Oppos Enhanced: NuForce BDP-93 NE & NXE Blu-ray/ Universal Players (TPV 106)
Making A Good Player Better
August 16th, 2011 -- by Steven StoneSource: The Perfect Vision
Connectivity highlights:
• Dual USB Ports: The BDP-93 provides two USB 2.0 ports that can read audio, video, or photo data from attached USB drives. Note, however, that the BDP-93 is not set up to be used as a USB DAC through which, say music files could be played from a computer (though there is—or at least may be—a different connectivity option for playing files from computers: see “Experimental Functions”, below).
• eSATA Ports: The BDP-93 allows users to connect and play audio, video or photo content from eSATA drives (or drive arrays).
• Wireless & Ethernet Connectivity: The BDP-93 provides both a hardwired RJ-45-type Ethernet port and a plug-in Wireless-N adapter that can support streaming content from the Internet or (potentially) from the user’s home network.
• Netflix & Blockbuster-On-Demand Ready: The BDP-93 supports movie streaming from Netflix and Blockbuster-On-Demand, and in fact ships with free trial membership offers from both services (offered to U.S.-based owners only, however).
• PAL/NTSC Conversion: By design, the BDP-93 can—at least in principle—play both NTSC and PAL format contents, and support conversion of one format to the other for playback purposes. However, the BDP-93 manual contains this caveat: “(Subject to DVD and BD region restrictions.)”
• “Experimental functions”: Within the “Media File Playback” section of the BDP-93 manual, users will find a menu option labeled MY NETWORK, which is described as “an experimental feature which enables the player to stream audio, video and photo (content) from media servers on the home network.” The Oppo technical support team does not official support this DNLA Server-like functionality package, but prospective buyers can learn more by visiting wiki.oppodigital.com.
• IR & RS-232: The BDP-93 provides IR and RS-232 ports to support custom installations.
SONIC CHARACTER
Although the two NuForce upgrade boards come from the same designer, they do not sound identical. NuForce claims the NE board is “more tube-like,” but I did not find this to be the whole story. In my systems the NE board delivered less frequency extension, which might be considered “tube like” compared to the NXE’s more far-reaching frequency response. The NE board also has a bit less definition and low-level detail overall than the NXE board. Finally the NE board has a bright zone in its upper midrange that highlights the textures of certain instruments.
Both NuForce boards deliver clean three-dimensional soundstages that expand upon the imaging capabilities of a stock Oppo BDP-93. Both boards also offer better low-level detail than the BDP-93, with their images emerging from a quieter background. Nuforce’s designs demonstrate that improvements to an analog circuit (the digital parts are all the same as a stock Oppo) can make a noticeable change for the better to the Oppo BDP-93’s sonics.
MOVIE/SOUNDTACK PERFORMANCE
I recently purchased the Firefly TV series on Blu-Ray. With plenty of music and bombastic explosions it served as an excellent example of how well the NuForce board handles high-quality multi-channel sources. One of my favorite episodes, “The Train Robbery,” has plenty challenge it, from the opening theme song replete with slide guitar, fiddles, and a full drum kit, to the requisite explosions and rocket ship engines screaming upon take off. The NuForce boards handled all of this audio mayhem without any signs of distress or strain.
I was especially impressed with the NXE board’s ability to handle low frequency signals without complaint. Even the quiet nearly subsonic rumblings hear while the transport ship Serenity is in space come through cleanly with no issues. At the other frequency extreme, the NuForce NXE preserved all the whistling wind sounds of desolate outlying planets with ease.
Dialog definition is also exemplary through the Nuforce NXE board. Even with some of the almost whispered throwaway lines uttered during takeoffs and landings (when there’s plenty of other aural activity going on, some at much higher SPLs than the dialog), the locational precision and detail of the dialog never suffered.
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Comments
In your review you conclude that "... on multi-channel sources, such as music Blu-Rays and movies, the BDP-93 NXE multi-channel outputs had superior fidelity to the BDP-95’s standard 5.1 outputs."
I'm curious if you compared 5.1 downmix to analog stereo output between the three players; and, if so, what your impressions were.
I used discrete 7.1, 5.1, and 2-channel sources for all my listening. I did not compare downmixes.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I only mentioned it because there are a number of people who principally use the OPPO's, including the BDP-95 as an audio D2A transport to source their stereo equipment.
I did listen to quite a bit of material that came from USB sticks, including even DSD files. Again without using internal down-mixing...Using USB sources does not require down-mixing multi-channel sources to two-channel...
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I'm curious how you were able to play DSD files from an attached hard drive. What was the format?
My own DSD recordings were converted to PCM. SACD discs played like other discs. I know that some folks are transferring SACD to DSD and then playing the DSD files on discs, but I did not do this.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Oppos Enhanced: NuForce BDP-93 NE & NXE Blu-ray/ Universal Players (TPV 106) Review By by Steven Stone on August 16th, 2011
Your review was interesting and informative right up until you selected your Blu-ray source material. You cannot review the audio performance of this product with substandard source material. Hey, I am a big fan of Firefly. However, as a reviewer, I would think that you may want to carefully select your source material based on the audio quality and not your personal attraction to it. As a reviewer you may want to check out some reviews of Blu-ray discs from people that actually review Blu-ray. Maybe you have never heard of http://www.blu-ray.com/ who are very reputable at reviewing Blu-ray source material.
Here is what they have to say about the audio content of “Firefly” (http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Firefly-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/815/#R...):
“The audio side of the "Firefly" question is a little more complicated. While the disc's 5.1 DTS HD-Master Audio soundtrack delivers impressive fidelity, the show's original sound design hampers the overall enjoyment of the track. Of course, this isn't surprising given the show's low budget television roots There is a minimal amount of surround activity present throughout the series. Panning effects are rarely used, although when they do occur the do so to great effect. There is a slight amount of low frequency data encoded on the disc, so don't expect your subwoofer to do much during the course of an episode. Dialogue is well recorded and presented, however. It's the one bright spot in this otherwise unremarkable track. I'm sure that "Firefly" could be much more dynamic and exciting if the show's soundtrack were given a thorough remixing. As it stands now, "Firefly" is a little lifeless”.
The disc you should have selected if you like “Firefly” is the movie “Serenity”.
Here is the audio review for “Serenity” (http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Serenity-Blu-ray/2637/#Review):
“Serenity is as aurally pleasing as it is visually. Universal has provided the film's action packed and explosive soundtrack in full 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio lossless glory. To say this is an exciting and dynamic track would be an understatement. Surround activity is massive with loads of effective panning effects. Explosions, gunshots and rockets blast from each channel with an intense and immersive sense of ambience and separation. The film's score, by David Newman, builds on themes from the "Firefly" television show and helps to deliver the emotion behind the action. Dialogue is also handled exceptionally well while low frequency information will engage your subwoofer in a thunderous cacophony of deep, rumbling bass. Serenity will tick off your neighbors, impress your friends and scare the living hell out of the cat. Highly recommended”!
As a reviewer you should know better than to select substandard source material for an audio review of a product. First of all, you are misrepresenting two groups of people. NuForce deserves a better and more complete review of their product. After all this is how they make their income. Secondly, the consumer is also being misrepresented with this review. This is how they spend their income and they deserve better.
Here is a list of Blu-ray discs and review links that would have been far superior in both Video and Audio than what you selected (by the way, you might want to read them):
Blade Runner (5-Disc Complete Collector's Edition)
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Blade-Runner-Blu-ray/545/#Review
Band of Brothers
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Band-of-Brothers-Blu-ray/1151/#Review
Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's (Outstanding Audio)
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jeff-Beck-Performing-This-Week-Live-at-Ron...
Pearl Harbor
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Pearl-Harbor-Blu-ray/190/#Review
Quantum of Solace
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Quantum-of-Solace-Blu-ray/3709/#Review
Transformers
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Transformers-Blu-ray/741/#Review
If you need people to evaluate and review product, I am available. I will definitely do my research when I review a product. I may not be as articulate as most of your reviewers. But, I will get my message across.
I bet my Audio/Video system is better than most of your reviewers for product such as the NuForce.
Congratulations - this is probably the most condescending, ridiculous, pompous post I've read in the last few days of scouring reviews and forums for information about the Oppo BDP-95, but on a positive note it is very funny.
As a reviewer of two channel audio myself I can suggest to you that using 'audiophile' recordings to evaluate equipment is like taking an automobile onto a perfectly level racetrack in ideal weather to test it's road-holding; ideal conditions for someone who only ever drives in such conditions but useless for those of us who drive in the real world.
Basically 90% of half decent two channel systems will sound superb with audiophile recordings. It takes the best systems to wring an involving experience from 90% of recordings.
The reviewer who's judgement you question is probably far too dignified to respond to your criticism or doesn't take it seriously, possibly both, or perhaps he senses that in a battle of wits it's unfair to take on an unarmed opponent.
I have a Oppo 93 and have been thinking getting of the NuForce NE upgrade, budget limits kind
of rule out the NXE version. Do you think the $400.00 upgrade cost to the NE version will be a
"subjective" inprovement for two channel analog audio? In general I listen to classical music (CD)
the most and have been attempting to "warm" things up a bit. Your comments would be appreciated.
Since you are using the NE's analog outputs, which is where NuForce has made the most changes, you should hear a difference from the stock unit. Whether this will "warm" things as you desire, only listening will determine.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Thanks Steve for your quick response...sounds like by itself the Oppo 93 is more than just a decent CD anaolg (two channel) player.
I should know that but maybe I'm trying to tweak to much from possible upgrades (firmware or complete devices). There seems to be
differences but none that I find objectionable (I have tried a Emotiva ERC-2 (close to the Oppo 93) and a Onkyo C-S5VL. Perhaps those models I have listed may tell you something about my hearing perception (I'm 66).
In the end I'm trying to optimize my CD player hardware on what I can afford and hear the audible difference in a postive way. I think it may
be time "not" well spent to audition the NuForce NE board or another CD player in the $400.00 range and expect to be impressed enough to
keep it.
As before, comments appreciated..
Jim Dellinger
Colorado
Jim, I would also suggest that you might want to try some different cables between the player and your preamp. The "right" cable might give you the warming you're looking for. Which cable would that be and how much might it cost? I have no idea...but you might find something in your own cable stash that would do the trick...I'm not suggesting a $1000 a meter cable here - perhaps even something like Kimber's entry level cable might be enough to change the overall sonic presentation...
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications