I purchased my first Oppo player, a DV-983H DVD player, about 6 years ago. When I played a DVD, I saw a picture quality I had literally never seen before. The audio was decent, too, for a DVD player. It was built like a tank, had a responsive company that answered each and every question cheerfully, and a joy to use.
I now have 2 Oppo's in use, BD-83 and BD-93 BluRay players, one in each home theater area. They've worked flawlessly, and I have no desire to upgrade them.
Are they the be all end all, probably not. But are they an excellent value for a home theater enthusiast? Most certainly!
Michael |
Well anyway, anyone here who's used the Oppo think that the product has been a make-or-break, indespensible, product that really made all the differnence to the picture quality they achieved, or the sonic experience they got using these things? That's not the point. They are cheap, attractive, flexible, reliable and represented by a company that offers first class customer service. Oppo delivers industry leading image quality, friendly operation, an easy to use remote control and for music the DAC is decent, even in stock form. The point is most people are looking for value, a product that delivers the goods at an affordable price. Oppo is just that. No miracles no magic. I've owned them all and currently enjoy a BDP105. |
See what I mean?! Here above I see 4 different players in reference -DV-983H ,BD-83 and BD-93, and BDP105. Can anyone chiming in here honestly name 3 model numbers from any other brand DVD/Blu player, in the history of the genre?!! I'M GOING WITH "NO!"
"Oppo delivers industry leading image quality, friendly operation, an easy to use remote control" (AlPo-)
I'm sorry, but I simply have a very hard time believing - picture quality alone (which, btw, should be the only real thing that matters for a Bluray player) -that having an Oppo in my system, was really "that much better" than what some off the shelf Sony player has given me! I mean these dirt cheaper spinners pretty much all are including in likely the best video processing available in the industry today, for pennies, at their cost! ..seamed more than good to me. Certainly no one who's ever viewed my projector set-up's has ever said anything but WWOOOOOOW!, when looking at my very large 135" diag blown up 1080p image from my JVC's! Just saying. (think I paid $119 on sale for my Sony Blu machine, ...like 4 years ago!) Looks fantastic!
Here's what I find of SIGNIFICANTLY higher importance, when it comes to getting a quality image from your video system: 1) Quality of the projector/display being used 2) how well the PJ/display is calibrated/adjusted! 3) the room environment your viewing in (is there light in the room, even shinning on your display?..washing your immage dynamics, detail, and blacklevels?)
I would submit to anyone that, 99% of the people out there using a player, DON'T have their display even remotely close to properly calibrated, to take advantage of any fundamentally "higher quality" video signal, to even matter! ...that, and the viewing environemnt?
Spend a $1000 on a player and you Projector doesn't even have the best black levels possible from your display device, nor is it properly ISF calibrated - or close to- in the first place!? ..that and your walls in your room are anything but dark colored! - splashing color on your image, blowing out the black levels and contrast ..I'm just saying.
Between the superb video processing/scaling capabilities of both sub $150 Bluray players and ever progressing video projectors/display technologies these past years, I have to wonder just what I'd really see plunking down the cash for a premium disc spinner, when things are just so darn good -video-wise- with everything else out there?
I kinda view the Oppo as "a better cell phone", when the other phones just keeps getting better and cheaper, only 6 months latter! So why pay up, when the cheap stuff eventualy surpasses the previous hi-end stuff, when it comes to digital?!
Lol - I can still remember, some 13 years ago, selling some guy a $25K Faroudja DVP5000 scaler! I think a few years later, even $150 dvd players were offering supperior scaling and processing than what that mega buck player offered!!! Gotta be the law of deminishing returns here.
|
Wow, Avgoround. I've owned a half dozen Oppo players and never paid much attention to their video quality. What distinguishes them, imho, are their cutting-edge audio implementations (along with their customer service). |
Well, nothing is a "must have", I agree. But in my 30+ years experiences in this hobby, I have learned that sometimes you will run into situations that you don't have to pay high-end price to get high-end performance. The Oppo players are examples of those situations. |
emmm
Denon 1910 DVD
Denon 4010 BD
Denon 2012 BD
Denon 3313 BD
And these are the only ones that have passed through my system :) |
Avgoround, tell us how you really feel :-) |
My audio purchases have tended to be investments. I have paid up for the better stuff and been happy with it for years. Yeah, I have also gone round the upgrade cycle but I've generally kept the equipment I've replaced, moving them to bedroom or basement systems.
I won't buy video equipment this way. Video technology is moving too fast; I don't want to spend big bucks on something that can be replaced with a cheaper and better unit in 6 months and become identifiably obsolete in 18 months. I want something inexpensive that will get me close to the state of the art. My Oppo BDP 83 did this.
I have multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD discs as well as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. And I have limited shelf space in my AV system. Again the Oppo was the solution. I have been tempted to replace the Oppo with a cheap Sony blu-ray player, but I would lose the DVD-Audio capability. It's easier to just keep the Oppo.
I suppose the next step would be to get something that can stream from online and maybe have hard disc storage. Not yet tho; the technology is still too fluid for me to commit to something like that. |
I agree with KR4. I'm not a videophile, but I hear the 105 delivers first-class sound as a dvd/cd player AND as a DAC. For $1200.
Is it perfect? No. Is it worth $1200 for what it does? I'll find out. It's sitting in a box in my office, having been delivered this morning. |
Agree with KR4 and one added item is speed. What's had a big thing for me is how fast the Oppo loaded discs when disc loading was painful.
The overall bang for the buck, universal media support, and audio were all selling points for me--especially when similar players were 7x-10x the price for the same thing. |
I'm sorry, but I simply have a very hard time believing - picture quality alone (which, btw, should be the only real thing that matters for a Bluray player) -that having an Oppo in my system, was really "that much better" than what some off the shelf Sony player has given me! The new BDP105 does have superior performance easily observed on my 65" Panasonic Plasma but what's equally important is the quality of the DAC as I already mentioned. Only the BDP105 has USB input, allowing computer playback through the Oppo DAC. Any decent stand alone DAC will cost thousands. So, the Oppo in addition to delivering world class image subs as a SACD and CD player and allows my Mac Mini playback of thousands of music files. Maybe not important to some people, but the Oppo streams Netflix and other movie media. You might say "so what?" but remember, the same DAC that supports the Mac Mini also provides superior sound for streaming. Value is the keyword. |
The reason Oppo has gained so much attention is that they were the very first company seven years ago to use the top Video processor chip on the market from Anchor Bay. These processors at the time were only found in the top players on the market that sold for $3K and above. At the time Oppo
pissed the high end companies off since their $400 players would give you the same picture quality as a player costing $5K. Today they are using the Marvel processor chips which are used in just about every high end player including Ayre's $10K player and Primare's $5500.00 player and the top player from McIntosh. |
Avgoround,
I think you should just breakdown and buy an OPPO. Instead of getting aggravated every time you hear or read users praising them, or when reading another gushing review, you could just smile, nod in satisfaction and say "damn right" or "amen" to yourself. Take pride and be glad that you were smart enough to recognize and purchase such a high quality product at such a bargain price.
BTW, I don't even own an OPPO yet but I do know I want one. Buy one and turn your frown around. Take your lemons and make some delicious lemonade. All this praise for all these OPPO models, from both users and reviewers, has to tell you something, right?
On the other hand, though, all this praise could just be a big charade orchestrated to ensure that you got your panties in a bunch. However, I nether confirm nor deny this, as far as you know.
Disclaimer: I may be, or may not be, affiliated with OPPO's Marketing dept. assigned to making sure that Avgoround purchases one of our products. But I think all of my efforts may have been in vain. I apologize if our marketing strategy and tactics were overly aggressive in your case. I just don't understand why you are so resistant to buying one of our fine products.
Thank you,
Tim |
avgoround writes, "picture quality alone (which, btw, should be the only real thing that matters for a Bluray player)"
I suspect he hasn't heard music Blu-rays with DTS MA HD or Dolby True HD; in fact, I suspect his experience with the video or audio of an Oppo 105 is nil, and that his posts are just rantings.
db |
Ditto to what Dbphd just posted about the OP.
My experience for what it's worth :
My 95 was light yrs better in sound than my cheap Samsung BDP wireless, and picture was better.
I just hooked up a 105 and it's better sounding than the 95, and the picture also looks better.
My PC's ALAC files thru the async USB input actually sounds better than the CD's thru the 95. This and the volume control feature really make this a high value per feature digital pre amp.
Chassis construction, power supply, higher quality parts in general do make a difference in sound and picture quality of any source.
Oppo has brought much of the higher end video and SACD performance into a mid fi price which is why they have been so popular. |
I'm just tellin you all! ..25 years from now, we'll all be watching 64K "pixel-less" virtual reality, 4D Holographic, floating images in the middle of our livingspaces, AND WE'LL STILL BE READING ARTICLES ABOUT ULTRA-HIGH DATA OPPO DIGITAL MEDIA STREAMING BOXES! Tellin ya! ..it's gunna happen. :-0
*On a more important note -in the year 2019 Oppo goes public, and immediately get's bought up by ailing former tech giant Apple! (desparate attempt to salvage the sliding marketshare former tech giant) -The stock symble "OPPO" quickly doubles in price. Savy investors, Make a note of that... |
25 years from now the only thing many on here will be watching will be J.S. Bach conducting the heavenly choir from his seat at the organ. |
"I think you should just breakdown and buy an OPPO. Instead of getting aggravated every time you hear or read users praising them...."
that's what I was thinking too. Avgoround I detect you like a good debate/argument but you're going to lose this one because you don't seem to get the operative word here, value and you haven't used one it seems. If you break down and buy one to find out what all he fuss is about you might go mute but I suspect you would rather continue to debate because, well, that's just irrepressible you, so have fun with it :) |
Not sure if they carried the industry ( or perhaps in some way they did)but they sure gave it what it needed and that was a reality check!They shook up the stagnant waters with the 95 and they response is great gear from those it left in the dust!Why the 95? it was the first "true universal player" that left no stone unturned in the various source material it touched at reference level and set the bar for a few, this threatened more than one category across the board, and the 105 has capitalized on that bar and raised it further and remains the standard bearer regardless of price! |
I agree with the OP on some thing. Blu Ray HD Audio & 1080p is just so good, even a slim PS3 is fantastic. If you have the money to burn, go oppo, but I'm not sure your gaing much. Oppo isnt the bargain it was with their DVD players. IMO they are getting too expensive because they know they can with the hype.
If a Oppo blu Ray could be had for $200, I would look into them like I use to. I agree a $150 Sony blu ray is already awesome as a transport. Not much more desired unless you are into sacd, or dvd audio(which is a slim few). The PS3 offers more then the oppo IMO. Depends on features wanted. I'm typing this on my PS3,lol |
"Disclaimer: I may be, or may not be, affiliated with OPPO's Marketing dept. assigned to making sure that Avgoround purchases one of our products." (Nobel 100)
YYEEEEES! I DID IT!! I got an Oppo affiliate to post in here, and simultaneously brought foreward the hoard of Oppo faithful for a waterhole gathering! WINNING!!
Noble 100? Ok, I will say that I really used to be into this hobby (hi-end audio and HT both), and if you and all the faithful here seriously want to convert me back, and make me stubornly yeild by re-conforming to my old audio/videophile ways -and people here REALLY want me to repent, and get an OPPO (btw-recent CEPro or Custom Integrator magazine artical states that "the disc is almost going bye-bye..so I'm not completely enthused, truthfully), THEN I WILL! There..I spoke into the universe -lol
Yes, I am saying that I am willing to "take one for the team", and buy one -Just BECAUSE! -let's say "in the spirit of the whole thing!"
Wow! I Can't honestly say I've ever listed a posting, where people were genuinly encouraging me to bite down and buy a piece! It's a first. So, sure. I'll play.
HOWEVER, I will only conceed on one condition...I WANT AN INDUSTRY ACCOMODATION DISCOUNT DEAL ON THE LATEST MODEL! What's retal MSRP? Do you gots B-Stock of these? Give me some terms. Hehe..and i'll be your huckleberry!!..
Nobel 100? If you really have affiliation, then do me a deal, and I'll buy! Then I promiss to go on the Oppo bandwagon, and recommend to the masses. Lol! Seriously, make me an offer.. I'm waiting, and got cashy. |
The reason Oppo appeals to a lot of us is that it is one of the few universal players left. Denon and Marantz are also the last remaining stalwarts but I've found they tend to have slower boot up times and/or more compatibility problems reading some discs which play fine on my Oppos. |
I think Blu Ray is what really brought Oppo into the limelight. They were very good at DVD, but there were a lot of excellent DVD players out there. But Blu Ray was a game changer for them. When players were booting in minutes, the 83 did it in seconds. When players were being updated regularly as new releases appeared, Oppo did it quickly and easily. People trusted them. With confusion over video formats (4:4:4, deep color, RGB vs. YCbCr, etc.) Oppo did them all. Then they did the new high def audio formats decoding in the player or bit-streamed it. They did everything. They were not the first but they had everything. And, their openness about their beta upgrades keep the anticipation alive. In my opinion, they have always been a great company, but with Blu Ray there were in the right place at the right time and hit a home run. That has made them the industry standard for anyone who wants a player above the entry level. |
Avgoround,
I don't want to misrepresent myself. Sorry, the original intention of my reply was just to pull your leg and yank your chain enough to ensure you got your panties in a bit of a bunch. I was just having a little fun and meant no harm.
However, I was careful to be truthful and not misrepresent myself. In my prior post, I said "I may, or may not be, affiliated with OPPO's Marketing dept." I would love to be able to give you a discount but, unfortunately, I have no affiliation with OPPO.
I do want to congratulate you, though, on coming to your senses and deciding in such a rational manner to gain the numerous inherent benefits obtained by purchasing an OPPO universal player.
Since I'm going to eventually buy an OPPO as well, we can be each other's huckleberries. Soon, you'll be hearing or reading someone singing the praises of OPPO and you'll just be nodding in agreement and smiling. Your panties will also be completely un-bunched and you'll be at peace with the universe.
Enjoy,
Tim
|
That's right,. ..I wanna STEEEEEP discount! I hear dem darn spinners will soon be disapering faster than flash flood in Texas! Tic Toc, Tic toc ...Bzzzzzt |
AVgo--
Why are you ranting so much? If you don't like Oppo, don't buy their products. There is no conspiracy at work to have Oppo dominate the world. |
Damnnnn Tim- Whin Ah sawr yer first post, Ah thot Ah mite finally git me one o them fancy pants Opoh's cheep wit yer cunnexiun. U sayin' Ah gotta keep collectin' cans fer anuther yeer or 2 afore Ah can aford me one o them Opoh's????
She-itt! Where's mah Wild Turkey...it's after 5 somewheres!
Seriously, since the new ones have digital/streaming/networking functions in addition to spinning physical disks, what's not to like? |
Swampypants,
Looks like you've been hitting the Wild Turkey a bit early today; never seen anybody so drunk that they slurred their words while texting. Pace yourself or you're going to find yourself passed out face down in the swamp....again!
I wish I did work for OPPO's Marketing dept. After that marketing campaign I successfully designed and ran on Avgoround, I'd be asking for a raise right about now. I call this one my "Get their panties in a bunch & Close by lunch" strategy (strategy# 8,342B-Panties, known informally as "The Panty Buncher").
BTW, Swamp, I'm currently writing a book based on your life story. It's called "A Speedo, My Rollerblades & Nothing Else: I make this look good".
Remember that time I came down to visit you in What's that Smell. Louisiana? We went down to that dive bar in the swamp you always hang out at-The Pink Croc. You were well over served, swigging on your bottle of Wild Turkey while sitting on old man Flanders' lap. You were so drunk, you sarted wetting your speedo. I was taking a picture of you two at the time. I snapped the picture just as old man Flanders realized what was happening; he looks straight into the camera and you have to see the expression on his face.
You'll be able to check it out because I'm going to put that picture in the book. And, yes, if the book's a hit you'll be receiving some royalty checks. But you're going to need to earn your money. We already have you booked with appearances on Leno, Letterman and the Today Show this fall for the book tour. Please wear your typical attire, speedo, rollerblades and nothing else when you go on. Also, remember, don't wear the same speedo on all 3 shows.
Later Swamp,
Tim
|
I guess I never looked at oppo blu ray because I had the ps3.
I liked my old Oppo DVD, but as a transport, I thought my PS3 did just as good for music & movies so I sold it.
With my PS3 slim I have everything I need for now
1.Fast boot, resume memory, pop up, etc
2. Updated player features(besides 3d & HD audio at same time).
3. It plays lossless wav, mp3, aac audio. Others codecs can stream) & album art!
4. Has tons of movie & audio app options
5. 500gb internal hard drive for music & movies
6. usb for thumb drive media or external drive
7.Plays games
8. Decodes or streams hd audio with HDMI
9. Plays tons of video file formats
10. Has web browser-using now as I type
The downside....
1. Can get slightly noisy if ran long.
2. No analog HD audio 7.1 output( only hdmi)
3. Cant do 3d & HD audio at same time
Hard to beat a PS3 for the price. It has something for everyone. |
Keep in mind the perspective here is based on the question "is an Oppo worth the extra few hundred bucks over an el cheapo player. Since this decision made is typically in the context of a "modest" system, I can see how in some cases the answer is no.
For a vast number of prospective Oppo buyers, the question is hte exact opposite, i.e. "can I get away with using an El Cheapo Oppo in my high end system, and forgo the megabucks player"? A very high number of "high-end" users appear to be concluding YES, which is testimony to the quality of the player. |
Edorr hit a home run with his post. It's precise and to the point.
db |
Great product.
Great performance.
Great customer service.
It's what we all want and expect in our hobby and alongs comes one that checks off all of our boxes and there's a complaint?
When reading this I had flashbacks of POs attempts to dissuade us about something else.
All the best,
Nonoise |
As I stated, I have failed to keep track on what the latest Oppo's offer, their evolutionary improvements vs past, whether they offer the BEST DAC's in the industry, or other high end parts which you would undoubtedly find in uber-high end essoteric players. I presume some of the better DAC's available today, all the latest Digital Codec's for movies, analog out's etc.
Question (as an audiophile, for a minute):
is the Oppo (current/best?) as good of a disc transport as what better, megabuck trasports offer? How's the ultimate dynamics? Is the background "BLACK quite", like on ultra-end tranny's? Rythem, dynamics, pace, even air? These are surely points of consideration that the extremely picky and discerning professional reviewers would surely touch on in a review, yes? So I ask seasoned audiophiles...does this thing simply throw in all the latest and greates, with a couple tweaks n mods? I assuming so, and I know they're are mods on these things, from the dialoge of reviewers and enduser readings. Cause I would have a hard time believing that the SACD quality of the Oppo would best an old SACD-1, or beat better dedicated transport/DAC (later offerings) combo's, in ultimate terms - CD/music DVD/SACD applications.
Movies? Like I said, I honestly think that more of the ultimate pic would be due to the technology of Bluray and outstanding scaling and video processing in these latest displays/projectors! I'm just saying. So, what? I'm thinking the Oppo is a superb performer, throughout, but not elite in any one area?..except perhaps video?
So, as opposed to paying $1000 for an ALL-IN-ONE, could I do even better results using $350 deal on a used trasport, $500 high performance dedicated DAC, and a $150 top Sony Bluplayer with SACD? How far better accross the board is my $1000 Oppo investment? See what I mean? Im not so convinced the Oppo would transform any efforts I put foreward to fill my system with the right parts, to do all the formats, is all I'm saying. But I'm sure the Oppo would make me happy enough, regardless - especially considering how my interest has wained over the years as a "phile" certainly.
Besides all that rhetoric, isn't all this stuff a moot point? Surely, ALL the discs are going away, yes? As far as I can tell - and read - digital media streaming and data storage is where it's at and going!? I already have Netflix, and only have 60 or so Bluray movies at present, and only occassionally listen to 2 channel music anymore, except in my car, of course.
So, do I really need an oppo? Probably not anymore.
Yes, in the near future I'll put back together a higher end multi/2ch system, doing double duties. Still, most all my music will likely be streaming variety.
Yeah, I prob don't NEED the Oppo..infact, Im sure of it.
I'm sure its great for everyone else though |
Hey Tim- Pace yourself or you're going to find yourself passed out face down in the swamp....again! Wassa matta wi dat??? The good lord wooda neveh blessed us w' bourbon iffin' he didn't want us ta drink it! Y'all wanna see some drinkin' y'all betta come on up to mah Kin-tuck-ee Derby Party this weekend. Best mint juleps this side a the Mason-Dickson lahnn! "A Speedo, My Rollerblades & Nothing Else: I make this look good" Wassa matta wi dat??? You were so drunk, you started wetting your speedo. Wassa matta wi dat??? 'S why Ah only gots black ones ;-) remember, don't wear the same speedo on all 3 shows. Wassa matta wi dat??? 'Member, ah only gots black ones!!! OK, OK, un-bunch dem panties; Ah'll rinse 'em out in da sink in that there green room. Y'all t'ink the make-up gal'll mind if Ah use the hairdryer on 'em?? We already have you booked with appearances on Leno, Letterman and the Today Show this fall for the book tour. Yee-ha!!!Whadda ya say we start in the Big Apple and drink our way out to Calli-forn-ah-yea!!!! Yer drunk bud the Swampmeister |
........So, as opposed to paying $1000 for an ALL-IN-ONE, could I do even better results using $350 deal on a used trasport, $500 high performance dedicated DAC, and a $150 top Sony Bluplayer with SACD? How far better accross the board is my $1000 Oppo investment? .....
A lot better. The Oppo is a factory direct, low margin / high volume business model. None of these invidual cheaper components can be ecomomically build with even remotely the quality of engineering or parts of a $1000 Oppo. |
No. There are much better players out there! |
Having had the Oppo 103 (modded) for several months I'd opine there may be better players, just not players that are much better. |
hi
i have oppo93 , denon 2500 n pioneer 09 now . i would say oppo was not even close to denon 2500 .the video part u may say more clear but not solid as 2500 . audio part was huge differences , its at least 2 grade lower than denon 2500 , n of course no comperison to pioneer 09fd .if u ask if i will pay over $1000 for 105 , i think thats crazy for a china player modify from "po po go"
thanks |
I find this thread most entertaining and of course ridiculous. Oppo's success has been a consumer-driven success, unlike, let's say, a product like Magico speakers that have seen countless ''reviews'' in the Absolute Sound. You would think that Absolute Sound is part owner of the company the way they constantly put the spotlight on Magico.
Oppo is an audio fan's dream come true. Think about it. Audio gear that has a higher perceived value than what you paid for it.
Everything about the Oppo experience is first class. Packaging is smart and efficient - even has the model printed on the internal surfaces of the box. The player itself is beautifully put together. It has endless features and SOUNDS great. Also, when was the last time you had a real owner's manual that actually looked like one? It's a real book, not just some el-cheapo spiraled job. Buy a multi-thousand $ Ayon and see how cheap manuals can get versus the price of the gear.
I unpacked my new Oppo BDP-105 in the new SILVER edition last week. Wow. Believe me, you could NEVER feel short-changed lifting this hefty machine and placing it front and center on your rack.
The Oppo is a rarity in this crazy hobby - getting your money's worth. It more than deserves all the attention it got so far - even if it irritates some people who cannot fully appreciate or understand what this company has done for the hobby.
Avgoround: Just buy one instead of all this rant about something you have no experience with. I mean - sure - you can have an opinion on gear you don't own (we all do), but when it sound's borderline vendetta with all those comments you made about Oppo - something's fishy!
|
Avgoround: Just buy one instead of all this rant about something you have no experience with. I mean - sure - you can have an opinion on gear you don't own (we all do), but when it sound's borderline vendetta with all those comments you made about Oppo - something's fishy! Amen |
Oppo is the ONLY player I know that can do CD/HDCD, SACD, DVD-A, PCM/DSD DAC (FLAC/WAV, etc), Blu-Ray audio. All this besides doing video.
I would like to know if anyone has compared a Marantz SA11-S3 Vs this Oppo 105. It may be scales of economy - but wish Oppo made a AUDIO ONLY player. |
Avgoround,
I wrote this to you back in April:
"I have no affiliation with OPPO.
I do want to congratulate you, though, on coming to your senses and deciding in such a rational manner to gain the numerous inherent benefits obtained by purchasing an OPPO universal player.
Since I'm going to eventually buy an OPPO as well, we can be each other's huckleberries. Soon, you'll be hearing or reading someone singing the praises of OPPO and you'll just be nodding in agreement and smiling. Your panties will also be completely un-bunched and you'll be at peace with the universe.
Enjoy,
Tim"
Just thought you might want to know I meant what I said about Oppo.
I bought an Oppo bdp-105 a few weeks ago and I'm loving it.
Hope you're pleased with yours, too,
Tim
vgoround, |
|
I recently read a review in the leading Polish Audio mag where the editor described his tour through the Chinese factory where Oppo is made,same factory, same workers make
the Cambridge Audio DVD and CD players, according to him only
difference was in cases and Dac's selected. |
Schubert,
Yes, my friend has a Cambridge universal and it's very obvious comparing the back panel of this to the Oppo 105 that they're almost identical. The front panels are not even close to identical but both look very nice and perform great.
I think there are a few other brands that utilize the Oppo's video and audio tech in their high priced, nicely recased units. I know that Oppo Digital is a U.S. registered company based in Mountain View, Calif. I think this company is just a 'front' for the Chinese Oppo company but am not totally clear on the relationship.
I'd prefer to buy American but I don't think there is a universal player built here that is anywhere near the quality and affordability of the 105. I'm thrilled with the performance of this beauty in all areas: video, 2 channel audio, ease of connectivity with my laptop, JRMC and a NAS for hi-rez computer audio. I'm hooking it up direct from the Oppo's 'Dedicated Stereo' outputs to my main amp via xlr cables for stereo and direct from the Oppo's 'Analog 7.1' outputs to my surround amps via rca cables.
The Oppo even has a feature I wasn't aware of until after setup: it automatically plays back in either stereo or multi-ch depending on inputted signal. This is enabled simply by configuring one setting in the 'Setup' menu. So, my VTL 2.5 preamp and Parasound AV2500 processor were no longer necessary since the 105 functions as both a very good preamp and a very good surround processor. I have a buyer for both components and I'll be selling them both for about the price of the 105 ($1,200). This, in effect, enabled me to make a major upgrade to my system sound wise, as well as enabling me to begin using hi-rez computer files, and I gained a first class bluray/SACD/DVD-A player to boot all for no cost. I am completely pleased with this versatile and high quality machine. It even retains its resale market value. Best component I've bought thus far.
Don't hesitate if you're considering buying an Oppo 103 or 105,
Tim
Thanks,
Tim |
Oppo's are way OVER-RATED! They are all hype. The BDP-103 is junk IMO. Flakey and nothing special |
Schubert, I have owned both machines.
Owned the Cambridge and held on to it while I waited months for the silver edition Oppo 105 to arrive.
When it did arrive, I did some meticulous comparisons.
It's all subjective of course but here are my reasons for getting rid of the Cambridge and going with the Oppo.
1. I liked the sound of the Sabre DAC better in the Oppo. The Oppo sound is not necessarily better, just different to my ears.
2. I liked (and currently use) the XLR outputs.
3. It is a stunning design with a clean faceplate and looks and feels like a high end audio component, where the Cambridge looks like a common home-theatre DVD player. Looks count in my book. Controls and operation are smooth.
4. I found the transport to be QUIETER at close range, actually, you cannot heart the OPPO spinning at all.
5. Love the remote and actually bought a second original one for only 12 bucks.
Not knocking the Camby, again, sound is a matter of taste. So are looks.
They may be made in part at the same plant, but let me tell you, those two machines are not alike at all.
Cheers everyone! |
Of course, even DAC selected is major. |
Keep in mind the perspective here is based on the question "is an Oppo worth the extra few hundred bucks over an el cheapo player. Since this decision made is typically in the context of a "modest" system, I can see how in some cases the answer is no.
For a vast number of prospective Oppo buyers, the question is hte exact opposite, i.e. "can I get away with using an El Cheapo Oppo in my high end system, and forgo the megabucks player"? A very high number of "high-end" users appear to be concluding YES, which is testimony to the quality of the player.
Edorr +2 on these comments So, as opposed to paying $1000 for an ALL-IN-ONE, could I do even better results using $350 deal on a used trasport, $500 high performance dedicated DAC, and a $150 top Sony Bluplayer with SACD? How far better accross the board is my $1000 Oppo investment?
Avgoround Maybe better, maybe not. One other thing that should be mentioned is that your setup introduces 3 boxes plus cabling which after adding the costs of the ICs is probably more expensive than the Oppo one-box solution. For some, the convenience there, in addition to the experiences as shared by many others above, makes it hard to ignore. And deserves the praise it gets. And, Avgoround, would you mind putting in paragraph breaks in your posts? It makes it easier to read. Thanks. |
Avgoround,
Did you ever decide to do the right thing and buy an Oppo?
I'm thinking you probably did since you have not posted anything to this thread since 4/30/2013. I'm thinking you're too busy just enjoying the hell out of your new Oppo and loving your single box wonder box.
As I said earlier, I just bought an Oppo 105 and I'm just enjoying the hell out of it, myself. I find myself having the same thoughts and impressions on my 105 that Sonicbeauty has described. The only thing close to negative I would say about this unit is that they're made in China, not here in the U.S. They are sold and supported through an American registered company, Oppo Digital, but I think this is just a 'front' company for the Chinese registered Oppo.
Just in case you haven't come to your senses yet and bought an Oppo and for anyone else considering a purchase, I'll describe what it has brought to my system and why I'm so convinced of its many benefits to any music lover's system.
1. Versatility- The Oppo plays almost any optical disc format: bluray, cd, sacd, dvd-a and cd-rom. It also functions as a limited input preamp and a surround sound processor.
After setup in my system, the 105 allowed me to no longer require the services of my tubed VTL 2.5 preamp or my Parasound AV2500 surround processor. I'm currently planning on selling both units to a friend for about the 105's cost ($1,200). The 105, connected directly from its 'Dedicated Stereo' outputs to my main amp's inputs via xlr cables, has matched the sweetness and dimensionality of my former Sony DP-7700 universal cd/dvd player combined with my Mullard tubed VTL 2.5 preamp. I also sense the noise floor is lower which enhances detail retrieval and perceived dynamic range.
2. Functions as a high quality DAC, Digital Media Player (DMP) and Digital Media Renderer (DMR)- By using my laptop running JRiver Media Center software($50), a Synology single bay NAS with a 2 TB Seagate hard drive($250 total), Seagate Backup Plus 2 TB backup hard drive($95) and the Oppo supplied USB wi-fi dongle, I'm now able to stream my entire 'ripped' cd collection and high-resolution(24/96 and 24/192) music downloads wirelessly to the 105 and, through its excellent Saber dacs and output stage, play them back through my system. The hi-res files sound awesome and even my cds sound better played back this way (lower jitter?). I plan on testing the 105's DSD capabilities in the near future, also.
3. Sound Quality- Whether I'm watching a movie, watching Directv or listening to music, the sound quality is very high and exceded my expectations. The Oppo's setup and configuration settings require a monitor but are very easy to use even without reading the manual. The decoded surround sound is much better than my former, and admittedly much older, Parsound's ability. Once I position my Magnepans out about 4-5ft away from the front wall into the room, the sound quality is stunning. The soundstage presented is wide, deep and 3 dimensional with plenty of detail and a definite 'in the room' realism that I really enjoy. I was concerned some of these qualities would be missing with the VTL(and Mullard tubes)out of the system but it sounds just as sweet when the music calls for it.
4. Simplicity- With my music preamp and surround processor removed from my system, my rack just consists of the Oppo 105 on the top rack with my main amp and 2 surround amps on the shelf below. My NAS and backup drive are located out of sight by my router in my lower level family room. I'm sitting about 12ft away from my system with just my laptop running JRMC. I'm able to view my entire music collection on the laptop and control playback of anything I want to listen to. I almost feel guilty about how convenient my music playback has become.....almost. I'm also able to store and playback my video collection if I want to. We're all aware of how exhausting it can be to get up off our lazy asses and actually put a bluray into the player and trudge all 12ft back to your chair and then, on top of all that, have to press the 'play' button.
5. Picture Quality- the Oppos are also superior video players with built in QDEO video processing. You get a great picture whether watching regular cable/satellite or watching a bluray or DVD disk.
OK, I'll stop there even though I probably left out a few additional features like the headphone amp, internet radio streaming, excellent customer support and service, etc. Anyways, I think you've gathered by now that I'm kind of digging my Oppo 105.
So Avgoround, I hate to tell you this but the hype and praise are all accurate; the Oppos are awesome. Hopefully, you came to your senses and know this firsthand.
Just to be clear, I have no association with Oppo. I'm just I'm just a big fan of excellent a/v quality and value.
Tim |
