OPPO 105; how to beat it and at what price?

" .... I will be using as two channel audio only. I spin 2 channel SACD and CD only ..."

IMO go look at a quality hi-end 2 channel unit assuming the budget permits it -- e.g. REGA ISIS valve, NAIM, DCS, SIMAUDIO ... there are many great hi-end players out there that also have USB inputs to permit the use of their hi-end internal DAC for plug-in digital media playback, in addition to their world class disc playback.

Any one of these will significantly best the OPPO or Cambridge and other like players. I had the CAMBRIDGE before I moved up to the ARCAM BDP and it does its great job for Multi-channel music on Blu-Ray.

The performance level in 2 channel with my hi-end CDP is a quantum leap better; and it resides as the cd and digital source player reserved strictly for 2 channel. The improvement over an OPPO/CAMBRIDGE/ARCAM/U PICK 'EM multi-channel player is not subtle.

I have used most architectures under the sun to play 2 channel SACD:

Sony XA 5400 into SSO - digital over HDMI
Sony XA 5400 into preamp analog
Marantz ud9400 into preamp
Marantz ud9400 into Trinnov processer with D/A conversion
Moddel Oppo with digital out into Trinnov processor
Ripped SACD played from server with Dirac DRC directly into DACs

A top notch player with analog out (like modded Oppo) will sound just fine. You will get better results with an Oppo with vanity digital board into a top notch DAC.

I have an Oppo 93 with Vanity board and linear powersupply. The vanity board does reclocking and proprietary DSD->PCM conversion at 176/24, which will cream the onboard conversion available on the standard (or modded) Oppo.

Another option. Send your Oppo 105 to Dan Wright (Modwright) for his $2500 mod which includes an outboard tubed power supply and tubed (6SN7) output among many other improvements. I further treated mine to NOS rectifier and output tubes. Couldn't be happier. And dealing with Modwright was a real pleasure.

Take a look at the MSB universal transport and Analog DAC. Several times the Oppo's cost, but you can play any kind of disc and the sound will be better than stock Oppo. There are also any number of Oppo modders out there, Modwright and The Upgrade Company both got Postive Feedback Online Brutus Awards

I appreciate Ivan's enthusiasm but there are a couple of errors in his post. First, the all out 2 channel unbalanced/balanced mod it $1730. Secondly, I would never tell anyone that I have the best digital playback out there.....just not my style or belief. The 105 is certainly seriously high end modded but is not as good as the best DACs out there. However, you would have to spend several thousand on a DAC to do better. What sets the modded 105 apart is the fact that it is a great CD/SACD player, a great DVD/Blue Ray player, a great DAC (double DSD and 352K), a great multichannel player, has a great headphone amp, 32 bit digital volume control so you can run it directly to amps...etc. It is so versatile and reliable that you would want to keep it for years....even in a second system or as a back up....years from now.