Hits,
I'm a little confused about your system and desires:
1. Do you currently have no preamp in your system and exclusively use the Oppo 105 as a preamp?
2. If so, and you use your tape deck for music playback, how is it connected to the Oppo?
I currently use an Oppo 105 in my system and know it has very limited inputs. This works for me since for music I only use 2 sources: the Oppo's internal player for optical discs and a NAS that contains ripped files of all my CDs and a handful of hi-res FLAC files. I use the Oppo's wireless USB connection for all NAS file playback. But I don't understand how an analog tape deck could even be connected to the Oppo.
In my opinion, the only reason to use a separate dedicated preamp with an Oppo 105 is if your system requires additional analog inputs. The preamp section really does, as advertised and reviewed, perform at a high-end audiophile level.
I originally used a quite good dedicated tube preamp, a VTL 2.5 unit with 4 NOS Mullard tubes inserted for the standard issued Russian or Chinese tubes, when I first inserted the Oppo 105 in my system. A new VTL is slightly above your stated budget with an MRSP of $2,500 (add $200+ for 4 NOS tubes of your choice) but it has plenty of analog inputs and a HT bypass switch/inputs. This preamp, combined with my class D amp, performed beautifully for 2-channel music playback and I never thought I'd not include it in my system. Also, I had just inserted a 'new' set of NOS Mullards about a month prior when I purchased and inserted the Oppo 105 in my system. Needless to say, I was not planning on not using it.
However, just to be fair and objective, I compared the sound of my system with and without the VTL playing several very familiar CDs. Letting my ears decide, and with an admitted bias toward using the VTL, I reluctantly was forced to conclude that all tracks sounded just as good without the VTL in the audio chain. The sound was a touch warmer and more dimensional through the VTL but it became clear that these qualities were added to the sound. The Oppo was very neutral but had no trouble portraying warmth and dimensionality (think 3D and very real) when the recordings had these qualities.
So, I removed and sold my beloved preamp about 6 months ago. I can honestly state I haven't missed it since.
You certainly don't need a preamp/processor, such as an Anthem or Emotiva, since the Oppo's line stage is likely better and also has a very good internal surround processor that utilizes the highly regarded Saber DAC chips; separate chip sets for up to 7.1 decoding of DTS/Dolby Digital surround and another pair for 2-ch music digital-to-analog conversion.
My point is that a $1-2k dedicated preamp really won't result in better 2-ch music performance. Each will add its own qualities to your music but that's a lot of money for basically a buffer stage. I'd only suggest a dedicated preamp if you required additional analog inputs or listen to vinyl. I decided to adopt the most direct approach and eliminate all unneeded components and cabling.
The above is just my impressions on my system and your mileage may vary.
Thanks,
Tim
|
Hits,
Since you currently use your Oppo 105 as a preamp and it has no RCA audio inputs, you would require a stand alone separate preamp to be able to hook-up other components such as your Nakamichi cassette deck.
The preamp would be installed between the Oppo and your amp/amps. You have your choice of either RCA single-ended or XLR L+R outputs on the Oppo that you'd need to connect to the preamp's L+R inputs. The L+R outputs on the preamp would then be connected to your amp/amps.
If you do buy a preamp, remember to make sure it has the proper (RCA or XLR)input and output connections to match the Oppo and your amp/amps.
FYI,
Tim |
Hello Hits,
You really still haven't resolved your issue after about 4 years?
I find this unacceptable and would like to help you finally resolve things.
It seems to me you just need to buy a good new or used 2-ch stereo tube preamp with a HT Bypass switch and not a multiple channel preamp like some of the preamps (called prepros because they combine preamp functions and surround sound processor functions).
You have no need for this since your Oppo 105 will perform the functions of a surround sound processor and you just need to add the functions of a 2-ch stereo preamp for music playback. A tube preamp will add warmth, texture and 3 dimensionality to your music playback and the HT Bypass switch will allow you to select surround sound playback from the Oppo.
Please let me know if you'd like my further assistance.
Thanks,
|
Hello Hits,
No problem, I'll help you out as much as I can.
I actually use an Oppo 105 in my system, too. I use my system about 60% for HT (TV and movies) and 40% for 2-ch stereo music. I currently use the Oppo as the preamp without a separate 2-ch stereo preamp but previously used a VTL tube preamp with a HT Bypass switch to add a bit of warmth, texture and dimensionality to music. Here's how a 2-ch stereo preamp with HT Bypass works:
For preamp connections, the Oppo's stereo XLR/RCA left and right outputs would be connected to the preamp's "processor" inputs. The preamp's left and right "processor" outputs would be connected to two of the Parasound A51's input channels. The Oppo's rear left/right rear surround and center channel rca outputs would remain connected to three of the A51's rca inputs.
The final step required is using the Oppo's remote and going into the "SETUP" menu, selecting "Audio Processing", scrolling down and selecting "Stereo Setting" and then selecting "Front Left/Right". This just instructs the Oppo to send any 2-ch stereo info on a disc, such as a CD, to its Stereo XLR/RCA left and right outputs.
For music, you leave the HT Bypass switch in the 'OFF/OUT' (not engaged) position and only the left and right stereo channels are played back on your main speakers.
For TV and movies, you leave the HT Bypass switch in the 'ON/IN' (engaged) position and only the front left and right surround channels are played back on your main speakers along with the center and rear left + right surround channels being played back.
As I mentioned earlier, I originally used a VTL 2.5L preamp, that utilizes four vacuum tubes and has a HT Bypass switch, in my system for music playback and its ability to quickly be switched to playing back the front left and right surround channels for HT. At the time, I also used a set of four expensive Mullard NOS (new old stock) replacement tubes in the VTL preamp and a Parasound AVC-2500 surround sound processor.
Several years ago, in an effort to streamline my system, I decided to compare the performance of my system with and without the VTL preamp and Parasound surround sound processor. I found that my music sounded just as good to me without the VTL/tubes and that the 5.1 surround system actually sounded better to me decoded by the Oppo's internal ESS Sabre dac chips and with the Oppo's audio outputs connected directly to my amps. I attribute this excellent performance mainly due to the Oppo 105's exceptionally high quality audio section, dac chips and design.
My main intent of describing all of this to you is to stress that you're unlikely, in my opinion, to find a better performing preamp than the one already existing in your Oppo 105. The VTL 2.5L tube preamp I formerly used is a very well reviewed and high quality preamp that costs about $2500 new with the standard Chinese or Russian tubes and another $200 for the aftermarket set of four Mullard NOS tubes I believe further enhances its performance.
I've proven to myself that using a separate high quality tube preamp is definitely capable of altering or flavoring the sound of all the source content played through it and that the specific tubes utilized are also capable of further tailoring the sound to match one's preferences. However, I ultimately discovered that the combination of a high quality music recording, played through a neutral high quality solid state preamp (like the Oppo 105 represents by adding or subtracting nothing from the inputted signals) and amplified by a neutral high quality solid state amp (like a high class D amplifier represents by adding or subtracting nothing from the inputted signals), is a more honest and simpler alternative method of achieving extremely good sound quality performance in my system.
So, my question for you is what direction would you prefer to take? Would you like to buy an expensive new or used tube preamp and prove what I discovered for yourself? Or would you rather take the more honest and simpler alternative path of utilizing neutral high quality components, such as a more neutral high quality multi channel amp, to achieve extremely good sound quality performance in your system?
I should warn you that an honest and neutral high quality system will not hide or mask anything. Optimum results require very good quality music recordings and any of your music that's not well recorded will suddenly become painfully obvious to you. But good recordings will sound extremely good and you'll also more clearly notice the sonic effects of any changes to your system, even smaller changes such as upgraded power cords or cabling.
I'll stop here and await your impressions and questions thus far before continuing any further with my assistance.
Thanks,
Tim
|
Hello atmosphere,
Thank you for pointing out accurately that a HT Bypass switch is not technically necessary on a preamp since using the proper unity gain position on the preamp's volume control can be used as a substitute. I was trying to keep the ease of use and concept understanding as high as possible because I wasn't sure of Hits' technical knowledge and audio experience.
I've always really enjoyed listening to music played back via a high quality completely tube based system even though I realize it's not completely accurate and is imparting a 2nd harmonic warmth or coloration to the music. Years ago, I understood that tube distortion tends to become audible on even ordered harmonics, that sounds much more pleasant to us than solid state distortion that tends to become audible on the odd ordered harmonics. But I was building a combination stereo music and 5.1 surround HT system and knew that an all tube system was impractical.
So, I originally added the VTL tube preamp and swapped the standard tubes for NOS Mullard tubes in an effort in my system to attain the 2nd harmonic 'warmth' coloration that's often blamed on tubes, and that I liked, because I thought it was the only method to add that characteristic to my system's sound on stereo music playback at the time.
I began by pairing a good quality tube preamp with various good quality class AB solid state amps. I never considered utilizing an amp to attempt to improve the sq performance of my system until I purchased an inexpensive Class D Audio SDS-440-CS amp that was a revelation to me. This amp had extremely low measured distortion levels and the most accurate and neutral quality that I'd ever experienced in an amplifier, like the audio ideal of 'a straight wire with gain' with nothing added or subtracted from the inputted signals. I considered the stunning neutrality of this class D amp a revelation and it began my thinking of the possibilities.
I only discovered a while later, through personal experimentation, about the alternative method of using very well recorded music sources played back via high quality and very neutral components along with very detailed and revealing speakers. I found out that this type of system would also reproduce music in my room that possessed the warmth, detail, texture and three dimensional palpable qualities I really enjoyed experiencing when listening to music.
It only required the combination of a neutral high quality preamp (the Oppo 105's preamp section), a neutral high quality amp (the Class D Audio amp and subsequently a pair of D-Sonic M#-600-M class D mono-blocks) and detailed and revealing speakers(a pair of Magnepan 2.7QRs) to achieve the sound qualities I previously thought only a tube preamp could provide.
Now it's just a matter of whether the recording is of a sufficiently high quality level to have captured the natural music qualities of warmth, detail, texture and other palpable characteristics. I think I couldn't achieve these results using my VTL tube preamp because it wasn't neutral enough but I realize you may have good ideas of how to accomplish these sound characteristics using a combination of more neutral tube components.
It's a bit of a compromise that the better the quality of the recording, the better the music sounds but I consider this prerequisite completely natural, logical and acceptable given the outstanding sound quality results.
Thank you,
Tim
|
Hello hitsofmisses,
Wow, you've been contemplating this subject for over 5 years now. That's amazing, you certainly have more patience and delayed gratification than I do. I've read that's a good indication of being emotionally mature.
But c'mon, don't you want to at least try out a good quality stereo preamp, with HT Passthrough, in your system and have some fun? Your main speakers won't be terribly loud, for HT the relative volume of the fronts is matched to the other surround speakers using the setup menus on your Oppo. The overall volume of your HT audio will continue to be adjustable using the Oppo remote. For music, the volume will be controlled by the preamp's volume control setting or remote control if it has one.
Do you have any good local audio shops near you? If so, these dealers are a good source of knowledge and advice for suitable preamps tailored to your needs and preferences. They often even also offer free home trials before you buy.
I'm still using a combination stereo music and HT system but now use an Oppo 205 for surround audio (and to match my 4K video tv) and a separate Mark Levinson 326S preamp, with HT Passthrough, for stereo music. I perceive a significant improvement in sound quality on stereo music played through this preamp versus the 205, but it's a $10,000 preamp new that I bought used for half price.
I understand your preferred price range is not this high but I'm not sure you would perceive a significant improvement in sound quality, versus your Oppo 105, using a more moderately priced preamp. However, I think it's definitely possible you may perceive a significant improvement if you find the right reasonably priced preamp.
But you're not going to find a suitable preamp without trying several or more of them out in your system. I strongly suggest you find a local shop that allows in-home trial periods on demo gear so that you can judge for yourself and start accumulating more experience.
I think this is a good solution for your situation. You've waited long enough, it's time to start enjoying improved stereo music sq or at least gain experience, and resolve your curiosity, if a separate good quality preamp with HT passthrough doesn't improve your stereo music sq performance. Based on my experience and opinion, the Oppo 105 and 205 both contain high quality preamp sections that will be hard to top without spending big bucks.
Best wishes,
Tim |
Hello hitsofmisses,
My suggestion is to talk to your wife, try to listen to music together and ask her for her opinions on the music and your system's overall sound quality. The goal being a hobby you both enjoy together, if you think that's possible.
Best wishes,
Tim
|
Hello hitsofmisses,
Understood and I wish you the best.
Tim |
