Oppo 105 D vs. DAC-transport combination.

@melm
I did not know the BDP-105’s transport is its Achilles’ Heel. Now I know that at least for CD playback, an external transport is superior - at least for me so far, using the Technics transport is an incredible upgrade.

@bo1972
stated earlier that the BDP-105 DAC cannot render 3 dimensional sound; after my discovery, I beg to differ. I am hearing a very well defined 3 dimensional soundscape. I can clearly distinguish separate instruments & vocals well defined from each other such as harmony & melody vocals. I hear each voice & instrument hovering in different spaces all around. So much so I feel like I can reach out & touch them; much like a real live performance.

I haven’t played much DVD Audio or SACD recently, but I remember them being rather excellent. However, I do not have an extensive collection of those formats. I do have a very large Redbook CD collection & I am now rediscovering my whole catalog - smiling from ear to ear.

I have indeed tried ripping my CD’s to a HDD as well as USB drive and the SQ is quite good; however, I cannot say for certain that it is better than playing CD directly from the 105 transport. What I can say for certain is that Redbook CD playback from DVD-A10 transport to the BDP-105 DAC is fantastic.

@ericjcabrera 

There are many roads to audio pleasure and we all need to decide when to stop playing with equipment and just remain with playing the music.  It seems you have found that place, at least for the time being.  You have discovered, seemingly by chance, a terrific solution which a lot of us might never have found.

My own road has gone a bit further.  The DAC in the Oppo 105 has been surpassed by many at reasonable prices that have appeared in recent years.  A better DAC will more clearly distinguish among sources.  And for me, the convenience of controlling my listening from the easy chair is captivating.  And from my public library I have accumulated free classic disk rips that I may not have been able to have otherwise.

melm,

It is good to know the road goes even further. I certainly know my discovery is not an isolated incident; after all, there are some rather incredible units out there as in separate's in transport / DAC combos. I am just happy to know the future of Redbook CD playback is bright.

Convenience is nice as I have certainly dabbled in that arena, whether it be from my MacBook Pro or iPad or iPhone, or even the Oppo app. But I also found myself getting lost in the quantity of it all; there is so much to listen to. When I started going back to my CD's I hadn't listened to in a while, I was simply blown away at how good CD's could sound. I feel like I am rediscovering my music collection for the very first time.

I have a handful of audiophile recordings, some of which I play to remind myself how good my system really is. But then when I return to the music I really like to listen to, most of which are not audiophile grade, I am still floored at how awesome the music sounds; it send chills up my spine. I have shared my experience with an audiophile buddy of mine & he stated he is so glad he kept his DVD-A10. He is now interested in obtaining a DAC. His main system is a vinyl rig with Tube amplification. But like me, he has a decent CD library.

I can't wait to see the grin on his face when he finally is able to listen to CD's again.

@rvpiano

You should sell your Oppo 105, Cyrus CD transport & Schiit DAC and look for a used Modwright Oppo 205 (fully modded) in used after markets. I believed I saw one here few months ago. The Modwright mod only affects stereo analog audio output stage (XLR & RCA). It is a tube based mod. Includes total redesign of the Oppo 205’s 2ch analog output stage that encompasses a replacement of standard stereo op-amps with a discrete class A analog output stage. Also comes with an external tube based PSU (power supply unit) and rectifier that feeds power to the Oppo’s stereo analog audio output circuitry only. Dan Modwright also did further dampening of the disc transport mechanism.

This is the best mod that Dan Modwright has ever done. Dan based this Oppo 205 mod on his own Elyse DAC’s analog audio output stage. This Modwright DAC retails for $8k. Of course both units use different DAC chips, implementation & configuration and clock etc.
However, Dan himself admitted that the clocking and implementation of the latest Sabre Pro DAC in the Oppo 205 is already pretty good.

This fully modded Modwright Oppo 205 will elevate the Oppo 205 stereo analog audio performance to near reference quality player sonically and will crush your Cyrus transport + Schiit DAC. 
The Modwright Oppo 205 is a huge step up sonically than a stock 205. They aren't in the same league at all.
Fyi, a stock Oppo 205 sounds better than a stock 105, actually quite a bit better especially when played back through a highly resolving setup and system. 

I wrote that post back in August.  Since then, I’ve made several major changes to my system.  And the Cyrus/Schitt combo sounds wonderful, and much better than the Oppo 105 by itself, as it should.