2. home-theater
  3. 1396642147

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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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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ptss
1,964 posts
 
You might consider "investing" in some AC power isolation and conditioning devices. AC is unlikely to change-or improve in quality- in the forseeable. Good clean power benefits your digital and perhaps your entire rig-permanently. Why not sample Shunyata and MIT offerings. A good setup will give you a component-like upgrade; - perhaps making your 'conditioned' 83 look & sound as good as a 105 running from your current power set up. If you haven't experimented be prepared to smile when you do. And evaluate more than one conditioner so you can experiment. Let us know your results...
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dbphd
1,631 posts
 
So I ask you again, Bob, are you thinking of the sonics of a $3.5K, $8K, or $10K processor? My reading suggests not everyone is pleased with ARC.

db
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dbphd
1,631 posts
 
Caveat re my previous post: I use acoustic room correction (ARC) via Velodyne SMS-1s for my subs, but otherwise have no experience with the technology. ARC is one of the functions that doesn't work properly in the Cirrus chip of the Cary Cinema 11a, the only processor I own that has ARC. From what I read, the efficacy of ARC is a debatable matter. I use a Parasound Halo JC-2, an analog preamp, for stereo with surrounds going directly to amps, and, perhaps in my ignorance, am very pleased with the sound.
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