Is OPPO losing it's way?

Hi gdhal,

Well-modded players can be giant killers. As stated by dhl93449 and ricevs above, the output stage plays a huge role as does the power supply. Better clocks too if applicable. Cabinet and transport damping makes an audible improvement. Racks/footers/isolation platforms as well.

All of the DAC chips mentioned/recommended above are more than capable of SOTA sound given the right inputs and outputs.

Best to you gdhal,
Dave

@dlcockrum Thanks. I'll give serious consideration to modifying the UDP-205 once it is available, I purchase it and listen to it stock for a little while. This way I can at least have an idea of the "before and after" sound. 

@ricevs I glanced over your website. Nice job on the photos. Everything is well explained too.

I've been thinking about the original question of this thread, "Is Oppo losing it's way?".  I don't think they have lost their way because they still make good products, but I miss the days of the BDP-83 when their top tier product cost $500 and you didn't have to choose between it and a higher tier option.  The 83 came with separate analog outputs for 2-channel stereo as well as 5 analog outs for multi-channel, different dac chips for each. Oppo made its name by being the smart choice for budget conscious audio/video enthusiasts.  I don't think that is their M.O. anymore.  I chose the 103 because I believe external DAC's are the way to go, so I appreciate having a 103 to choose, but the same $500 that bought me the 83 with the top of the line features no longer buys those features.  They're gone from the $500 range.  And the next step up is a big one.

as long as they can make a $1200 universal player that sounds as good as a $4,000 SACD player, I'm fine with it

I guess, but you can see the road that leads down.  Maybe someday they'll make a $4000 player that sounds as good as a $6000 player.  It's leaving their original $500 customers in the dust.  They sell great products, just not in the sub $1000 range anymore.  That's the "way" they might be losing.