Oppo BDP-95 Versus Bel Canto DAC 3.5

Doggiehowser, thanks for your response. A couple of questions. I gather from your post that the bel canto is more revealing. In what other areas (e.g., transparency, imaging, soundstaging, high frenquency, bass,...etc) do you think the bel canto improves on the 95 and to what extent? Second, would you consider the upgrade to mark ii status significant? And, in what areas?

Thanks,

Savjam

I've found the Sabre32 designs have a very close familial trait. They are a bit mellow, a bit less detailed in transients but easy to listen to.

The Bel Canto has that bit better resolution and detail. The last mile, I guess.

The MkII upgrade lowers the noise floor further and is more resolving in more complex pieces. Not as close as the EMM Labs XDS1 in terms of resolution but like with most hifi components, the law of diminishing returns applies.

Thanks Doggiehowser. Your responses have been helpful.

Savjam

BTW I am using the DAC3.5VB with the VBS1 power supply and the VB REF cables and I found it still sounds better with good power, courtesy of a Sound Application RLS240 and ASI Liveline power cords.

Thanks. Out of curiosity, did you compare the performance between lns1 and the vbs1? Did the Ref cable make a significant difference over the standard cable? It sounds like you have an extremely resolving system. Are you using the dac direct to amp? What type of speakers do you use?

Thanks,

Milton