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Universal player or DAC?

Hi,

I have a 2003-era Music Hall CD25. It has digital outputs, so I am considering adding a Schiit Bifrost Uber, or replacing the CDP with an Oppo BDP-103. Will the Oppo make enough of a difference in redbook CD playback, or is a dedicated DAC such as Schiit or a used Benchmark a better option? Of course, there is the added bonus of video and SACD playback with the Oppo.

I have a large collection of CDs and vinyl, and I don't plan on doing a music server thing just yet. Give me inconvenience or give me death!

Thanks,

paul
paulburnett
mesch
3,481 posts
 
I think it depends on how important the video and SACD playback is to you. It might very well be that using the CD player as a transport into the Schiit DAC might be better than the BDP-103 for CD only playback. However this is something I don’t know as fact.

One thought, given that you wish to continue spinning disks and your disk player is ~13 years old, you might consider a new player now and reconsider the upgrade to an outboard DAC at a later date.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I've got both. The Schiit is a little more crisp. The Oppo is smooth and neutral. The schiit needs a source with digital out. The oppo needs nothing, streams, connects to a network and has a great remote. The schiit has no volume or switching. The oppo has volume, inputs, outputs and plays almost anything.
With that stated, I got rid of my 103 and bought a 105 and am delighted at home. The schiit is at work and runs pc audio all day long. Yes, I have a Music Hall running to the schiit too but rarely use it. PC audio is better.
Next move is to upgrade the bifrost to the gungnir. Then I will compare that to the 105...never ending circle of upgrades.
68pete
1,001 posts
 
I would go with the Oppo 105 better for music than the 103
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