Oppo BDP-83SE / BDP-83 Blu-ray Analog Audio Measurement Supplemental

[admin]

When Oppo announced a hot rod version of their highly regarded BDP-83 Blu-ray player, it piqued our interest. Considering the stock player demonstrated stellar audio and video performance via the HDMI outputs and respectable analog audio performance, we figured it would simply be icing on the cake for Oppo to offer a supped up version and evidently they agreed, hence the BDP-83SE was born. As we began our exhaustive analog audio measurement process, we discovered some operational and performance issues on both players which are noted in this report. Fellow Oppo users fear NOT as we have made Oppo fully aware of these issues and they are working on solutions as you read this article.


Discuss "Oppo BDP-83SE / BDP-83 Blu-ray Analog Audio Measurement Supplemental" here. Read the article.

[Adam]

Thanks for the great article, Gene.

[nibhaz]

"If you experience distortion via the subwoofer output when playing DolbyTrueHD or DTS HD source material, set all speakers to “large” and utilize an external bass management solution (ie. A/V receiver, external crossover system, etc)."

I find this point most disconcerting since the whole point of the SE upgrade is improved analog performance. Especially since the work around requires BM in the analog realm, which most receivers are incapable of performing.

But as the article has already pointed out, Oppo is a company that stands behind their product and I am positive they will solve this problem in very timely manner. In fact, I don’t know if there is any other CE company that I would trust more in regards to customer service.

Thanks Gene! I’ll be looking forward to your follow up once the issues are resolved!

[VladP]

I wonder why the measurements for the regular BDP differ markedly from the measurements presented in the hometheaterhifi review
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/image...tput-large.gif

In their measurements, there were NO unusual peaks for DVD-AUDIO 24/192, only very slight peak of 0.5 db. No peaks with HDMI.

So which measurements are correct and why are the differences?

Also, were these measurements only for analog out or HDMI out?

[gene]

I wonder why the measurements for the regular BDP differ markedly from the measurements presented in the hometheaterhifi review
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/image...tput-large.gif

In their measurements, there were NO unusual peaks for DVD-AUDIO 24/192, only very slight peak of 0.5 db. No peaks with HDMI.

So which measurements are correct and why are the differences?

Also, were these measurements only for analog out or HDMI out?

As the article clearly states both in the page title and content, these were analog measurements. You can NOT measure analog audio via HDMI.

There are several possible reasons why their graph doesn't agree with mine:

• they set their speakers all to small. You can't tell since their graph cuts off at 200Hz
• they set only some speakers to "Large". Maybe this only occurs with all speakers set to large.
• they tested an older firmware player. My player had the latest firmware update.

It's hard to discern anything from that graph considering they didn't document their test conditions and they only tested 1 channel. Oppo has already confirmed all of my findings and working on a solution.

[VladP]

As the article clearly states both in the page title and content, these were analog measurements. You can NOT measure analog audio via HDMI.

There are several possible reasons why their graph doesn't agree with mine:

• they set their speakers all to small. You can't tell since their graph cuts off at 200Hz
• they set only some speakers to "Large". Maybe this only occurs with all speakers set to large.
• they tested an older firmware player. My player had the latest firmware update.

It's hard to discern anything from that graph considering they didn't document their test conditions and they only tested 1 channel. Oppo has already confirmed all of my findings and working on a solution.

Thank you.

[DaleAV]

I can not help and wonder if a 'fix' can be adequately implemented with only firmware. Surely, some analog circuitry that is peripheral to the new DAC may well have some effect?

[j_garcia]

I just got my RMA to take mine in. Is this issue a big enough one that I should consider holding off? Anyone tested the updated firmware and confirm that it fixed the issue or not?

[DaleAV]

I just got my RMA to take mine in. Is this issue a big enough one that I should consider holding off? Anyone tested the updated firmware and confirm that it fixed the issue or not?

I don't think this 'problem' will have an immediate effect for most of us. I just got my RMA today and sent my base 83 off for the SE upgrade, with only a slight hesitation.
I guess the real test is in hearing and whether you hear anything you don't like (beyond what you hear you do like better). So far that does not seem to be the case, but very few reviews to go by at this point.
When it comes to CE I've read sufficient reviews of equipment that to the reviewer's surprise had less than ideal measurements, but in no way dampened the performance as perceived by the senses.
I am not totally informed on what system conditions have to be set up to bring out these anomalies.
But if Oppo keeps their usual open mind, and digs into this a bit we may facing even more improvements in the future, as they review their results.

Oh, well, I usually see the glass half full..most cases it's paid off.

[j_garcia]

I emailed them with my concern and they assured me that the latest firmware does correct this "issue" and that all SEs are shipping with that firmware. I will be dropping mine off tomorrow; should have it back by the end of the week.

My first thought when I saw Gene's comments was "Is it AUDIBLE" though? The ability to measure an annomaly such as this does not necessarilly mean it will affect what you hear in the end, whether that would be expected or not.