Blue ray player with good audio

Tgrisham - have you had any opportunity to use your new BDP-80 on SACD software yet and if so what are your thoughts?

I would go for the Oppo BDP-83/SE and combine it with a musical DAC. I'm using an Oppo DV-980h Universal Player paired with an older CAL Sigma single tube DAC. How good does it sound on 2-channel redbook/SACD audio? The Oppo/Sigma combo smoked my $1800 Doge 6 Tube CDP in almost every way. In fact I just sold the Doge and I'm using the Oppo/Sigma for both 2-channel redbook/SACD & DVD video. The Oppo/Sigma combo is dynamic, natural, open, uncoloured and produces a large soundstage. The Doge sounded laid back by comparison.

If you can find an older CAL Sigma, Alpha or Sigma II DAC (they pop up on A'gon somewhat regularly, but you have to act quickly as they literally sell within minutes of posting) it would be a great match with that Oppo player.

Perhaps some other members can reccomend some other musical sounding DACS that would work well with the Oppo.

IHMO Craig_hoch, I would just get an aftermarket mod for the Oppo BDP-83/SE and not bother with an external DAC.

I'm very please with my MW BDP-83 and for the 1st time, only shopping for SACDs. Comparing the same material between SACD and 24/96 flac using my MW Transporter, I prefer the SACD.

That's good to know Knghifi. In all fairness I haven't heard the Blue Ray players that Oppo has out, I based my comment on my experience with their DV-980h. I used the 980h in my secondary system as a stand alone player and it does indeed have very good sound from it's analogue outputs, however the external DAC took it to another level and it now outperform my highly regarded (and substantially more expensive) Doge 6.

Knghifi, that is impressive. Not to hijack the thread, but did you get the MW mod for the vanilla BDP-83 or the SE version? I've exchanged a few emails with Dan, but not a whole lot of hands-on feedback out there yet. Thanks.