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 3 responses by mahler123

I had the Marantz SACD 805.  I also had the Marantz streamer/DAC NA 7004.  Based on these 2 pieces, I would say that there is a Marantz House sound.  It's smooth, but rolls of the top end to much for my liking.
I also have Oppo 105, and sold both the Marantz components off after purchasing it.  It blew them both away in sound and functionality (the Marantz streamer in particular was a real P.O.S. With a terrible buggy app).. 
  I currently use the Oppo mainly as a transport.  I play DSD from SACDs into a Bryston BDA-3 DAC via HDMI.  If you ever decide to go that route, you can do it from Oppo and Sony players but not from Marantz.  However, that's icing on the cake.  After living with both, I would never step down from an Oppo to a Marantz.
btw, I also have one of the Denon high end 2 channel SACD players and fortunately it doesn't sound like Marantz
The Oppo 105 sounded great when I got it and I lived quite happily with it.  Then I got a chance to hear the Mytek Manhatten, which used the same ESS Sabre chips as the Oppo, and I was blown away.  Otoh, the Mytek costs several times what the Oppo went for so it damn well better be an upgrade.  I also wanted to be able to play DSD, which the Oppo couldn’t do...not sure that applies to the 205, though.
  So I scrimped and bought a demo Mytek and after a year I began wanting a DAC that could play my copious collection of SACDS.  I bought the Bryston and thought I would sell the Mytek.  But...can’t bear to part with the Mytek.  I will live on Franks and beans for a while.
  I use the Oppo for downloads as well, having the screen makes it easy to navigate usb sticks.
i would by the Oppo and not mess with the Marantz.  It sounds better and has better functionality 
To clarify...the Oppo 105 does play DSD, but the Bryston BDA 3 is one of the few DACs that can take the DSD stream from an SACD, and Oppo is one of the few SACD players that can be configured to output it....both the 105 and 205