Oppo Analog Audio Setup ?

[gtche]

I was all set to purchase the Oppo BDP-83 but after reading Gene's latest article I may have an issue. In the article Gene stated that when using the analog outs the speaker distances must be less than or equal to the main L/R distance. I read through the Oppo manual and confirmed his statement. My mains are 10ft away, the center is 9 ft, and the surrounds are 9 and 10ft away. So far no problem (well only a slight problem as the surround distance is set in pairs). My sub is 13 ft away. I would therefore have to set the sub distance to 10 ft. Will this cause an audible delay problem? Moving the sub/speakers is not possible (WAF).

Looking through other player manuals it looks like the Panasonic BD-80 also has this limitation. However the Pioneer BDP-320 might not have this limitation. The manual did not specifically state that speaker distance was resticted based on the main L/R distance. Does anyone have experience with the pioneer that could confirm this statement?

My initial reasoning for want the Oppo was primarily for the fast load times and the percieved good customer service/firmware updates. I have no interest in SACD or DVD-A.

Considering my speaker placement issues is the Oppo worth the extra $200 over the Pioneer?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Current system:
Denon 2105
EMP EF-30T (5.0)
Hsu VTF-3 mkII
Pioneer PDP 5020
Xbox 360 (current DVD player)

 

[Ron Temple]

I was all set to purchase the Oppo BDP-83 but after reading Gene's latest article I may have an issue. In the article Gene stated that when using the analog outs the speaker distances must be less than or equal to the main L/R distance. I read through the Oppo manual and confirmed his statement. My mains are 10ft away, the center is 9 ft, and the surrounds are 9 and 10ft away. So far no problem (well only a slight problem as the surround distance is set in pairs). My sub is 13 ft away. I would therefore have to set the sub distance to 10 ft. Will this cause an audible delay problem? Moving the sub/speakers is not possible (WAF).

Looking through other player manuals it looks like the Panasonic BD-80 also has this limitation. However the Pioneer BDP-320 might not have this limitation. The manual did not specifically state that speaker distance was resticted based on the main L/R distance. Does anyone have experience with the pioneer that could confirm this statement?

My initial reasoning for want the Oppo was primarily for the fast load times and the percieved good customer service/firmware updates. I have no interest in SACD or DVD-A.

Considering my speaker placement issues is the Oppo worth the extra $200 over the Pioneer?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Current system:
Denon 2105
EMP EF-30T (5.0)
Hsu VTF-3 mkII
Pioneer PDP 5020
Xbox 360 (current DVD player)

I bought the Oppo understanding that the LCR had to be equal distance, but ignorant of the sub as well. Mine is behind my FR about 12' from the LP. It hasn't been a problem. However, it might be for some that have long distances to deal with.

Getting back to your question about the money. If you don't need the universal player aspects, 2 channel DACs (subjective preference there) and you're not a DVD videophile that's jonesing for the utmost in upscaling abilities (I don't know how the Pio matches up), then saving $200 is always a good thing. You'll lose the fast load times which is very nice, but wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if the Pio was decent.

That said, I love mine and wouldn't consider a lesser unit now, but I use the entire package.

 

[Rickster71]

Why not let your AVR do the speaker setup and leave the OPPO set up alone? That's what I did.

 

[chris357]

Why not let your AVR do the speaker setup and leave the OPPO set up alone? That's what I did.

I'm guessing that they dont have the true HD and uncompressed audio ...i woudl be in the same boat

 

[Rickster71]

I'm guessing that they dont have the true HD and uncompressed audio ...i woudl be in the same boat

Oh, I see what you mean.
I went that way because my Integra doesn't have HDMI.
Still waiting for the Emotive UMC-1

 

[DaleAV]

I have to agree with the question regarding the value of an Oppo for those not interested in other multi-channel audio disk capability.

Upscaling would probably be the best reason, but the latest Panasonics are quite good (like my BD55). I guess if your share of DVD viewing is quite large compared to BD, it might be worth it.
Also, I think the dedicated 2ch CD sound from the Oppo is superior.
I like the use of 80Hz xover vs. 100Hz bass management in the Panasonic (and many others..in fact Pioneer uses 120Hz) as my receiver does not process HDMI audio. Although, even the Oppo BM setup has a couple of limitations as pointed out, though likely minor for most.

 

[gtche]

Why not let your AVR do the speaker setup and leave the OPPO set up alone? That's what I did.

My AVR (Denon 2105) does not allow for any speaker setup/adjustments when using the analog inputs. All adjustments must be done in the Blu-ray player.

 

[gtche]

I like the use of 80Hz xover vs. 100Hz bass management in the Panasonic (and many others..in fact Pioneer uses 120Hz) as my receiver does not process HDMI audio. Although, even the Oppo BM setup has a couple of limitations as pointed out, though likely minor for most.

The crossover setting of 100 hz on the Panasonic took that player out of consideration for me. According to the Pioneer manual, the 320 has crossover options of 50, 80, 100, and 150 hz.

I am almost sold on the Pioneer I have just one more question. Almost all of my Blu-ray watching will be rented from Netflix. My Xbox currently does a bad job of playing damaged disks. Between the Oppo and the Pioneer BDP 320, does either player handle damaged disks better than the other or are they fairly comparable?

Thanks again

 

[Ron Temple]

I am almost sold on the Pioneer I have just one more question. Almost all of my Blu-ray watching will be rented from Netflix. My Xbox currently does a bad job of playing damaged disks. Between the Oppo and the Pioneer BDP 320, does either player handle damaged disks better than the other or are they fairly comparable?

Thanks again

I haven't been a NF member that long, but I've yet to have a problem with any of their disks SD or BD.

 

[DaleAV]

I haven't been a NF member that long, but I've yet to have a problem with any of their disks SD or BD.

The NF disks problems seem to be worse in some areas (local post offices).
Hard to predict that. Been a member for many years, and have had maybe a dozen bad ones.. out of a good several hundred. YMMV.

 

[Ron Temple]

The NF disks problems seem to be worse in some areas (local post offices).
Hard to predict that. Been a member for many years, and have had maybe a dozen bad ones.. out of a good several hundred. YMMV.

I'm within 10 miles of their headquarters. That may give me an advantage .

 

[DaleAV]

I'm within 10 miles of their headquarters. That may give me an advantage .

You can hope! When I lived in San Jose, I was paid $70 to be on a focus group for Netflix.
It was a very interesting and profitable 3 hours.
I've been an advocate ever since. They've had their problems now and then, but their overall business model has not been beat IMO.