Oppo BDP-83SE Special Edition Universal Blu-ray Player (The Perfect Vision 86)
This One’s For Serious Audiophiles
February 17th, 2010 -- by Chris MartensSource: The Perfect Vision
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Several months ago I reviewed Oppo’s BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player and found it to be “the biggest bargain in home theater.” To provide a brief recap, let’s note that the BDP-83 can play almost any kind of material that comes on a silver disc: Blu-ray, DVD-Video/Audio, SACD, HDCD, CD material and more. Better yet, the player not only plays these types of materials but also plays them well, offering exemplary video performance and very good (and for the price, extraordinary) sound quality. In short, Oppo’s little $499 player did so many things so well that it immediately claimed titles as both the king of versatility and value. But one thing that the BDP-83 could not do (though heaven knows it tried) was to deliver sound quality that would enable it to compete with upper-tier audiophile-grade players. Good though the BDP-83 is, there are some universal players (admittedly less versatile than the Oppo) in the near-$2000 price range that have it beat for sound quality, while even higher-end players can up the sonic ante further still.
While acknowledging these limitations, Oppo also knew that its BDP-83 platform offered untapped sonic potential, and therefore decided to address the audiophile market by building a significantly upgraded, hot-rodded version of the BDP-83, called the BDP-83SE Special Edition ($899). How does the BDP-83SE differ from the original BDP-83? There are two main changes, which 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 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. The video section of the player remains unchanged.
For those of you unfamiliar with the ESS DACs, it may prove helpful for me to supply some background material drawn from a related press release from Fremont, CA-based ESS Technology, Inc. The release 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 goes on to say 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.”
I approached the BDP-83SE Special Edition with two questions in mind. First, does the player really sound significantly different from the standard BDP-83? Second, if it does sound different, how big is the difference as judged by audiophile standards? The short answers to these questions are that yes, the BDP-83SE does sound different and better than the standard BDP-83, and that the magnitude of the change is—again, by audiophile standards—quite large and significant. In fact, I feel confident in saying the BDP-83SE is the model audiophiles and music lovers will want to own (and for them, the Special Edition may be an even bigger bargain than the original BDP-83 was).
OVERVIEW
Consider this Blu-ray player if: you want everything that Oppo’s original BDP-83 had to offer, but with substantially better sound quality that makes particular gains in the areas of resolution, focus, three-dimensionality and overall refinement. The player’s ability to dig deep into recordings to retrieve key bits of low-level musical detail is very impressive, easily enabling the Special Edition to compete with players two, three, or perhaps four times its price. In short, this is the Oppo built by and for hardcore audiophiles.
Look further if: you want to press on toward state-of-the-art or near state-of-the-art audio performance. While the Special Edition Oppo can and does take you well up the high-end audio ladder, I would be misleading you if I told you it can take you all the way up to the very top-tier (nor is it reasonable to expect it to, given its price). But trust me on this one: nothing I’ve heard that’s even remotely close to the Special Edition’s $899 price can touch its sound quality.
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Every page after Page 2, is missing
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Chris says it all. Terrific bang for the buck!
Hello again,
In response to the January article I wrote:
"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"
There were no responses... was that because it never posted or because it was of no interest to anyone else?
Chris... maybe you can respond. Is the 83E that much better than their earlier models?
Thanks,
Lee
While the additional circuitry choices are impeccable, the OPPO BDP-83SE has almost no enhancements directed towards its use as a digital transport with the exception of the beefed-up power supply board. While that can make a difference, mainly in the power supply "hash" that can come from a poorly shielded supply, the additional Sabre circuitry is really intended for use on the analog outputs.
Most users--even high-end users--use the OPPO as part of a combined A/V system and feed the audio portion through the HDMI interface. Even when used as an internal decoder, the OPPO still outputs PCM data. But most users will pass along the audio for decoding in their prepro.
I think the bottom line is that for people who use the OPPO as a digital transport the benefits of the extra $400 is much more subtle, as OPPO's own description of the SE makes clear. For people who own the 83 already, "upgrading"--rebuying really--shouldn't be considered a no-brainer.
At least IMHO.
I bought a BDP-83 when they first came out - and I LOVE this player. When the SE edition was offered to existing owners, I was tempted to buy-in. However, after considering how I anticipated using it, I decided against it. The two biggest downsides are:
1) *Very* limited bass management capabilities. Every pre-pro and AVR is much more capable in this regard.
2) I am soon purchasing a new pre-pro and if I used the SE's analog outputs I would be losing the benefit of the room-correction capabilities of the new pre-pro. Having heard what a good room-correction system can do, I believe that I will be able to achieve better sound quality using the standard BDP-83 via its HDMI output.
-RW-
Would it be possible and make sense to use the HDMI connection to do the room correction and then switch to the analogue inputs?
Unfortunately, as far as I know, room correction capabilities of AVRs and pre-pros work only with digital inputs, not the multichannel analog ones. I myself would love to be able to use the multichannel analog to pass the front channel signals directly through while equalizing the rear channels to match the front ones. One kludgy fix is to use a graphic equalizer to approximate the corrections to the rear channels made by the AVR's auto EQ program, but you can only do that if the receiver deigns to show you what corrections it's made. My Pioneer receiver does that; my Onkyo doesn't.
I absolutely applaud what Oppo has done. Their cost-effective climb up the audiophile ladder will ultimately help create a new market--along with other cost-conscious innovators like anticables.com, VPI's Classic turntable and Arcam electronics. The high end has priced itself so high that they have alienated themselves from the very people--music lovers and audiophiles--who helped start this business in the first place.
RonLev
Philly
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?
shingles contagious
Oppo states on their web site that if you just use HDMI you want the $499 version, not the $899 version.
They are honest, too!
I have the earlier model OPPO, the one right before the Standard Edition and have been told that if I use the digital HDMI feed that I will not need to buy the analogue version; will the HDMI have equally great sound as the upgraded more expensive model? If so, should I then change to the analog and hook the new one up that way? Does analogue sound better than the digital domain? And I hear that OPPO no longer offers upgrading the original to the newer version, that it was opened up earlier to only the first folks; so I need to know where to go to get the needed upgrade if you deem so necessary. I like Hiiiiiii Perffffffffformance!!
Thx
jtmj
jtmj
I have just upgraded my BDP-83 to the SE. It was done by Oppo for the price of $299. They have continued their upgrade program beyond the date stated on their website. The upgrade is a great improvement in sonic quality and well worth the price. This is true only If you have a very good audio system, in which case you will want to run the analog cables through your AVR to get superior sound. You will not benefit from this upgrade if you use HDMI or any other digital connection to get your audio signat to your AVR.
"...will the HDMI have equally great sound as the upgraded more expensive model?"
An excellent (and I would have thought obvious) question that somehow eludes Mr. Martens. You might want to check out Kalman Rubison's review of the Oppo SE on page 43 of the current (March 2010) issue of Stereophile. He concludes, though I am a bit confused by limiting his reference to multichannel analog, "...I'm hesitant to say that the BDP-83SE's sound via its multichannel analog outputs is preferable to going HDMI...".
Interestingly, Mr. Rubison then goes on to skewer Lexicon for their rebadging the Opppo & upping the price to $3499 with little or no difference in sound quality.
fwj,
Unless the DACs and audio circuitry in your AVR or A/V controller sound better than the DACs and audio circuitry in the Oppo, then you will not get better (or even equivalent) sound by going through HDMI inputs (though you will, as some readers have pointed out, enjoy the benefits of whatever room EQ system, if any, the AVR or A/V controller provides).
Using two different and very good AVRs (the Pioneer SC-27 and the NAD T775), I compared the sound achieved via the receivers' HDMI inputs vs. the sound achieved when using the Oppo's own analog outputs. In each case the Oppo's analog outputs gave noticeably better sound (as in purer, subtler, more detailed, and more three-dimensional sound) than when listening through the HDMI inputs of the receivers. I tried this experiment with multiple guest listeners and in each case they, too, preferred the sound when listening through the Oppo's analog outputs. Your mileage may vary, but that's what I heard.
In the end, of course, the choice is up to you. The only point I want to make is that, if you aren't planning on using the BDP-83SE's analog outputs, then there really is no point in spending the extra money to buy one.
That's why I included the following lines in my review:
"Important note: Buyers who plan on using digital connections only between their players and home theater or music systems would, for obvious reasons, be better served by purchasing Oppo’s standard BDP-83. The Special Edition version is geared specifically for those who want to use either stereo or multi-channel analog audio connections."
Best, Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Chris,
As someone suggested earlier, could one use the HDMI connection take take advantage of a room correction system and then switch to the analogue inputs? Would the correct results (or pretty close to them) be achieved?
Hi
I bought the BDP 83 the very day before the SE was brought to my attention via email from Music Direct!
I am and plan to continue running analog connections to my older Anthem Pre Pro. I have read your views and peoples replies. I see no one speaking of Blu-Ray. I am only using this player for Blu-Ray as I have a beautiful cd player for music. I want to know if this is worth upgrading for video purposes?
Thanks for all the entertaining information.
Badavy13
Winnipeg MB
Nice review! You say "Using two different and very good AVRs (the Pioneer SC-27 and the NAD T775)" the Oppo SE's analog outputs are better than HDMI. But were you comparing HDMI with the Oppo's analog outputs into the analog inputs of these AVRs, or were you comparing with the analog inputs to a higher-end preamp?
Would the Oppo's analog output improvement come through on the pure/diirect analog mode of a $1500-2500 AVR or pre/pro (Integra 80.1, Onkyo 886, or Marantz AV8003) or do you need a $5000-7000 preamp to make it worthwhile?
Hi Chris,
Can I apply AV receiver's Audyssey room correction to receiver's analog inputs and if so can this be done without sonic degradation that would annul the benefits of using Oppo BDP-83's high-quality analog outputs?
If the answer to either is no (perhaps I am hoping for too much), then the optimal setup seems to be to use both outputs but for different purposes: HDMI when room correction is preferred (movies?) and analog where DAC/circuit quality and minimal processing is paramount (music?). Does this sound right? The latter assumes that Oppo's circuitry is better than the receiver's.
Admittedly, there are shades of gray between the black and white options above... For instance, did you try Oppo's (non-corrected) analog outputs vs. room-corrected HDMI output with a decent receiver like the NAD? If one prefers the latter, there is no need to buy the SE version of the Oppo player...
I intend to ask Oppo the same questions, but perhaps you already know the answers.
Thanks,
Zoran
Hi Chris,
Can I apply AV receiver's Audyssey room correction to receiver's analog inputs and if so can this be done without sonic degradation that would annul the benefits of using Oppo BDP-83's high-quality analog outputs?
If the answer to either is no (perhaps I am hoping for too much), then the optimal setup seems to be to use both outputs but for different purposes: HDMI when room correction is preferred (movies?) and analog where DAC/circuit quality and minimal processing is paramount (music?). Does this sound right? The latter assumes that Oppo's circuitry is better than the receiver's.
Admittedly, there are shades of gray between the black and white options above... For instance, did you try Oppo's (non-corrected) analog outputs vs. room-corrected HDMI output with a decent receiver like the NAD? If one prefers the latter, there is no need to buy the SE version of the Oppo player...
I intend to ask Oppo the same questions, but perhaps you already know the answers.
Thanks,
Zoran
Hi Chris:
I don't know if this comment or request for info belongs in this section but here it is:
I ended up buying the SE based on all of the favourable reviews and my current needs. As I have an older Denon AVR-3801 (I have to upgrade this thing at some point), I need to use the multichannel analog outputs from the SE into my receiver. I also have the Mythos ST's so I am a bit unsure what to do with respect to base management. I have been enjoying the ST's in two channel with speaker connections only and not used the LFE inputs on the speakers at all. Now that I have a full 5.1 setup installed (Mythos Ten center and two Gem XL's), I need to have a multi-purpose system as I enjoy music playback as much as theater.
I know that I have to do the base management in the player now with a setup disc (looks like I can use the AIX that comes with the player) How do I have to have the ST's set up now that there is no digital processing sending the LFE .1 channel info into my ST's? Do I have to set the speakers in the player as LARGE and subwoofer YES (I currently have NO) and do I need to now hook up the LFE input on the speakers that I haven't been using? If so, what will that do to my setup when I only use two channel with the ST's (like before with speaker wire only hookup). How do I have to setup the subwoofer trim levels in this case (I've read that the subwoofer levels have to be boosted when you use analog base management whereas that it is done automatically in the digital domain with Dolby Digital etc.)
Sorry for all the questions, but you've been very helpful before and I just want to get this right for both music and movie watching.
Thanks
Lorenzo
I have both the standard BDP-83 and the SE version...being closely associated with Oppo by virtue of having our BD Calibration/Sampler Disc selected by Oppo to be bundled with every unit. In fact, I will be using a BDP-83 SE as the source for a $300,000 HD Surround demonstration system at the upcoming AXPONA show in Jacksonville, Florida.
I can assure you that the sonics delivered by this unit are absolutely first rate and meet or exceed players in my studio costing 10-20 times more. With the right recordings and signal path, the Oppo players is a TRUE audiophile source component.
The only reason to acquire the "Special Edition" unit is if you need to connect to an analog preamplifier, which is what we will be doing in Florida. The BDP-83 SE will connect to three Boulder 810 Pre Amps and then to Boulder 2060 Power Amplifiers. The good folks at Thiel are supplying 5 CS3.7 top of the line speakers. We will also be projecting HD Video through a Wolf Cinema Xenon projector to a Stewart Filmscreen screen. This system with our new BD discs will demonstrate the advancements in fidelity and the immersive quality of surround music WITH HD Video.
The regular BDP-83 connected via HDMI into a great processor and great DACs is equivalent to the highest end hardware available. The Oppo machine is not merely a great hybrid disc player at a great price...it more than equals the sonics of esoteric machines with major marketing plans and sky high prices.
HD Surround Sound...Audio Fidelity Better Than Reality...www.aixrecords.com
What about the USB? Can I hook this box to my PC and play 24/96 files? What can it do over USB?
I wish reviewers would start paying attention to these things.
Chris, great review. I have the NuForce SE on order, will you get a chance to compare the NuForce upgrade to this Oppo SE? thanks.
rick 996r,
I'm hoping to get a sample of the NuForce-enhanced version of the BDP-83SE so that I can make that very comparison. Stay tuned.
Best, Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the NuForce Edition. Do you have any experience with Sony's 5400 SACD/CD player?
Chris, ever get a chance to look listen and review the NuForce Oppo?? thanks
Maybe I read it too fast, but I didn't see in the article if analog outputs were being used or not. If it's true that, as was reported from Oppo's website, HDMI users get no benefit, then for most people including myself it's probably not worth the extra money.
I have an Oppo 981, one of their non-BluRay universal players, and other than the lack of BluRay capability, I've been delighted with it. What really fascinated me is that, with regular CDs, the analog outputs sound better through my Yamaha VX3800 digital receiver than does the HDMI. Considering the Yamaha redigitizes the analog audio to perform various functions, this came as a big surprise to me, but the difference is to me both subtle and unmistakable. That said, DVD-A and SACD formats sound far better yet, and they must use the HDMI interface, at least for the surround ones.
I suspect my system, though one of the best I've personally heard, is not advanced enough to be able to distinguish between a $900 Oppo and some $5000 ultra player, perhaps not even the difference between my more humble Oppo and those other players, if such a difference really does exists. I suspect my ears and brain may not be advanced enough either. Fortunately for my wallet, I'm more than satisfied with what I currently own. But I can say that even my older Oppo is a model of musicality and for me a prized piece of audio equipment, as is my Yamaha receiver. For BluRay video I've supplemented it with a Netflix compatible Samsung, which I like very much, but all serious music listening goes back to the Oppo.
Ultimately whether the author's hyperbole about some high end audio products is objectively justified, what comes through from his descriptions is the very core of why we listen, the love and joy of music. May it soar ever higher.
As always, Chris Martens writes clearly and directly, and in this case sums up the BDP-83SE superbly.
I was one of those who already owned the 83 and was given the opportunity to upgrade to the SE. I did, and once the unit was returned had one of those quietly exhilarating moments every serious audiophile craves. You know...when you begin pulling out recording after recording and re-experiencing the enjoyment of listening to music.
Well, here it was again, and I spent hours "re-listening" to CD after CD via the 83SE, later coupling it with my HD800s. (Now all THEY need are the new Cardas cables!)
I've always loved high-end audio though I can rarely afford much of it. But I enjoy reading about it, and try to buy the best I can for my limited buck. So for those of us who cannot afford most of the equipment Chris refers to late in his review, equipment like that from OPPO can at least put us in the high-end room. The BDP-83SE is another triumph for this excellent company.
Giovanna, now you've given me thought of increased waiting excitement. I also have the HD800's and just ordered the ALO Cryo cable for them, so now I have the Oppo NuForce SE coming in and the cables for my HD800's. Sounds very geeky, but I'm even more excited now with the combo of all to play with and spend time truly listening. Watching HiDef Blu Ray is just an extra benefit.
I'm just curious how you're able to find the time to spend hours "re-listening" to cd's? I'm just trying to find to get an initial listen, let alone a re-listen!
Just jealous - enjoy!
Hi Chris,
You talked about the SE vs kW as a transport, but I am also very curious if you compared the SE analog output to the analog out of the Peachtree with the SE as a transport? That would be a great indicator of how different implementations of the Sabre chip might affect things. I imagine I am not alone in my debate over whether to get an SE or a Sabre based DAC. Please let us know what differences you may have heard.
I purchased the BDP-83SE primarily as a two channel source for my main headphone rig (Although I do use it in my theater driving a 1080p projector and 7.1 channel speaker rig). When I initially listened to the player I was decidedly unimpressed. It was shrill and basically unlistenable. I put a disc in on repeat and let the player burn in for 300+ hours. After appreciable break-in the BDP-83SE has really come into its own. It’s now a very nice player, it fights far above its $900 weight class. As a Universal player the 83SE is a no brainer, even as a 2-channel redbook player it’s a bargain.
loved Giovanna's comment since I also have the HD800's and just ordered the ALO cable for them, so now with his comments, I'm salivating over having to wait for the Oppo NuForce SE to arrive along with my new HD800 cable and spend the time listening to what I hope to be a lot of fun and enjoyment. Sounds very geeky, but I love it.
I find it frustrating when reviewers here mention other, more expensive units that would be nice to use as a comparison base with the unit under review, but then say they haven't had the time or opportunity to do so. In my view, it doesn't make for thourough comparative reviewing.
I have a Meridian 596 that needs to be repaired (aprx $400). Is it time to switch to the oppo BDP-83SE ?
wondering what OPPO is using as analog output stage, are they using op-amps or discrete class A circuit, when they start using discrete circuit they may ahve additional customer, DAc they are using are excellent quality but without good output stage they are worth nothing
wondering what OPPO is using as analog output stage, are they using op-amps or discrete class A circuit, when they start using discrete circuit they may ahve additional customer, DAc they are using are excellent quality but without good output stage they are worth nothing
I bought the SE as I saw it came out just as I was ready to spring for the "regular" BDP-83. I am SO glad I bought this player (and feel even better after reading the review *whew*).
First, I have to say the video/audio playback is a huge step up for me, as I have used a PS3 as my Blu-Ray player since I made the jump to Blu-Ray. In the few movies I have watched (still using PCM though via HDMI as my processor does not decode the HD sound) I find both the audio and video jump HUGE. The video was much more dynamic and vibrant, as is the sound vs the PS3.
Secondly, I am completley rediscovering my SACD collection (and my two token DVD-A's). A few months before I bought this, I FINALLY got a center channel matching my Magnepan 3.6's (the new CCR) and now I can hear what multi-channel music sounds like in a high def digital audio format. All I can say is WOW I sure wish SACD was not clinically dead...
But I am enjoying re-acquainting myself with my SACD library thans to the SE (I forgot to mention my old Sony SACD player stopped working a while back so it has been too long since I have heard some of the great SACD's I own).
hi Xphile
I would surely like to correspond with you regarding that new CC speaker? I also own the 3.6's with the BDP 83
Lots to ask you.
PLease email me at badavy13 [at] yahoo [dot] ca
Thanks
I have a question that seems not to have been talked about here. If you use this player for its higher quality analog outputs, in stereo or surround, also with Blurays that have high quality audio content, how do you get the sound sync with the picture? Presuming you use HDMI to your screen and analog out via a an analog through pre-amp?
This seems to be a real problem, specially for systems already using SA-CD in analog mode, and when you want to use a player like this one, for SA-CD and Bluray. I do not necessarily want to replace all my audio equipment when adding one feature (Bluray video with high rez audio codecs in surround) in an audio set that has otherwise all that I need.
Any suggestions/reactions??
I am doing "both" at the moment.
For SACD, I am using the 5.1 analog inputs into my processor (Anthem AVM40 - which does not have any decoding for Blu Ray formats or SACD...buying that just before all the new processors came out as a bad move on my part..should have waited..but it still has great audio/video qualities).
BUT I am using the HDMI for Blu Ray audio decoding to PCM. I am very happy with the sound via the HDMI and compared to the PS3 (which I had setup the same way PCM via HDMI) it sounds much much better. Using HDMI for both video and sound, I don't have any sync problems. I think my controller does have a "lip sync" adjustment on each source though...never had to try it.
Do you use the HDMI decoding to PCM in the player in surround? And does your Anthem then recognises this signal as a surround signal?
On another note, my TV with picture processing on has a delay of 200ms, so when I can try it again I will try it with the processing switched off.
Yes, I find my AVM-40 seems to deal find with each channel coming in as PCM and playing all the surround correctly. Now with more viewing time I am very happy with the sound. Just re-watch the LOTR Extended edition DVD's which was great, though it not being Blu Ray was painful. Was very please with the upconversion though.
Speaking of: What the heck does the "24hz DVD Upconversion" do? I had it on, then turned it off and the picture seemed to look BETTER. Not sure why..keeping it turned off for now.
I am happy to say I took Oppo up on their upgrade offer and was not disappointed. I am running an Anthem AVM 20 and went this route as the Anthem HDMI upgrade was too just much coin. I wanted to take advantage of the latest codecs and since the Anthem has a great analog throughput I figured this was a worthwhile upgrade. It was.
As far as which setup works best, here is my opinion so far. For SACD and DVD Audio all decoding inside the Oppo and analog to the Anthem with no digital management in the Anthem, sounds great. For two channel decoded to multi channel, coax digital and pro-logic II decoding in the Anthem is best. The pro-logic setup, speaker crossover settings,and base management way more comprehensive in the Anthem. The ability to adjust "stage width" for Pro-logic II inside the Anthem can't be underrated. The big treat though, and by far the biggest eye opener is running the two channel analog outputs from the Oppo direct into my Bryston 4B-ST and through to my Paradigm Studio 100 speakers. I used the variable volume control in the Oppo to control the volume. This, to me turned out to be an amazing example of the classic, less is more audio philosophy. Just amazing detail, power and speed. From vocals through to kick drums, this was the best setup for two channel CD music for sure. The only negative was the changes in volume are in units of five which is a bit too course. A software change to allow single digit volume changes would be appreciated. More flexible base management would also be a benefit.
All that said, great player, and great upgrade if you need to use the Analog outputs.
Reading such rave reviews, one has to loathe Oppo’s decision not to market the BDP-83 over here in Europe.
In doing so they have opened the doors for “grey importers” to offer multi-region hardware mods and obviously charge a ludicrous amount in the process (the SE is available from a French retailer for €999 – that’s a whopping $1350). Although it may still be a bargain even at that price point, I am reluctant to endorse unofficial mods. Call me a wuss…
The irony is that there would be a market here with customers prepared to accept a heftier price tag and no tech support as long as the product came straight from the company instead.
Via the Nu-Force connection my local HiFi supplier in Bergen, Norway has the region-free version for ordinary sale. (Renaissance Audio- also the superb cable manufacturer). Price NOK 13.800 (around 1000 eur. After many rounds of serious listening:
*superb on SACD
*So good on red-book CD that i probably will retire my excellent Cary 303/300 with NOS Siemens tubes
The tendency to tame with cables is "sometimes to smooth for its own good"
I was told by someone in the music industry that the digital audio output to external AV receiver / DAC may be downgraded in quality because of DRM issues, whereas the internal digital audio data stream for the analog output from the onboard DACs is not messed with.
I am looking strictly for SACD player. Well Blu-ray part is not so important but a useful addition. Anyhow, how would the SE version or the Nuforce SE version compare to something like Sony XA9000ES or XA5400ES for SACD playback. I don't have that many SACD discs at this time so I don't want to spend a lot for Esoteric, Ayre etc but I would not rule out any other players in the $1000-$3000 range
So happy happy happy to see such rave reviews. But it puts me in such a position, as my new home theater build will be headlined by a HTPC, with BR built in. I wish there were reviews of component BR for computers so us with HTPC center pieces wont feel left out. Sad. But nice review. Best bang for the buck, and sticks it in the eyes of other audiophile companies that just re-skin Oppo and call it amazing (Lexicon, you know I'm talking about you). Oppo is the brand to beat now!