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Blu Ray player versus CD/SACD player.

No info on my system, just a general, straight-up question for those that would like to offer some general, straight-up input.

I have a decent analog system, but when listening to CDs or SACDs I have been using a hold-over from my home theater days, an Oppo BDP-103 Blu Ray player which can play a variety of discs, including switching between PCM and DSD.

I have been very happy with the Oppo but now it’s getting a little long in the tooth, I’m wondering should I stick with it or start researching a CD/SACD stand-alone player for my digital discs?

Should I get a unit that specializes in music playback or stick with the Oppo as “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Will I notice a difference between the Oppo and a unit that is built for primary music purposes?

Just looking for a general sense of peoples thoughts, especially those that have maybe made a similar switch?

Thanks for any feedback!

Ian the BigE

 

ianhorseman
designsfx
793 posts
 

+2 from @mahler123 and @akg_ca-

it’s not that the Oppo is a “bad” device but it’s kind of a “jack of all trades”. I purchased a 105D to run through an AVR and it was cool for movies but not so much for two channel listening. The implementation of the DAC is not that great.

I’ve dumped the AVR and now only use a two channel setup. As my library is all CD (except for a couple SACD) my choice was to go with a Naim Uniti Core for ripping/storage/playback and run that through an external DAC. As of now I’m using an Aqua La Scala Optologic and have been very pleased with the results.

jl35
3,976 posts
 

it seems though that there have always been some who love the Oppo's as CD players, especially the 105 used XLR...

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,496 posts
 

it seems though that there have always been some who love the Oppo's as CD players, especially the 105 used XLR...

I like my 203 OPPO.

ianhorseman OP
10 posts
 

All of this is very helpful as it contains some useful basic things to consider, and there has been none of that “audiophile forum chippiness” that seems to leak into any thread.

I have been going back and forth on……new CD/SACD player versus……..a standalone streamer with internal or external DAC……..a storage type piece to rip all the discs to and using it with a DAC…..etc, etc, etc.

Not sure I’m any further forward, but the responses to date have got me thinking down alternative options. Maybe finding the best, overall single unit which will do it all isn’t achievable. Possibly I need to clarify for myself what exactly I’m trying to do and how best to achieve it.

That might help……duuh!

Or I can just upgrade my speakers?! LOL.

Keep the thoughts coming please, and thanks for the input to date.

E

elliottbnewcombjr
5,309 posts
 

I went in search of a better CD player, then remembered SACDs, realizing I probably never heard those 20 or so SACd's thru a superior player.

Many here advised OPPO, I tried two OPPOs Marantz; Denon, Yamaha, ... went thru 9 players until I found two I really like

Onkyo Integra CDC 3.4 mark 2 CD Only in second system

Sony xa5400ES, CD/SACD, so good I am enjoying my many CD's, yes the SACD's sound amazing, and I'm buying used CD's as well as LPs.

 

 

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