[magsterone]

Hi,

     Would you recommend a universal blu-ray/sacd/etc. player?  Or get a separate blu-ray and a separate sacd/dvd-a/etc pplayer?  Thanks.

[Dan Driscoll]

As far as I know, there are no Blu-Ray players on the market yet that can also do both SACD and DVD-Audio. Word is the upcoming Oppo BRP will also do SACD and DVD-A, but it's not available yet.

If you're serious about the sound quality of your SACD/DVD-A playback, I would recommend going with a dedicated audio player and BRP for video.

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

I can tell you the Oppo BDP-83 is agreat SACD, DVD-A & Blu-ray player.

[EDS_]

I can tell you the Oppo BDP-83 is agreat SACD, DVD-A & Blu-ray player.

IIRC new Oppo BRP player does not do DVD-A, most everything else though.

[Dan Driscoll]

I can tell you the Oppo BDP-83 is agreat SACD, DVD-A & Blu-ray player.

Unless I'm mistaken, the BDP-83 hasn't been released yet, it's still in beta test. So I assume you are an Oppo beta tester?

However, according to Oppo and the trades, the BDP-83 doesn't have DVD-Audio capability, although it may be an upgrade eventually. Or are you beta-testing a BDP-83 with DVD-A?

Regardless, for serious SACD/DVD-A playback I would still want a dedicated audio player, rather than shared unit, if for no other reason than to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on either player. I am assuming you listen to a lot of music. Something along the lines of  Denon 2900, 3910, or better, if your budget allows.

[magsterone]

Thanks, I do plan more for listening, but I also understand the oppo has plans to ensure their universal player does recognize dvd-a before they release it.  Any other recommendations.

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

I can tell you the Oppo BDP-83 is agreat SACD, DVD-A & Blu-ray player.

Unless I'm mistaken, the BDP-83 hasn't been released yet, it's still in beta test. So I assume you are an Oppo beta tester?

However, according to Oppo and the trades, the BDP-83 doesn't have DVD-Audio capability, although it may be an upgrade eventually. Or are you beta-testing a BDP-83 with DVD-A?

Regardless, for serious SACD/DVD-A playback I would still want a dedicated audio player, rather than shared unit, if for no other reason than to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on either player. I am assuming you listen to a lot of music. Something along the lines of  Denon 2900, 3910, or better, if your budget allows.

I am part of the second beta test group and it does support DVD-A (new firmware) and SACD.  I had a Oppo 983 and a Denon 2900 before that and this new Oppo sounds better than both.

[Dan Driscoll]

I am part of the second beta test group and it does support DVD-A (new firmware) and SACD.  I had a Oppo 983 and a Denon 2900 before that and this new Oppo sounds better than both.

It's great to have confirmation of the DVD-A capability. Everyone has heard the rumors and leaks, but that's not the same as actually hearing from someone who has used it. It would be really impressive if the audio performance of the Oppo is that good, especially at the reported price point.

Does the BDP-83 have full set-up capability? I see on the website that it has built-in DD-True HD and DTS-HD decoders, but does it also have individual channel level, delay and crossover adjustments? I have an analog preamp (Audio Refinement Pre-5), so all of the audio digital processing has to be done in the player and be available from the 7.1 analog outputs.

[EDS_]

I can tell you the Oppo BDP-83 is agreat SACD, DVD-A & Blu-ray player.

Unless I'm mistaken, the BDP-83 hasn't been released yet, it's still in beta test. So I assume you are an Oppo beta tester?

However, according to Oppo and the trades, the BDP-83 doesn't have DVD-Audio capability, although it may be an upgrade eventually. Or are you beta-testing a BDP-83 with DVD-A?

Regardless, for serious SACD/DVD-A playback I would still want a dedicated audio player, rather than shared unit, if for no other reason than to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on either player. I am assuming you listen to a lot of music. Something along the lines of  Denon 2900, 3910, or better, if your budget allows.

I am part of the second beta test group and it does support DVD-A (new firmware) and SACD.  I had a Oppo 983 and a Denon 2900 before that and this new Oppo sounds better than both.

That's great news.  I emailed Oppo some months ago about DVD-A on this player and was told no.  I'm glad they re-thought that decision.

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

I am part of the second beta test group and it does support DVD-A (new firmware) and SACD.  I had a Oppo 983 and a Denon 2900 before that and this new Oppo sounds better than both.

It's great to have confirmation of the DVD-A capability. Everyone has heard the rumors and leaks, but that's not the same as actually hearing from someone who has used it. It would be really impressive if the audio performance of the Oppo is that good, especially at the reported price point.

Does the BDP-83 have full set-up capability? I see on the website that it has built-in DD-True HD and DTS-HD decoders, but does it also have individual channel level, delay and crossover adjustments? I have an analog preamp (Audio Refinement Pre-5), so all of the audio digital processing has to be done in the player and be available from the 7.1 analog outputs.

I really did not play with that but it does have individual channel setup, trim etc. 7.1 analog outputs.  I use hdmi to my Anthem D2v.  There are still a few hiccups on some discs but Oppo is working on them.  I believe the consensus is it will hit the streets within 30 days.

[oscar]

If I'm starting from scratch and I want to use the players' 5/7.1 analog outputs for Blu-ray, I'd probably want to get a Uber-universal player.  THis way I'm paying for only one player with decent DACs.

If I'm going to use HDMI for the uncompressed/lossless audio and let the preamp/receiver do the DAC work, I'd lean towards separate players.

I went "cheap" on blu-ray (Sony BDP-S550) this time around because I already have a MC DVD-A/SACD player.

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

If I'm starting from scratch and I want to use the players' 5/7.1 analog outputs for Blu-ray, I'd probably want to get a Uber-universal player.  THis way I'm paying for only one player with decent DACs.

If I'm going to use HDMI for the uncompressed/lossless audio and let the preamp/receiver do the DAC work, I'd lean towards separate players.

I went "cheap" on blu-ray (Sony BDP-S550) this time around because I already have a MC DVD-A/SACD player.

You might want to try the BDP-83, I also have he Sony 550 here and the Oppo is much better.  I also did not mention before that the upconvert on DVDs is superb.  Way better than the Sony or my Oppo 983.