BDP-83 and BDP-83SE Tube Mods!

modwright · « **on:** 21 Jun 2010, 07:16 pm »

OK guys, given the successful results of the Sony and the foresight in designing the tube board to fit both players, I will now install the tube mod in an Oppo and evaluate!

Price is still TBD, but will be in the $1750 - $2K range for 2CH tube mods to include:

2CH SE (or fully balanced) analog outs.
Outboard high-voltage supply.
Dedicated clock supply for Burson clock (available for non-tube mods also!)

I will post my listening results as soon as complete, but it will be done VERY shortly now!

Thanks,

Dan W.

hrcapers · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Jun 2010, 09:01 pm »

Great news Dan. I hope it's MY Oppo!

modwright · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Jun 2010, 11:50 pm »

You know it is...

Take care,

Dan

Socrates7 · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Jul 2010, 04:04 pm »

Any updates on this mod?

slefley · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Jul 2010, 07:32 pm »

Dan, I am one of the happy customers of your solid-state OPPO mod. When you are able to comment on the listening results of your tube mod it would be nice if you could compare/contrast the tube vs ss, and also provide a upgrade price for those of us in this category.

kngale1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 02:09 pm »

Dan,

Will the BDP-83 and BDP-83SE Tube Mod trickle into the Transporter? I understand the latest tube mod is superior to the Transporter tube mod.

Thanks!

modwright · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 04:58 pm »

I have one glowing right now

. Price for 2CH tube mods with clock and dedicated clock supply = $1500.
For those who want a fully blanced 2CH tube mod version, the price will be $2K. There is literally 2x the circuitry involved in the balanced model and with tubes it is NOT cheap.

The mod will feature the standard PS 9.0 tube-rectified and SS regulated power supply with 4-pin Neutrik XLR umbilical.

More to come...

Thanks!

Dan

hrcapers · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Aug 2010, 06:30 pm »

I just received the very first Modwright tubed Oppo unit last Friday. Thanks to Dan and Kristin for the great service! This is my third Modwright player. It will replace the Absolute Truth XA-777ES in my system. The Sony still sounds great except it refuses to play most of my SACDs.

It’s still early in the process, but I can definitely say that this deck is a major improvement over the XA-777. The first thing I noticed was how clear the music was. Pardon the audiophile clichés, but “lifting of veils” and “musicians in the room” would apply. This in the standard Oppo, not the SE model, so I wasn’t expecting to hear such a detailed presentation. I was hearing more in old familiar recordings – a tambourine here, congas there – that were once hidden in the mix. It was also much easier to follow individual instruments. It has a wide and deep soundstage with stable images, and a relaxing presentation. Without realizing it, I had the Oppo turned up probably 6 dB higher than normal with no listener’s fatigue. Lastly, the frequency extremes were much better than the XA-777. I had to turn my subs down 3 dB (they only operate below 35 Hz. And the top end was grain free. In short, this is a fabulous sounding player.

I have not heard Dan’s modified Sony 5400, but I chose the Oppo for two reasons: 1) I had trouble with the earlier Sony…sticking drawer and SACD problems, and 2) I wanted something truly universal to free up some cabinet space.

Dan has hit another home run with this tube mod. Maybe he can fill everyone in on the sonic differences between the tubed Oppo, the SS Oppo, and the tubed Sony 5400.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Aug 2010, 08:02 pm »

hrcapers,

Thanks for the early report. As I am sure many folks will be on the fence re: whether to get the 83 or SE modded, I'm curious why you decided on the 83.

Enjoy that Modwright. I am sure enjoying my 9000ES Signature.

hrcapers · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Aug 2010, 08:33 pm »

If I remember correctly (many months ago), Dan told me the Sabre chip in the SE might be a little more detailed, and the chip in the non-SE might be a little more musical. That plus the $400 difference in price

modwright · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Aug 2010, 06:48 am »

Hi Guys, first of all, the tube-modified Oppo BDP-83 IS superior sounding to the SS mods for either 83 or 83SE - also admittedly at a higher price.

The main difference is that with our SS mods, we are able to offer 2CH and 7 out of 7.1 channel upgrades, for both stereo and MCH playback. The tube mods are only available for stereo playback. MCH circuits may receive optional op-amp upgrades, etc., but will NOT be tubed.

The Sony XA-5400ES mod is slightly more resolving, and also for a higher price. Mod price for Sony = $2K and $1300-$1500 for player = $3300-$3500 investment, vs. $2000 for Oppo BDP-83.

Fully balanced tube mods are also available for either 83 or 83SE, for $2,000 (mod only). This is a fully balanced stereo modification with XLR outs.

We have not put the tube mod in the SE unit yet, but it promises to be potentially even better. I feel that the SS mod for the SE model appeals to someone REALLY wanting a very detailed presentation. The Non-SE model with our SS mods is a bit more laid back and many prefer this.

The tube mods offer a full and harmonically rich performance with exceptional detail, soundstage and bass response. Because the SE unit uses an op-amp for I-V conversion, I am anxious to hear how the tube mod for the SE will sound with our own passive I-V conversion (no op-amp at all in this circuit), like we do for the Sony 5400ES. The BDP-83 (non-SE) uses a Crystal Semi Delta-Sigma DAC that is current output, therefore the I-V circuit is on the DAC chip itself.

I am happy to answer any questions. The Sony and Oppo both follow proudly in our long line of tube 'Truth' mods and I can say with confidence that these two mods both continue to up the ante in terms of performance. We have made some significant breakthroughs with both mods!

Take care,

Dan W.
HK, China - Aug. 9, 2010
Sunny and Humid!

modwright · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Aug 2010, 01:06 pm »

OK, mods have been completed for BOTH Oppo BDP-83 and BDP-83SE with tubes.

BOTH Oppos with tubes are WORLD CLASS and the performance level is right up there with the Sony XA5400ES and they BOTH represent our Reference digital playback.

If you are having trouble sourcing a Sony and/or would prefer to have a Universal Player to be able to play Blue-Ray disks, DVD, DVD-A, HDCD, etc., PLEASE consider the Oppo. I am quite honestly FLOORED at how good it sounds!

A non-SE with 2CH tube mods is $2K + shipping and I would EASILY compare it to $10K CD sources!

Thanks,

Dan w.

jackox · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Aug 2010, 03:57 pm »

Congratulation Dan !

Another baby in the MWI family.

Will you post some pictures soon ?

klao · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Aug 2010, 08:35 am »

Any picture on the tube moded Oppo SE yet? Thank you.

slefley · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Sep 2010, 09:41 pm »

Dan, congratulations on the well-deserved review of your Sony tube modification. Would you (or any other forum members who have heard both) be good enough to describe how the OPPO SE tube mod compares to the well-reviewed Sony version?

modwright · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Sep 2010, 06:55 pm »

We have compared them side by side and the Sony is slightly more resolving than the Oppo SE, but the Oppo is less money and plays all formats.

They are both exceptional in their own right. Overall, the Sony is the best sounding unit in our stable, but only for CD and SACD. The Oppo SE is NOT far behind and is Universal!

Thanks,

Dan

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Sep 2010, 08:16 pm »

FWIW,

The Oppo BDP-83SE with the 7.1 channel modification is on the top of my list for my home theater. It really makes no sense to try any other modifier especially with discrete analog output stages for 7 channels. Couple that with a great processor like the Emotiva UMC-1 and we are in heaven. Couple that with a Logitech Harmony touch screen remote which will control both the player and the UMC-1 and any other Slimdevices source (along with thousands of other audiophile electronics), we can have our cake and eat it too!

Thanks Dan!

Anand.

modwright · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Sep 2010, 06:25 pm »

Right on! Yes, is IS a great unit.

I am using a new Logitech Sqeezebox Touch on my desk right now, via headphones, playing music from USB stick - completely computer free. It sounds great and is a fun device!

Take care,

Dan

DavidS · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Sep 2010, 01:29 am »

A basic question - I have an Oppo 83se that is great in my system - in fact replaced a Modwright Sony 999 with tubed power supply. One of the best parts is that the oppo plays blue-rays which is important as I am a movie fan as well. If I get my 83se modded will I still be able to enjoy the excellent quality blue ray movies on my player?

modwright · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Sep 2010, 09:10 pm »

Yes, the mod will benefit playback of all formats, including Blue-Ray audio. The reason for this is because the analog circuit is completely redesigned and all audio formats, after the DAC, pass through our proprietary analog stage.

Thank you,

Dan W.