[ted_b]

Hi,

Thanks for the info Ted. I think I know why you like it better, I will try it via PCM when I can, I have a 9.8 coming in soon for mods. Was this strictly 2ch or MC?

Strictly mch.  2 channel is handled via my stereo pre (Modwright LS 36.5) and either Modwright Transporter DAC (from DVD-A) or Modwright Denon 3910. 

[ASi_TEK]

Ok yeah my setup was strictly 2ch SACD and the DSD was decoded straight at the amp. I will try both with the 9.8 and see what I hear in that scenario.

[ted_b]

Doug,
Hi.  Didn't realize it was you.  A modded 9.8?  Hmmmmmmm......   So, do you think, for pure HDMI, that the 983 mch PCM is worth the jump from the 980?  I realize you could then mod the 983 just as well, right?

[ASi_TEK]

Hi Ted,

There are some difference between the two models using HDMI.

The Oppo DV-980h utilizes the meditek/oppo processing chip and its a very short signal path and very optimal in my opinion.

The Oppo DV-983h uses the same chip but then this feed into the seperate circuit board for HDMI (Anchor Bay chipsets) which uses more processing and longer traces, etc. My service addresses the stock caps on this board for an improvement (as well as overall jitter, and noise reduction elsewhere). The DV-983H uses a power supply shield which is supposed to be better than a non shielded environment.

The Oppo DV-980H is HDMI 1.2a compliant, the Oppo DV-983H is HDMI 1.1 compliant.

2ch analog output peformance? Oppo DV-983H is a going to be a little better in stock mode due to the better stock parts, and oppo raised the voltage rails from +/-9vdc to +/-12vdc for more dynamic range. I thought the DV-983H is better sounding unit stock.

Personally I would just stick with the DV-980H. Unless the best looking standard definition DVD playback is needed as wel, but audio only I would go DV-980H all the way!! 

I hope this info helps!  I have a Oppo DV-980H and a DV-983H here.

[Charles Calkins]

How is the 980 just as a transport?

              Cheers
                 Charlie

[ASi_TEK]

Hi Charlie,

How would you be using it? Coaxial? Toslink? If so, its a great transport no doubt! Especially for the low cost of $169 + ship.

Ted and I are using the DV-980H as "HDMI" Transports, which we both feel is the optimal way to go as there is no extra conversions to SPDIF, plus you can send SACD via PCM or DSD over HDMI and have a processor or receiver decode it.  SACD cannot be sent over coaxial or toslink due to bandwidth restrcitions.

Hope this info works for you.

Thanks!

[ted_b]

Hi Charlie,

How would you be using it? Coaxial? Toslink? If so, its a great transport no doubt! Especially for the low cost of $169 + ship.

Ted and I are using the DV-980H as "HDMI" Transports, which we both feel is the optimal way to go as there is no extra conversions to SPDIF, plus you can send SACD via PCM or DSD over HDMI and have a processor or receiver decode it.  SACD cannot be sent over coaxial or toslink due to bandwidth restrcitions.

Hope this info works for you.

Thanks!

And the Oppo sends up to 24/192 via coax/toslink, so you can use it to send DVD-A (somehow this Oppo, and some other players get around the MLP issues) 2 channel to a DAC.  Useful if you don't like the analog outs or if you assume your DAC is better than the Oppo's.  As Doug said, that same option is not there for SACD, of course.

[Charles Calkins]

I'd use either Toslink or coaxial and feed it into a DAC. Stereo audio only. I haxe an older Oppo DVD player and it works great. Wonder if it would make a good transport? If so then I could get a new one for DVD.

                                    Cheers
                                   Charlie

[ted_b]

And the 980 does 480i so it makes a nice HDMI video transport (to a scaler) too.

[kbuzz3]

im curious about the 980 as transport via coax/toslink to dac as well

[jmichael]

For those of you that are interested.

Previously, with all OPPO DVD player models including the 980, when setting the front speakers to small and subwoofer to on, there would be no subwoofer output when playing 2.0 or 5.0 DVD-Audio discs.
I'm happy to report that I discovered that the OPPO 983 now plays 2.0 or 5.0 channel DVD-Audio discs correctly when speakers are set to small.   

[Charles Calkins]

kbuzz23:

 By itself the 980 is a very good CD player. It's performance far exceeds it's price tag of $169. If you were to use it as a transport the results would depend on the choice and quality of the DAC. Been there done that!

                                           Cheers
                                           Charlie

[kbuzz3]

Charlie thanks for the response. My question was more to the effect of how is the oppo when used with a dac that you are familar with.  I have noticed some sound difference in transports using the same dac. So i was kinda curious what folks thought of the oppo as a transpor in of itself.....