Oppo 103 comparison with an Ayre Codex

whitest, aren't you using the wrong Oppo for your comparison?  Audio quality is the distinguishing characteristic between a 103 and 105.  If you're concerned about audio quality you want a unit ending with a 5 not a 3.  

In preparing for downsizing, I discovered I have a 95, 105, 105D, and 205. The 105D and 205 were in active setups, but I had forgotten about the 95 and 105 sitting in boxes.  I plan to sell all of them, and keep only an Ayre DX-5 DSD.  Since getting hooked on Roon, I rarely spin discs or vinyl any more.  I wonder if Oppo got out because the future seems to be streaming, not spinning.

Hello dbphd,

     Excellent points! 
     While the Oppos ending with a 3 are very good units with very good dacs, the Oppos ending with a 5  provide better audio because they have even better dacs and are specifically designed with the goal of providing better audio.  
     They both have exactly the same parts and design quality levels for video performance for their model years.  The sole difference, and the only reason the 5 models were consistently priced just a bit over twice the price of the 3 models for their model years, was the increased parts and design costs involved with providing their significantly improved audio performance.  They were marketed emphasizing they were exactly the same video wise and with the 5 models targeted to those desiring even higher audio performance quality.
     I believe Oppo's decision to exit the market was a purely financial one based on forecasts of returns on investments (ROIs), with the forecast of reduced physical disc usage being an important factor.   Basically, I think they just determined they would make higher profits investing their resources elsewhere and producing other products. 
     5K cell phones? New expanded home automation products and other products and services connected to the soon to arrive 5K phone networks? Who knows but, knowing Oppo, I bet it's going to be very good,exciting and make boatloads of dough. It should be interesting.

Tim   

I use an Oppo 103 as a video source that can also play just music, connected with an HDMI cable to a pre/pro.  Is HDMI as good as Toslink for music?

Hello jameswei,

     The best way to learn and gain experience in this hobby is to try both and discover which you think sounds best.


Tim

jameswei, IIRC the DSD layer of SACDs is available only from HDMI for copy protection reasons.