First Listen: Oppo BDP-83SE “Special Edition” Universal Blu-ray Player
Back in November, 2009, I did a news piece announcing the imminent arrival of Oppo’s new BDP-83SE “Special Edition” Blu-ray player, priced at $899. For those who may have missed that article, let me recap the key points.
Charting the Changes
How does the BDP-83SE differ from the original BDP-83? There are two main changes involve an improved power supply circuit board and a substantially revised audio circuit board, plus subtle changes to the player’s rear I/O panel. The video section of the player remains unchanged.
The audio board of the BDP-83SE will feature the combination of the new ESS Technology Sabre32 Ultra DAC (ES9016) and the ESS Sabre Premier 8-channel DAC (ES9006), with the Sabre Premier used to power the player’s 7.1-channel analog audio outputs. Oppo CTO and VP of Product Development Jason Liao says the ESS DACs deliver “an unparalled sound stage and incredible fidelity in both 7.1-channel and stereo modes,” providing “an exciting upgrade to the original BDP-83 for the discerning audio enthusiast.”
About the ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC
A related press release from Fremont, CA-based ESS Technology, Inc. explains that the Sabre32 Ultra DAC differs from conventional sigma-delta DACs in that it “incorporates innovative patented circuits to deliver spectacular music with an unsurpassed sound stage, with up to 128 dB dynamic range and 0.0003% (-110 dB) total harmonic distortion.” ESS explains that the Sabre32 Ultra DAC specifically includes three patented circuits: the 32-bit HyperStream modulator, the Revolver Dynamic Element Matching circuit, and the Time Domain Jitter Eliminator circuit, which is designed “to remove the digital jitter that causes distortion.”
Preliminary Findings
Not long after I published my news article on the BD-83SE, I received a very, very early sample of the player for review and began listening to it immediately. How did it fare? The short answer actually isn’t short, in that it depends on whether you do or don’t come from the dyed-in-the-wool audiophile camp. If you are a consumer who appreciates getting better-than-expected performance at a bargain price, my thought is that you might well be complete satisfied (indeed, overjoyed) by the results you’ll achieve with the box-stock Oppo BDP-83. If you are an audiophile, however, and one steeped in the tradition of paying close attention to small but significant differences in sound quality (small differences that cumulatively add up to big differences), then I think you will absolutely, positively, unequivocally want to step up to the BDP-83SE. Here’s why.
The standard BDP-83 is a very, very good player and a bargain at its price. As I commented in my Playback review of the standard player, “I think the Oppo could hold its own in comparison with many of the $1000 ‘audiophile-grade’ CD players I’ve heard and could perhaps compete even further up the audio food chain.” But that said, the fact is that there were and are sub-$2000 multi-format player that can and do decisively outperform the standard BDP-83 (e.g., NAD’s Masters Series M55 DVD/universal player)—at least in terms of sound quality.
There are some reviewers who claim the standard BDP-83 is the greatest thing since sliced bread and that its sonic qualities can literally take on all comers, but while I appreciate their enthusiasm (and share it to some degree), the fact is that they’re wrong. There are better-sounding multi-format players out there, provided you’re willing to pay for them.
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Comments
Digital, schmigital! What about the analog circuitry AFTER the conversion? That's what separates the men from the boys.
if i'm not wrong its uses the NE5532 for the anlaog stages ...nothing special there though !
Thank you! That's where most players fall flat on their faces.
Quick question regarding SACD playback. It is unclear to me if the unit can also decode DSD natively or does it convert DSD to PCM before DA converter?
I am looking specifically for SACD player now and wonder how good it is as primarily source for SACD?
Same issue as Suteetat, how good is the SACD output and how is it delivered?
Thanks, Bob
It will decode SACD as native DSD or to PCM - your choice.
Sounds stunning with SACD, big improvement over 83, esp with 2- CH SACD, IMO.
I wish Oppo would add a OSB and a SPDIF digital input to this player. Oppo
produces great products at very reasonable prices. I still use
a DV-970HD for SACD and DVD-Audio.
Considering the quality of the DAC, I can understand
why they are charging a fairly large premium over the base model.
However, adding an digital input would greatly increase the usefulness of
the SE. The expensive DAC could then be used with other digital sources.
Steven
I wish Oppo would add a OSB and a SPDIF digital input to this player. Oppo
produces great products at very reasonable prices. I still use
a DV-970HD for SACD and DVD-Audio.
Considering the quality of the DAC, I can understand
why they are charging a fairly large premium over the base model.
However, adding an digital input would greatly increase the usefulness of
the SE. The expensive DAC could then be used with other digital sources.
Steven
Hey, what do you guys have to say about the report in Wired dealing with the Oppo inside the Lexicon? Looks fishy to me!
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/01/blu-ray-maker-re-boxes-500-player...
Chris, when you publish your full review it would be wonderful if you are able to compare the upgraded Oppo to the Sony SCD-XA5400ES. These appear to be the clear choices in the sub-$4k category, and some informed comments on their strengths and weaknesses would be tremendously helpful.
Hello Chris did you ever get a chance to listen to the Sony SCD XA5400ES ?
and compared to the IOppo SE, thanks Paul.
Chris,
My interest is in watching bluray discs. I'm not planning to use the machine for audio-only CDs, SACDs, etc.. I'm wondering if your comments apply equally as forcefully to the sound quality on BDs, too. I have the Pioneer Elite 07 AV receiver, and the Definitive Technology STS Mythos speakers, and I'm not sure whether or not to get the cheaper 83. Thanks
Before much debate on the Oppo SE, it would be advantageous for audiophiles (particularly SACD) to review the technical reasons why multi-format players are compromised in their design.
This pre-review strikes me as a bit unfair to Oppo. Few who read it will even consider buying the Oppo SE until you check the second sample for drop outs. I understand that you have other priorities/deadlines, but this pre-review may be unnecessary harming a company that has been making great high-end low-price gear. Holding this article would have been unfair to audiophiles who need to know if this new player is worthwhile, but not checking the second sample right away is unfair to Oppo.
Works EXCELLENT with my Pioneer SC-27 Receiver,Pioneer F111D
Pasma TV and my Definitive Technology BP 7000 Home theater speaker system.
Oppo's BDP - 83 SE is an excellent product ,even though it should be priced competitively lower.
BUT,High Quality does cost more.
I own a Ayre CX-7eMP and the Oppo BDP-83SE. I bought the Oppo for video purposes. I thought it would be good to have a decent back-up player; boy was I suprised! On regular CD's, it's a toss up between the Ayre and the Oppo. I am amazed at the resolution of the Oppo. The Ayre seems a bit smoother, but at $2500 more, it should be. If you have SACD's, DVD-A's, or HDCD's, you will be in heaven (I had about 30 of these other formats, so this was another plus). You forget you are listening to a $900 universal player. I am not going to get into technical information. The point is, the music sounds great and that is all that matters. I thought of selling my Ayre, but naaaah, not yet. :-) Seriously, try the BDP-83SE; you will be pleasantly surprised.
Hello everyone,
I purchased the Oppo DV-980H and the LG DN898 on my last trip to the US. Based upon all the folklore that had been created around the Oppo, I was hoping to use it as a Red Book Only source to replace a fifteen year-old Wadia 32X and the LG was purchased for $71 at BrandsMart because it can be a region-free DVD player.
The Oppo is now my region free DVD player and I never listen to the Wadia anymore; the LG is the first (after eight years of trying!) source that sounds significantly better. It is a shockingly good Red Book player. Can anyone tell me if I got a freak off the line or if what I am hearing is true through the whole DN898 model run?
Lee- lhimelfarb [at] hotmail [dot] com
Kindly correct me if I am wrong...I am deciding between the 83 and 83 SE...if you plan on using HDMI for all playback and using receiver as the DA, then is there any purpose in upping to the SE--Oppo itself says that there is no point in it if you plan on using the HDMI.
Also...can you use HDMI for multichannel playback and analog out for 2-channel??
Yes, you can use different outputs for different purposes. In the Oppo BD players all outputs are always active and you can use the switching in your receiver or processor to determine which one you are using as a source.
Brett:
Absolutely you can run HDMI for movies, and seperate 2-ch analog output for stereo listening. You just need to make sure your pre/pro can accept both HDMI and analog inputs, then just select whichever input you want to listen to, and you're good to go!
Alot of audiophiles prefer the analog outputs for music listening. I have an older, but excellent EAD Ovation-8 pre/pro with an 8-ch analog HT pass-thru that I run analog into from the Oppo 83SE, and it sounds great!
The sole use of my BDP-83 is movies for which I use the multi-channel analog output. Will the Special Edition make much of a difference for me?
The sole use of my BDP-83 is movies for which I use the multi-channel analog output. Will the Special Edition make much of a difference for me?