Theta digital compli blu also a oppo clone/rebadge?

[Snakeoil]

http://www.thetadigital.com/compli_blu_info.shtml

The Compli Blu, like all the other transports before it, is based on a manufacturing kit obtained from a third party, then optimized by Theta Digital's experts to bring it up to our high standards. In the past, we've partnered with Sony, Phillips and Pioneer. This time, we're pleased to partner with Oppo, whose recent transports have garnered quite a following. Both Oppo and Theta Digital are delighted to bring this top performing product to you, and to build upon the already desirable performance of the BPD-83 and establish yet another benchmark of performance by Theta Digital in the transport product category.

As it becomes available during its product life-cycle, updated firmware for the Compli Blu will be posted in the Downloads area of Theta Digital's website here
Here is the core of what Theta Digital has done this time around to "turbo charge" an existing transport:


1.Heavy 16 gauge steel chassis for rigidity.


2.Positions of transport mechanism and display have been swapped. Lowering the mechanism allows for elimination an intermediary mounting bracket and long standoffs, resulting in greater rigidity.


3.Completely rigid mounted mechanism replaces the original spring mounted system.


4.Special 3M adhesive damping material used on drawer assembly, further reducing vibration energy.


5.RS-232 control is included as a standard.


6.Custom designed front panel PCB.


7.Custom designed analog power supply, which includes the following:


A.An 80 Watt ultra-quiet toroidal transformer.


B.Additional, independent 10 Watt transformer for Standby circuit.


C.A total of 7 Amps of power available to supply the unit.


D.Four independently rectified and regulated power supplies.


E.Over 40,000 uF filter capacitance, in small, low ESR multiples.


F.2 oz. gold plated copper used throughout.


8.Proprietary Theta Digital customized software for superior performance, and that can be easily updated through USB port on the rear panel, or via Ethernet connection to Theta Digital's website.


9.Standard thick, brushed aluminum alloy cover provides better sonics and aesthetics as it reduces vibration energy further.


10.1/2" thick Tower and Faceplate matches other Theta Digital products.

So besides the power supply nothing has changed.

http://www.thetadigital.com/compli_blu_specifications.shtml

Video Characteristics
Composite Video Amplitude
1.0Vp-p (75OΩ)

Component Video
Y: 1.0Vp-p (75OΩ)
Pb/Pr: 0.7Vp-p (75OΩ)



Audio Characteristics**
Frequency
20Hz – 20kHz (±0.4dB)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio
>110dB (A-weighted)

THD+N
< 0.002% (1kHz at 0dBFS, 20kHz LPF)

As we can see the specs are the same as well.

 

[Snakeoil]

Here are some pictures to show that they have only changed out the power supply. I guess they did more then lexicon and are only charging $2995.

 

[bandphan]

This guy thinks your cloning him

 

[gene]

this isn't all much different than:

Attack of the Clone Processors

Attack of the Clone Amplifiers

A friend of mine in the industry said you wouldn't believe how many loudspeakers are produced from the same assembly plants in china. Often a part or different color cone is swapped to make them look different. One day when I can stomach the ridiculously long flight, I may go out there and have a look. Could make for a good editorial

 

[jostenmeat]

I am relatively new to this hobby. And I've already seen HiVi drivers that look identical to Dynaudio drivers, a Pioneer Kuro projector that is a rebadged JVC RS2, other "very-high-end" projectors that are also clones (can't find the thread here), among others.

The HiVi drivers are at least said to be quite good, are cheaper, and not at 6x the price, hah. The Kuro projector was somewhat similarly priced to the "original".

The "very high end" stuff, well . . .

 

[randyb]

this isn't all much different than:

Attack of the Clone Processors

Attack of the Clone Amplifiers

A friend of mine in the industry said you wouldn't believe how many loudspeakers are produced from the same assembly plants in china. Often a part or different color cone is swapped to make them look different. One day when I can stomach the ridiculously long flight, I may go out there and have a look. Could make for a good editorial

I think you should write it. What is interesting to me is how much we are influenced by price and marketing. To the point that we actually hear and see differences that aren't there and then we defend the differences to the death. FWIW, I think your article on the Oppo/Lexicon is very brave.

 

[mtrycrafts]

....

A friend of mine in the industry said you wouldn't believe how many loudspeakers are produced from the same assembly plants in china. Often a part or different color cone is swapped to make them look different. One day when I can stomach the ridiculously long flight, I may go out there and have a look. Could make for a good editorial

Once you land, you may want to be incognito
After this week, the world will recognize your name and not let you near their stuff

 

[mtrycrafts]

... To the point that we actually hear and see differences that aren't there ...

What do you mean I cannot see the difference between the faceplates

 

[Boerd]

At least these guys say it upfront
2995$???
Buy an Oppo and a pair of nice speakers from the difference...

 

[Snakeoil]

A friend of mine in the industry said you wouldn't believe how many loudspeakers are produced from the same assembly plants in china. Often a part or different color cone is swapped to make them look different. One day when I can stomach the ridiculously long flight, I may go out there and have a look. Could make for a good editorial

High end audio is more or less a joke now days, hanging on to outdated idea's and technology for no other purpose to make money. The same BS in high end audio does not float in the video industry, well not as much anyways.

Once you land, you may want to be incognito
After this week, the world will recognize your name and not let you near their stuff

High end audio is very communist like with their censorship, some don't even publish specs because they say that specs don't matter.

 

[Seth=L]

I few other things have changed as well. The USB port is now on the back, the chassis appears to be entirely their own. Another interesting bit is the PCB board above the analog audio outputs that isn't present in the Lexicon. Still a major rip unless you just have to have that Theta Digital styling, but not as big a rip as the Lexicon.

 

[gonk]

There was always a rear USB port - they just removed the front one.

 

[Seth=L]

There was always a rear USB port - they just removed the front one.

I hadn't noticed. I neglected the reference the Oppo picture before posting.

 

[skizzerflake]

Is all this worth 6 times the cost of the Oppo? It's not like they can add more pixels to your monitor. Rigid frame? Do I care unless I am going to use my Blue Ray player as a foot stool?

 

[Snakeoil]

It is only worth it to people who soly have a subjective view and who don't care about physical hardware.