CD Player Advice - Oppo -93 or Emo ERC-1

[emaja]

I am just dipping my toes into the kiddie pool of audiophilia and want to know about the pros and cons of using a DVD or BD player for CDs. I have read - maybe incorrectly - that many DVD players are not as good as dedicated CD players.

I do not need to buy a BD player - I use my PS3 for that. I do have a Toshiba HD-A20 HD-DVD player and an old Yamaha DVD player as well. I was considering either the Oppo -93 or Emotiva ERC-1.

Most of my music is streamed from my Mac to an Airport Express hooked into my Onkyo TX-SR608. I will be adding an Emo XDA-1 or an Audio-gd DAC shortly.

I understand the Oppo does everything, but would the Emo be better since it only does one thing?

Thanks!

 

[emaja]

Also looking at the Onkyo BD-SP808.

Any thoughts or is the Oppo the clear winner?

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, I'd say you've read incorrectly that DVD players aren't good CD players. If you are going to use an exernal DAC also, then it really isn't necessary to get a high end player either, since the DAC is doing the work.

I have 2 PS3s and I don't watch movies on either of them.

 

[emaja]

The DAC is mostly for the streaming from my Mac to the Airport Express, but it of course can be used for the CDP as well.

While I do not NEED a BD player, it might be nice to get a player and stop using my PS3 for movies.

I have read that the Oppo is great for BDs and CDs - getting fantastic reviews on both - so it could serve a dual purpose. I have also considered the Emotiva ERC-1, but we are then still close the the $500 for the Oppo.

Any recommendation for a CDP? Price is not really a consideration, but less than $500-ish would be preferable.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd start with the Oppo and see how you like it first. I am guessing you may not need an additional player If you want a higher end player, wait for the 95, which is upgraded compared to the 93, like the 83SE was from the 83.

 

[zumbo]

Onkyo SACD/CD player is $379 shipped. (price in cart)
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-C-S5VL-Super-Audio-Player/dp/B002C73WRM

 

[emaja]

I didn't see that one Zumbo! Thanks for that one. It might be the way to go.

J_Garcia, I don't think I'll need the -95 - a little too spendy for me at this point. The devil in me wants it, but this time the angel on the other shoulder wins - LOL!

Doing further research today and I found out that the -83 upsamples while the -93 passes through the audio at 44.1KHz. That is good news since I will be using a separate DAC for the CD audio and streaming from my Mac.

Do I understand how that works correctly that the Oppo leaves the CD audio signal untouched for the DAC to do the work? If so, it looks like it will be the Oppo at this point.

 

[jostenmeat]

Do I understand how that works correctly that the Oppo leaves the CD audio signal untouched for the DAC to do the work? If so, it looks like it will be the Oppo at this point.

If you send it out as a digital signal, yes, but then you don't need what the Oppo offers you anymore.

If you are going to send a digital signal so that you would use the DAC in your receiver or elsewhere, just use one of your existing players.

 

[emaja]

Well, I have decided that I want to get a Blu ray player after all. It will replace the PS3 for movies and also be used for playing CDs.

The Oppo -93 looks great, but I am now interested in how it will need to be set up. I will want to use HDMI for video obviously, but want to use the analog outs when I listen to CDs. Can I have these both hooked up at the same time and just switch my receiver to the analog audio in when I want to listen to music? Then, will I be able to simply switch to DVD to watch movies or is there any additional setup that will need to be done when switching between music and movies?

 

[emaja]

Forgot to add that I am also considering the Denon DBP-1611UD. $399 for SACD and Bluray.

 

[emaja]

Ran into the Sony BDP-S570 on Amazon for $185 and it plays SACD. I will likely be running this through a DAC, so I think this might be the winner!

Thoughts?

 

[zumbo]

The old saying is "you get what you pay for."

 

[emaja]

I understand the saying, but also know that just because you pay more for something, doesn't mean it is any better than a less expensive product. See the Lexicon BD-30 for an example.

I know you linked to the Onkyo and I love my Onkyo receiver. I have nothing against them at all. The Sony has fantastic reviews everywhere I look - including here. I was wondering how it compared to the Onkyo and Denon that I referred to earlier.

 

[zumbo]

I understand the saying

Good.

Another saying. Be careful what you ask for.

Ran into the Sony BDP-S570 on Amazon for $185 and it plays SACD. I will likely be running this through a DAC, so I think this might be the winner!

Thoughts?

I linked the Onkyo player because I noticed you had an Onkyo product, and I assumed you were pleased with it. I also linked the player because it offered SACD, and you mentioned you didn't want/need the unit to play dvd.

I know you linked to the Onkyo and I love my Onkyo receiver. I have nothing against them at all. The Sony has fantastic reviews everywhere I look - including here. I was wondering how it compared to the Onkyo and Denon that I referred to earlier.

Review: Advertisement.

Have you ever seen an advertisement that didn't review the product being advertised as fantastic?

 

[emaja]

Could you give me something tangible to go on? What makes the Onkyo better? What makes the Sony not as good?

 

[zumbo]

Could you give me something tangible to go on? What makes the Onkyo better? What makes the Sony not as good?

Edited previous reply.

 

[scott911]

"Review: Advertisement.

Have you ever seen an advertisement that didn't review the product being advertised as fantastic? "


yeah - here...

- recalling how axiom threw a fit on a "potential" subwoofer review - and withdraw advertising the next week. Off topic I know, but hat's off for gene and crew for doing it as best they can...

 

[warchant]

Well, I have decided that I want to get a Blu ray player after all. It will replace the PS3 for movies and also be used for playing CDs.

The Oppo -93 looks great, but I am now interested in how it will need to be set up. I will want to use HDMI for video obviously, but want to use the analog outs when I listen to CDs. Can I have these both hooked up at the same time and just switch my receiver to the analog audio in when I want to listen to music? Then, will I be able to simply switch to DVD to watch movies or is there any additional setup that will need to be done when switching between music and movies?

Yes OPPO has both active at the same time. Send Video/Audio via HDMI for movies and for music use the analog outs.