last spring a friend brought over his Oppo BDP-95 to compare to my Playback Designs MPS-5 digital player. he basically had the same question; how close could it come to the 'big boys' in terms of 2-channel music?
we went back and forth with a number of redbook and SACD's for an hour or so. both players were run thru my darTZeel NHB-18NS preamp.
the BDP-95 was competent. but it was not in the league of the MPS-5. the MPS-5 had lower noise floor, but more important the MPS-5 was much smoother and more refined....by significant degrees. and the BPS-5 resolved ambience and did space at another level more similar to analog. whereas i can listen to my MPS-5, then switch to the vinyl and tape, and switch back to the MPS-5.....and i'm still staying happy and not deflated. with the BDP-95, you are not wanting to go back to digital in that session.
i'd say if you want refined digital from redbook discs, the threshold is around $5k. some digital DAC's i've heard maybe more like $3k. it comes down to the quality of the digital transport. the Esoteric transport in the Playback Designs has a 'parts' cost more than the retail of the BDP-95 and they buy them 100 at a time.
to be fair; the Playback Designs MPS-5 is the best digital i have heard.
i would describe the BDP-95 as a decent redbook and SACD player, and many could be perfectly happy living with it. it may better $2k-$3k redbook players, i don't know about that.
btw; i own an Oppo BDP-93 for my separate Home Theatre system; it's a great little unit. and for around $1k for the BDP-95, it's a great buy for a universal player.
we went back and forth with a number of redbook and SACD's for an hour or so. both players were run thru my darTZeel NHB-18NS preamp.
the BDP-95 was competent. but it was not in the league of the MPS-5. the MPS-5 had lower noise floor, but more important the MPS-5 was much smoother and more refined....by significant degrees. and the BPS-5 resolved ambience and did space at another level more similar to analog. whereas i can listen to my MPS-5, then switch to the vinyl and tape, and switch back to the MPS-5.....and i'm still staying happy and not deflated. with the BDP-95, you are not wanting to go back to digital in that session.
i'd say if you want refined digital from redbook discs, the threshold is around $5k. some digital DAC's i've heard maybe more like $3k. it comes down to the quality of the digital transport. the Esoteric transport in the Playback Designs has a 'parts' cost more than the retail of the BDP-95 and they buy them 100 at a time.
to be fair; the Playback Designs MPS-5 is the best digital i have heard.
i would describe the BDP-95 as a decent redbook and SACD player, and many could be perfectly happy living with it. it may better $2k-$3k redbook players, i don't know about that.
btw; i own an Oppo BDP-93 for my separate Home Theatre system; it's a great little unit. and for around $1k for the BDP-95, it's a great buy for a universal player.