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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
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
601 posts
 
Sonos is a handy house distribution utility, but as others have said, they don't have a top notch DAC on board.  I use stand alone DACs with unprocessed digital input from the Sonos for better sound.

Having said that, the Oppo has a very good rep and you would have to audition some stand alones to see if any of them at a price you are comfortable with would better it.
harrylavo's avatar
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harrylavo
345 posts
 
Loganfan - I can't speak for the very latest DAC's, but I recently added a Bel Canto iDac3 to my system and run both a Sony SCD2000es SACD/CD player and an Oppo 105 through it using identical spdif inputs.  I found the sound of CD's only very slightly better than the Oppo through the Bel Canto, while it was much better than via the Sony.  All inputs were volume matched.  Accordingly, I suspect you would find the gain (if any) from the separate DAC very very modest vs the Oppo.
loganfan OP
29 posts
 
Many of you have suggested a streamer. I have decided on a Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) 
 Once I get it, and get it all set up, I will report back. It seems to get nice reviews and also has a built in dac. I will see how this sounds. I can always by pass the internal dac on the Cambridge, and go through the Oppo. And if I want to play around further, I can always get a seperate dac.
loganfan OP
29 posts
 
OK,
So I went with the OPPO Modwright. I never even opened the Cambridge. I just sent it back. Used that money towards the Mod. I will get the UDP-205 Modwright back by Saturday. Of course I will let all of you know what I think. I have read all the reviews and they seem to be extremely positive. Once again, Thanks for all the suggestions.

 Andy
lancelock
1,093 posts
 
@loganfan, you will not regret it.
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