Using Oppo 205 instead of per amp processor

There is enough internal bit depth for digital volume controls not to be problem anymore. There is an online Sabre document on this somewhere.

brian27b,

     Very good idea. I've been doing just what you want to do with an Oppo 105 for a few years now and know you can do the same with an Oppo 205.  The only issue you'll run into doing this is that there are limited inputs using the 105/205 as a preamp.  If you play mainly disks and computer audio it works great but if you have numerous sources, you may need to buy a separate switch box for ease of operation.
     I use the 105 as the core of my combo 5.4 surround ht and 2-ch music system  Here's how mine is setup:

     I run an HDMI cable from my XFinity cable box to the HDMI input on the back of the Oppo.
     You have a choice of either rca or XLR main L+R outputs for your front main speakers.  I connect the Oppo's audio outputs (up to 7 plus a sub output on my 105 but I only use 5 of these plus the sub) directly to multiple separate amps:
The main stereo L+R outputs via a pair of XLR cables to mono-blocks.
The center channel via a single rca cable to a bridged stereo amp. 
The rear L+R surround channel outputs via a pair of rca cables to a stereo amp.
The LFE/sub output via a single rca cable to a sub amp.
     Of course, it's your choice if you want to use a single multiple channel amp or use separate amps.
    My 105, and I believe the 205, does not have room correction like many modern A/V receivers but I really don't miss it since the Oppos do have an Audio Setup menu you can access through its remote and fine tune the sound either by ear or using a sound level meter while seated at your main listening position.  The setup consists of the following:

1. Each surround speaker (front left, front right,  center, rear left and rear right but not the LFE/sub) is individually set as either "Large" or "Small".  Full range speakers you don't want the bass augmented by the sub(s)  should be set to "Large" and speakers you want the bass augmented by the sub(s) should be set to "Small".
2. The crossover frequency is set from 40-250 Hz in 10 Hz increments. This setting instructs the Oppo to redirect any signals at or below this setting to the sub(s) for all speakers set to "Small".
3.  The last step is to set the relative volume of each channel, including the LFE/sub, to your specific preference.  Sitting at your listening position, you step through each surround channel and adjust the volume of each channel up or down individually until you're satisfied with the overall sound balance.
    Not exactly room correction with mics and automated parametric equalization but it has worked very well in my 23 x 16 foot room.  
     The audio performance of the 105 is so good in fact that, after thorough comparison to my previous system using a separate VTL preamp (with expensive NOS Mullard tubes and a 'ht pass thru'  switch) and a separate Parasound AV-2500 5.1 surround processor, I decided to streamline my system and removed and sold my preamp and processor.       The Oppos both have the added benefit of being able to be used as a high quality music file streaming device and DAC, which means you can use it for computer audio, too.  This is what I did with the money I got from selling my former preamp and processor.  I bought a Synology NAS (network area server) that has a 2 TB hard drive and JRiver Media Center software program for my laptop.  I then copied my entire cd collection to the hard drive and bought and downloaded several hi-res 24 bit/96 Khz music files to the hard drive, too. 
     This allows me to select a cd or hi-res file to play on my laptop.  The Synology then streams the file from its hard drive to the Oppo either wirelessly or via a hard wired connection.  The Oppo then converts the digital signal to analog via very high quality ESS Saber dac chips (ES9018 chips on the 105 and the latest chips on the 205) and passes the analog signals to the amps. 
     The result is a very convenient and great sounding method for music playback that you could venture into in the future if you wanted to.
      In summary, the answer to your question is that using an Oppo 205  as an alternative to an A/V receiver is a great solution that also gives you a high quality 4K Bluray player with HDR10 that has a built-in surround processor, streamer and DAC, to boot.
 
Tim    

Look I love the OPPO 105/205 just as much as most, but now saying that its a awesome pre-amp is stepping a little beyond its true capabilities. The variable volume is for driving a pair of headphones you plug into the 1/4 inch jack. Thats why Oppo put it there, period. This is a source component and If you want to use it direct to amp you can.....is that making the most of your system? I say "not even close". A proper pre amp and analog volume control will really "bring the system home", not to mention inputs you need for other equipment.

Even if I had a pair of self powered KEF LS50's I would connect the Oppo fixed and use the KEF's volume control!

Matt M

Thank you all for your help and opinions and Tim, appreciate the detail breakdown on how you use your Oppo. Now i have to choose a multi channel amp and figure out how i would connect my Sony HAP1ZES.

Thanks
Brian

Hi Matt,

     I understand your skepticism.  
     I took a look at your system and it seems like a high quality system designed to play vinyl through a precision turntable, classic tubed electronics and premium speakers; always a good recipe for pleasurable music listening.
     I watched the linked YouTube video you made on my laptop with a usb dac, class A  headphone amp and headphones, too.  I don't know how you recorded that video but the sound was actually very good on the Eric Clapton Unplugged blues song you played.  I don't just mean good for a You Tube video but very good,period.  Some deep bass and the smooth, organic sound of tubed playback managed to be conveyed on that video.
     Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I'm not a total stranger to the sound of good quality playback equipment and sound.  Previous to using my 105 as a preamp, I used a VTL 2.5L preamp with NOS Mullard tubes paired with various mid-level ss amps (McCormack and Aragon) with the 105 used as a CD/SACD and DVD-A disc player for 2-ch music.  I loved the smooth, organic, textured and realistic sound stage  I thought the VTL and tubes was imparting on my music. 
      I thought it would be the last component I'd ever remove from my system.  However, with the separate VTL preamp just for music and separate Parasound AV-2500 surround processor/preamp just for 5.1 ht surround  sound, I found the hookup to be a pain due to the extra cabling required and the operation being a bit complex for my wife to use.  
     So, I spent a Saturday comparing the sound of my system with the VTL to the sound without it, going direct from the 105 to my amp.  I was 
very surprised to discover just how good my familiar music sounded connected to my class D mono-blocks I used by this time.
     With the Oppo connected directly to my class D monos, I noticed I could much more easily determine the quality of the recordings on my familiar music than I could with the VTL in the chain.  All my music sounded at least good thru the VTL.  Through the Oppo, poor recordings didn't but good recordings sounded extremely good. 
     I actually surprised myself by preferring the much more neutral and transparent quality of the sound of the Oppo connected directly to the monos, although I think the accurate and neutral class D monos contributed, too.  I had always thought I preferred the euphonic quality of tubes, with their added emphasis on even ordered harmonics, but I had to be honest and trust my ears. 
     I agree with you, it is hard to believe an under $1,500 Bluray player also has a very high quality audio section but, once you realize that was a primary Oppo design goal for the 105 and 205 and learn of the high quality internal parts used in pursuit of this goal, it's much easier to understand why they performs so well.
    Of course, I wouldn't suggest the Oppo for you since you have a music only system and prefer a vinyl source with tube electronics.  But the Oppo for brian27b's combo ht and music system is ideal since it's an excellent 4K and HDR10 Bluray player, very good CD/SACD/DVD-A disc player, has a very good built-in surround processor music and streamer/DAC along with its ability to function well as a limited input high quality preamp.
     I suggest you may want to check out the sound performance of one in this configuration before dismissing the 105/205 audio sections' competence. 

Tim