Oppo UDP - 205

Well here is my first review of the Oppo 205 with the power supply mod and with the 2 channel balanced outputs.

It is definitely an improvement over the stock power supply.
First off there is much greater bass with better definition.
Second the general dynamics are impressive.
Third, the stereo separation is wide not much deeper though.
And finally the general frequency response has been improved from the lowest lows to the upper frequencies.

So now I have compared this modified Oppo 205 to my main system; which consists of a Bryston BDP-2 ($3000) and PS Audio Direct Stream Dac ($6000) and a Mutec ($1000) for a total of $10,000 of equipment.

Results: The modified Oppo 205 competes in most areas except in soundstage depth and the space between instruments. If the original Oppo 205 was a 6 compared to my main system, the power supply mod brings it up to maybe a 7 or perhaps 8.
It should be noted that along with the power supply mod I also installed a Synergistic black fuse and 2 of the Tweek Geeks Sonic Tonic bottles inside the Oppo 205.

ozzy

Perhaps I was a little too kind on the Oppo 205 mod with my comparison to my main system.
A longer comparison reveals that my main system has solid images that sound 3d and are more enjoyable. The Oppo 205 in comparison has cut out versions of those images compared to my main system.

But, look at the price differences! For the price the Oppo 205 and the updated mod power supply should satisfy many.

ozzy

The oscon/Wima upgrade to the inboard dac may just bring it up to par:)

@ozzy

I don’t mean to be a party-pooper, and I’ll assume you read my last post. Granted, that pertains to video and not *necessarily* audio.

Nevertheless, the question (please allow some poetic license here) remains that if the Oppo UDP-205 can’t get it right when you tell it not to alter video and simply provide native/raw format, how could anyone expect it to do anything - audio or video - right when you ask it to *process* whatever it is you play back through it?

It is my view at this time that everything (audio and video) about the Oppo UDP-250 is "unfaithful". And we know what happens in that kind of marriage.

I ask everyone to add their voice/text to mine by calling and/or writing to Oppo, multiple times per week, until they can get *source direct* correct.

Thank you.

Tonight I've removed the Modwright 205 and reinstalled the old Oppo 105. Now I knew the mods would widen the gap between the two but, holy crap! The modded 205 ridiculously out performs the old 105. There seems to be a major veil, like someone threw a wet blanket over the speakers.

hopefully the few bugs in the 205 will be sorted out in future firmware updates.

Lance