Reference disc player...UDP 205 or Marantz?

Additionally, in my comparison with Sony’s ability to play the 4K movies vs oppo, the oppo udp-205 had slightly better movie image but could not justify the price tag vs the cheaper sony 4k (UBP‑X800 player $149 BF deal down from $299).

Oppo UDP-205 could definitely justify the price difference.

Fact be told that video - just like audio - is an expensive hobby where subtle, marginal and incremental gains are indeed expensive.

I agree with your audio appraisal that it’s versatile but master of none (albeit it is no slouch in the audio department) but as far as video is concerned really nothing even remotely close to its price tag can beat it. Combine its video performance with very good (and in some circles extremely good) audio and the overall effectiveness is such that from a value perspective its impossible to beat (currently and in today’s market). If you’re happy/content with the $149 player that’s fine too.

     I consider the Oppo 105's  CD playback to be very good thanks to its overbuilt power supply with large toroidal transformer, separate and isolated CD playback circuitry and excellent Sabre 9018 and 9028 dac chips usually found in much more expensive players. 
     I believe its CD playback performance would fair very well in comparisons to a wide variety of CD only players from a wide variety of price points.
     However, I think it's important to point out a few facts that readers of this thread should keep in mind, especially when comparisons are made to components that are much less versatile such as the Rega Apollo CD player which can only playback redbook CDs.
     The Oppo 105 and the current 205 are 'virtual Swiss army knives'.  They are both primarily high quality Blu-ray players with impressive video processors, HDMI connectivity and surround sound processors with up to 7.1 channel decoding to analog audio outputs.  They both are able to play back virtually any silver disc: CDS, SACDs, DVDs, DVD-As and even CD-Rs.  They both can be used to stream high resolution audio files (up to and including DSD) either via hard-wire or wireless connections through their very good internal Sabre dacs.  External hard drive storage units can be connected to store ripped CDs and downloaded hi-res music files.
     Just something to keep in mind when comparisons between these Oppos and less versatile  players are made.  Others may dismiss this extreme versatility with comments such as "Jack of all trades, but master of none". 
     After using the Oppo 105 for about 2 years, however, the original unshortened quote seems more appropriate to me:

    “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

Tim  

Oppo does not play SACD-Rs ( DVD or USB stick with ,iSO on it or via DLNA) due to copyright restrictiions, but does play DSFs "cut" from SACD-R,

     " Oppo does not play SACD-Rs ( DVD or USB stick with ,iSO on it or via DLNA) due to copyright restrictiions, but does play DSFs "cut" from SACD-R, "

     Thank you for your correction, mikhaelkuz.  My mistake.  I was referencing my 105's owners manual and did not realize this functionality had been retracted.   I've never had the need or desire to use or verify these specific capabilities. 
     I'm thinking Oppo likely was compelled to limit the 105's  abilities via subsequent firmware updates due to possible legal exposure.
     Regardless, I still consider the Oppo 105 and 205 high quality and versatile audio devices that also offer exceptional video quality at a reasonable price.
     I agree with the suggestion that jonasandezekiel is best served by buying a 205 and deciding for himself.

Thanks,
  Tim

HI,

I read through this thread this morning and decided to chime in.

My system is Prima Luna Dialogue Preamp, Coda amp, and Thiel CS5 speakers.

The Thiels are demanding and need a lot of articulated detail to avoid hiss and sibilance. 

I used an Audio Space CD8  player that provided a lot of presence and liveliness but with a bit of hash on the very high end.

I read about the Oppo and bought the 105 when it first came out. It was an improvement because it reduced the sibilance.

Then I got the full upgrade from Ric Schultz at EVA and that was another improvement - more refinement and detail. The sound stage is wider than the speakers and the depth is there if it is on the recording. It still can be difficult to pick exact voices or instruments on some complicated mixes.

Ultimately, I would describe the Ric Schultz modified Oppo sound as a bit polite in my system.

I have listened to a Marantz 8004 in my system and thought it had more base than the Oppo but not quite the same smoothness.

Dsper