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OPPO or Something Else?

I am very ignorant in the latest and greatest in digital audio. My current setup is all analog with the exception of a CD player. Before OPPO announced their cease of production I read a lot of reviews and opinions from what a wonderful product it is. My main interest is in the quality of audio it can produce and not so much with the video capabilities. However, it is probably more capable than my current Blu Ray player (3D is not a concern).
Getting back to audio quality my sources are CD's and SACD's. I know that DAC's are all the rage with digital media. While researching the history of the various OPPO models that came out over the years, and paying close attention to user experiences with audio performance, it seems that with each model the audio quality improved with each release of a new model. Such as.....the 95 over the 93, the 105 over the 103, and the 205 over the 203.
Since the close of OPPO production it makes sense that the price of existing units in good condition would bring a premium price in the used market to those determined to purchase one. There are also many opinions that some of the upgrades to those units elevate them to a supreme product (those upgrades/modifications appear to cost almost as much as the units themselves).
Given that info on what my listening media is, would purchasing a used OPPO whether modded or not offer very good audio performance versus buying a different piece of equipment in the $1k to $1.5 range? I know that there are many OPPO users out there that are satisfied with their purchases. But I am mostly interested in opinions that have strolled down the OPPO path and have been disappointed with the audio performance.

jrpnde
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Not sure I would worry about servicing too much yet, OPPO did state they would provide 5 years of parts and tech support.
Do not forget OPPO are NOT going out of business, far from it. Just saying goodbye to disc based players.

Steve.
Not sure if OP was looking to just use as a transport, I do not believe he has a DAC so would need to add one of those too if just using as a transport, he states system is analog based,
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,982 posts
 
Something else. Period.
jrpnde OP
271 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. The digital realm (such as a Sychro-Mesh reclocker) doesn't register within my knowledge of digital equipment. However, jitter and other specs does apply to CD players and other audio components.
Having a device that would deliver good audio performance is my utmost goal and having one that also delivers good DVD performance is a secondary preference but also important. Perhaps traveling down this particular road is useless. The quality of the transport is important in any transport and I understand that OPPO excels in that area. For $1K to $1,5K...could I do better?

mahler123
3,319 posts
 
There are other Universal Players out there that might be worth investigating, especially as transports.  Sony makes one for around $400.  Video performance is supposed to play well but audio (per reviews, I haven’t heard it myself)  supposedly lacking compared with Oppo, but at that price one wouldn’t expect much of a DAC.
It plays all formats, and outs DSD from SACD over HDMI.  Combined with a right DAC it might sound very good, and there are a lot of DAC choices for the OP to try.
Cambridge Audio also makes a player based on the Oppo platform. I wonder if it will continue to be available.  Ditto for the Marantz and Pioneer Universal disc spinners.
loomisjohnson
1,943 posts
 
personally, i was disappointed with the 103 as a CDP, though it's great for video and streaming. the 205 was much better, though per mahler123 instead of paying a premium for a used oppo i would look at something like the cambridge 840 or a universal player like integra or sony es.
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