Oppo 105 stock vs Oppo 105 Modwright

I HAVE directly compared the OPPO 105 to a 95 Modwright in a system somewhat unfamiliar, but the results were clearly evident. The Modwright is just as Talk2me notes, more whole and full and MUCH more dynamic. The mids, particularly vocals took on a more natural presence and then of course the dimensionality was enhanced which you would expect from a tube output vs op amp. I did perceive a notable improvement from the stock OPPO 95 to the OPPO 105. I can't imagine how much better the Modded 105 is from my Modded OPPO 95 with the Bybee rail and audio magic pulse gen zx adds to the mod. The Modwright is just in a different realm from either stock version which are VERY good at the price.

Actually Jwm I think he covered the bases by using in different systems. My problem with this guy is that he isn't always concise in what he says and I don't always "get" his lingo, "to the left" does that mean lean, fast or warm or what combination thereof to thee I ask? Too metaphysical in his prose for my tastes, I don't want to read poetry I want to read a concise review. I have listened to my Modwright in 4 different systems and while it is a GREAT choice in mine I wouldn't necessarily choose it for the other 3 which I considered too warm and full sounding to start with although in EVERY case the Modwright was a significant improvement over what they were using and they all agreed.

I would expect there are other better choices besides this one for some systems and tastes. It delivered EXACTLY what I hoped it would in my system with the added benefit of a much lower noise floor which I DIDN'T expect to the degree realized with those Bybee rails I am guessing. I was very deliberate prior to purchasing this unit based on what others said, not the least of all yourself. Of course I'm assuming there are general similarities between the 105 and 95 aside from the improvements going to the 105.

Charles I too got that the review was very positive and balanced. He really pegged its character, again that is saying that the character of the 95 is similar to the 105 but the latter a significant improvement. I feel the 95 in my system a steal for what I paid and I really can't imagine what it would cost to significantly exceed its performance in my system without going to the 105. It does indeed make the music come alive and was the missing link in my quest for a truly satisfying digital source.

"Lit up for one listener or system could be too bright and hifi like for another, we all realize how relative and subjective this stuff can be."

Hi Charles, yes this is the exact point. The thing of real note to me was the big leap in performance in my system compared to the others when using the Modwright although they all preferred it it just wasn't as big a deal to me as what I heard in mine which was quite a surprise. My friends system doesn't sound bright using my previous digital source. In mine it did, or at least to me and a few others but not to all, again perceptions. Interestingly enough it STILL wasn't enough. I finally came to a conclusion that my long term reference speaker would either have to be upgraded or replaced so good was the Modwright in pulling things together in one manner but realizing now fully to me the intrinsic shortcomings of the speaker in its present state and coming to terms with that fact. So on balance the Modwright was a great improvement but with an ironic twist. Funny how a great component can evolve a system into a different direction altogether.