Why is Oppo stopping products.

T,

Looks like you're right.  ATV 4k can output 16/44.1 if audio quality is set to "best".  Otherwise, everything is mixed to DD.  I'll have to do some more research on my Roku, but I think it's similar to ATV.  The Nvidia shield does to hi-res over HDMI.  I'll have to look into that.  Thanks for the heads up.

They sent me an email basically asking me to commit to the purchase of a new TOTL DVD player. I waited a while and email back agreeing to purchase.

Yes, I am in dual use mode for my system, all output from 103 exits thru analog output jacks. Using the 103 for D/A conversion makes sense for my system and I like the way it sounds... This has also given me opportunity to compare 103 in two channel setting with my dac and modded transport etc.OPPO gear is worth the money they are asking.

"I'd be curious how many people have a dual-use system for both HT and 2-channel music though. I have my 2-channel rig in a separate room from the HT, and I don't do any music listening in the HT room."

Hello tutetibimperes,

     I have a dual use system for both ht and 2-ch music in my living room.  The Oppo 105 is the device that makes it all possible.  I'm not sure how common this is.

     For 2-ch music, I use the 105 and a 2 TB NAS (containing my entire CD collection as 16/44 files and a growing number of 24/96 FLAC files that were recorded direct to digital) with both connected via ethernet cables to my Xfinity cable router/modem.   I use a wireless laptop running JRiver to control playback from the NAS and streaming audio sites.  The 105 is used as a preamp and DAC for these functions with the main l+r  stereo analog outputs connected directly to my mono-blocks via XLR cables.
     For ht, I use the 105 to playback 1080p Bluray discs and stream content from Netflix, Amazon Prime and Xfinity on Demand.  I use the 105's internal surround processor with the analog 5.1 surround channel outputs connected directly to separate amps via rca cables.  

     I was considering getting the Oppo 205 and a 4K OLED hdtv when I heard about Oppo getting out of the market.  I was thinking I could just swap out the 105 with the 205 and things would function just as well as they do  with the 105 but have the added benefits of 4K , HDR10 and Dolby Vision .  I now understand that even if I manage to buy a 205, I'll need to buy some added hardware to have things operate as well with the 4K 205 as they have with the 1080p 105.
     Now, I'm starting to realize I may be better off just being satisfied with my 1080p 105 and plasma hdtv.  I know the 4K is unlikely to be a significant improvement for me due to my 12-14 ft. viewing distance.  The main benefits I'll perceive are improved colors with the new HDR10 and Dolby Vision mostly with future content.  However,  I'll be sacrificing audio quality and convenience by using the 205 unless I Jerry-rig some extra hardware to my system.
      So, I need to determine whether to spend about $3,000 on an Oppo 205, 65" LG B7 OLED hdtv and a Roku or similar device for improved color reproduction and keeping my current functionality with streaming music and video   OR     keep the $3K,remain satisfied with a 1080p 105 and plasma for another 5-10 yrs and  await the next technological breakthroughs in audio/video reproduction.

    I'm seriously leaning toward the latter option right now.

Tim

HI guys, OPPO is a Chinese company that makes cell phones (not sold in the USA).  They are a huge company and Audio to them was just a side business.  They have elected to focus on their other business which make them more money.  It is that simple.  To many competitors in the audio markets.  Hope this helps.  They are going to continue to service their product lines while the parts last.  Probably no more software updates.

To me, if Oppo raised the price of the 205 even $500 more they would still sell well to the niche market that they appeal to.

ozzy

Hi ozzy,

     I agree that the niche market Oppo sells to would still buy the 205 if they raised the price by $500, I know I would.  
     But I don't think $500 more profit per unit would have any affect on their decision.to cease production.   I suspect Oppo perceived a lot of instability and uncertainty in the abundant and crucial technology incorporated within their players.   This uncertainty involves factors such as the near term future of various physical media and of the licensing agreements, resolution and consistent updating of the various audio/video streaming services and codecs.   
     It was likely a decision mainly based on the projected financial returns of investing and producing a more stable alternative product with a more predictable near term future and costs that are not trending upwards.
Tim

noble100,

I'm sure your right, but it is really a shame. Great products and great customer support, what more could we ask for?

ozzy

Ozzy,

     You summed up my thoughts on Oppo perfectly:
"Great products and great customer support, what more could we ask for?"

     I would just add "all at an affordable price".

RIP Oppo, you will be missed.
 
Tim  

I have an '09 BMW that does have a CD player, and a new MINI Turbo that does not...weirdly, nobody in the car industry asked me if it's OK to bag CD players in cars, as I would have said, "Hell no." 

I have an OPPO BDP-83 SE which has performed flawlessly for years.  I bought the SE (Special Edition) because of its upgraded analog audio section and I want the OPPO USP-205 for the same reasons.  Even more, because it now uses a linear power supply instead of the inferior switch mode power supply that is in the 83SE.  I remain a two channel audio dinosaur by choice and I know of no other DVD player that has analog out ports.
I am one of those that tried to buy from Magnolia and missed out because they oversold their inventory.  Of course I immediately signed up with OPPO and am practically praying they will make that last production run.  I could almost justify buying two, the second one at my computer as a DAC for both computer sound and streaming as it is UPnP capable, though I would use the SPDIF optical port instead, which I am told offers much better audio than USB.  

^The Sony UBP-1000Xes has analog outputs, though only via RCAs. It’s available through Best Buy’s Magnolia department. I haven’t any experience with it. The few Magnlolia’s I visited either only had static displays or connected via HDMI, and none seemed interested in connecting via analog output for audition. Stereophile gave the Sony’s predecessor a luke warm recommendation. WhatHiFi gave the current X1000 a solid recommendation, especially for sound. I would be most curious to read others thoughts on it.

Wolf,

I have over 3000 CD's, In FLAC on my Phone, all which are playable through the head unit in the car.  Why would we want to go back to the days of in-dash CD's players or truck mounted Changers; they were a pain in the ass.  I no longer have to worry about Jewel cases and alphabetizing my CD's to make them easy to find.  I now have my entire library in my pocket and I can listening to it anywhere.  

Pretty soon, the same will be true of Video.  That's why OPPO got out when it did.

I've owned 3 Oppo players over the years.  Like many of the posters here, when I upgraded the Oppo in my music only system, I'd move the older model to my HT system.  (The two systems are completely separate.). I currently run a BDP 83 in the video system and a BDP 95 in my music system.  I stopped upgrading Oppo units when they reduced the number of chips from the 95 to the 103 and I discovered Esoteric.  Yes, at a much higher price, but the entry level Esoteric K-07 bests every Oppo I have ever heard.  My BDP 103 is now relegated to streaming through the DAC in my Esoteric.

While we all mourn the loss of Oppo, I believe what Oppo failed to do was a huge loss to those of us in the audiophile community.  With Oppo's technical expertise and lower cost Chinese manufacturing facilities they could have built a CD/SACD player to compete with the Esoterics and Accuphases of the world at a fraction of the price.  I'm not enough of an economist to know if the added revenue from such an endeavor would have allowed Oppo to to continue longer.  I think not.  Let's not overlook the added pressure placed on the silver disc market by the resurgence in vinyl.

At it's price point Oppo equipment was top of the line.  Great build quality and unsurpassed customer service.  

P.S. @prpixel  I'm sure your phone, and automobile head unit provide you with great background music.  However, for serious two channel music one needs more than earbuds and a car radio can provide. Oppo provided that to thousands of music lovers at a reasonable price for many years. 

@vpi ,

I was responding to @wolf_garcia  post about in-dash CD Players no longer being installed in new cars.  While I have a decent sound system in the car, I realize that it is not an ideal listening environment.   I have Bluetooth 5.0 capability in the car and in my phone, so it can handle my 24/192 Lossless FLAC files with no problem.  My point was that constantly loading and unloading discs/disc changers was a real PITA.  

As for using my phone as a playback device, it has an ESS SabreDAC ES9218P D/A converter that supports 32/384 and DSD256.  For IEM's I use JH Audio Layla's and Campfire Audio Vega's.  At the gym I use Periodic Audio Be's.  I have a very,very, very large memory card plus the internal storage for my music.  It makes a great portable rig for the gym, waiting rooms, grocery shopping or just chilling in the back yard enjoying nature.  I don't own any earbud thingy's.

I do have a dedicated listening room.  It was tuned/designed by Rives Audio.  Speakers are ML Summit X's which are soon to be replaced with ML Renaissance 15A's.  I own both an Oppo 105D and a 203.  I was going to order a 205, but just cant justify it.

I watch about two movies a week on Blu-ray, and two movies a month on UHD-Bluray.  I never spin CD's anymore.  New music purchases are either downloaded or ripped and then transferred to the music server and phone.  I have a whole plethora of music streaming devices. 

I too moorn the loss of Oppo.  I too agree that they made great players and a very good price point.  

Less and less people are buying/renting video disc every year.  Less than 4% of Netflix subscribers still get discs in the mail.  Best Buy and Target are drastically parring down the number of CD's they carry.  Best Buy is having a hard time moving $79 UHD-Bluray players.  Let's face it, Disc Spinners are a dying breed.  I really enjoyed the tweekie nature of vinyl and reading the jackets and liner notes; I never developed that romanticism  with CD's.

Hope this clarifies things.
All the best,



 

@prpixel  Wow, impressive! But I'll keep tweeking my vinyl, thanks.  

I need a turntable for my car...tube preferably...I now hear CDs are going to have a revival like vinyl, and be the "next big thing."

@wolf_garcia 

You joke, but in the 50's and 60's there were actually record players for cars.  

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I do occasionally miss playing vinyl.  I really liked my Linn Sondek, CJ Sonographe and Ariston.  However, I don't miss the Delphi Oracle MK4.  It was sooo finicky and prone to vibration.  I remember spending a lot more time setting up to play a side than it actually took to play a side.  After dropping the stylus, I would tip toe over to the listening chair and very gentle sit down.  I eventually purchased a very heavy Rockport TT stand.  Flooring was subfloor over concrete slab.  The next step was to tear up the floor and re-do it; I wasn't going there.

BTW - Delphi still makes their reference CD turntables.  

File based audio/video is the way to go whether downloaded or streamed. Less plastic, cardboard, transportation & delivery -  stuff we just don't need in this world. These universal blu-ray players are the best and simplest audio/visual processors that have multichannel DAC capability so their demise is not good. I've got a Cambridge CXU and I'm glad it's still working fine.

FWIW, I have been using my Oppo 205 as a Roon player for a couple of weeks now without a single hiccup. I output into a Naim 5si integrated. Great sound. The 205’s universal format disc capability is a nice backup feature, as I saved about 700 of my favorite cds in two cloth “carrier/storage” cases. A QNAP TS251+ NAS with maxed RAM runs Roon core fine. 

angelwars and jb0194,

     Yes, the combining in one high quality component of the ability to play most physical discs with the ability to convert and play back digital streaming and stored files at a variety of resolutions is what has made the top Oppo and Cambridge players so extraordinary, useful and valuable.

     For about 3 years now,  I've been utilizing my Oppo 105 just as you have your 205 and CXU without any hiccups.  Excellent universal components with outstanding sound quality.  
     I had just made the decision to upgrade to the 205 for its 4K video and likely even better audio performance abilities when I heard Oppo had decided to cease production and leave the market.. Awful timing.

     Hopefully, some enterprising audio/video companies will view Oppo's exit from this market as an opportunity and will develop/produce some products to fill the void.  I know Cambridge still offers some re-badged Oppo models but I suspect those will probably be going away once current inventory is depleted.
     I agree with angelwars that file based downloaded and streamed audio/video is likely only to continue to grow as the content delivery method of choice.  
     I hope, in the near future, there will be a significant increase in content recorded direct to a hi-res digital format since this is the biggest determinant of the highest quality playback sound in my system that I've discovered thus far.  The typical method of transferring the original analog master recording to h-res digital results in very good playback quality but, in my opinion and experience, content recorded direct to hi-res digital is clearly and consistently superior.

Tim

Trying to understand why with the oppo bluray drives? If you have a great preamp/processor/AVR with ESS DAC , why would I need oppo?not following

You're responding to a thread that's been dead for over four years.
It could be that.