[jimdgoulding]

As a CD player, what is your experience?  If none, like me, what is your opinion of why this unit gets the good buzz it does?  One reviewer attributes it's (superior) sound to the Sabre chipset it employs.  Says it's more analog like.  I use a Koetsu Black MC phono cartridge which has a reach-out-and-touch-it image physicality that I like.  What I don't want is anything resembling dry or edgy, heck no. 

Really do appreciate your insight and opinions in advance.  I'm ready to replace my modest Sony transport and old Bel Canto DAC as we speak.  Can't tolerate its upper midrange graininess any longer.  Thanks.

[Phil A]

I posted over here - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=142404.msg1519156#new

[jarcher]

103 has mediocre budget cs4382 cirrus DAC chip. Generally speaking the oppo "5" series (95 / 105) is the "audiophile" oppo, though the ess sabre DAC chip is better I wouldn't  consider the implementation offering probably the warm non dry / edgy character you're looking for.

The latter bel cantos dacs (eg the 1.7) might offer an upgrade over your older bel canto and more the sound you're after.

There are a good # of DAC options on the warmer side, but an oppo I don't think is the direction you want.

[jimdgoulding]

Thanks, Arch.  Got any suggestions?  I gotta stay under a grand.

[Phil A]

Thanks, Arch.  Got any suggestions?  I gotta stay under a grand.

Here's one resource to give you options - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rHcXP7PExksxZfkif3Rv2CT1Y_ESpNSv2b0nkKlBySk/edit#gid=0

[jimdgoulding]

Thank you guys for sharing.  Here's a nice recording tip and music for you: Ernest Bloch's "Evocations, Two Last Poems . . Maybe, and Trois Poems Juif" on the KOCH label as performed by The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

[S Clark]

Jason is absolutely correct about the nature of the Oppo 95,  very detailed, possibly edgy to some .  I like it, but if you are looking for warm this ain't it.

[jarcher]

Thanks, Arch.  Got any suggestions?  I gotta stay under a grand.

Probably something good based around a wolfson or burr-brown dac chip with AKM being a decent third option. Lots of choices. Eg an old Esoteric DV-50 or Rega Saturn is doable under $1K, even if those are now over 10 years old and a bit musty. Bel Canto CD 2 used is getting close to $1k but still a bit more. A very good transport as well though the very robust Phillips pro cd transports are no longer made.

DAC wise I actually think you'd like a Bel Canto 1.5 or 2.5 DAC, both available under $1k. The first gen Bel Canto you had is ancient so naturally it's going to sound muffled. The 1.5 with a good linear power supply is warm and very smooth.

If you want something more budget, then a Hegel HD11 DAC is quite smooth and can be had for under $600.

If you want something new, even though I usually detest the cirrus dac chips, Marantz with their CD players actually manage to make them sound quite smooth. The SA8005 is available near your budget and is also a DAC, which is nice.

[jimdgoulding]

Probably something good based around a wolfson or burr-brown dac chip with AKM being a decent third option. Lots of choices. Eg an old Esoteric DV-50 or Rega Saturn is doable under $1K, even if those are now over 10 years old and a bit musty. Bel Canto CD 2 used is getting close to $1k but still a bit more. A very good transport as well though the very robust Phillips pro cd transports are no longer made.

DAC wise I actually think you'd like a Bel Canto 1.5 or 2.5 DAC, both available under $1k. The first gen Bel Canto you had is ancient so naturally it's going to sound muffled. The 1.5 with a good linear power supply is warm and very smooth.

If you want something more budget, then a Hegel HD11 DAC is quite smooth and can be had for under $600.

If you want something new, even though I usually detest the cirrus dac chips, Marantz with their CD players actually manage to make them sound quite smooth. The SA8005 is available near your budget and is also a DAC, which is nice.

Oh, man.  Thanks for that!  If any of you cats ever get down to Houston, I'm a pretty good host if I do say so myself.  Plus, I know where the best fish tacos are and for a pittance.  That and yer bound to find something amongst my collection you'd like to listen to. 

[jarcher]

Thanks ! Fish tacos always go down good.

If your ever in the DC area, let me know!

[jimdgoulding]

No worries, mate.  I will.

[GerryD]

You sound like a candidate for a Marantz 8005, although it's slightly over your budget.  Maybe you can find one used for under $1000. I'm very pleased with mine.

[ACHiPo]

You sound like a candidate for a Marantz 8005, although it's slightly over your budget.  Maybe you can find one used for under $1000. I'm very pleased with mine.

Jim,
The Oppo 105 is a little over your budget as well, but is an outstanding transport and a pretty good DAC.

Maybe find a used one or demo?
AC

[GerryD]

There's a 9/10 rated 8005 listed on Audiogon for $720.

[S Clark]

Jim,
The Oppo 105 is a little over your budget as well, but is an outstanding transport and a pretty good DAC.

Maybe find a used one or demo?
AC

This is one of the reasons I bought a used 95, better sound and better price.  Probably now in the $550-$650 range.

[undertow]

Fact is I owned both the 105, and 103D to date. The 105 in XLR was fine, but it was not exactly any more musical or capable than the 103 in the system configurations I used it in. As a matter of fact the 105 sounded more digital than the 103. Probably more accurate, but not more musical in the end.

Also, I have found still to this day the ESS chips are okay, but they all sound a little dry and edgy compared to other comparable players using Burr Brown Dacs which generally in my opinion/experience still sound more natural. Of course this is not to say that any player using any DAC chip would not be superior with a better analog stage all together so there will always be a difference in a 500 dollar player, and a 5000.00 dollar player to some degree regardless what DAC chip is used.

In the end I would not get caught up on "What brand DAC chip" or even what version of that chip is used. They all react better to how good the recording being delivered is. Some recordings will sound far better than others in any case when it comes to digital.

The 103 is the best value player out there, and best sounding for the feature set it delivers that can be used well into the future. Honestly the 105 is a waste on most levels because you will end up with a more pricey machine that is going to be discontinued soon anyway unless you are h3ll bent on being able to run XLR, and it's not a huge difference in delivery if your looking for purely digital transport overall.

Only problem I have with the oppos is they do get a little "Buggy" with some programs, in almost every iteration I have owned over the past 10 years, and especially trying to use their own Media Player. I found fairly sporadic lock ups, and they did not figure out how to fix their APP yet to even keep the album track, and artwork consistently streaming back to your phone or Ipad whatever. And if it does lock up you literally have to unplug the machine from the wall to get it to read your USB connections again. I will say this happens every 5 to 10 times using the machine. I have spoke with them on this, and they admit not having a full solution, and are aware of the issue.

But some of this won't matter unless your trying to use the oppo as a server. I looked at the Marantz, but problem is I believe like Yamaha and others I tested their Media Apps' will only run on their main power receivers hooked up to the player, they don't let their DVD players become independent music servers which suxs. But I heard a Yamaha which believe it or not is a very musical machine, only problem is you gotta keep your big screen on to navigate your music collection as their App will not feed back into to a tablet etc... Oppo will even though again the Oppo has some bugs with this setup still.