Opp 970 for SACD and DVD-A

I had the 963sa and I replaced it with the Oppo 970. I have been very happy with the unit. The video checked out well by a video technician. I have a few DVD-A and SACDs, but not many. I like the sound and have not had any problems. For most music I still prefer 2 channel. Maybe when I get more 5.1 music I will like it more. I am using it until the HD formats are better defined, but it is quite good and I may decide just to stay with it.

oppo is coming out with a new unit that will play sacd and give you hdmi.it will also handle 1080p. its based on the costlier 971h which is better than the 970 because of the use of discrete ic's vs the all in one ic's used in the 970. i would call oppo to get all the details on the newer unit.
personally, the strength in the oppo's are their video quality. audio is at least to me mediocre at best. what do you expect from a unit thats $200.00 dollars. i guess the video can be obtained for alot less since the picture quality is exceptional for a unit in this price range. i had a 971h and the picture quality is outstanding. i sold it to a friend that needed it more than i did right now. i will waite on the newer one because of the hdmi alone.

I am using the 963 as a dedicated multi-channel SACD player with excellent results. I have the Oppo 971 for playing DVD's video's, the 971 is by far better for video. Can't comment on SACD sound quality between the 963 and 971, I like the sound quality of the 963 so I never compared.

You may be interested in the review on TNT-audio, an internet magazine I enjoy and respect.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/oppo_dv970_e.html

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/oppo_dv970_tech_e.html

Good luck!

it seems that the review mentioned above on the 970hd supports the sound capabilities of this oppo model. the real bargain to me is in the video as GERONIMO and i feel the 971hd offers. again it has to do with using better components. i had tried the 971hd as a transport on my heavily modded TACT MK3 FROM ABERDEEN COMPONENTS. it paled in comparison especially with my modded NORTHSTAR 192 also from ABERDEEN COMPONENTS,playing redbook cd. playing dvd audio on the 971hd as a transport was also not impressive. i know that ABERDEEN COMPONENTS has modded his 971hd with excellent results . i am going to waite on the newer model and see what ABERDEEN can obtain in the area of audio and video. he is a dealer and i believe you can obtain any of these models cheaper than going directly thru OPPO. it may be worth the call to save some $$$$
for what its worth, the newer oppo model is the same as the 971hd but with sacd,hdmi and 1080p capabilities. according to oppo, the picture is the same between the 971hd and the new model.

regards

BILL

RE:"I am using the 963 as a dedicated multi-channel SACD player with excellent results. I have the Oppo 971 for playing DVD's video's, the 971 is by far better for video. Can't comment on SACD sound quality between the 963 and 971, I like the sound quality of the 963 so I never compared."
The OPPO 971 doesn't do SACD.
The 970 does it very well.
NOBODY can tell me it isn't one of the best deals in audio today. While I'm saving for my high-end universal(whatever that will be) I bought the OPPO to replace my Rotel 1072. The OPPO is so much more revealing on CD. SACD is new to me so I can't say how well it does in comparison to any other SACD player, but it sounds great!
For reference, my system is BW802D's fed by Bryston 4BSST amp and Bryston 26P pre-amp. Room is 16 x 30 with 12' vaulted ceiling at one end and 9' at other. Video is thru a 55" Samsung HDTV via component outputs. Video is so good I will not buy another TV until this one dies.
...just my 2 cents worth

just for the record: the 970HD is NOT simply the the 971H with SACD added. videowise, the 971H has faroudja video processing, the 970HD does not (this is not necessarily a bad thing, as it elminates the potential macroblocking problems of the faroudja chip).

in addition, Oppo will tell you that the audio of the 970HD is better than the 971H, in quality as well as features. while it's obviously not the last word in SQ, i think it's a fantastic bargain.