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Oppo 105 D vs. DAC-transport combination.

To my great dismay, the more I listen, I’m finding my Oppo 105 is outperforming a very well thought of DAC and transport combination for which I paid 3x the price.  Basically the sound stage is wider and better defined.
Both the DAC and transport are less than a year old.  I thought I was upgrading.
Played by itself, the DAC-transport combo sounds great.  Until I compare it to the Oppo. 
I can’t understand it!
128x128rvpiano
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Johnny,

(((Isn’t the Ayre Codex primarily a headphone amp?)))

No, its also one of the Best Dacs we have heard for under 5 K period
USB input and Optical. a discrete analog balanced output stage
I would suggest you hear it.
JohnnyR
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,654 posts
 
mahler123,

I had originally used the Oppo as transport to the Gumby ( and to my previous Theta DAC) prior to buying the Cyrus.
The Cyrus-Gumby combination sounded better.  
I just never expected the Oppo alone to sound best!
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,477 posts
 
@audioconnection

The Ayre Codex has only 19 bit resolution vs the DAC 3 21 bits. The Ayre Codex has 3rd harmonic distortion at (-60 dB) 0.1% at full output and 2nd and 5th harmonic is typically at -75 dB.

For sure the Ayre Codex will sound different - such high 3rd harmonic distortion will likely give it a more euphonic sound similar to a tube amp.

I don’t doubt some people will much prefer the Ayre Codex to the DAC 3. Ayre make excellent products. In comparison the Ayre may sound more rich and musical and the DAC 3 more lean or thin.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Shardone
 Have you done a direct comparison?
Meter reader has nothing to do with its performance
Its op amps in the Benchmark Vs discrete devices in the Ayre
 If you listen you will switch I promise you its ugly but truth
 Listen to RCA Heifetz/Munch Boston/ violin hardest thing to do and the Ayre's finesse will be obvious with overtones all intact and you will thank me.
Best ,
 JohnnyR
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 

     Mahler123 stated:
"@melm Sorry the Oppo 105 didn’t come close to sounding like your vinyl.  Perhaps if Oppo had figured out a way to compress their dynamic range, add speed instability and most importantly simulate the sound of frying bacon superimposed on the music, then they would still be making players."

    I don't believe mahler123 deserves to be called 'an ignorant fool' for his insightful and quite humorous comment. 
     Listening to music emanating from a dead quiet background is a  quality that I would think and hope we all can appreciate as a significant contributor to excellent sound quality in our systems.
     
Tim
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