What's the bottom line on Oppo 980 for CD playback


Ok, apparently no uni player excells at CD playback. I'd like to get something that isn't obsolete right out of the box. Can this thing really satisfy me as a CD player? What about these reports I have heard about it cutting off the first few seconds of every disc? Are you having this problem? Is anybody really using it for CD enough to care? For now, I don't care about SACD, Video, DVDA, Multi Channel, etc. I heard the Cary DVD 8 at over $1000. and was unimpressed, especially when compared to their $4000. CD player. Where should I turn? Cambridge 740? Music Hall 25? Any DVDers that are good with CD? Thanks for any info or input, Chris H.
hifiharv
How many opinions do you care to read? You will get everything from,"this is the best player on the planet",, to "I wouldn't use it if you gave it to me!". I have used it as a stand-alone player in a secondary system and it works flawlessly, every time. It is versatile and reliable. If you don't care about SACD or DVD-V or DVD-A, I say don't buy it. I recommend you buy used from Audiogon such players as the Music Hall 25.2, or a Cambridge, or a Jolida (for tubes) or a Creek or an Apollo. Buy used and try them for awhile. Then sell and try another. It is fun. The used price is 50-60% of new. You lose almost no money and you have fun.
Use the common sense. It's not realistic to expect $200 universal player to outperform $3000 one. If you were not satisfied with $1000 Cary DVD player, there is little chance you'll find a $200 player better in performance. If you don't care about SACD or DVD, get a decent DAC. Benchmark or Bel Canto DAC 3 offers pretty much state of the art redbook performance. If you are still not satisfied with those, then I don't know where else to turn.
Tgrisham, if you find the Oppo quite capable, could you please tell me what other CD playback you are used to? I assume you never had any problem with skipping, etc. on CD's. Thanks for your input