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Separate DAC or continue using the Oppo UDP-205

Hello,

  I have all my music on a hard drive in FLAC.
I am a using Sonos Connect, Optically connected to the Oppo. From the Oppo (RCA'S out) to a Primaluna Dialogue     Preamp. The Amps are 2 Primaluna HP's. Martin Logan Theos speakers. I have rolled mostly all the tubes, and absolutely love the sound. Family and friends also love the sound.

 My question is, Should I continue going through the Oppo, or should I get a separate DAC? Nothing to crazy in price.
I have seen these things go for thousands, and thats fine if you can swing it. I was thinking around a $1000.
But, would it change the sound or would it pretty much be the same? In other words, is the Oppo that good at what it does?

 Since we are always tweaking our systems to make them sound better, I thought I would ask all of you first, before calling the salesman. I also have thought about  getting a turntable. But I gave away all my albums many years ago.
Buying a turntable, buying albums, taking care of all that stuff. Not really what I had in mind. I would like to keep it fun, and simple.

  Thanks
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sonicjoy
146 posts
 
Whats the need for a streamer? Yes exactly, I use Tidal and Youtube music app and find its the best way to discover and try new music. Some say streaming will never be as good as physical media, I say it is close enough (with a good streamer.) I enjoy it very much. (I use a TT and CD’s also) There seams to be a new trend developing. Music that is not put on physical media at all, so streaming or purchasing a download is the only option. It probably is where things are headed.


Personally I am with gadios and saving for an Innuos Zenith Mk3 streamer.
gormdane
35 posts
 
I have all my digital media backed up to a NAS.  If I’m not actually playing CDs (my preference), I stream from my NAS (particularly when I travel or am too damn lazy to get up from the couch) and Qobuz (mainly to try new stuff).  I would find a dealer that lets you try inew gear out (even for a modest fee).  Going by way of the used one market might also get you some great equipment as well (i.e. a DAC).  Hope you strike gold!
a_shah's avatar
a_shah
53 posts
 
Ok I have both the OPPO 205 and The directstream DAC with birdge 2 card which itself is a streamer Sure the 205 has a good DAC but it does not come even close to the DirectStream DAC but that is not the point I want to make . You can make your OPPO 205 as a on line  streamer by hard wiring the internet port and using Mconnect  yes I can stream through both the Oppo 205 separately  and as well as as the Directstream DAC . My Oppo  is used mostly for HT functions connected via RCA to Wyred4sound MC7150 the Xlr for audio are feed into Don Sachs pre amp 2 - Hope that helps
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
595 posts
 
Sonos is a handy house distribution utility, but as others have said, they don't have a top notch DAC on board.  I use stand alone DACs with unprocessed digital input from the Sonos for better sound.

Having said that, the Oppo has a very good rep and you would have to audition some stand alones to see if any of them at a price you are comfortable with would better it.
harrylavo's avatar
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harrylavo
343 posts
 
Loganfan - I can't speak for the very latest DAC's, but I recently added a Bel Canto iDac3 to my system and run both a Sony SCD2000es SACD/CD player and an Oppo 105 through it using identical spdif inputs.  I found the sound of CD's only very slightly better than the Oppo through the Bel Canto, while it was much better than via the Sony.  All inputs were volume matched.  Accordingly, I suspect you would find the gain (if any) from the separate DAC very very modest vs the Oppo.
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