Best blu-ray player as transport

EFanning

Let's say I planned to buy a DAC like the Musical Fidelity V-DAC and pair it with a blu-ray player for two channel CD listening.

The goal here would be to avoid redundancy: If a blu ray player is sending digital output to a V-DAC that matches a CD player, why have two players?

So, what blu ray player should I buy? Or, to get better two-channel sound, should I match the V-DAC to a decent CD player?

The blu-ray player would be purchased to improve picture quality in movies. I would never used the HDMI audio out for true 7.1 sound.

FTGV

Since the V DAC incorporates a sample rate converter it is less susceptible to jitter in the transport-dac interface.IMO therefore it makes the choice of transport less of a variable.

Erik Tracy

EFanning wrote: »

Let's say I planned to buy a DAC like the Musical Fidelity V-DAC and pair it with a blu-ray player for two channel CD listening.

The goal here would be to avoid redundancy: If a blu ray player is sending digital output to a V-DAC that matches a CD player, why have two players?

So, what blu ray player should I buy? Or, to get better two-channel sound, should I match the V-DAC to a decent CD player?

The blu-ray player would be purchased to improve picture quality in movies. I would never used the HDMI audio out for true 7.1 sound.

Well, I guess the issue is what CD player vs the bluray/V-DAC combo?

I thought the same thing and popped for a Bel Canto DAC-2 to match up to my Oppo BDP-83 thinking it would crush my Cambridge 640c V2 CDP for 2-channel. And I would get rid of the CDP.

I paid $675 for the Bel Canto DAC-2 off of audiogon (it sold for about $1200 new).

I paid $369 for my Cambridge 640c V2 CDP (list price was something like $679).

The Cambridge 'beat' the Oppo/Bel-Canto combo in my rig. I just didn't like the sound presentation of the Bel-Canto - the soundstage was too narrow - almost sounded like listening in mono all the time.

I would say that the answer to your question is component dependent.

Just my deflated 2cents worth....

vc69

Going OT here so my apologies.

Erik - Which -83 do you have? I thought you bought an SE?

Erik Tracy

vc69 wrote: »

Going OT here so my apologies.

Erik - Which -83 do you have? I thought you bought an SE?

Nope - just the vanilla flavored 83.

I was debating whether to upgrade my 83 or buy a 'killer' DAC so I could get rid of my CDP.

The 'killer' DAC didn't work out as I expected

I'd like to get my ears on a 83SE.

While I've read glowing reviews of the 2-channel sound of the 83SE, I've also seen indications that it still won't 'beat' a dedicated high quality CDP.

vc69

I'd like to hear the 640, it's a "CD only" player right?
I'm on record as loving my SE for 2ch analog. I think you might be pleasantly surprised by what a SE or NE upgrade would get you.

Erik Tracy

vc69 wrote: »

I'd like to hear the 640, it's a "CD only" player right?
I'm on record as loving my SE for 2ch analog. I think you might be pleasantly surprised by what a SE or NE upgrade would get you.

Yes the 640 is a CDP only, but it uses dual Wolfson DACs - all the rage...

It has a detailed sound to it - very spacious soundstage. Some would call it 'analytic'. I've compared it to the DACs in my AVR and in the standard Oppo83 - which I would characterize as unremarkable - not bad, but a bit dull for my tastes.

I like the notion of a do it all player -but not sure if it would be worth the coin to buy a Modwright 83SE to go up the SQ ladder for 2-Channel sound. For that amount of money I could get a really nice used CDP on the 'gon.

vc69

The Sabre DACs in the SE are a different animal then the Cirrus DACs in the 83. It's a significant upgrade. Well worth the money in my opinion. YMMV.

Erik Tracy

vc69 wrote: »

The Sabre DACs in the SE are a different animal then the Cirrus DACs in the 83. It's a significant upgrade. Well worth the money in my opinion. YMMV.

I know, but for $1300 I can get a 'killer' CDP on the 'gon.

I'm all about 'hop ups' - been there done that with my dirt bike.

I started with a Honda XR250 enduro but soon wanted it to be a motocross bike. I had the trickest XR, bored to 280cc, ports polished, 3-angle valve grind, aftermarket header & exhaust, upside down forks, custom shock, aftermarket handlebars, sprockets and chain.

Killer....but it never was a motocross bike - still an enduro.

That's kinda how I see the Oppo83 - an 'enduro' of players - but no matter how much you 'hop it up' - its still an 'enduro'.

Like I said - would love to hear one first hand.

fbm211

Erik.
Were you able to run the cambridge into the Bel Canto via digital out.?
Or was it just the sound of the canto you didnt like.?I was considering buying one for its 24/192 upsampling.Now, maybe not.

Erik Tracy

fbm211 wrote: »

Erik.
Were you able to run the cambridge into the Bel Canto via digital out.?
Or was it just the sound of the canto you didnt like.?I was considering buying one for its 24/192 upsampling.Now, maybe not.

Yes, I did that test too - had the Cambridge hooked up via analog to my rig and digital coax to the Bel Canto, then analog out from the Bel Canto to my rig at the same time.

I switched back and forth and preferred the Cambridge DACs - the Bel Canto had a 'signature sound' whether connected to the Cambridge or the Oppo - so there was no transport difference.

The Wyred4S DACs are getting rave reviews - could try that after a bit when they start showing up on audiogon for a lower price.

They use the new Sabre DACs as well.

fbm211

Oh yes Ive been taking a herd look at the WFS II as well.A little to costly new.But if a good deal pops on the gon Im there too.

headrott

I own the Denon 3800BDCI blu ray player. It is phenominal as a player. It has phenominal video playback, and audio via the analog outs cannot be beat. As a transport, it has great a great laser mechanism, but one down side is that it can be slow at reading discs. The player does take a little patience. I know many people talk about the Oppo (which I have not seen or heard) but it seems hard to believe the Oppo can beat this Denon. Being as it is a phased out player, it can be had relatively cheap now (under $600.00). I recommend you take a look and listen to it.

Greg

frodaddy

Consider ripping your CDs then streaming the audio either to a squeezebox or directly to your receiver. The device that you stream to will need a good DAC, however.

Personally I rip with dbPoweramp in WAV format, and stream with Windows Media Player directly to my Denon 4806CI receiver. Out of my Toshiba HD-XA2 and the PS3, streaming the audio is by far the best 2ch playback with my current equipment.

addiewillium

The blu-ray player would be purchased to improve picture quality in movies and also you can transfer movies in DVD and also CD. Blu-ray has best converter for movies.

lakesailor

headrott wrote: »

I own the Denon 3800BDCI blu ray player. It is phenominal as a player. It has phenominal video playback, and audio via the analog outs cannot be beat. As a transport, it has great a great laser mechanism, but one down side is that it can be slow at reading discs. The player does take a little patience. I know many people talk about the Oppo (which I have not seen or heard) but it seems hard to believe the Oppo can beat this Denon. Being as it is a phased out player, it can be had relatively cheap now (under $600.00). I recommend you take a look and listen to it.

Greg

You nailed it. I recently sold my Denon 3800 and bought and Oppo instead, largely because off the insanely slow "reading" time of the Denon. The Oppo is massively quicker.

Of the two plavers the Denon in my opinion had superior audio performance and I would also say better video performance as well, although the Oppo is much closer in video.

I sold my Denon for $ 500

jayman_1975

my Oppo NE is blowing my mind