SACD/CD player update

I really did not notice much difference at all comparing my Oppo 95 to an Esoteric SA-50 i had. At least not when you consider the huge price difference
Which is why I sold the Esoteric and still use the Oppo

OP - You might consider having your Oppo 105 modified by Modwright.  I have a Modwright Marantz 8005.  As pleasing as the stock player was, the modded unit is so open, spacious with natural dynamic swing that it frankly takes on a more analog sound.  The tubes add a "you are there" sense to the music.  You can check out the modification here: http://www.modwright.com/modifications/oppo-bdp83-and-bdp83se-mod.php

EVS does a great job on Oppo also...

I have Dan Wright's modded Marantz player also.  It's my second go around on a mod with Dan.  He does great work.  I'd certainly talk to him about a mod for your player before I moved on to another brand.

As audiophiles we should realize that one always drops a hugh chunk of change for a marginal return. The question is do you want to do that?

@lak  "As audiophiles we should realize that one always drops a hugh chunk of change for a marginal return."  WOW!  I'm sorry to find that to be your audiophile reality.  But gee, speak for yourself , not the rest of us. In no way do I feel that my investments in improving my gear have yielded "marginal" results.

Examples:  I took an $1800 line stage and over a series of modifications, have for a total expenditure of $4000 have a superb, reference quality preamp.

As previously mentioned, the Modwright transformation of my Marantz SACD player has enabled it to provide fantastically musical sound from silver discs.

Most recently, I sent my previously modified McCormack DNA-1 power amplifier to Steve McCormack at SMc Audio. This "20th Anniversary Upgrade" as I like to call it included a new Furutech IEC inlet, new Cardas RCA jacks, new speaker binding posts, new soft recovery diodes, an entirely new input board and all new heavy gauge wiring.  All of this for $1300!!  As I was warned by Steve, it took about a month to really sing, but sing it surely does.

In summary, IMHO, buying well designed, well built equipment that you can, over time improve upon with carefully selected modifications, can yield an amazingly musical system with money well spent, minimizing the "law of diminishing returns".

One caveat... If you do go this route, you must vet the modifiers very carefully. Have several extended conversations, listening carefully to how the prospective modifier discusses working on your equipment.  The top notch modifiers will talk more about you, your system and what your goals are for the sound of your system.  If the conversation is mostly about them, especially if it includes bashing others in the industry, you are probably best to look elsewhere.

@Hifiman5, while I don't disagree with your comments what percentage of improvements would you say your upgardes (which I agree with) provided?

Agree Lak +1, I respect your choices Hihiman5, Mod is good, I have Dan mod my Sony 9000es, it was really good, we did shootout it really did stand out, Will I advise Cygnus to modify his Oppo 105 ? Big no, my advise is get a Good Dac like the Gumby MB , Onyx, Ares Denafrips , or if buy Yaggy or Terminator if he has extra cash

@lak  Fair question, tough to accurately answer.  The modifications to the preamp and amplifier took place over years.  The SACD mod. was once and done.  The notes of the music were always there.  What the modifications accomplished was providing a much more transparent sonic window to draw me into performances allowing for an emotional  connection to those performances.  Taking all of the mods into account, I would estimate a 25% overall improvement to the sonic satisfaction my system now provides.  I'm sure that I paid more than that, but my previous post mentioned that I worked to minimize the law of diminishing returns, not eliminate it.

One last comment.  There are those on A'gon who believe that everything we experience as we listen has some measurement attached to it.  That is not experiential.  There are so many intangibles involved in the listening experience.  So what intangibles have I noticed the more improvements I make to my gear?  I find myself on my laptop or reading at the beginning of many a listening session only to find myself putting that stuff down and even turning off the lights allowing me to become immersed in the music.  At least for me, that's what all of this modding and tweaking over the years is about.

I also have an Oppo 105 and would never consider a mod. First of all, if you mod you will never get anywhere near your money back if you sell. And what is the life expectancy of a disk player anyway? Modwright mods begin at $2500. (Apparently Ric Schultz is no longer doing the 105s.) There is absolutely no reason that you cannot do as well, and IMO better, with that money on a separate DAC. For a reasonable price there is a universe of options out there competing for your money. At a minimum, your Oppo can output to the spdif of a fine DAC. No reason IMO to get a new player.

But in the long run, what you might consider doing, in addition to buying a separate DAC, is lifting your audio quality by ripping your CDs (and with the help of your Oppo, your SACDs) and not playing them as disks, but as files. They will sound better. Hearing my ripped DSD files through a really good DAC is a particular audio pleasure.

I still use my Oppo to play video, but with the sound through the separate DAC, but my audio goes straight from a hard disk through a lap-top to the DAC. I also use my Oppo to preview disks, but if I like them they are ripped right away and all digital music controlled from a phone.

I do enjoy Dan's modifications on the various players.  I am on my third one, the Marantz 8005.  If you are concerned about the resale, find a used one or better yet a show demo.  If you go that route you can save a bunch and not suffer as much on the resale.  I have done that on all three of my players.  I really enjoy the Marantz modifications and it beats my two previous Sony mods.

@jafant   Interesting.  I've also wondered about the modded 8005 versus the SA-10.  Perhaps the tube analog board and tube rectified outboard power supply might tip the scales in the modded player's favor?? 

Question:  Have you upgraded the stock Sovtek 5AR4 rectifier?  I placed a Cryoset Gold Lion GZ34 in its place.  To me it eliminated a slight "hardness" to the sound.  Also using a Herbie's Rectifier damper on the G-L.

With regards to 5AR4s, the Sophia Aqua 274B beat 5-6 NOS Tubes I've tried and by a large margin, it's the most musical and satisfying rectifier I have ever heard...

Wig

In answer to jafants question---I purchase my modded 8005 a little over a year ago.  I bought one of Dan's units from last year's axpona show.  He gave me a show discount.  As I said above, I've been very happy with the player.

More than 10 yrs ago Dan did my Sony 9000es close to 2k, the 9000es did sound unbelievable, Now $2500 starting price, wow that’s a lots of money, Dan does a good job and easy to deal with...

Thank You - goose.
Happy Listening!

Thank You - rudge.
Happy Listening!

Dan is certainly established - jayctoy
He has a preference for Sony ES players. Good to read that he reached out to Marantz. Not interested in an Oppo.
Happy Listening!

I owned 3 modded BDP 105s.  Loved them.  Still own one.  But I found the PS Audio DirectStream player and DAC to be light years beyond what an Oppo even modified could do.  If you’re patient you can find them here for about $3000 each.  The continued modifications through software upgrades every few months from PSA have been incredible.  Could never go back.  If you want a Wright modded Oppo 105, I’ve got one left.  But the PSA stuff is simply glorious.  And SACDs.  Oh my god.  I run hi def off my Mac Pro into the PSA DAC, through some serious mods between, and it sound incredible.  Cannot say enough about this stuff from PSA.

As a step up from the OPPO, the only SACD players worth considering are the Accuphase line. Esoteric is a bit thin sounding compared to the Accuphase. The Accuphase is not mellifluous, it just lets the music through. Accuphase is the reference of most of the high end German magazines. It transforms the listening experience into a conduit to the performance. It does not add or subtract. It can't be fooled by a bad recording into making it worse as Esoteric does.

Esoteric is not popular in Japan as it is built for the export market. 

Sounds like you are looking for musical fidelity the OPPO just isn't built from transport to power supply to DAC (as implemented) and output stage of providing. Sensible mods to my OPPO 105 did help but didn't quite do it. HUGE (all capitals intended) upgrade in musicality and functionality occurred when I added a bel canto DAC2.7 followed by the vastly better DAC3.7  with VBS3. Still use OPPO for DVDs and streaming with the audio out to the DAC3.7 which is doubling nicely as preamp for the OPPO, the cable box, a bel canto cd-2 (for superior cd playback fidelity over using the OPPO as CD transport) and phono preamp. Wishing you the best current and longer term results for your spend. 

I have a recent model Esoteric and love it - superb sound from both CDs and SACDs.  Some years ago Esoteric had a reputation for thin analytical sound, but not the case now.  These are high end players, and their prices reflect this.  CDs and SACDs are still big in Japan, and that's where much of the product action is with Accuphase, Esoteric, Luxman, et al.

Try to audition a PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player. I was a Beta tester for this item and honestly have to tell you that I am hearing things from my CD's and SACD's that I never knew were on the discs. Highly recommended.

@aalenik   A Big +1 for Dan Wrights work with disc spinners.  Listening right now to the excellent Starship Troopers soundtrack on my Modwright Marantz 8005.  Huge ball of sound with sweeping dynamics.  Music has life!

I just upgraded to a Esoteric K-05X. It is definately not thin sounding. Full, Robust and detailed. I am sure their more expensive models are even better.

elizabeth
which player(s) or transport(s) are you planning to use w/ your SA-10?
Thank You.
Happy Listening!

@cygnus_859 ,

While it didn’t change anything  SACD, I bought a new DAC and the Oppo became a new Redbook transport. 

All the best.

JD
 

I have a Oppo 105 that I bought to play SACDs. I replaced the OEM power supply with an aftermarket LPS, + other sonically significant silver wiring upgrades. Considerably better than stock, it is connected to my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 (internal dac) + PS 5 power supply. Recently I acquired a Audiolab CDT 6000. I have a number of hybid SACDs that I compared in both. The CDT sounds far better than the moded 105 playing the SACD layers