Reference disc player...UDP 205 or Marantz?

I'm reading this thread with great interest.  I just ordered an Oppo UDP 205.  After 40 years of doing this as a hobby I've come to two conclusions.  Money doesn't necessarily get you better sound and to that end, no matter who reviews what, trust your own ears above all.

I got sick of seeing all these major audiophile brands spend fortunes on advertising knowing somewhere along the way I'm actually paying for all of that.  I had Don Sachs build me an amp and pre amp.  They're not cheap by any means.  The combo cost me more than $5,000 but for what I got I consider these pieces a steal.  I'm having a pair of single driver speakers built using Common Sense Audio's Super AlNico 15" drivers.  The cabinets are being designed by Chris Stanfill who's training is in engineering and has a severe disdain for "snake oil".  Cabling is Duelund tinned copper in an oil cloth casing.  I made my own IC's and am running 16 ga direct from the binding posts to the terminals on the back of a loaner pair of KEF LS50s.  No bi wiring or jumpers needed.  I replaced AQ cables that cost 20x the price and the Duelunds kick the crap out of them in my opinion.

I applied the same philosophy I do to fine wine.  Any idiot can write a check.  It takes a great palate to find a truly stunning bottle of wine at a sane price.  Same goes for my ears and what sounds good to me.

....Money doesn't necessarily get you better sound and to that end, no matter who reviews what, trust your own ears above all.....

.....It takes a great palate to find a truly stunning bottle of wine at a sane price.....

+1

Although, money doesn't necessarily get you worse sound either.

Unfortunately, often is the case that money must at least be "fronted" in order to have an opportunity to trust your own ears.

Hifiman, you are correct, of course I am referring to the Marantz 8005. Old age is hell.  A good player made great by Dans mods.  For the money it plays beautiful music.

I agree with Hasmato. Most of your responders are oppo owners.  They never did ab testing for  both units. I have owned the oppo sonica dac for a week and returned the unit after a week.  I bought it because all the great reviews I have read. But I found my current Cambridge audio 850c is a better dac/cd player.

I have Demo the marantz reference line cd player several years ago when I was buying my sonus faber olympica iii. Its a great player. Its at a different league that oppo is in.  Go demo yourself, you will know.

Speakingof just cd player, marantz sa 14 will blow away the oppo.  No doubt.

Oppo is entry level of  good cd player, not a reference line of cd player.

I have a bdp105d with EVS mods on the 2 channel board and the sound is outstanding. The original unmodded unit sounds quite good for the price, but I eventually wanted better articulate bass and clarity throughout. The mod did just that. I also have an Audio Note 3.1 balanced tube dac that sounds better than the modded Oppo, but not by much. I have never heard the Marantz, but, for my money, I would go for the Oppo in home audition, and make your decision. The EVS mod was $700, which was a great price. I don’t know if Ric at EVS is modding the 205 though.
I have no, nor have I ever had any affiliation with Oppo, EVS or Marantz.