2. home-theater
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Should I upgrade my Blu-ray player now?

I kept the title generic since the question could easily apply to anyone who has an older model Blu-ray player. As for me, I have the Oppo 83. My long-hoped for Home Theater still hasn't come together completely so I've kept it in the system.

I use it for movies (80%) and music. The DAC in the 83 is just OK as everyone knows. The DAC in the Oppo 105 is very good.

At this stage of the game, is it worth upgrading to the 105 now? How close do you think we are to the end of its development cycle (or is that life cycle)? Make that for both Oppo 105 and Blu-ray as a format and as a piece of equipment.

I don't like streaming. I don't know what 4K will ultimately mean for me - certainly won't be an early adopter - but will it be the death knell for Blu-ray? I like the idea of the Kaleidascape server/service concept or something similar although the Kaleidascape Cinema One itself is too expensive.

I could buy the 105 or the 105D and be happy of years to come but is that (substitute your own favorite brand) the best investment/direction to go now?
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martykl
3,578 posts
 
I think Bob's point(s) is/are:

1) If the system is a HT rig employing a pre-pro and decoding is done therein, any potential benefits of the superior Oppo analog section are lost (bypassed). (tho, if that's not the case, then the analysis changes.)

and

2) If you're investing in an upgrade, upgrade the pre-pro, which is doing the heavy lifting. He mentions adding room correction, a feature generally found in the pre-pro, as the most audible improvement available to most HT rigs not yet so equipped, and I'd agree 100%.

As to worrying about technology going obsolete, I'm not sure I see the concern. The existing systems I've heard (especially Audyssey xt32) sound great. If something better comes along tomorrow, that's another upgrade - but you run the same risk (even greater) with a disc player that may prove next-gen format incompatible.

As between a disc player and a pre-pro, I'd certainly second Bob's recommendation to budget disproportionately for the latter.
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finsup OP
289 posts
 
I have two speakers now. The HK 990 is the only stereo (only) component I know that also has room correction. I am reluctant to invest in a pre-pro, room acoustics notwithstanding, until I add more speakers. Once I get myself to at least a 5.1 system, I will definitely add a pre-pro.
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akg_ca
2,312 posts
 
I had the CAMBRIDGE 650 Blu-ray player that is nearly identical to the OPPO . It was a fine unit but it crapped out on me in year 3

I then upgraded to the ARCAM Blu-ray player : big improvements across the board and not subtle.

Both were used for Home Theater Blurays (movies and concerts) ..... HOWEVER .....neither is a match for a stand-alone top quality CDP that I use for music playback.
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