What's the bottom line on Oppo 980 for CD playback

How many opinions do you care to read? You will get everything from,"this is the best player on the planet",, to "I wouldn't use it if you gave it to me!". I have used it as a stand-alone player in a secondary system and it works flawlessly, every time. It is versatile and reliable. If you don't care about SACD or DVD-V or DVD-A, I say don't buy it. I recommend you buy used from Audiogon such players as the Music Hall 25.2, or a Cambridge, or a Jolida (for tubes) or a Creek or an Apollo. Buy used and try them for awhile. Then sell and try another. It is fun. The used price is 50-60% of new. You lose almost no money and you have fun.

Hifiharv,

I have used Classe, Ah Tjoeb 4000, Pioneer, Jolida with mods. Its a never-ending quest, and I can't spend a lot of money on audio. So far, the best I have had is the Oppo with my PS Audio DL III and the Jolida with my DL III. There is a difference, but I can't explain it. In my view, it's all in the DAC and you pick what you like. Numbers don't tell the story. Good DACs re-clock so the jitter is nil. If someone were to start up a 2 channel/HT hybrid system I would advise the Oppo 983 + a fine DAC like the PS Audio or Bel Canto using the digital coax output. Make sure your power lines are separate from everything else. You get the best of both worlds. To get better, I think you have to invest in a $3000 dedicated CDP and still use the Oppo. No matter, have fun, don't worry, listen to the music.

Pdn,

I have a completely different take on this. I know of no stores in my area that will let you audition gear for anything more than 1 or 2 days. new gear. Not broken in. How do you decide if its right for you? This way you have 30 days to listen. for the hassle of sending it back you save the loss of a purchase and selling it for 60-70% of your purchase price. Or, buy used and also sell it if you don't like it. I think its perfect. I miss my friend's store. He closed because he couldn't compete. I bought all I could from him, but few did. A 30 day trial in your home is the ideal way to purchase audio. Here's to Oppo. Outlaw, AV123, Hsu, and many more.

I pine for the days when I had a reputable audio store. For me it was like a candy store for a little kid. There are stores within 60 miles but there is a turnover of staff and they are carrying fewer and fewer lines. The best loan I ever got was over a weekend when they were closed. But, living in rural Missouri, it is to be expected. I wish I had a great retail store to support. That said, thanks to Audiogon, I have been able to buy more gear, try it, and sell it if it doesn't work out. Most of the gear sells for 50-70% of the new cost. Thankfully, I have never been "burned". Long live Audiogon! By the way, I have put the Oppo 980 back in my main system. It feeds a PS Audio DL III. The sound is really great. I have to be careful about other machines and power draws and noise since the power supply is limited. Now I am on the hunt for a Denon or Sony Universal transport. Something akin to a tank with pretty lights on it.