oppo

[Carl Gurnicz]

am trying to grasp the idea of spending 1200 for unit 105 mostly because of the audio feature.
Should I wait for price drop? Watching the you tube audioholics did on this product got me scratching my head. Is there really that big a difference in sound? Is there a cd player that can give competition. How many x sampling do we need anyway?

 

[fmw]

There is no reason to think that the Oppo unit will sound any different than any other optical disc player. I think they are popular with audiophiles for the their quality, connectivity options and broad range of supported digital audio formats.

If you were to connect it via HDMI, you would be using the DAC in your receiver or processor for the conversion. Is it worth $1200? That is a decision only you can make. It isn't worth it to me because I don't use all those audio formats.

 

[herbu]

There is no reason to think that the Oppo unit will sound any different than any other optical disc player. I think they are popular with audiophiles for the their quality, connectivity options and broad range of supported digital audio formats.

I agree. I have one, (103), and it works perfectly. Plays everything I have, (CD, SACD, DVD, BRD), without problem or fuss. Use analog outputs for Zone-2 inputs on my AVR. They work fine too.

Bottom line: It does everything I want, does it well, and I hope it will last a long time. (I didn't need the full complement of preouts, so didn't get the 105.) Is it worth the money? Hard to say. For me, if it does everything I want for a long time, yes.

 

[sterling shoote]

I would not buy any player now. 4k players will begin to appear next month. I am waiting on updated Oppo 105.

 

[PENG]

I have the 105, should have gotten the 103 and spent the money on something else. It is a waste to use it only for audio. I may be one of those silly audiophiles so I also have the HA-1. That one I have no regret because of its quality and the nice meters, like a poor man's McIntosh. I also think it sounds better than the 105 but I am sure it is not real.

Like sterling said the 4K players are coming out so you may want to wait for deals on the 103 even if you don't need the new features, or just get a Sony 4K player now that has dual HDMI and they typically can play SACDs.

 

[gankum]

I would not buy any player now. 4k players will begin to appear next month. I am waiting on updated Oppo 105.

any clues from Oppo on the specifics ? ...I'm waiting for the 4K version(upgrade to 103) too

 

[TheWarrior]

The Oppo 105 is ONLY recommended for use with 2 Ch Stereo. You are paying for the upgraded DAC that would allow a 2 ch stereo to function without need for a preamp. Otherwise there is no significant benefit for surround sound vs. the 103.

 

[RichB]

Basically, the 105D provides analog outputs and if you are not going to use them, then the 103 the right choice.

I have two friends using the 105D's directly to amps and they love it.

Digital is about more than the DACs. Handling the digital signal transmission and clocking within a product.

Many believe that all digital connects cannot possible sound different. However, this is easily observable with an AVR. Simply connect COAX, TOSLink Optical, and HDMI and switch between them. Do you hear a difference, as I do, then you find that that is not the case.

Many believe that all processors sound that same in pure direct mode. I don't.

Many believe that Pure Direct and Stereo for 2-channel sound the same in all AVR's I don't. because I observe obvious changes to the sound field when switching to Stereo.

There are many reasons to use processing that may result in better overall performance. However, believing that because a signal is digital that it cannot have issues when transmitted and processed is IMO incorrect.

The 105D gives you another option for stereo and for multi-channel.

- Rich

 

[fmw]

In level matched bias controlled comparisons we were never able to find an audible difference between any two DAC's. In a sighted test that is not level matched, anything is possible.

 

[RichB]

In level matched bias controlled comparisons we were never able to find an audible difference between any two DAC's. In a sighted test that is not level matched, anything is possible.

It is not possible to level mismatch volume levels when comparing alternate delivery methods for of digital streams.

Actually, DBX tests prove no more than those people, on that day, with that system, in that room had an outcome. Many infer more than that, but a strict interpretation should not.

The position that there is "no discernable differences between preamp that includes a DACs" is out there. My personal experience is at odd's with this view.

The notion that all "AVRs in Pure Direct mode sound same" sound reasonable. It is even likely when products use that similar construction and parts. I have not experienced a single product that sounds that same in Pure/Direct and Stereo mode. This leads me to the inescapable conclusion that these products were not 100% transparent when processing is engaged.

- Rich

 

[PENG]

It is not possible to level mismatch volume levels when comparing alternate delivery methods for of digital streams.

Actually, DBX tests prove no more than those people, on that day, with that system, in that room had an outcome. Many infer more than that, but a strict interpretation should not.

The position that there is "no discernable differences between preamp that includes a DACs" is out there. My personal experience is at odd's with this view.

The notion that all "AVRs in Pure Direct mode sound same" sound reasonable. It is even likely when products use that similar construction and parts. I have not experienced a single product that sounds that same in Pure/Direct and Stereo mode. This leads me to the inescapable conclusion that these products were not 100% transparent when processing is engaged.

- Rich

Hey Rich, good to see you back. I thought you know by now no one can win in such debate on this and similar topics? There is no right/wrong, correct/incorrect in claims from both camps and the one in the middle because there are no recorded, publicized and widely accepted credible tests out there. As I told you the HA-1 sounded better than the 105's, in fact I have since listened to a few more DAC and still think the HA-1 is the best. I would say the 105's better than the AV8801's but I also said in a blind test I was sure I would fail. I guess you have much better/discerning ears or electronics. I say electronics because I have no doubt telling anyone quality of recordings, speakers and room acoustics have major effects on sound quality. On the electronics side, I thought I could hear subtle differences, while you had described before the differences you heard as "not even close", or something like that. It is incredible that people's hearing/perception can be so different in specific ways, but then human beings are incredible.. Regardless, I bet you wouldn't try but even if you did, there would be no way you could convince fmw.

 

[RichB]

Hey Rich, good to see you back. I thought you know by now no one can win in such debate on this and similar topics? There is no right/wrong, correct/incorrect in claims from both camps and the one in the middle because there are no recorded, publicized and widely accepted credible tests out there. As I told you the HA-1 sounded better than the 105's, in fact I have since listened to a few more DAC and still think the HA-1 is the best. I would say the 105's better than the AV8801's but I also said in a blind test I was sure I would fail. I guess you have much better/discerning ears or electronics. I say electronics because I have no doubt telling anyone quality of recordings, speakers and room acoustics have major effects on sound quality. On the electronics side, I thought I could hear subtle differences, while you had described before the differences you heard as "not even close", or something like that. It is incredible that people's hearing/perception can be so different in specific ways, but then human beings are incredible.. Regardless, I bet you wouldn't try but even if you did, there would be no way you could convince fmw.

Thanks.

Good to be back for a bit. I am ridiculously busy right now.
There is no convincing people. My purpose is expose the notion that sound quality in AVRs and DACs is not completely settled and there are many other audio "sayings" out there which might be largely true but not absolutely true.

I think the HA-1 sounds better too but I also found it was closer than I thought when I changed the configuration. The 105D unbalanced-> XMC-1- compared to the HA-1 balanced the HA-1 was much better. Both use the same DAC's Recently listening to the 105D balanced -> XMC is may be closer than I thought.

My latest pet peeve is with USB audio which seems quite fragile. Capable by being altered by cables, Up-Tone, and IFI USB 3.0 regeneration products. Honestly, I wish this was not the case. But, what is, is.

- Rich

 

[PENG]

I think the HA-1 sounds better too but I also found it was closer than I thought when I changed the configuration. The 105D unbalanced-> XMC-1- compared to the HA-1 balanced the HA-1 was much better. Both use the same DAC's Recently listening to the 105D balanced -> XMC is may be closer than I thought.

If I remember right you found the 105D better than the 105 even on the audio side. Mine is unfortunately missing the "D", but I don't use it for audio any more.

 

[RichB]

If I remember right you found the 105D better than the 105 even on the audio side. Mine is unfortunately missing the "D", but I don't use it for audio any more.

I can't say that there is sound quality difference. The 105D uses a new XMOS interface so I believe it accepts DSD over via the USB DAC. Also a different video processor and support SACD over HDMI-1.

Concerning USB streaming, if you have and iThing and the camera connection kit, connect it to the USB DAC port and listen to some CD's. I can do this with J River/J Remote. This can also be done with the 105(D) but you will have to put a USB hub (can be unpowered) in the connection chain to avoid an iPad power error.
It sounds amazing.

- Rich