The thread title caught my eye.
I recently sold my PS Audio Directstream with Bridge and the PS Audio Memory Transport faster than I thought as I’m in the middle of an upgrade project.
Since I had my HT in the same room, I simplified my home theater by pulling the A/V and the 6 speakers plus the JL Sub F112 V2 that I’ll be listing and right now have the Oppo 203 serving as my DAC and Transport.
The surround speakers had a profound influence when playing 2 Channel and when the 7 speakers where removed the sound was audibly cleaned up and the volume dropped by an easy 20%, if not slightly more.
I have Apple TV going into Oppo HDMI in, and use the FL/FR RCA outputs with XLR adapters into my preamp. Since my primary server with no DAC is down, I’m connected to Roon on my secondary unit, via the Mac Mini. The RCA cables are mid-level Audioquest from the home theater, Power is Ansuz A2, Ethernet and Grounding, Nordost.
Color me impressed, simplified video watchimg with better sound and better screen resolution coming from my 2 Channel than the 7.1, with near perfect imaging, there is no need for a center Channel.
I’m estimating the Oppo sound quality is 65%-70% of the quality compared to PS, mind you Oppo is cabled up with the power, ethernet and grounding being high end cables going into high end gear, but still...while this fun in a way to make do, the 30%-35% PS contributed was IMO worth the $$$.
