My Oppo is a bit too bright


'sup?
In a comparison to an impartial audience between my analog rig and my Oppo 105D > LFD LE IV rig, the consensus was the the digital end was too bright and brittle.
Some more details:

Digital:
Oppo 105 > Belden 840 cables > LFD LE IV > Decware Styx speaker cables

Analog:
VPI HW19 MK 4/Hana ML > Morrow PH4 > LFD LE phono > AZ ICs > LFD LE IV
All feeding into Spatial M3 Turbo S's
I agree with the consensus. Any suggestions for a warmer digital sound?
s
128x128simao
If I am not mistaken, Vitus uses ESS chips in their RI-101 and SIA-030 integrated amp DACs.  Furthest from bright you can get.  Goes to show it’s all about the implementation.  
Simao-

I have had an OPPO 105 for a few years and it is quite good. I never considered it harsh, but maybe compared to a good Vinyl rig it might seems too clinical.

I do have a vinyl rig but it is modest compared to most people here.

You can do some cheap tweaks on the OPPO 105 in addition to the cable swapping.The IEC connector replacement is cheap and easy.(I looked at power supply replacement but was dissuaded by those more knowledgeable than me).
You can dampen your CD transport with Dynamat or similar.Make sure you are using good power cords on all of your gear. I am sure you are.
Also Hubbel HBL5262I outlets are cheap off of Ebay.All made a subtle difference for me in terms of noise floor and SQ.
I use a VAC Standard LE preamp and do some tube swapping.
Mostly I look for dead quiet NOS tubes.

One of my big ongoing projects is to reduce noise at every level. LOL.
System is dead quiet background.

I mostly stream via Jriver these days from my PC hard drive over home network.

I ended up getting a used OPPO Sonica Dac that also uses an ESS chip (newer version).
It has built in network ability like the OPPO 105 so I can stream DSD and anything else.
I stream a lot of DSD/hi rez Flac as well as garden variety Mp3s.
Nice step up for not a lot of money.
Does everything a little better.
I only use the OPPO for CDs and can send the signal to the external Sonica if I want.

It's all good. Like all of us I am always thinking about upgrades so who knows down the road.

Honestly - stating the obvious the best source material is a key to the best sound.


@eziggy   Thanks for the recommendations. I just bought a Line Magnetic 518ia. That might help ameliorate the brightness a bit. I'm running Acoustic Zen Tsunamis with the Oppo and my amp - they made a heck of a difference.

Will look into replacing the IEC connector. That seems an easy project.

s