The P7 is, imho, the best choice now. There are some others that one can seek but are hard to find: McCormack MAP-1, McIntosh C45, Audio Research MP-1 and, my favorite, the Bel Canto Pre6.
Kal |
I've tried the Hdmi but thought the Multichannel analogue sounded better. What would you suggest for Analogue pre? Someone suggested the Parasound P7 to me awhile back.
Regards Bacardi |
Of course you are. The input stage of the Onkyo, its volume control circuitry and its output stage. I have no doubt that the 95 analog output is superb but it is constrained by the Onkyo which, in my experience, is not great. With a better prepro or analog preamp, I might use that but with the 885/9.8, I would prefer HDMI.
Kal |
K. Maybe I need to specify my hookup and setup. My apologies:
Parasound power amp 5channel to Onkyo pre outs
5.1 rcas from Oppo to Onkyo
5.1 audio outs from Oppo to 5.1 multichannel ins on Onkyo
Hdmi 1 from Oppo(video only) to Hdmi Onkyo
Onkyo displays Multichannel Direct
Are you saying that I am hearing analogue from the Onkyo and not Oppo?
Regards Bacardi |
C'mon. What is the Oppo connected to? Directly to the power amp or via a decent analog preamp? If so, that is quite different from going via the 885.
I found that the weakest feature of the 9.8 (885) is the analog in/out, even direct.
Kal |
No through the Oppo 95.
Regards Bacardi |
01-01-12: Bacardi
I am using the analogue in the Oppo. Yes but are you running it through the mediocre analog of the 885? Kal |
I am using the analogue in the Oppo.
Regards Bacardi |
Bacardi-
I cannot believe that you find the analog from the 95 via the 885 is superior to HDMI since the 9.8 (equivalent of the 885) has mediocre analog inputs which would compromise that arrangement. Had you said that you were using an 80.2 or 80.3 I would accept that as a possibility (although I would not agree). In fact, the analog inputs are one of the real improvements over the first generation prepros. There are others.
Kal |
Bacardi-
Thanks for your comments. It sounds like you are making good use of the Oppo as well! I have been very impressed with its capabilities, especially at its price-point.
I'm using digital sound from the Oppo into the Integra and it obviously sounds great. The only reason for me to upgrade processors at this point would be to gain access to Audyssey XT32 processing, 1 level above XT, which I currently have, for movies only. That's it.
Since my HT system is 5.1, not increasing in the near future, and has video covered by the Oppo, I can't convince myself that I will hear a big enough audible difference by upgrading processors. It seems to make more sense to wait a while, enjoy what I have, and if I upgrade processors later on, do it with a product that will also upgrade video beyond the capabilities (current and future) of the Oppo 95+. In other words, make a SUBSTANTIAL upgrade when technology allows, not just something incremental at this point. Since my new Oppo-95 setup has ALREADY resulted in a substantial upgrade from what I had, I'm very happy for now. :-)
Thank you all for your input - it has been invaluable in allowing me to reach a comfortable decision, at least for now. Let someone else support the economy for a change!! :-) Happy New Year to All!! |
I have an Onkyo Pro SC885 processor with a Oppo BDP 95 and run 2.1 and 5.1 multichannel analogue from the Oppo as it kills the Onkyo processing. I can even utilize the DTS Master Audio and Dolby Digital Plus through analogue too. the 2 channel from the Oppo 95 is also exceptional too compared to the Onkyo which is fair. I had talked with a fella from Onkyo which said the upgrade processor which is the 5508 would not be a huge upgrade in sound quality from the 885. It does have few more options than mine of course but not worth the money. Assuming the extremely highest caliber of the Sabre32 Reference ES 9018 from ESS Technology was defeating my Onkyo I myself would have to probably go to a separate processor like Wyred for Sound as they use ESS technology. Unless someone has a higher experience of decoding than that.
Best regards Bacardi |
Mig007 - there was some muffled muttering early on, but that soon subsided. :-)
I appreciate your comment and that was my original thinking as well. However, the Integra is pretty well holding its own, with the addition of the Oppo's video. The problem is there is no place to compare the products you mentioned and no one I have been able to find who has sufficient knowledge of both my current system and these processors to be able to tell which would integrate the best.
In addition, since I already have 2-channel covered and only really watch movies in the winters, a processor's "usage factor" is not very high in my system right now. I suppose if I were to hear a processor that simply blew me away I would be interested, but for anything short of that I'll probably be OK as I am for now. I'm not sure about 4K, but we're not there yet... |
Hard to say what it will do for you but I think the overall sound of the 80.2 plus that of XT32 make it a significant improvement for me. The only way to know is to compare them. I have published my observations.
Kal |
Thanks Kal. I've already got the BDP-95 installed. I've also already got 2-channel more than covered.
The only issue is the Audyssey processing difference between the Integra 9.8(MultEQ XT) and the 80.2 or 80.3(MultEQ XT32). I have never directly compared this, so don't have any idea. Is it night and day? Subtle? I really can't see how this difference alone could be worth $2600 to me(less whatever I could get for the 9.8). Please enlighten me? Thanks. |
Certainly,it is not my place to tell you how to spend your money; however, looking at the components in your system, I would consider moving up the chain to the Denon processor ($4400), Class 800, Anthem D2 and others. Any of those units will provide you with the same level of quality as you already have. I am surprised your other components did not jump the integra/onkyo and tell it to scram, it was in the wrong neighborhood. |
Both the 5508 and 80.3 will get you superior audio compared with the 9.8 as well as permit 3D passthrough, although that will not be required with the dual HDMI outputs from the Oppo. However, you might consider the BDP-93 since the only major distinction between the 93 and 95 is the latter's superior analog outputs. You would be best off using the HDMI with any of the three mentioned prepros (including the 9.8) anyway.
There is nothing else I would recommend under $5k.
Kal |
Oppo installed using both HDMI outs - looks and sounds great! Thanks again :-) |
Thanks Monty - I guess my ignorance as to the capabilities of the Oppo is showing :-). I don't even have it yet, but it sounds like it may be my solution in more than 1 area. I appreciate you pointing this out - thanks again. |
You don't need to go with a new processor for 3d, you can go direct to your tv with the Oppo and still have your existing processor decode the audio or you could have the Oppo do the decoding. |
