Universal player recommendations

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rtate

Universal player recommendations
« on: 12 Jul 2021, 12:40 am »
I'm looking for a decent Blu-ray player that will play SACD 5.1 discs
I have been looking at things like the Oppo bdp103 or bdp93 type players
They typically sell for around $350 in my area
Are there other players out there that are better for the money ?
Not sure if I should have posted in the Home Theater or Cheap and Cheerful section
Please feel free to move if required  :)

Phil A

Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #1 on: 12 Jul 2021, 12:49 pm »
Here's one comparison between the two Oppo players (and there are others on the page that one can compare - https://productz.com/en/oppo-bdp-103-vs-oppo-bdp-93/v/n3aq-GZwap    The 103 (I own two 103Ds and have owned the 93 - gave it to someone recently) is of course newer and has some additional features.  Some newer players around that price like the Panasonic 820 (I have a couple) are better in video and can play some higher resolution files but won't play DVD-A or SACD discs.  So it depends on what features are important to you.  Note that the Oppo players are no longer made.  Oppo will continue support for an unspecified period - https://nscreenmedia.com/oppo-disc-player-sales-quit/   or   https://www.audioholics.com/editorials/oppo-digital-bids-farewell-ends-us-manufacturing    So keep in mind that Oppo products have not been made in a few years at this point and may not be supported for more than a few more and there may be current models from other manufacturers that have the specs you desire (e.g. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158X800M2/Sony-UBP-X800M2.html)

rtate

Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #2 on: 12 Jul 2021, 02:49 pm »
Thanks Phil, yeah I realize that the Oppos are no longer being produced but they do still seem to be popular.
I don't know of any other manufacturers that make similar players. Any I would probably be in the used market anyway.
Specifically I am looking for a player that will play SACD 5.1 discs such as the Dark Side of the moon disc mixed by James Guthrie
And the new Pink Floyd "Animals" 5.1 SACD that is being released shortly... :green:
4K isn't important to me at this time but may be nice in the future.

Doublej

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Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #3 on: 12 Jul 2021, 04:36 pm »
I would look at the Sony players.

Holygeezer

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Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #4 on: 12 Jul 2021, 06:05 pm »
Cambridge Audio made a couple really great universal players. I have the 752BD player which I believe was based on an Oppo platform. I’ve had it for a number of years now and it is fantastic. You can probably pull up a few reviews on it. They had at least one model previous to it and one after it as well. Occasionally I see them pop up for sale. Worth checking out IMHO.

rtate

Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #5 on: 12 Jul 2021, 10:23 pm »
I've always thought Cambridge made good stuff !
I will check out those Sony players as well although I've never really been a fan... :scratch:

rbbert

Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #6 on: 12 Jul 2021, 10:44 pm »
Note that the Sony players won't play burned DVD-A (I've tried it without success, even though the manuals claim they will) and for SACD you will need a receiver that decodes DSD directly or be happy with a DSD>PCM conversion.

SteveFord

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Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #7 on: 12 Jul 2021, 11:17 pm »
Sony, I had a problem with a 50 pack of CD-Rs, I called up, spent 10 minutes running through prompts, at the end the pre-recorded voice said because you're not using them in a Sony product tough beans and it hung up on me.

Nertz to them.
Cambridge Audio sounds good if you don't want to roll the dice on an Oppo.

I just picked up an Oppo BDP-103, no complaints with that model.

Rob Babcock

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Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #8 on: 23 Sep 2021, 10:51 pm »
Does the Sony output the DVD-A and SACD audio via the HDMI?

rbbert

Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #9 on: 24 Sep 2021, 12:21 pm »
It does, although as noted it may not read all DVD-A’s, and since that is not a Sony “product” don’t expect them to care.

mav52

Re: Universal player recommendations
« Reply #10 on: 24 Sep 2021, 12:32 pm »
Here's one comparison between the two Oppo players (and there are others on the page that one can compare - https://productz.com/en/oppo-bdp-103-vs-oppo-bdp-93/v/n3aq-GZwap    The 103 (I own two 103Ds and have owned the 93 - gave it to someone recently) is of course newer and has some additional features.  Some newer players around that price like the Panasonic 820 (I have a couple) are better in video and can play some higher resolution files but won't play DVD-A or SACD discs.  So it depends on what features are important to you.  Note that the Oppo players are no longer made.  Oppo will continue support for an unspecified period - https://nscreenmedia.com/oppo-disc-player-sales-quit/   or   https://www.audioholics.com/editorials/oppo-digital-bids-farewell-ends-us-manufacturing    So keep in mind that Oppo products have not been made in a few years at this point and may not be supported for more than a few more and there may be current models from other manufacturers that have the specs you desire (e.g. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158X800M2/Sony-UBP-X800M2.html)

I still have a 93 in a box in my closet, maybe I should sell it.