Speaker recommendations for the oppo 203 and 205

[Richard Laird]

I am new to this process and need some help. I am considering the purchase of an OPPO 203 or 205. One article suggested that the enhanced audio in the 205 was not very discernable and that I should use the $ difference to enhance the new speakers I need to purchase. That being said, I need advice about which speakers I should consider with the 203 and 205. Will I need a central speaker and a sub also if I go with a quality floor standing speaker? Budget wise I am planning on $2,000 for a pair plus a little more If I needed to enhance the sound.

A further question has to do with the ability of the 203 to accept music from multiple sources e.g. computer, flash drive, etc. I understand the video of each model is roughly the same. But will I be able to tell the difference between the audio output?

 

[Leemix]

What amp/receiver/pre do you use?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

I was wondering if you're looking for active speakers, but not sure. The question about audio on various different media would depend on the specific audio format used for the audio portion of the video....if I understand that question.

 

[j_garcia]

With at $2K budget, I wouldn't go with the 205. While you technically can use the 203 direct to an amp, it is better advised that you use a receiver or pre/pro in between.

Also at $2K, I'd skip towers and center and put a big chunk of those funds toward a solid 2.1 setup.

 

[sterling shoote]

It may be too late for you to choose between a 203 or 205; but, if orders are still being accepted, the 205 is pretty nice. It has a usb DAC, which will allow computer audio. It also has a front usb port which will do multi-channel, as well as gapless. In addition the 205 has balanced stereo output, which could be directly connected to balanced input active speakers such as the JBL 305s for very high quality stereo. A subwoofer from this JBL series can easily be added. Such an outfit will come in easily under $2000.

 

[j_garcia]

It may be too late for you to choose between a 203 or 205; but, if orders are still being accepted, the 205 is pretty nice. It has a usb DAC, which will allow computer audio. It also has a front usb port which will do multi-channel, as well as gapless. In addition the 205 has balanced stereo output, which could be directly connected to balanced input active speakers such as the JBL 305s for very high quality stereo. A subwoofer from this JBL series can easily be added. Such an outfit will come in easily under $2000.

It sounds like the total system cost is $2k, so a ~$1200 player isn't a good way to get a balanced system.

 

[sterling shoote]

It sounds like the total system cost is $2k, so a ~$1200 player isn't a good way to get a balanced system.

Well, with the 205 in preamp role, it will get stereo music from Computer's music player, CD, SACD, or Server to very good speakers and sub to fill a typical man cave sized room with magnificent sound. So, if stereo is end game, my suggestion gets the job done as completely as it can be done. I have about $33,000 dollars in 20 to 40 year old dollars in my system; but, I can't say that the extra money is getting me a better presentation of stereo material than the "system" I mentioned in earlier post suggesting 205 and JBLs. What it does not do is of course multi-channel; but, fact is, an OPPO with a pair of JBL 305s and the JBL complement sub would really rock for stereo.

 

[j_garcia]

Well, with the 205 in preamp role, it will get stereo music from Computer's music player, CD, SACD, or Server to very good speakers and sub to fill a typical man cave sized room with magnificent sound. So, if stereo is end game, my suggestion gets the job done as completely as it can be done. I have about $33,000 dollars in 20 to 40 year old dollars in my system; but, I can't say that the extra money is getting me a better presentation of stereo material than the "system" I mentioned in earlier post suggesting 205 and JBLs. What it does not do is of course multi-channel; but, fact is, an OPPO with a pair of JBL 305s and the JBL complement sub would really rock for stereo.

The OP does not appear to have an AVR or amp already, so that needs to be factored into the budget too.

 

[lovinthehd]

It may be too late for you to choose between a 203 or 205; but, if orders are still being accepted, the 205 is pretty nice. It has a usb DAC, which will allow computer audio. It also has a front usb port which will do multi-channel, as well as gapless. In addition the 205 has balanced stereo output, which could be directly connected to balanced input active speakers such as the JBL 305s for very high quality stereo. A subwoofer from this JBL series can easily be added. Such an outfit will come in easily under $2000.

You're saying the rear usb ports don't do multi-ch?

 

[j_garcia]

You're saying the rear usb ports don't do multi-ch?

Yeah, in another thread he says the two behave differently.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah, in another thread he says the two behave differently.

I use the rear on my 203 for multi-ch with an old laptop hard drive as well as a usb thumb drive...is it restricted to digital output or something? I haven't tried analog output....

 

[lovinthehd]

Sure would be nice if the OP would chime in about what his current gear/expectations are....when he says he wants floor standers I wonder if he's thinking active speakers at all...

 

[sterling shoote]

The OP does not appear to have an AVR or amp already, so that needs to be factored into the budget too.

The JBLs are powered, no amp or AVR necessary to get off to a good start.

 

[sterling shoote]

You're saying the rear usb ports don't do multi-ch?

I've not used my 205 for any digital output, just analog; and, the only port that I know for sure handles multi-channel gaplessly to analog is the front port on my 205. I know the usb DAC does not, even though the manual says the usb DAC terminates at both multi-channel and stereo RCA outputs. I also know that although the Network connection will do multi-channel it will not do it gaplessly from a DLNA type server. This has caused me to move the multi-channel files which are on my computer to a thumb drive. That's sort of inconvenient; but, I'm not concerned about it, since I only have two files on my computer which are multi-channel. All other multi-channel is on SACD. Have you tried the rear usb ports for multi-channel analog. Or have you used the OPPOs HDMI input from HDMI computer output for analog multi-channel? If so what results and what music player are you playing multi-channel?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Budget wise I am planning on $2,000 for a pair plus a little more If I needed to enhance the sound

Lets just clear few things here:

• What is your goal for this system if you had a budget available today to buy all the parts?
• You should focus less on features and focus more on the bigger picture. Oppo makes high-quality electronics, but a) they are discontinuing all products b) spending on Oppo with your budget on speakers makes an uneven system.
• How big if your room?
• How do you see using the system?

 

[lovinthehd]

I've not used my 205 for any digital output, just analog; and, the only port that I know for sure handles multi-channel gaplessly to analog is the front port on my 205. I know the usb DAC does not, even though the manual says the usb DAC terminates at both multi-channel and stereo RCA outputs. I also know that although the Network connection will do multi-channel it will not do it gaplessly from a DLNA type server. This has caused me to move the multi-channel files which are on my computer to a thumb drive. That's sort of inconvenient; but, I'm not concerned about it, since I only have two files on my computer which are multi-channel. All other multi-channel is on SACD. Have you tried the rear usb ports for multi-channel analog. Or have you used the OPPOs HDMI input from HDMI computer output for analog multi-channel? If so what results and what music player are you playing multi-channel?

No, haven't tried the analog outputs. I should, gotta make up my mind this week to keep it or not. I use hdmi output from the Oppo and if I connect my computer that's hdmi as well; it didn't occur to me to connect to the Oppo via hdmi (and I've got a Fire Stick in that port anyways). My thumb drive or old computer drive both play multi-ch (ripped from various DVDs for the most part) on the 203, and they're in the rear usb ports, not sure what you mean by music player, just using the 203 to play the files.

 

[sterling shoote]

No, haven't tried the analog outputs. I should, gotta make up my mind this week to keep it or not. I use hdmi output from the Oppo and if I connect my computer that's hdmi as well; it didn't occur to me to connect to the Oppo via hdmi (and I've got a Fire Stick in that port anyways). My thumb drive or old computer drive both play multi-ch (ripped from various DVDs for the most part) on the 203, and they're in the rear usb ports, not sure what you mean by music player, just using the 203 to play the files.

What I am wanting to understand is what music player you are using on on your computer for multi-channel? iTunes does not play multi-channel, so I have used purchased multi-channel in flac to play on foobar 2000. I discovered however that I do not need foobar for play to my HT, I can use OPPOs Network setting and use OPPO as player for where ever I have the multi-channel file stored in my computer.

 

[TheWarrior]

If you want an Oppo, you NEED to go buy a 203 while they are available. Thats it, Oppo is GONE!

 

[Richard Laird]

got one. but still looking for speakers for a Yamaha RX-A870 in the $2-2500 range.

 

[afterlife2]

No need to spend 2k. A pair of these: https://flash.newegg.com/product/9SIA5Z25796209?SID=6ba950ca496a11e88c1a96bc129f10c70INT&AID=10446076&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-Slickdeals LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-Slickdeals+LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=12087162&PID=4485850&SID=6ba950ca496a11e88c1a96bc129f10c70INT&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=afc-Slickdeals+LLC