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OPPO BDP-103 (NON Darby)

Hey all, (My mistake, I know it’s Darbee, not "Darby.")
I think I’m finally going to break down and buy a player that plays SACD disks. I know there are not all that many SACD titles available but I tried getting back into vinyl and was not all that happy with the $800.00 table I bought. Perhaps when I can afford a $3,00.00 PLUS turntable I will try again.
Anyway, I currently play DSD & FLAC files via thumb drive with my Marantz network player and CDR via a good Yamaha CD player. My amp & pre-amp are Emotiva and current speakers are B&W.
My thought is to buy an OPPO 103 - NON Darbee addition as I do not expect to use it for anything but 2 channel audio.
So, my qiestion is; how does the OPPO BDP-103 perform when playing Hi-Res audio and especially SACD? Does anyone have first hand experience with other players that may be a better choice for what I want in the same price range? I’ve read that the OPPOs tend to do better with Video play back than audio. Is this true?
I appreciate any & all replies!
wcc10
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
auxinput - Good info. I did some research on the Rotels before I bought the Emotiva and didn't really like what I heard. I thought it was too sterile or bright. I do like the idea of a Marantz and appreciate their sound. (mostly)
There is an "Audioholics" review of the XSP-1 that, frankly, persuaded me to buy the it. As I stated earlier I was thinking of going with a tube pre-amp. Of course I had never heard the XSP-1 before and sending it back was an option maybe I should have attempted. Live & learn! Well at least I got 1/2 of the equation right with the Gen-3! :-) Thanks for your input and I am going to keep my eyes open!
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
auinput;
I wondering if you (or anyone else) has experience with Classe CP-50 or CP-65 preamps? I see some input here on Audiogon and it is favorable but I'm wondering if the CP-65 is $700 - $800 better than the CP-50? Not exactly new items but they do get good reviews even if limited. Do you think these might be preamps to consider?
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
My cousin had an older Classe preamp like that.  I can't remember the actual model number (something like CP-35, 45, or something).  It was very slow and warm compared to Krell/Bryston stuff.  More like a lush warm tube type sound.  I don't know about the CP-50/65.  I have heard the newer Classe stuff is a lot different (like CP-700 / CP-800).
naimfan
166 posts
 
You might also try a Conrad-Johnson PV10 or similar.  Very good sounding, well-made, straightforward.  From your description of Rotel the CJ could be a better way to move forward. 
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
Thanks for the input. There is a Audio Research LS-2 available here on Audiogon that I have my eye on. Gets great reviews and there are upgrades available the supposedly make it even better. Any thoughts?
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tube-audio-research-ls-2-black-tube-line-preamp-excellent-box-and-manual-2016-08-10-preamplifiers-49512-kentwood-mi

Also, if I were to decide to go even a little further, what do you all think of the Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE in standard configuration as compared to the mPRE?
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