High Quality Universal Player??

For those considering a universal player, the Pioneer Elite BDP-88F is a contender. I just got a refurbished one from Accessories for Less at 50% off msrp. They are sold out now, but the BDP-88F shows up for sale there from time to time.

Initial impressions are very good, especially with SACD and DVD-Audio playback. With redbook, it is not as good as my file-based playback source (Mac Mini and Yamamoto YDA-01 dac), but I am still breaking the Pioneer in, and the Pioneer is still very enjoyable to listen to nonetheless. I haven't enjoyed optical disc playback this much since I sold my Sony XA5400ES player.

The Pioneer has at least two advantages over the Oppo 105D. First, it uses a much heavier transformer. The Pioneer weighs 29.5 pounds, versus the Oppo at 17.3 pounds. Second, the drawer mechanism is really nice, much better than that of the Oppo. It is smoother and very well damped. Both players use the same ES9018 ESS Sabre 32 bit chip. Having had both players in my room, I prefer the Pioneer’s fuller bodied, weightier, sound. It is more reminiscent of the Sony player that I once had.

Randy unless your DAC has HDMI inputs you will only be able to play CDs and DVDs through the digital out. That leaves out BluRay audio and SACD.
I believe all high quality DACs should have HDMI inputs but few do. The new Bryston DAC is one that does.

But does the Pioneer come in silver thaluza? The new Oppo UDP 205 may be better than the Pioneer anyway.

https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/

Obviously, the Pioneer is a much better built machine. The power supply, chassis and circuit isolation are reminiscent of the top Denon players of the 90's, but with today's top digital technology. Too bad it doesn't have USB input for Tidal streaming. I real deal breaker for many.

Dave

The Pioneer does have two USB inputs, one in the front and one in the back, and one can access a server with the 88FD to play files from the server. I am not a Tidal subscriber, and I am not sure if one can get Tidal with the 88FD currently. I am guessing not currently, but Pioneer has begun to support Tidal in the past year or so for some of their AV receivers. The 88FD is updateable.