Should I upgrade my Blu-ray player now?

Thank you for your replies.

Bob, I am with you (or I want to be) that "...that Blu-ray will be around 20 years from now"). There is this question I have that by purchasing an Oppo 105, or any Blu-Ray player for that matter today, am I investing in the past? Should I just stop worrying and learn to love streaming (with apologies to Stanley Kubrick)?

I still think Blu-ray is better than streaming is today. If a film is worth watching then it is worth watching on Blu-ray. Also, there is the uncompressed audio Blu-ray offers that streaming does not.

I just need to take care that the investments I make into my audio and video equipment will yield positive long-term results. That said, I could still upgrade my Oppo, know that it is a quality product and one I will use for years, and take short steps into the world of streaming.

Internetmin, I still think my Oppo 83 does a fine job. Movie use will still be primary, but I do want to use it more for music and the 105 has the much better DAC. Besides, I think the difference in the internal components will yield an all-around much better, satisfying experience.

What am I trying to accomplish? Hmmm, that is a moving target at the moment (rolleyes). On the one hand, definitely finish getting the home theater components in place (it's not a real "home theater" like some of you have), enjoy whole-house audio, and step into (for me) the brave new world of streaming and begin to experiment with on-demand content. That may mean, getting a smarter TV or investing in a set-top box of some kind - not sure.

On the other, I'd like to simplify things.

db,
re - your last sentence - I almost added something to that effect in my OP. I am definitely not going to wait around for something else, the next big thing, whatever, because you are correct, the cost of waiting means missing out on doing something right now. I am reminded of those Emo fans who have been waiting for years for the XMC-1 to arrive.

That said, given somewhat limited funds and using a Blu-ray player that is two generations behind the current model, I am faced with three different options now:

- Purchase either an additional two or four speakers plus at least one sub to complete speaker set-up

- Continue to enjoy two-channel for now and upgrade the Oppo

- Other

Bob, I appreciate your comments regarding the pre-pro but wouldn't I need to finish the speaker set-up first? By this stage of the game, I really should have had my speakers and be in a position to look at a new pre-pro, but things got a bit derailed a few years ago, and I also made, in retrospect, an unwise speaker decision which while not locking me in, has made trying to sell them difficult before starting over. I am open to suggestions why still getting a pre-pro is a viable option.

I have two speakers now. The HK 990 is the only stereo (only) component I know that also has room correction. I am reluctant to invest in a pre-pro, room acoustics notwithstanding, until I add more speakers. Once I get myself to at least a 5.1 system, I will definitely add a pre-pro.

Bob,

I don't have the HK 990, was only referring to it as the only stereo component I know of that has room correction.

Room dimensions are 17'8" x 15'6" x 8'. Speakers are along the long wall - PBN Montana XP (not the XPS) L/R and PBN Montana SPC center. Speakers are about 16 inches from the front wall, twelve feet to the listening position. That is a bit of a problem since the back wall is about a foot away. Room is carpeted and there are metal window blinds but no curtains so that is another issue

Current source is the Oppo 83 > Lector Zoe pre-amp > Butler 5150, but only for L/R at this time.

I had a Raysonic CD-128 also in the system but pulled that out for the downstairs system. When the Raysonic was in the system, the sound was OK, not great, but I am pretty sure it could get better with some extra work in positioning, maybe trying different cables. I'd like to try a higher current solid state amp with the speakers

Listening to CDs via the Oppo is a little more fatiguing over the longer term. Sound is very forward, detailed but maybe a bit too etched so my thought was getting a better DAC via the 105 would be a start.

Again, I just don't want to go with a pre-pro until I decide to either keep the PBNs and buy a couple of their mini-monitors to complete a five-channel system or sell them and try something different. There are some things I can do (trying them along the short wall, getting some window treatments, even trying power conditioning that has been suggested.

Fixing the room should be my first priority. There is a local guy who offered awhile back to come over and take measurements for me so I will reach out to him and see if he is still available.

Bob, you also mentioned a sub. I don't have one but how would getting one help with the etched nature of the sound I am presently hearing?