OPPO Digital Announces Decision to Gradually Stop Manufacturing New Products.....April 3 2018, 09:00......😪 It could well have been an April's Fool story, but unfortunately it was released on April 2nd... In a message of farewell, OPPO Digital has confirmed it will gradually stop manufacturing new products, causing a shockwave across home theater and audio enthusiasts all over the world. A decision which is hard to understand given the success stories of the brand's range of Blu-ray Disc players, planar magnetic headphones and the recent entry in the wireless speaker segment. Meanwhile, OPPO Digital confirmed they are open to proposals regarding the IP related to their product design. http://www.audioxpress.com/news/oppo-digital-announces-decision-to-gradually-stop-manufacturing-new-... |
My TUC-modded 105D is now about 500 hours into full burn-in, and I have a hard time imagining it sounding any better. This is the real deal! I have a friend with the four-box Wadia 9, and I do not enjoy listening to it in his much more expensive system than the 105D in mine. |
I considered TUC when I got my 105D, but I couldn't get a handle on precisely what they did. They sounded kind of vague with band-aid type mods versus gut changes by EVS. Ric explained exactly what he would do and it made sense to me at that time.With over 500 hours on my player,I know that I made the right choice. |
Hi Melville,
In a way, I am not [entirely] surprised by that...the modded 83 I had was excellent and killed my current stock 95...but the 83 stopped functioning and I was honestly afraid of paying big labor costs to fix it only to have it break again.
Since I only use 95 for video and use the digital out to my DAC, I am fine with this. But that modd'd 83 was REMARKABLE...and I felt did a ton to the original stock 83 sound...much more than it seems a 95 vs 83 upgrade makes. Nevertheless, the 105 is supposed to be fundamentally superior platform so in any event you've got the 'best' of the Oppo series and the mods. Hopefully it gets better over the next few hundred hours...but if not, you've still got amazing sound no doubt. Enjoy! |
I have played a few different CDs and SACDs on the TUC upgraded 105, and it does sound better, and certainly different than what I remember of the stock unit. At this point, however, it does not sound better than my EVS modded
Oppo 83. In all fairness, the 83 is fully burned-in (a couple of years of play). The TUC 105 is specified to improve all the way up to 600 hours. I will keep you posted. |
Melville,
Good luck with your mods...please post when your unit comes back...i bet its amazing! |
I like TUC's work...I can definitely say his modd'd 83 is far better than the 95 I now own. (the only reason I got it is because after a number of years the modd'd 83 broke and I was concerned that shipping it, fixing it, etc with TUC) would end up being a waste if the darn thing broke again. So I got a demo 95 stock locally for a huge discount (less than shipping/repairs of the 83).
Compared to 83 TUC...well, for me, the 95 did not compare well. Fortunately, i use the Oppo 95 for video only...and even on video, i use the digital out to my DAC. |
I had been using an EVS modded Oppo 83SE for a few years, and was very pleased with the sound. I recently got upgraditis (of a sort), and bought an Oppo 105D. I set aside the 83SE and used the 105 for awhile. I generally enjoyed the sound, finding it neutral, detailed and dynamic; but on some music the treble was harsh, bright and glaring.
I had the 83 in my workplace system, which is significantly more humble than my home stereo, so the sound improved, but was nothing special. Soon after I got the 105, I upgraded my amplification and speakers. So the 105 has been in two different systems in my home.
I just sent my 105D to The Upgrade Company for his SE mods. I thought I'd try a different flavour. So I returned the 83SE to my home system in the interim. To my delight, the 83SE sounded better than the stock 105D in every area of sonic reproduction. In some cases, a lot better. This is a helluva nice-sounding player. I will be very happy if the Upgrade Company 105D is superior to the EVS-modded 83SE.
The long-winded point that I am attempting to make here is that, in my case, a Ric Shultz modified early Oppo player sounds way better than their stock newest creation. |
Sstalwar, there are a number of things that I think explain the sonic differences between the Modwright and Exemplar mods of the Oppo. Foremost I think is the tube used in the amplifier output. The Modwright uses the 6SN7 tube and the Exemplar a Soviet tube derived from the 6922 family of tubes that is quite better than anything I heard in earlier versions of the Exemplar and clearly superior to the old 6SN7. This accounts for the tubier fat sound of the Modwright.
Second is the tube power supply of the Modwright versus the solid state ps of the Exemplar. This too adds to the slowness of the Modwright.
Finally the Exemplar costs $4750 versus $3695 for the Modwright if you buy an Oppo at the cheapest price I've seen. This allows for the more expensive tube, better caps, and FineMet beads to significantly lower the noise level on the Exemplar
If you have further questions, just look up Norm on audioasylum and ask. |
Tbg,
I am interested in more detailed response to the comparison between Modwright and Exemplar mods. I have Modrwright 105 and wonder how these two mods differ... just different sounding or one sounding better than other and by how much and in what ways? Which has better bass control? Are they tonally different? Which is more fuller and richer? Appreciate your response. Thanks. |
I no longer have need for a cd player, but I did finally have the opportunity to compare the Modwright versus the Exemplar moded Oppo 105s. I thought my Exemplar eXpo 105 was clearly more dynamic and detailed. |
Like Dsper, I recently purchased a fully modified OPPO-105D from Ric Schultz. It's easily the best sounding player that I've had in my 2-channel system for the past 22 years. |
Dsper, once again I forgot there are two Rick Schultz. I heard the Rick of High Fidelity Cables system. |
Dsper, I have heard Rick's unit and had not realize that I was hearing an Oppo 105. I will have to take my Exemplar/Oppo 105 up next time to compare. |
I would suggest auditioniong an Oracle AC 2 power cord by MIT. Players will change but AC power is more likely to deteriorate rather than improve; your power improvement will be permanent. |
Okay,
I went with the Ric Schultz mods on my Oppo 105 and am quite pleased with the result.
I have had the opportunity to critically listen for only about ten hours and can tell you that Ric's mods have added a lot more detail and weight in my system. I suspect that the better detail in the bass helps to flesh things out and add the weight.
One telling sign of a good player is that when I play the music at low volume, it is all there. I seemed to want to play the stock Oppo 105 louder trying to hear more. That is no longer necessary with the Ric Schultz mods.
The modded 105 is as good, if not better, that the Esoteric SA-50 that I tried in an in house audition.
I figure that I am about $3,000 ahead going the modded Oppo 105 route. |
That may be true. But if resell drives your purchase decisions, surely this limits the choices you make.
I tend to buy for the long term , so it wasn't a consideration. Those who constantly trade in search of the next big thing also see their money lost.
I guess it's an individual choice we all must make.
I still have a GNS modded Resolution Audio Opus 21 , that I now will sell, and it was a $1500 mod fee. But over the many years it's really a small amount.
I think as long as you are comfortable with the choices you make, do it. |
$2300 will never come back if you sell. Consider that amount spent on other upgrades. More to follow. |
No problem with the updates thus far. I've had my modded 105 for several months and just did the latest update rom Oppo with no issues . |
I would assume the 105 is like my 95... I have no problems updating the firmware on my Modwright 95... |
I don't know, but this would be a good question for Oppo : ) |
Does a modification interfere with the ability to perform a firmware update? I would hate to upgrade my 105 only to find out that it will no longer successfully take a firmware update. |
Knghifi, no, I've only heard an Exemplar moded 95 and now the Exemplar moded 105. The 105 does just about everything and with the Exemplar tube output stage, the use as a dac for my music server sounds outstanding. |
Tbg, I too have compared the stock 95 to the 105 and to me there really is no comparison. The 105 is clearly improved over the 95, very obvious to me in any case. I owned a stock 95 for almost 2 years so it wasn't an antedotal comparison under unknown conditions. I have heard the system of the gentleman who also owned both many times. However we both preferred my modded 95 to his stock 105. I currently own a modded Modwright 95 so can't compare to the modded 105 which I haven't but by every account from those who have heard or owned both it seems the 105 is much improved, lessons learned in both cases I suppose. |
Tbg, Thanks for the information. One of these days I'll have to chat a bit with Dan Wright about the 105. I've already got a ModWright Sony, with which I am very pleased. I'm sure the modded 105 betters it, but I need to make sure this is going to do everything I want (and do it well) before I pull the trigger. |
Moomoo, I know a guy who has compared the Oppo 95 and 105 each with no mods. He much preferred the 95. Of course, this doesn't mean much about moded units. |
Moomoo, my understanding is that the 1 second delay remains in the 105. This is the one thing that prevents me from buying the 105 and having the ModWright truth mod done. I can't imagine the frustration of trying to listen to Bach's St Matthew with a 1 second delay between all 72 tracks, where a delay is not written into the music. It could be less of a problem with a standard symphony, where a delay of several seconds between movements is normal. Still, Oppo has got to understand that this quirk is a show stopper for many lovers of classical. One of the attractive features of the Oppo 105 is the asynchronous in, enabling using the unit as a DAC for a computer based system. So here is stand, in a holding pattern, hoping Oppo fixes this in the 115, 125, 135, or 495. Oppo, how bout it? We need a seamless transition from one file to the next. |
I thought that the moded unit sounded very little better than the stock unit Tbg, so you found stock 105 sounded similar to MW mod? |
Brownsfan, I have had no delays between tracks with my 105, either playing discs or from my music server. I have, however, not been able to get my USB connection to play higher than 96/24. It just clicks and does nothing. |
Moomoo, my understanding is that the 1 second delay remains in the 105. This is the one thing that prevents me from buying the 105 and having the ModWright truth mod done. I can't imagine the frustration of trying to listen to Bach's St Matthew with a 1 second delay between all 72 tracks, where a delay is not written into the music. It could be less of a problem with a standard symphony, where a delay of several seconds between movements is normal. Still, Oppo has got to understand that this quirk is a show stopper for many lovers of classical. One of the attractive features of the Oppo 105 is the asynchronous in, enabling using the unit as a DAC for a computer based system. So here is stand, in a holding pattern, hoping Oppo fixes this in the 115, 125, 135, or 495. Oppo, how bout it? We need a seamless transition from one file to the next. |
I love my 95. Best Sonic VALUE I've ever purchased. I am using an aftermarket power cord, but no mods other than a region free kit.
Question: did they get rid of the 1-2 seconds of silence between flac files on the 105 (the one thing I don't like about my 95)? |
Keephowlin, I have another mod. Oppo 105 and initially used the provided pc to the stock portion. I thought that the moded unit sounded very little better than the stock unit. BUT when I put an Exemplar charged Portal pc on, it was night and day. I cannot imagine why the pc would have such a negative impact or why Oppo would use it or exclude it if they could not do better. |
Tubegroover, I am in North Central Florida. I own Modwright Oppo 105. Before this I owned Modwright version of xa-5400es and oppo 95. PM me if you are interested in auditioning. BTW, I could try your Berning amp with Merlins, if possible:) |
I agree with the other responses on changing the power cords. I own an Oppo 95 and the difference from stock cord (decent) to a Zu BOK power cord was substantial, but far better with a Morrow Audio MAP 3 in audio and video as well.I switched to all Morrow cables in my system and use MA6's and MA5's on the analog outs, with the performance upgraded about 100% in my system. .The Morrow HDMI cable is amazing as well. |
If you haven't replaced the stock cord, I strongly suggest you look into that, especially if you have an otherwise very transparent system. I recently replaced my stock 95's cord with a Synergistic Research Element Copper Tungstan, and literally can't believe how much better my system sounds. As stupid as it sounds to have a power cord that costs more than the device, it made the biggest difference in my system for the dollars spent. My situation is a bit unique as I'm currently in the middle of making a source upgrade (which is why I'm lurking on this thread to research the 105 Modwright). The rest of of my system is high-end solid state, and very revealing, so the 95 is definitely the piece that needs upgrading, as there is a noticeable sharp edge (etch) in the treble that I need to remove. Anyway, my two cents on the power cord. And Gtzone, +1 on the Jeff Rowland. I'm using his Coherence Series 2 preamp and Model 312 Amp. Awesome stuff. |
Gztone, Sounds like it's working well for yo as it is for me. I'd be interested to know if you have tried an after-market power cord on the Oppo. |
I purchased the 105 with out listening to it first and to my surprise it sounded wonderful so much richer and refined than my previous Musical Fidelity player. At that time it was in a bedroom system. I then purchased a used Jeff Rowland Concerta integrated amp which took the place of a NAD and the sound quality improved 1000 times. After that I exchanged the interconnects from budget ones to Acoustic Zen and once again the sound improved greatly. My point is every part of your system changes the sound. The 105 is very good but consider it as just a portion of all of your components. |
To say that Jfz "couldn't stand" the Oppo 95 in his system is certainly to go against the grain of virtually all press reviews, sophisticated audiophile reviews and virtually everything else written about the product. The Oppo 105 is said to sound much like the 95, perhaps just a bit better and is also getting raves all around.
One thing we know is that tubes almost always add harmonic distortion. A lot of listeners prefer it that way. Many years ago Bob Carver experimented and proved that, even with solid state. That's why I asked if the moders publish their distortion figures.
Another issue is that Oppo has improved its audio circuits with each release. But judging by the rapidity with which the mods appear, they likely stay about the same so that with each new version they would add less and less.
Just one person's views. |
A p.s. to Dsper:
I have an Oppo 95 that I use only for a separate video system. I have had it my audio system, and the differences between it and the Modwright 105 are sort of like night and day. I couldn't stand the 95 in my audio system, and I love the modified 105. I hope this helps, at least maybe a little bit. |
Since the 105 is a relatively new product, you may not find anyone who has heard the stock and modified versions. If you do some research, though, I think you will find a lot of comments made about Modwright's modifications of previous players. |
So who has heard both a stock Oppo 105 AND a Modwright Oppo 105?
Please explain how they sound alike or different.
Is the modwright a definite "no doubt about it" upgrade or something less than that? |
Does Modwright publish distortion data for its mods?
In its review of the Oppo 105 Audioholics writes:
"The balanced analog outputs were just stunningly excellent (.001% THD + N) measuring almost down to the noise floor of my test gear and this was despite the fact I was driving the player at 0dBFs (digital full scale). This is just superb performance.
Oppo specifies distortion as 0.0003% THD + N using a 24 bit signal at 1kHz with a 20kHz LPF. Our measurements were done full bandwidth with no LPF which is why our figures were a bit higher. Oppo confirmed our results using the exact same test equipment, test conditions and signals."
I know that measurements are not the whole game, but it's clearly part of the story. |
Fair enough, Melm. I have not heard the stock 105. What I was unclear about was the phrase "it changes the sound." I thought you were saying Srjan said or implied that.
Anyway, I had the 95 in my system, and have read all the comments I could find about about both the stock and modified versions of the 95 and 105 (over several months). The stock 95 was something I would never want to listen to again. And this was after playing it for at least 500 hours. Buying the modified 105 is one of the very best decisions I have ever made in 40 years of audio. In my system, it is clean, clear, open, airy, articulate, fast, tonality correct, does not have too much bass, has little things like great texture in the bass, etc. I hear absolutely nothing of what Srjan describes as negatives. Having said that, I have no doubt that "it" will sound different in anyone else's system, the quotes being there because it is really the system - and the room - we are hearing (and the synergy or lack thereof).
Just so I'm clear, I'm not arguing with you or Srjan. IÂ’m just trying to express my experience clearly. By way of expressing even more clearly that I am enamored with the sound, I'll just add that I would have gladly paid more than $2300 ($3500 total) to get the sound I'm getting. |
Jfz, I'm not clear about what you are unclear about.
Srjan says the Modwright version is "Slightly soft on leading edges, image outlines and bass control. Dense. Generous. Relaxed. Midrange-y and even mildly bassy, i.e. very extended in the bass if not ultimately taut in the bottom octaves." Sounds like it is very tubey in an old fashioned sense!
This is definitely a complete opposite to most descriptions of the stock version.
Now, you may differ with what Srjan writes, but I wouldn't trade my stock Oppo 105 (which I think is terrific) for what Srjan describes. And I certainly would not pay $2300 for the privilege. |
Melm,
I'm unclear what your statement means, given that Srjan has not heard the stock 105.
In any case, I find the Modwright version extremely fast; incisive; airy; flat (as in neutral); very resolved, separated and focused; not soft on leading edges, image outlines, and bass control (I'm particularly surprised by the latter observation); and not "bassy." I can't help wonder if this is a system, cable, room thing. My other equipment is very high-end solid state, and I'm using the best power cords and power conditioning I've been able to find.
In any case, one can change tubes and get different sound "to taste." |
My reading of the recent 6moons review of the mod is that it changes the sound, but not clearly for the better. In fact, perhaps the opposite.
See third from last paragraph of the review beginning"• What the modified Oppo 105 isn't:". |
Dougmc,
I'll call Dan and see if he will have the oppo-105 modded at the show. The only problem is I don't like to listen to gear at shows. It's very distracting. I was hoping someone would bring the player over here or I could bring my player to someone else's house. I just want to make a comparison before I spend 3500.00. The modification is almost twice as much as the stock 105. |
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Taters,
You live in southern California and you want to audition a Modwright Oppo 105.
The last time I talked to Dan Wright, about a month ago, he was definitely planning to exhibit at the T.H.E. Show in Newport Beach (May 29 - June 2). I'm sure he will bring his own brand amp and pre-amp. Not sure about the Oppo 105, but give Dan a call and ask.
I also live in S. Cal. and own a Modwright Sony 5400ES, with which I'm very satisfied.
Don't summarily dismiss Ric Schultz and EVS. He does not have quite as high a profile as Dan, but many Audiogoners have expressed satisfaction with his work. Search his name in the archives. One thing to consider is that Ric does not incorporate tubes into his mod, whereas Dan does. Depends on how you feel about tubes and how a tube front end would work within your system. |
Abruce,
I know his mods are cheaper but do they sound as good as Modwright. Plus if you ever want to sell the unit more people are familiar with Modwright than EVS. I think having a modded setup by EVS would be harder to sell. |
