Oppo or a new receiver?

[jsmsks]

Many years ago I sold Krell, audio research and lots of other esoteric items. Today i just dont have the time to research audio video. My old 3804 does not have hdmi. I am wondering if I should upgrade to an oppo DVD player to get a better dac or upgrade the electronics to either a newer Marantz receiver or an outlaw amp and processor so i get hdmi. Would the sound be all that different / better?

Vinyl, big transformers, and filter caps still rule in my book.

 

[cpp]

depends on your budget, you talking a new OPPO 103, 105 ?

 

[little wing]

Depends on your budget, and what you want to achieve. I bought the 105 because I didn't own a blue ray player. My only source was a CD player. So with the 105 connected to my older, non hdmi receiver, (through analog and coaxial connections) I was able to expand my music sources (Pandora, music files on my computer) and also get a great blue ray player and a terrific CD player all in one box. A new receiver will come later for me. But at the time, the Oppo player gave me the best bang for my buck. So, I guess it comes down to your immediate need or goal.

 

[j_garcia]

As long as the 3804 has multichannel analog inputs, and I am fairly certain it does, you will get the benefit of the latest audio formats (dtsHD, Dolby TrueHD) on Blu-ray with the Oppos. So if you are happy with the 3804, I'd say go with an Oppo first and upgrade the receiver later. I had the same choice and did the same thing as little wing - I went with the Oppo instead of a new receiver and I didn't regret that decision.

DVD players practically aren't sold anymore these days.

 

[little wing]

As long as the 3804 has multichannel analog inputs, and I am fairly certain it does, you will get the benefit of the latest audio formats (dtsHD, Dolby TrueHD) on Blu-ray with the Oppos. So if you are happy with the 3804, I'd say go with an Oppo first and upgrade the receiver later. I had the same choice and did the same thing as little wing - I went with the Oppo instead of a new receiver and I didn't regret that decision.

DVD players practically aren't sold anymore these days.

j garica - good point on the multichannel inputs giving you access to all the latest formats. That's exactly how I have my 105 hooked up.

 

[j_garcia]

I've since upgraded to a pre/pro with HDMI, but I still use the analog outs from my Oppo as well. I had intended to pick up a 105 already but still waiting on all the car insurance for the kid's car accident fallout to happen.

 

[jsmsks]

j-garcia

Was the upgrade to a pre/pro worth it? I do have some Hafler amps and feed five channels.

 

[j_garcia]

The Oppo still sounds better than the Pre/pro, but there are other benefits that having HDMI and newer features afford me. For sound quality alone = Oppo.