Oppo BDP-83 SE vs McCormack UDP-1 Deluxe

Kal, we are actually in Synch. For multichannel (means movies for me) I also prefer HDMI. No disdain here, but I have separate rooms/setups for HT and Music (96% stereo).

And given no reasonably priced stereo HDMI gear is available, implicitly, initial primary focus of this thread was on ("Oppo BDP-83SE" vs "McCoramck UDP-1" vs "eSound E5 Platinum Edition") Stereo music Sound Quality.

I am still interested in hearing from owners who have 1st hand experience with at least 2 of the above listed CD players.

DB, I will look into Cary Cinema 11a, as the opportunity arises to merge my setups.

Kal, I totally get (and dig) HDMI for movies. But for "music only" not sure?

Why not? Is there some difference in the data on the discs?

IMO HDMI complicates (and severley limits) stereo/audio setup, requiring a good quality HDMI equipped pre/pro, which eliminates 95+% of audiophile gear.

Since I listen, if at all possible, to multichannel music, the equipment is a given. For those still using stereo and analog equipment, you are correct in implying that some changes may be necessary.

Which HDMI based pre/pro (< $1k) or integrated (< $2.5k) would you recommend, for audio only?

AFAIK, there are no audio-only stereo digital processors with HDMI to handle SACD/Blu-ray in that price range. McIntosh and Classe have just introduced stereo analog/digital preamps and, one hopes, there will be less expensive alternatives to follow.

The only options in that range are used multichannel prepros (Integra/Onkyo) or AVRs (many) but only you can decide if using them as all digital except for the output stages will suit you. I have heard of a number of people who have been happy to replace a high-end preamp with one of the new inexpensive pre-pros. I have also heard of many who disdain such.

Kal

Paul,

Not Kal responding, but my Sony XA5400ES is set up to output either HDMI or analog XLR to my Cary Cinema 11a processor. I prefer the HDMI even for stereo, but a well done bit-streamed multichannel SACD tips the scale heavily in favor of HDMI. My impression is that the Cary Cinema 11a is an excellent choice for audio quality.

db

I would wait and check out the new OPPO 93 replaces the OPPO 83 or the new OPPO 95 that replaces the 83SE. These players will be shipping shorty and are a jump in performance.

People are already dumping their 83s and 83SEs here right now...

Kal, I totally get (and dig) HDMI for movies. But for "music only" not sure?

IMO HDMI complicates (and severley limits) stereo/audio setup, requiring a good quality HDMI equipped pre/pro, which eliminates 95+% of audiophile gear.

Which HDMI based pre/pro (< $1k) or integrated (< $2.5k) would you recommend, for audio only?

thanks,
Paul

11-01-10: Paul2k7
Thanks for chiming in guys! Looks like Rwwear, Kal are in BDP-83 camp

Actually, I am in the HDMI camp.

Kal

Petek, when did you send your Sony to TUC? I have a very hard time beleiving that the mod from these guys barely surpassed the UDP deluxe. I am also very surprised that the stock Sony XA5400 did not compete very close to the UDP. My modded 83SE and Denon 5910 make a EMM CDSA SE sound lifeless and small in comparison. The stock Oppo 83SE is no slouch when it comes to stock units either. I wouldn't hesitate on sending a stock 83SE to TUC. The 83SE has a ton of potential and a lot of people are modding this unit with good results.

Thanks for chiming in guys! Looks like Rwwear, Kal are in BDP-83 camp

Kal, I think I hear you loud and clear (Oppo), but let's not mistake McCormack with Lexicon ;-)

Peter, thanks for sharing your Sony upgrade experience, I know a bit about "the other side grass greener thing" ;-). Our setups are very similar - my DNA225 is Rev.A+ as well! Its just that I have Oppo 83 SE and have not heard UDP-1 and a good opportunity seems to be on hand, to add it - if its SQ can hold against Oppo 83 SE.

A full McCormack stack, on rack will look nice, but not sufficient to jump into it. Most UDP-1 reviews I could find are pre BDP-83 days, so let's wait to hear from some who might have had 1st hand experience with both players.

thanks,
Paul

Paul :

I once owned almost the same system you describe above and can share some insight. In my case, a DNA-1 Rev A, MAP-1 and UDP-1 Deluxe with AQ and Cardas cabling.

It made for a nice combination - my aim at the time was to get synergy using components from the same manufacturer. My speakers were initially the Harbeth M30's and then Verity Parsifals.

Regarding the UDP-1 Deluxe, it is a very capable CD and SACD player from top to bottom. In some ways it is under-rated. I think the reviewers are spot on. If anything, it is more neutral and analytical but with nicely weighted bass low end. I recently replaced my UDP-1 Deluxe with a Sony 5400 with Upgrade Company mods, expecting the grass to be greener with a newer player. Let's just say that the Sony did not blow away the UDP-1 Deluxe, despite my pre-conceived ideas (probably based on media hype and talk that the modded Sony competes sonically with 10k players). It was fairly close but with some clear difference. Please note, both units were fully burned-in. I kept the Sony as I wanted to use the balanced output with my fully balanced tube integrated amp.

In terms of engineering and construction, I cannot imagine that the Oppo is in the same league.

Bottom line: i would not dismiss the UPD-1 Deluxe believing that the latest generation of cd/sacd players are sonically superior.

good luck,
peter

I suggest you see if you can fit the Oppo into the McCormack chassis. ;-)

Kal

The McCormack is nice and probably well built but the Oppo has newer and better DAC's as well as Bluray and online firmware upgrades.

To better define, main angle for comparison should be:
- music/SQ (CD, SACD, DVD-A) and NOT the movies/PQ.
- HDMI ease by itself is not so important, but SQ is.

Also, let's add "eSound E5 Platinum Edition" to the mix.

thanks!