"Best" as in what's the best at the "knee of the curve" at the moment? Looking for 1080p, excellent video processing (no artifacts, excellent scaling) and as importantly excellent 2 channel and multichannel SACD and DVD-A. HDMI 1.3 a definite asset, as is digital out.
Thanks Kal. Would you consider the Pioneer to be better than the Marantz DV9600?
Johnny, I haven't heard the BDP-83, I think it is, but I've had friends bring two other Oppo players over to my house in the past year. Amazing quality for the price, but I thought the audio quality was only okay.
Yikes! I would hope so for that price, Tvad. I might consider that beyond the "knee" of the curve. :-0
Audiolui, yes everybody seems to love the BDP-83. Like I said the earlier models I'd seen were truly a great bang for the buck. If you've heard the 83 I'd like to know if you were able to get a sense of its sound compared to other mainstream or upper end alternatives.
Pretty much. In this case best performance for what might be called "high end" at a price which is just at the point of rapidly diminishing returns if exceeded.
Of course, knee of the curve is a general term that refers to a break in a plotted function. In the case of a cost/value function, it's usually the point where cost rises faster than value, often much faster. I think the argument in these posts is that that knee is likely to be at a fairly low cost point.
There is only so much you can do with $500. Oppo did what they can to maximize the BDP-83's performance. They sell direct; that is why it is so inexpensive bypassing wholesale and retail.
Video quality is top notch. It makes my DVD (I mean good DVD)look closer to Blue Ray. The sound is decent, but not compared to top tier players. I haven't been and will not be able to compare everything out there, but for a HT system, the Oppo is awesome and good for occasional two-channel listening. For ultimate two-channel, I go to my reference system.
Audiolui: Video quality is top notch. It makes my DVD (I mean good DVD)look closer to Blue Ray. The sound is decent, but not compared to top tier players.
Can we assume you mean via the analog outputs? I ask because the sound via HDMI is fully competitive.
I have the Oppo BP83, I was in the second group that got them, so I have had mine a few months, with no firmware issues I might add. It is a STELLAR player, in all respects.
Is it an Esoteric or Cary 306 Professional?? Uh, no. But it is a great universal player. I am really reaching here since I really don't listen to disc's much, almost all vinyl now and some digital through a DAC, but I think it sounds, on SACD and DVD-Audio about as good as my Denon 5910ci did. Redbook CD is not great through analog, but as a transport to a DAC it's very nice, very good in fact.
I am not a long term believer in BluRay and really got this as a hedge for my SACD's/DVD-A and DVD's in the future, and I think it's hard to beat. In about 5 yrs when no more discs are produced, and it's all digital (and vinyl bizzar-ly enough) you will love having this thing to play anything that comes your way.
Kr4, I use HDMI all the way through. To me ears, it is decent sounding. I don't think it is in Esoteric's territory either. Two channel is fine, but I think its surround sound is quite good. Its video quality is really up there. Be realistic, for $500, it can take almost any kind of disc format available on the planet and has great picture. I can't complain. As a bonus, Oppo's customer service and easy firmware update are great. Just so you know, I don't work for them.
When you use the HDMI, the sound VERY MUCH depends on what you connect it to. Running the 83 into the Meridian HD621/861 is quite superb. In the Esoteric class, imho.
Kal. I too have an hd621. I run most music through it via an aple tv. I have a ps-3 I use for disks having recently sold a modded 5910. Have you ever compared one of these with an oppo? Seems pretty inexpensive if there is any noticeable difference with any format disk--audio or video.
I bought one for a driving simulator and tried it for movies and music after selling the denon. It is not bad. How does the oppo compare to the Sony with hdmi you recenty auditioned?
Ahh, as I recall that was pre HD621. In one of those later columns you raved about the OPPO via HDMI, better or on-par with the Sony? Not clear. The Oppo certainly has a price advantage. Plus, it can play BRD's. hmmm
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