I guess this product is too new. ANyways, I pulled the trigger and ordered a BDP-93NE. It ships on March 31st. I'm taking advantage of the 30-day return policy[I will only be out shipping if the unit fails to impress. I think this is a win, win as I'll know what it does in my system and how it performs against the redbook cd playback of my OPPO 83SE. If I had the chuckles I would have sent my OPPO 83SE in to Modwright for the tube mod...thanks again, lloyd |
This should be interesting. My OPPO Nuforce 93NE went back for warrenty work. While it is at Nuforce I decided to have the NE board changed to the NXE board. I decided on this rather than spending the $500 upgrade to an external dac. I just didn't want another box and wires...I'll be curious to see what I hear with the new board. WIll post when I've had a chance to play and burn the unit in when it is back. |
Yes, I will. I have some audiophile friends dropping in after I've broken it in. One is a Leban guy and the other has Pass Labs. Their cd playbackbacks are Marantz Sacd and ArcamFMJ33, which already showed itself to be more refined and finished in my system compared to my OppoSE.They both have good ears. We'll give it a fair but honest listen, no holds barred. Will I be overwhelmed or underwhelmed? At least it should be interesting. Will let you know what we hear, cheers, lloyd |
After a 20 hour break-in[suggested by Jason at Nuforce], I have really started to listen to this unit. My system is old, Sim, Krell Roxan, wiring by Acoustic Zen, Monarchy Audio, [all single core crystal]. PS audio Power Quintet, Power cds by Pangea and Grant Fidelity. Speakers are the -NewformResearch 30-2's. Sources have nowheres to hide on Ribbons but I've had SET preamps on these before and Set can mess up your mind for weeks[they did mine]. There is a rightness to the midrange that SETs do that can make everything else sound broken. This Nuforce BDP-93NE is reported to be voice with even-order harmonics like a SET.I hope this gives you and idea my likes. The NUForce BDP-93NE plays music in my system with a effortless seamlessness, competing musical clues that my Oppo 83se only hinted at or simply missed. It's not small or sutle a difference. It is a fundamental shift in how the music is coming into my listening room. The depth strikes me as very fine. Vocals together are distinct not covering one another, cymbals float in the space they appear into and out of, no hiss. It makes me listen to each disc as if for the first time. No, not tuby, just a feeling of rightness to the point I don't want to change a thing. This will do me until computer based playback is an option for me. This is something very special and you can hear it. If anyone else tries this unit please keep us informed. I can't beleive how much more the vocals can give you on this unit. But everything else is better, reed instruments, horns and piano are just lovely, bass appears with impact and tightness, potent but musical. Reverberation is just there, everything in is own space but all together as a whole. Quite wonderful. I love this unit. YMMV. Now I have to listen to Shelby Lynn again. In one word, MUSICAL. I think that's it. Happy listening.cheers, lloyd |
Hi, Jdub39. I suspect your Oppo95 is very good on playback. Oppo really souped up the analogue section compared to the 83SE. I imagine all that experice with the 83SE has led to a serious audio improvment with your 95. Look at the Rotel transformer they use for example. I can't imagine not being very happy with that unit. There is a reason there is a waiting list here for it. But I couldn't wait so I'm very happy with my Nuforce 93NE. I understand there may be a software update for it. ALso I plant to change the plug to a three prong later on. happy listening eveyone, cheers, lloyd |
Changing the stock cord to a Pangea ac-14SE after breaking in the unit was a nice improvement. Altogether a nice package. But I also liked this PC on my older 83SE. So, do try an upmarket PC on your Oppo. They deserve the love...:)... To be clear on tubes I simply wish to say that this Nuforce-93NE doesn't do the syrupy, over soft sound. There seems to be no hint of digital here. There is a wonderful energy infused into my sytem that has me hanging on every word. It is amazing how vocals sound so right.It simply sounds like music that draws me in and makes it hard to get work done. It is very addictive. Just one of those units that make you want to listen. cheers, lloyd |
You will probably find it actually sounds better after you've played it for awhile. It will suddenly dawn on you how the sound has simply opened up and flows. To hear this replay your first few disc again and you'll hear what I'm saying. Pretty amazing isn't it? Enjoy and let us know how it's going. cheers, lloyd. PS I do agree with you on the lack of dedicated L/R stereo outputs. I suppose Oppo had to keep cost down. |
Quick update. Received the Nuforce 93 NXE today and am now burning it in. FIrst impressions. Alex Dondysh[hope I spelled that right] has to be a music lover. He designed the NE board which I loved but this NXE board is on a whole other level....reminds me of My Roxan Zerxes..a continuous flow of musical pleasure...more later...Oh, yes this is seriously fine...more later...cheers, lloyd |
Thanks for the info. Let us know how it progresses. Is this comparison on cd replay? Cheers, lloyd |
Hi Yurisius. Glad you're enjoying the Oppo Nuforce 93NE. Might I suggest that as you play more hours on the unit see if you notice a bit more relaxation and break-in. For some reason I experienced a rather long break-in. I can't tell you why it just seemed to be so...I know it was noticable and I heard it by replaying my very first two discs I had played when the unit arrived. Now if you read the 6 Moons review of the 93NE and 93NXE it would appear from that review the 93NXE gives you more of what you might be missing. I do know you can upgrade the board to the NXE by replacing the NE board. Music dvds can be rather killer on this unit. Cheers and happy listening. lloyd |
Hi, Desalvo55. I hear what you're saying about your modded 83SE. Synergy is everything. If the synergy isn't there it makes us look for that elusive magic. It's all about balance in our systems. Having said that, the same guy who designed the board for the Nuforce 93NE and 93NXE does the digital mods for Modwright. So it should be very fine indeed. But I haven't hear it. If you check out the 6Moons review on the Nuforce 93Ne and NXE it might be helpfull and ask the editor questions. He is quick to reply. ALso it is interesting that on the Nuforce website they have dropped plans for modding the 95 after hearing the modded 93NXE9,$1399US . Take that for what you will but Jason at Nuforce is quick to answer all questions on the units. Which unit will make the synergy work in your system? Ummm, tough choice. I would really like to hear the Nuforce 93NXE in my system but the 93NE is doing magic on the vocals here. I wold suspect the soundstage on the NXE mod would be bigger and more extended I'm guessing here.Let us know how it goes. I do think there are some reviews forthcoming on the Oppo 95. cheers and good luck, lloyd |
Hi, Moomoo. My bad. Thanks for the correction. The 983 would be an older unit perhaps the same time as the Oppo 980? If so, I do have an Oppo 980 and the Oppo 83SE was simply better by a serious margin on cd playback and dvd replay than the 980. Shoff, digital playback has been moving at a good pace. It is hard to say at what level your modded ANthem CD-1, plays at. An interesting note about Nuforce mods on the 93. Both the NXE and NE boards can be puchased separetly and can be installed by the buyer. Instrucitons are on Nuforces site. The good thing with these two boards is they're done with the blessing of Oppo[so I'm led to believe], and if a problem develops with a Nuforce unit it is to be returned to Nuforce for servicing. Oppo and Nuforce both seem to be offering us a lot for the buyer. That mod on the Oppo 95 looks interesting. cheers, lloyd |
If you try the NXE let us know how it goes. I did note that the NXE was preferred over the NE at the 6 Moons review. cheers, lloyd |
Hi, Les. That's good to know as I bought the 93NE from Nuforce so I didn't have a chance to hear the 93 before modding. How many hours do you have on the unit? The reason I ask, there seems to be a fairly long breakin period on these players including the Oppo 95. But it is worth it. Also, sometime in the furture if you have an upgrade power cord laying around, try it. THe Oppos do respond well to a better PC. Happy listening and keep us updated. cheers, lloyd |
Hi, Scott. There is no difference between buying a installed board from Nuforce for the Oppo 93 or buying the board and installing it yourself. I believe Nuforce has the info on their website for doing it yourself. I see the review you're referring to Roscoeiii. I wonder how long the 93NXE was burned in compared to the Oppo 95? The reason I mention this is even the Oppo 83SE took quite awhile to settle in. when I first had it. The Nuforce 93NE took even longer. I would like to see more reviews to see how they compare. It could be very interesting. Perhaps it depends a lot on the system you're listening to. I'm sure there'll be more on these units. Oppo has opened a wonderful Pandora's box for us.....cheers, lloyd |
Hi, Nrthomas2. How has the comparison of the NXE and the 95 progressed? ANy further thoughts? On 2 channel playback? Cheers, lloyd |
Hi, Moomoo/ There is a review of the Nufroce 93NE, 93NXE and the Oppo 95 in the AVS[Absolute Sound mag. If you check on the Nuforce website I believe you can find the review. An interesting read. cheers, lloyd |
Hello, Moomoo. I think you'll be a very happy camper. I have read it can take up to 300 hours to break the 95 in fully. If you have a better power cord give it a try also after breakin so you can hear what it gives you. Music played back on the USB on the Oppo 93NE is superb probably because the rotation of the cd is taken out of the playback IMO...Have fun. That's the great thing about the Oppos. They're really out there on the fun factor scale. cheers, lloyd |
Well, I've listened to this unit for about 18 hrs. I prefer to listen and breakin at the same time. But I just had to comment on how deep into the bass this unit goes in my system in my room. This is rivaling my Roxan Zerxes in bass quality. CD has never produced this sheer quality of bass here. You can hear the wonderful rich tones of bowed string intruments. I swear I can hear the foot movements on kick drums on one recording. Before I was assuming it was electric bass...Nope!Pianos are very natural. Voices are excellent. I've heard Mary Gauthier for the very first time and the hair stands up. Her voice suffers pain and ache but compells you to listen. Now this is in my system...YMMV. But this is a serious step up from the NE IMO...cheers, lloyd |
Hi, Operatenore. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. There was a hold up at the border and I had to fax additional paperwork for the machine to clear into the US.(this was not my fault or Oppo or Nuforce). I shipped Fedex ground and once in the US it was very good. At Nuforce the warrenty part was replaced at the OPPO facility, the unit tested and firmware updated, and than sent back to Nuforce where the board was exchanged from the NE to the NXE. Turnaround at the OPPO facility was quick. Nuforce kept me in the loop throughout e-mailing me as each step happened. Nuforcer returned the unit by Fedex[shipping on Monday and I received it Thursday(a lot quicker through customs on the way back,) go figure....All in all I was pleased and very happy with the unit. You would not have this difference in time in the States....hope this answers your question. The delays were not the fault of OPPO or Nuforce, both of whom were very good. cheers, lloyd |
I'm at the 40 hr mark on the NXE board. This player just relaxes you into the music. Ever notice how music can seem almost slower and than it hits you that is just easy and natural in its flow? Relaxing? This player does that. Shelby Lynn is sooo good. Patricia Barber is better than ever I rmembered her. Isn't it amazing how favourite pieces of music you know inside out can still reveal nuances in the vocals that you hadn't heard before? This player does soft very, very well....not an easy thing. The music emerges from a very quiet background. I think that is why I hear more soft clues..but this is paired with superb dynamic range....quite a delight all in all. Will make a final observation at the 50 hour point after which I'm just going to continue to enjoy the music. This NXE board is seriously musical...cheers, lloyd |
Approaching the 100 hour mark and over the last little while I've noticed a relaxing into the music feeling. I think the unit has simply settled in [and my ears also have settled in]. But the end result is very easy to take. You can hear flaws and mistakes in various recordings but it doesn't get in the way of the enjoyment of the music. Yes, I would definetly go straight to this board[NXE] over the NE if you have an Nuforce 93 but be warned. You'll want to listen to everything all over again....Try not to be moved when you listen to "Lonesome Valley" by the Fairfield Four" on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack.....simply righteously awe-inspiring....back to the tunes. cheers, llooyd |
Hi, Mrtennis. The Nuforce 93NE is $899 US. If you already own an oppo 93[I think they're selling for about $499US,] the Nuforce upgrade board can be bought separate and installed by the 93 owner. I believe I saw that on their website. THe Modwright tube upgrade is [correct me if I'm wrong], I think about 1400US. I have not heard the modwright mod but I supect if you're keeping an Oppo 83SE it would a very musical mod. Modwright has a very fine reputation. I've been told by a friend in the know, of his electronics as being extremly musical. However I'm very content with this Nuforce 93SE. I think its "special". YMMV. It's all relative. Hope that helps, cheers, lloyd |
Well the Nuforce 93SE arrived this pm. . Will give it break-in. But out of the box, it's a keeper. I guess my beloved Oppo 83SE will have to fine a new home before spring ends. More to follow. I think I'll be doing alot o listening in the next few days. Will give an idea of what I think I'm hearing in my room in my system. Do note I have no invested interest in either company. I simply wanted to "hear for myself in my own system", and this was for mainly cd playback with video a bonus. Nuforce has a 30-day return policy. cheers, lloyd |
Additional follow-up. After receiving the Nuforce93NE on March 31st I've been playing it without keeping count of the exact hours[after the first 20 hours had passed]. There has been a further improvement in the sound quality but I can't say just excly when it occured. It struck me this week as I replayed Shelby Lynn's "Just A Little Lovin'"..the very first cd I played on the machine when it arrived. Now allowing for my hearing becoming familiar with the sound of the unit still surprised me when I was down the hall on the computer while the disc played and there was an apparent ease and more texturing fullness of timbre, just more there all with a greatly emhanced sense of flow and ease. I had to sit down and listen. The Truth Accoring to Ruthie Foster, a fav cd of mine, followed and yup. SOmething had changed for the better here. The emotion of Ruthie's voice was obvious and sung with an enhanced ease I had not heard before. It has continued on every disc I've listened to since. I guess you really do hear this unit at its very best after a few weeks. Go figure...At least that is what has happend to me here in my system. YMMV. Now back to the Stanley CUp, cheers, everyone, lloyd |
I've read the 6 moons review several times. I'm just a little worried that the "modern sound" of the NXE compared to the soft highs of the NE might mean more careful system matching. But I did notice he never claimed the NXE as having "bright" highs. I've been told the NXE is better than the NE but I just wonder how the highs compare? I'm assuming the NXE is smooth, like the NE, but more extended. I do remember the previous 83SE as being very easy to listen to, but the NE is much more involving and musical in my system. Entirely another clear cut above the older 83SE Anyone else able to compare the NE to the NXE? Has anyone else heard the NXE and if so how do you find the top end? Cheers, lloyd |
Further update! Yesterday I hauled out a chestnut cd. It is the Compact Command Performances "Four Tops", 19 Greatest Hits. This Lists 1984 Motown so is music from the Great Motown era of the 1960's into the early 1970's. The songs are great but the recording is not the best. I had already kept the volume down before as the digital tranfer was "unconfortable" to play loud. But I just loved the songs. With the soft highs on the Nuforce 93NE I can really listen at volume and enjoy it. Yes, the music is still early digital but at least now I can forget about that and just enjoy the great Motown players backing up a terrific group of singers. I think this is what I like most about this player. It allows me to "fall into the pleasure" so to speak of listening to more music. Stuff I largely cringed at before has become easily listenable. If the NXE does this and offers even more ins musical presentation that it must be rather special. But I'm happy with the NE for now. cheers, lloyd |
Hi, Moomoo. I can't answer your question per the Oppo95. And I can't comment on the system you heard the Oppo 83 in. Now I didn't own an 83 but I did have the Oppo83SE. It never sounded bright in my system[Krell Pam 3 pre, Simaudio 4070SE, Newform research R8-2's930" ribbons], and actually was easy to listen to on CD. If there was any brightness, the ribbons would point this out. At that time we were comparing it to a friends Arcam 33FMJ[hope I got that model right]. It was Arcams top model from a few years back[this one had the last ring dac]....I found it a bit more refined or finished..a touch tidier if you will, than the Oppo 83SE in my opinion. My friend actually leaned towards the Oppo...go figure. They were both musical. Now on CD another friend owing a Marantz 12Sacd [I forget the exact model number but it is a fine unit]....told me the Nuforce 93NXE was a big leap in cd playback over the Oppo83SE. He kept saying how the bass was spot on to what he's used to hearing. He thought the unit had a certain "magic" if you will. I concured as everything is so system dependant when you're searching for that elusive "synergy". I think I've found it here. Does Oppo offer a "return policy" if the unit doesn't work for you? Give them a call or e-mail to see. Oppo is very consumer friendly[as is Nuforce]. Good luck and keep us informed how it goes. cheers, lloyd |
After a very busy week I've finally had a chance to start listening to the NXE again. One of my nephews set down with me to listen to Sade's Soldier of Love. an album we both love. For a moent he said nothing. I though something was wrong. "WHOW," was all he managed. "That is real bass...it's really deep," he said. He listened some more. Everthing is so clear, exact and easy to hear and see locations," Drums and instruments project out into the room like never before," he added. Than he just listened and listened until finally he had to go home. He had liked the NE board but was simply awed by the NXE board. I also feel the same. It's just plain superior....How high up the rung it goes I don't think really matters to me. All I know is I have to listen to all my music again. It compelles me...:)...it makes me smile and if music can't do that,,it ain't working....happy listening everyone...cheers, lloyd |
