Thanks Steve. Is there another connection than the coax out. I’ve never considered, nor had the least interest in a separate dac before now.
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Thanks dweller. Good idea. Any thoughts on upgrading the smps?
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Great to hear about video improvements. Such a useful unit. But I’m not surprised there’s no improvement from 2 rounds of processing. I’m running my Oppo into my Spectral preamp using Mit 350EVO Shotgun i/c’s ( equivalent to basic Oracle i/c’s) which are a very refined cable. I have found simpler is usually better. Why did you feel there may be a benefit? |
4 days of play later and the sound has improved considerably. Harshness I noticed initially has gone and the sound has more weight, much more full and natural. I will be checking the linear fast phase setting in a few days. Any others have experience with it?
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FWIW, I used music with Julian Bream playing a 12 string Spanish guitar. Complex dynamic passages were rendered more naturally; faster, more concisely and powerfully. Not simply more clearly. More lively! I was surprised.
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@audioengr . Your knowledge and ideas are appreciated. Any ideas on Oppo default to min phase fast?
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After experimentation I I have changed to “linear phase fast” from the default minimum phase fast. Better life and dynamics. More natural vocals. Although I appreciate the improvement through my Spectral electronics,and high level a/c isolation I seriously doubt it would be apparent with lesser equipment. I do wonder why Oppo made min phase fast the default. Anyone know?
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@ricevs. Thank you. I will be looking into this possibility. Just to confirm, you use the Oppomod lps, but improved by you, to replace the smps for the digital side, as part of your upgrade?
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The sound has improved. Significantly. Don’t know how much the filter choice has made;but, listening to a Nat King Cole album again the processing of the recording is readily apparent; not the case on listening a few days ago. I think this album is very relaxing. Timeless for me. |
@dweller. No I hadn’t checked any other than linear phase fast. Had you checked linear phase fast? I may experiment next week. Very pleased at the moment.
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@dweller I’m using high level Spectral Pre and amp with high level MIT throughout. The sound is excellent. Way above it’s price point as far as I’m concerned. |
For Oppo 205 owners. Gary Galo’s review of the 205 in Audio Express is very detailed and thorough. Perhaps more informed as he owns the 205 and 105. He’s a retired educator at the University level who remains highly involved in music and technology. I appreciate the new information he provides. A bit of a reference for some inner workings and background.
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I appreciate the use of the Oppo 205 to add “life” to basic Stingray Oldies and Jazz channels through my Spectral stereo. Lacks detail but dynamics are better than they ever were back in the day. I’m enjoying for background. Will be useful in choosing new jazz albums.
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Anyone else having this much joy from their 205?
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A big benefit of the Oppo 205. Listening to Starlight( or whatever the tv gives free) renditions of Chamber Music has convinced me to buy into a high quality streaming service. Now. Which one is it to be? This Oppo has really been worth its weight in Gold!
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@tuffy72561 Appreciate input. I like Caig Gold for cleaning and Stabilant 22 for contact enhancement. I’m considering EVS mods. |
@allanblissett It seems to me the ifi addresses ac noise. I don’t understand your reference to the optical input?? |
@allanblissett . I don’t know your system. Please be advised using an isolation transformer to reduce common mode noise and ground leak,for just your Oppo 205 will give an “immense” improvement in sound quality. Please: try it! It was truly startling in my setup Spectral,MIT. I was pleased before but gobsmacked with the improvement :). Cheers
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@bultaco. Stingray,a large music provider in Canada,is the music provider on Telus, a major cable tv provider in Canada. I take the feed directly from the cable box via high speed HDMI cable to the Oppo 205. I’m pleased and when I think back to the old days when all we enjoyed was AM radio on a transistor portable; I realize I’m getting better sound with decent dynamics from the cable; even though it’s a far cry from Oppo CD quality - which I’m amazed with!
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@bultaco. The isolation transformer is an old MIT ISO HC I’ve had for years but wasn’t using. That unit is for common mode noise and elimination of noise transmitted via ground. It’s surprising how effective it is. You should also have something to eliminate differential mode noise. I’m very happy with a Sound Application unit I have for that. But even the MIT Z Stabilizer 2 is very worthwhile if the rest of the system is refined. Mine is Spectral and high level MIT cabling. FWIW I use a separate Equitech 2Q for the Spectral; works well for me.
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I@allanblissett. The ifi sounds interesting. I’d like to hear your experience. My experience is that no single isolation/conditioning unit does what I achieve using a combination of balanced power for common mode noise and other units for differential noise. MIT has recently brought out a $16,000 unit. Im sure it’s a serious effort - but I’ll bet dollars to donuts it will complement Equitech balanced power. It relates to the nature of ac power. Blessings to Martin Glasband, the inventor of the patented Equitech Q series. IMHO the humble Oppo 205 plays “vastly” better than anyone listening to less than a state of the art system (or my system even) can imagine; when it receives pure ac power. The only mod I’d do is to change the digital power supply to one like the Oppomod unit. But I’m amazed at my CD replay as it is. FWIW I attend live classical concerts including opera and ballet regularly; music lover, fussy ears. Cheers :) ! |
