Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-ray Player - Update

[j_garcia]

Sorry to report I've already had an issue with mine. While watching a BD yesterday the audio levels (analog multi-channel) were down quite a bit.
I rechecked the volume with a test disk, and the same thing.

I hit the 'factory reset' on the Oppo..turned it off for about a minute, powered back on and went through the entire setup again.

On the positive side, I was able to set the analog levels at 75db (with a meter) with a maximum 1db crank in the Oppo menu for each speaker position.

The sub at 2db for an 80db level. (my Arcam applies 10db for analog multi-channel.)...
close to perfect..very happy with it now..but will re-check later.

I read on the avs forum about a couple of people having similar problems and losing the Oppo analog trim settings when powering it back on.

I noted that I had this happen before as well. It must be a specific sequence that causes this, but it has only happened once to me so far. I check it now and again to make sure the trims are as they were last time.

 

[DaleAV]

I noted that I had this happen before as well. It must be a specific sequence that causes this, but it has only happened once to me so far. I check it now and again to make sure the trims are as they were last time.

Something worth keeping an eye on..maybe a power glitch?...we'll see.

 

[808htfan]

...I read on the avs forum about a couple of people having similar problems and losing the Oppo analog trim settings when powering it back on.

The bug uncovered was that the Subwoofer trim/level would reset back to 0 when the unit is powered off. When powerd back on the original setting would still appear (+10 or whatever), but the sub would measure as if set to 0. Adjusting the trim by any amount, even as little as .5dB, would bring the correct level back.

I've duplicated that bug, but have not seen (or tested) changes in levels for the other speakers.




EDIT: BTW, Oppo included this in an email response to me regarding another topic

-----

It is best not to use the speaker level trim settings in the player, as the trim settings are applied in the DSP before the audio signal gets converted to analog. This digital manipulation could result in reduced dynamic range and audio resolution.

Under
Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
2629B Terminal Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Service@oppodigital.com
Tel: 650-961-1118
Fax: 650-961-1119

-----


In case anyone's interested in that.

I hadn't known that before.

 

[DaleAV]

Yes, I am familiar with that info from the 'other' forum. Sometimes, you can not avoid trimming the Oppo level settings if you have no other options.
I have +10 db boost in my receiver but no level control over analog mch inputs.

You can get the levels in the Oppo very close to 0db if you manipulate the volume control of the Oppo. Not sure this is smart, and I've emailed tech support about that.
I think reducing the volume also restricts dynamic range, but I can reduce it to about 80% and get 75db SPL out with the individual Oppo trims within 1db of being zeroed out. Except for the sub, where I need to a few dbs added since I only boost it 10db and it should be more like 15db for redirected bass. (Close to 80db on the SPL meter will do it).

Also, is it more of a problem if you reduce the trims or increase them???
If reducing them is less of a problem, then I guess I have 'less of a problem' leaving the volume of the Oppo at 100%.
All this will vary some depending on individual setups and how well the components play with each other of course.

I don't have the Sub setting going off course....so far everything is working fine!

 

[DaleAV]

Oppo says ideally the volume of the player should be left at 100% to avoid digital truncation..I am waiting to hear back if 'cuts' on the Oppo trims are less problematic than 'boosts'.

 

[j_garcia]

Oppo says ideally the volume of the player should be left at 100% to avoid digital truncation..I am waiting to hear back if 'cuts' on the Oppo trims are less problematic than 'boosts'.

My adjustments are all boosts, no cuts. My receiver allows me +/-10dB on the mulitchannel inputs, so I can make any corrections there instead.

Volume at 100%, as that is what I expected was the case. I have an older Sony that has the same capability and I noticed sound degradation at anything less than 100%.

One thing I noticed is that you can go into the setup menu while a disc is playing; something I have never had another player allow. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

 

[DaleAV]

One thing I noticed is that you can go into the setup menu while a disc is playing; something I have never had another player allow. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

I know, isn't that great? Makes setups especially for us analog types much easier.

Well. the email from Oppo said to keep the volume in the 80 to 100%..range. I can actually dial in '0' trim for everything by doing that..maybe 0.5 db at the most...but the sub I have to boost which should not be as detrimental to the signal. Only about 2db.
But if he comes back and says cuts are fine then I will leave vol. at 100 which would be my preference.
I watched DK again last night, it was every bit as awesome as the first time, but maybe even more so. Everything looked and sounded just great!

 

[j_garcia]

I know, isn't that great? Makes setups especially for us analog types much easier.

Yes, it is a very nice feature that I stumbled on by accident.

 

[808htfan]

...Except for the sub, where I need to a few dbs added since I only boost it 10db and it should be more like 15db for redirected bass. (Close to 80db on the SPL meter will do it)...

Not sure if you saw my post about this in the other forum... I asked Oppo if the Sub channel (w/ redirected bass + LFE) is attenuated an additional 5dB when doing the bass management. The full text of their reply:


-----

When the player internally decodes Dolby or DTS audio, the LFE channel is already 10dB lower than the other channels. This is not attenuation by the player, but a requirement in the original encoding of the audio.

When the player does bass management and redirects bass to the subwoofer, it attenuates the redirected bass to match the -10dB LFE. This way the subwoofer output of the 7.1ch analog output is consistent with the Dolby and DTS requirements.

Under this condition, a simple 10dB boost in either the amplifier or the Subwoofer should be sufficient to handle the level alignment. It is best not to use the speaker level trim settings in the player, as the trim settings are applied in the DSP before the audio signal gets converted to analog. This digital manipulation could result in reduced dynamic range and audio resolution.

Under

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
2629B Terminal Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Service@oppodigital.com
Tel: 650-961-1118
Fax: 650-961-1119

-----

Doesn't that mean just +10dB is fine? You mentioned getting a reading of 80dB for the sub vs 75dB for the rest. I'm not sure I follow...?

 

[billy p]

Not sure if you saw my post about this in the other forum... I asked Oppo if the Sub channel (w/ redirected bass + LFE) is attenuated an additional 5dB when doing the bass management. The full text of their reply:


-----

When the player internally decodes Dolby or DTS audio, the LFE channel is already 10dB lower than the other channels. This is not attenuation by the player, but a requirement in the original encoding of the audio.

When the player does bass management and redirects bass to the subwoofer, it attenuates the redirected bass to match the -10dB LFE. This way the subwoofer output of the 7.1ch analog output is consistent with the Dolby and DTS requirements.

Under this condition, a simple 10dB boost in either the amplifier or the Subwoofer should be sufficient to handle the level alignment. It is best not to use the speaker level trim settings in the player, as the trim settings are applied in the DSP before the audio signal gets converted to analog. This digital manipulation could result in reduced dynamic range and audio resolution.

Under

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
2629B Terminal Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Service@oppodigital.com
Tel: 650-961-1118
Fax: 650-961-1119

-----

Doesn't that mean just +10dB is fine? You mentioned getting a reading of 80dB for the sub vs 75dB for the rest. I'm not sure I follow...?

If you adjust the sub volume via the AVR or sub for m/c analog playback, would it not be necessary to re-adjust these levels for standard playback? This was an issue I couldn't get around when I used the analog m/c set up on my BRP to compensate for the seemingly lack of bass it produced IMO.

 

[808htfan]

If you adjust the sub volume via the AVR or sub for m/c analog playback, would it not be necessary to re-adjust these levels for standard playback? This was an issue I couldn't get around when I used the analog m/c set up on my BRP to compensate for the seemingly lack of bass it produced IMO.

I guess it depends. I'm lucky, my receiver allows me to set different levels/trim for the 7.1 analog input vs the other inputs. They can also be set independently for each surround mode.

 

[DaleAV]

Not sure if you saw my post about this in the other forum... I asked Oppo if the Sub channel (w/ redirected bass + LFE) is attenuated an additional 5dB when doing the bass management. The full text of their reply:


-----

When the player internally decodes Dolby or DTS audio, the LFE channel is already 10dB lower than the other channels. This is not attenuation by the player, but a requirement in the original encoding of the audio.



Doesn't that mean just +10dB is fine? You mentioned getting a reading of 80dB for the sub vs 75dB for the rest. I'm not sure I follow...?

I can agree with what you say, and came from the same position you did initially.
But in the same forum it is also questions why redirected bass was not addressed by Oppo.

In fact, some receivers, like some Denons and others, provide a +15db boost selection as well as +10db.

On the Avia section for 'channel balance' the instructions specifically state you may want to set your sub level higher than the reference used for your other speakers, especially for impact when watching movies. That's not quite the same as saying you should it 5db higher, of course.

I don't think this takes away from the basic problem of matching speaker levels to their recommendation, I am trying to address with Oppo, even with the sub at the same level as the other speakers, but certainly can appreciate your inquiry.

 

[DaleAV]

Latest update: I still have not heard back yet from Oppo regarding lowering trim levels in the Oppo bass management.
Reading through many pages of forums, etc., it is apparent the level is changed on the input to the DAC in the Oppo. and raising it too high might cause the signal to clip.
Since all my levels are set below zero there should be no problem.

If I hear anything different I will report it. For now, everything is working optimally within my system.

 

[808htfan]

Latest update: I still have not heard back yet from Oppo regarding lowering trim levels in the Oppo bass management.

I'm interested in hearing what they say if/when they reply.

 

[DaleAV]

I'm interested in hearing what they say if/when they reply.

Me too! Maybe they felt their last response had enough 'inference'.

 

[DaleAV]

I'm interested in hearing what they say if/when they reply.

Here's their answer...although I am not sure I totally understand how lowering input levels can will have the same effect.
I guess they are saying any change from '0' gives the same results, regardless of whether it's positive or negative.


"Any amount of manipulation will have the same amount of clipping/truncation. For this reason, minor adjustments will not produce different sonics then extreme adjustments."

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
2629B Terminal Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Service@oppodigital.com
Tel: 650-961-1118
Fax: 650-961-1119

 

[808htfan]

Interesting. Thanks

 

[DaleAV]

Interesting. Thanks

I think they are saying..reduction = truncation gain = clipping at the input to the DAC..although it is difficult to comprehend (for me) that a small change would be as bad as a greater change.

Their manual says nothing about this..I guess they expect 'most' users will not be that fussy.

Of course, one sure way to do this is to have 6 (or 3 stereo pair) of line level attenuators between the Oppo analog outputs and the analog inputs of the receiver/pre-pro.
Leaving the Oppo setting at 0.0 db. as any attenuation is only acting in the analog domain, which they are saying is preferable.

 

[Ron Temple]

A couple of weekends ago I got a chance to listen to John Garcia's Oppo. His rig never sounded better, so I registered last week, pre-ordered on Thursday and got the email yesterday. I picked it up and plugged it in last night. I was using a Sony S300 for BD and an Oppo 980 for DVD and SACD/DVD A. As others have noted, the BDP83 is a very nice player. I immediately noted the SQ uptick over analog for both 2 channel and MCH. I noted at John's greater depth and width along with better channel separation. His rig always sounded stellar before, so I'm glad to report, I received the same benefit along with an nice uptick in subtlety and tonal richness. The DACs are far superior to the other players I was using. I felt the upgrade was even greater than when I added a dedicated Luxman 2 channel pre into my rig (I haven't tried that with the Oppo yet). The tweakability and OSD menus are great and the remote is much better. I had no issues with bass management or the amount of bass with DVD A or SACD, but I will have to explore different settings for BR. I wasn't satisfied with Ironman with out a large bump and that bump was too much for Bolt. Center channel dialog is a tad heavy with DD True and DTS/MA-HD. I will hate to adjust settings for music and BRs. Upscaled DVD was noticeably superior to the Oppo 980 (which was pretty darned good). All in all, I'm going to be very happy when I get this guy dialed. Music listening is my guilty pleasure and this player's source capability is truly a big step up for my rig.

Plugged in the dedicated analog outs to the Luxman today. Uuuhhhmmmm...nice, rich and toasty.

The heaviness I heard in the center channel was a bleedover to the sub. The HK has 2 direct paths 6 Channel Direct and 8 Channel Direct. I always used 6 channel. Well I guess it's time for a new pre/pro because I couldn't fix it...until I tried 8 Channel Direct...no bleed over...recalibrated and I'm now fine. Since I don't have the back surrounds hooked up, I assume I'm not losing anything unless I play something with a discrete 7.1 mix. Hey, it's a great temporary work around... I'm finally getting hi rez codecs to sound right...oh yeah .

 

[DaleAV]

Nice review, Ron! Despite my whining about trim this, trim that, for the analog outputs, I have to say this player has never failed to please for movies or music. The audio is very engaging. The video is about as good anyone could possibly expect it to be, to boot, and disk handling is superior to anything in my experience.

Certainly, we all have different perceptions and different systems, but I think there is no doubt Oppo did a commendable job in developing a quality player.