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Separate DAC or continue using the Oppo UDP-205

Hello,

  I have all my music on a hard drive in FLAC.
I am a using Sonos Connect, Optically connected to the Oppo. From the Oppo (RCA'S out) to a Primaluna Dialogue     Preamp. The Amps are 2 Primaluna HP's. Martin Logan Theos speakers. I have rolled mostly all the tubes, and absolutely love the sound. Family and friends also love the sound.

 My question is, Should I continue going through the Oppo, or should I get a separate DAC? Nothing to crazy in price.
I have seen these things go for thousands, and thats fine if you can swing it. I was thinking around a $1000.
But, would it change the sound or would it pretty much be the same? In other words, is the Oppo that good at what it does?

 Since we are always tweaking our systems to make them sound better, I thought I would ask all of you first, before calling the salesman. I also have thought about  getting a turntable. But I gave away all my albums many years ago.
Buying a turntable, buying albums, taking care of all that stuff. Not really what I had in mind. I would like to keep it fun, and simple.

  Thanks
loganfan
viber6
2,454 posts
 
tweak1,
Are you saying that your friend's hard drive version of the same recordings on CD sound superior to the CD?  In what way?
aschuh's avatar
aschuh
42 posts
 
The OPPO 205 functions - via USB and wifi - as a full Roon endpoint (rendering and decoding). wifi works flawlessly, if you have a good home wifi system (Linksys Velop, Google mesh, ...). If you replace the SONOS with a Roon Nucleus (or download Roon on a MacBook), you should be able to consolidate all your sources (stored and streamed) - except Spotify - on one very powerful streamer platform (Roon) with excellent user interface and use the OPPO as DAC.
If desired, Roon supports multi-room functionality as well.
This configuration supports hi rez and MQA as well.
I have compared the OPPO extensively to a number of other DACs (Mytek, Cambridge 840, DSpeaker X4) and think it is as good as all these very good DACs. When carefully matched for volume, none of my audiophile friends could tell them apart from each other reliably.
loganfan OP
29 posts
 
 OK, I did some comparisons. Switching from USB to Optical. Optical being the Sonos, USB is the hard drive straight into the Oppo.

 I give a slight edge to the USB. But not a crazy difference. I also notice that where I used to put the volume knob, the music is much louder. 

 Thanks for all the help
 Andy
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,016 posts
 
I agree with Sonicjoy.

You need to start streaming with a Bluesound or a Bel Canto streamer to take advantage of hi res music from TIDAL or QOBUZ.  

You might want to take a look at the Pro-Ject S2 DAC retailing for $400.

Here is a review to watch:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3RUADt81x8
gormdane
35 posts
 
Hi Loganfan,
i would agree with Sonicjoy that probably your Sonos is the weak link - have you considered streaming directly to the Oppo using Roon or from laptop via USB?  Having said that I own a UDP-205 and for some was using it as my main transport/audio-video streamer/Roon device.  The DAC is quite good and sounds especially good when output via the balanced outputs providing audiophile level sound.  If you want to go for a separate DAC you would probably have to go above what you payed for the Oppo unit itself (something from Chord or Mytek might be good options closer to your budget).  I recently upgraded to a PS Audio Directstream DAC (with network Bridge) and was extremely pleased.  They also offer a 30-day trial (and full value trade-in option for used equipment).  Good luck in your audio pursuits!
Regards,
Gorm
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