?  This is on the "Unofficial Oppo BDP Frequently Asked Questions" site:

Is Apple Lossless Audio Codec supported?

Yes, ALAC has been supported since firmware 58-0719 in July 2013.

The BDP-103/5 supports ALAC with a sample rate of 8k-192kHz, bit depth of 16 or 24bit, and 1 or 2 channels.

LarryRS

Oppo is nothing special, IMO.