Reference disc player...UDP 205 or Marantz?


Hey guys....
I've decided to take the plunge, and get my last reference disc player--at least for a very long time--and I'm looking for opinions on the subject.
I really wanted to get the Marantz SA-14S1, it sounds fantastic for sure, but I started to read all the glowing reviews on the Oppo UDP-205. Is it just hype, or the real thing? Is the Oppo really that rare piece of equipment that punches that far above its price? Who here has listened to the oppo and/or the Marantz? How do they compare? 
Thanks! 
jonasandezekiel

Showing 1 response by highstream

@ haolunfan - Something not mentioned here is that all electronics (and cables) need burn in, typically 400-500 hours, i.e., about three weeks. If you are experienced and have good ears, you can tell a lot about a unit after about 24 hours, but soon after that, until roughly 300 hours in, the sound quality will be all over the place, often not very listenable, until it starts settling down.  

Both the Marantz 8005 and Oppo 203/205 are good, just have different functions. By concentrating on music, the Marantz isn't encumbered with the interference of video circuitry, which typically undermines the sound to some degree. If you want video in the same unit, then the Oppo is a very good player/dac combo, especially for the price. Good mods make it even better.