Audio Alchemy 3.0 DAC vs Oppo 95 Audio

PolkClyde

I really don't know why,but the Audio Alchemy wins hands down,in sound quality and loudness.Well,maybe it's because the AA DAC has a gain control.but,gain does not necessarily means great sound,right?. the bass is deeper with the dac.sound-stage is huge.I think the Oppo wins in the Mid-range area,it's close.Think I hear a little grain with the dac,or it maybe the brightness of the Kappa 9's.I thought the Oppo 95(Audio) would have blown the "0LD" Audio Alchemy out of the water.2 Channel Audio never have sound better. The AA just have that punch. I'm happy with both and that's all that matters.I'm having "FUN"

heiney9

I'm not surprised at all.

PolkClyde

heiney9 wrote: »

I'm not surprised at all.

I'm surprised.. You have been around this stuff longer than me.I'm still learning.

heiney9

PolkClyde wrote: »

I'm still learning.

You're doing it the right way........by listening and experimenting. I never bought into the Oppo hype as a stand alone cdp that was a giant killer. Granted, I've not heard one.............but there have been other, similar "giant" killer types of products and they never lived up to their hype either.

I am not in any way saying the Oppo isn't a nice unit. It's hard to compete with a stand alone dac in many cases.

Glad you're having fun.......that's what it's all about. Choose which ever one floats your boat.

I was just saying, I'm not surprised at your findings because that's what I would have guessed.

H9

danz1906

Interesting!

BlueFox

Can you play a Bluray music disc, and output the high-res digital to a DAC? Or is the digital out limited to CD quality?

FTGV

While your limited to redbook res. AA made some good sounding DAC's back in the day that would hold up well in comparison to some newer budget offerings.

playback

PolkClyde wrote: »

I really don't know why,but the Audio Alchemy wins hands down,in sound quality and loudness.Well,maybe it's because the AA DAC has a gain control.but,gain does not necessarily means great sound,right?. the bass is deeper with the dac.sound-stage is huge.I think the Oppo wins in the Mid-range area,it's close.Think I hear a little grain with the dac,or it maybe the brightness of the Kappa 9's.I thought the Oppo 95(Audio) would have blown the "0LD" Audio Alchemy out of the water.2 Channel Audio never have sound better. The AA just have that punch. I'm happy with both and that's all that matters.I'm having "FUN"

Hi glad to hear all is going well with your 95! The 95 has a gain control or volume control if you will, as long as its up to 100 it should be fine, set it there before calibration. Do you have an Radio shack spl meter? Its a great way to match spl's as close as posible between two sources. The louder will in most cases always sound better.

playback

heiney9 wrote: »

You're doing it the right way........by listening and experimenting. I never bought into the Oppo hype as a stand alone cdp that was a giant killer. Granted, I've not heard one.............but there have been other, similar "giant" killer types of products and they never lived up to their hype either.

I am not in any way saying the Oppo isn't a nice unit. It's hard to compete with a stand alone dac in many cases.

Glad you're having fun.......that's what it's all about. Choose which ever one floats your boat.

I was just saying, I'm not surprised at your findings because that's what I would have guessed.

H9

So your opinions are based on guesses I use to feel the same way about Oppo's products, and now owe them my most sincere apologies:redface:! while I cant speak for there other offerings having never tried them, the 95 is another story all together and your figurings might be wrong :biggrin: It's truly an outstanding piece of gear.

heiney9

playback wrote: »

It's truly an outstanding piece of gear.

Never said it wasn't. But it's quite telling when a 10 year old stand alone DAC does music better, in Polk Clyde's opinion.

I have been down the road and seen the hype so many times about be all, do all products exactly like the Oppo and they never quite live up to the hype.

Again, not saying Oppo is a poor performer, but it can't be everything to everyone in every situation (as it's often touted). For a 2ch guy like me, I'm not surprised a 10 year old DAC sounds more musical.

H9

heiney9

playback wrote: »

So your opinions are based on guesses I use to feel the same way about Oppo's products, and now owe them my most sincere apologies:redface:! while I cant speak for there other offerings having never tried them, the 95 is another story all together and your figurings might be wrong :biggrin: It's truly an outstanding piece of gear.

So what pieces of gear (cdp's, dvdp's and stand alone dac's) have you put up against your Oppo 95 to have to issue a sincere apology because it's so much more musical?

H9

playback

heiney9 wrote: »

So what pieces of gear (cdp's, dvdp's and stand alone dac's) have you put up against your Oppo 95 to have to issue a sincere apology because it's so much more musical?

H9

In my set up which for the most part has alway been set up for 90% 2channel 10% movies, positioning of speakers has always been for the best stereo reproduction. My gear has been modest over the years my preamp is an Anthem avm 20 and use to use it for cd playback via a Kimber Illuminations d60 using a Denon 5900 as a transport, occasionally I'd use the dac's in the Denon for cd playback but not to much! I mostly used the Denon
for sacd playback, I also had at the time a Pioneer 51fd blu ray player which had Wolfson dac's and was nice as well for cd playback, but I would always go back to the Anthem for cd's. Over the years Ive owned universal players from Phillips 963 and Pioneer 47. Due to the short life or failure of each I moved on, recently I was faced with the choice of getting my first stand alone dac and transport or another universal player. The 95 was the last player I would have considered tho be honest, but with 30 days to deciced and wanted to explore all options! I never expected the level of performance it produces on just about all it does:eek:Best I've heard in my setup and was wondering what the catch was! I was impressed with it out of the box which was a good sign and a sigh of relief, as my Denon and Pioneer player sold in just two days after putting them up for sell. After about 150 ours of use I began to reconsider my views on Oppo and was not sending it back! 300 hours I believed the Hype if you will and respected the player now at 450 hours best Ive heard period in all my 26 years as an avid listener(I probably should get out more!) I down loaded Reference Recordings Rachmaninoff's Symphony Dances 24/96 from HD Tracks and because of this playback via a simple usb thumb drive alone, I would say it will slay many, this was caught me off guard and increased it's value in my eyes,I'm not saying there not better out there, of course there is! but oh man! what you get for a $1000 out of the 95 was beyond a good deal. There are others who are comparing the dac's in 95 to 10000 plus players and dac's to me this says alot! I couldn't be happier withwas at first a gammble:biggrin:

PolkClyde

playback wrote: »

Hi glad to hear all is going well with your 95! The 95 has a gain control or volume control if you will, as long as its up to 100 it should be fine, set it there before calibration. Do you have an Radio shack spl meter? Its a great way to match spl's as close as posible between two sources. The louder will in most cases always sound better.

No,but I need to get one from Radio shack...thanks for the Info.

PolkClyde

playback wrote: »

the 95 is another story all together It's truly an outstanding piece of gear.

It sure is,but I'm still trying to figure everything out....I will in time.

PolkClyde

heiney9 wrote: »

Never said it wasn't. But it's quite telling when a 10 year old stand alone DAC does music better, in Polk Clyde's opinion.

I have been down the road and seen the hype so many times about be all, do all products exactly like the Oppo and they never quite live up to the hype.

Again, not saying Oppo is a poor performer, but it can't be everything to everyone in every situation (as it's often touted). For a 2ch guy like me, I'm not surprised a 10 year old DAC sounds more musical.

H9

like heiney9 said,that's just my opinion,some would disagree.the AA Sounds so much musical,and that punch in music that I like... I'm glad that the 95 does more than play audio CD's. it's a great unit, glad I bought it. I wll be buying a New stand alone dac,that's for sure,or be looking at some High End Stand alone CDP's.

PolkClyde

playback wrote: »

"I down loaded Reference Recordings Rachmaninoff's Symphony Dances 24/96 from HD Tracks and because of this playback via a simple usb thumb drive alone, I would say it will slay many"

Playback,give me the info on how to do that.... I think I have an Idea,but I want to make sure I do it right.... I do have a usb thumb drive.... thanks

playback

PolkClyde wrote: »

playback wrote: »

"I down loaded Reference Recordings Rachmaninoff's Symphony Dances 24/96 from HD Tracks and because of this playback via a simple usb thumb drive alone, I would say it will slay many"

Playback,give me the info on how to do that.... I think I have an Idea,but I want to make sure I do it right.... I do have a usb thumb drive.... thanks

Hope I explain this right:eek: Here's what I did , Go to HDTracks website and register( its free) then on the home page there is a free sample of some hirez music. In order to convert this you will need to download the Media Monkey player also on the site ( also free!)Then download the free sample tracks! after your done there start the media monkey player and put the hirez flac files you just downloaded on the usb thumb drive. Put the thumb drive in the front or rear usb port on the 95. The 95's usb icon will pop up on the screen(tv nessesary) Play the tracks. Now this was my first taste and it has changed the way I will buy music. It wont sound like the same unit:biggrin:

PolkClyde

playback wrote: »

PolkClyde wrote: »

Hope I explain this right:eek: Here's what I did , Go to HDTracks website and register( its free) then on the home page there is a free sample of some hirez music. In order to convert this you will need to download the Media Monkey player also on the site ( also free!)Then download the free sample tracks! after your done there start the media monkey player and put the hirez flac files you just downloaded on the usb thumb drive. Put the thumb drive in the front or rear usb port on the 95. The 95's usb icon will pop up on the screen(tv nessesary) Play the tracks. Now this was my first taste and it has changed the way I will buy music. It wont sound like the same unit:biggrin:

Thanks Playback,for the info.... you know everything I know,but I don't know everything you know,when it comes to this stuff.I really appreciate it.

olilugo

playback wrote: »

PolkClyde wrote: »

Hope I explain this right:eek: Here's what I did , Go to HDTracks website and register( its free) then on the home page there is a free sample of some hirez music. In order to convert this you will need to download the Media Monkey player also on the site ( also free!)Then download the free sample tracks! after your done there start the media monkey player and put the hirez flac files you just downloaded on the usb thumb drive. Put the thumb drive in the front or rear usb port on the 95. The 95's usb icon will pop up on the screen(tv nessesary) Play the tracks. Now this was my first taste and it has changed the way I will buy music. It wont sound like the same unit:biggrin:

I don't understand the connection to media monkey and the high resolution file un the usb drive.
Can you plarify this point. is the oppo 95 able to associate an application to play files?
or you are using media monkey to re-convert the high res file to something that the oppo can play?

PolkClyde

playback wrote: »

In my set up which for the most part has alway been set up for 90% 2channel 10% movies, positioning of speakers has always been for the best stereo reproduction. My gear has been modest over the years my preamp is an Anthem avm 20 and use to use it for cd playback via a Kimber Illuminations d60 using a Denon 5900 as a transport, occasionally I'd use the dac's in the Denon for cd playback but not to much! I mostly used the Denon
for sacd playback, I also had at the time a Pioneer 51fd blu ray player which had Wolfson dac's and was nice as well for cd playback, but I would always go back to the Anthem for cd's. Over the years Ive owned universal players from Phillips 963 and Pioneer 47. Due to the short life or failure of each I moved on, recently I was faced with the choice of getting my first stand alone dac and transport or another universal player. The 95 was the last player I would have considered tho be honest, but with 30 days to deciced and wanted to explore all options! I never expected the level of performance it produces on just about all it does:eek:Best I've heard in my setup and was wondering what the catch was! I was impressed with it out of the box which was a good sign and a sigh of relief, as my Denon and Pioneer player sold in just two days after putting them up for sell. After about 150 ours of use I began to reconsider my views on Oppo and was not sending it back! 300 hours I believed the Hype if you will and respected the player now at 450 hours best Ive heard period in all my 26 years as an avid listener(I probably should get out more!) I down loaded Reference Recordings Rachmaninoff's Symphony Dances 24/96 from HD Tracks and because of this playback via a simple usb thumb drive alone, I would say it will slay many, this was caught me off guard and increased it's value in my eyes,I'm not saying there not better out there, of course there is! but oh man! what you get for a $1000 out of the 95 was beyond a good deal. There are others who are comparing the dac's in 95 to 10000 plus players and dac's to me this says alot! I couldn't be happier withwas at first a gammble:biggrin:

Wow,Playback,I see or rather, hear what you are talking about,man.the sound is huge,BIG,BIG,BIG..and Clear.move out of the way AA.but,what I did was burned it to DVD..I'm still trying to figure out how to download the file on a Flash drive... but,can it sound any better than what I hear on dvd? thank you,thank you. I tried to drag and drop it in the flash drive.apparently, I'm doing something wrong.Now,this is what HD Audio sounds like,huh? MAN,this is a lot of "FUN"..I wish someone from the forum was here with me to enjoy this,I'm not selfish.

PolkClyde

I'm listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Viol.flac.... Truly amazing. HDAudio Rules.

playback

PolkClyde wrote: »

I'm listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Viol.flac.... Truly amazing. HDAudio Rules.

Hi PolkClyde, to get the files to the usb once you open up Media Monkey. Once the playlist is selected I find it easy to just insert the usb drive, next click on the edit at the top and select all, (next) Pull the mouse over by the tracks and right click this will give you the option to send to the usb (removable disc F:) If no usb is in at the time just like the disc you wont have the option to do this.

playback

olilugo wrote: »

playback wrote: »

I don't understand the connection to media monkey and the high resolution file un the usb drive.
Can you plarify this point. is the oppo 95 able to associate an application to play files?
or you are using media monkey to re-convert the high res file to something that the oppo can play?

Yes my pc is windows and wont convert FLAC files or hirez ,this were Media Monkey is necessary. You guys should checkout avs forums there is a ton of info on this, I'm truly a novice at this part of the game:biggrin:

playback

That's a big yes as to the usb sounding better than the disc, I've ripped cd's to my hard drive and then to the usb for comparisons and it yields a smoother sound. Downloaded tracks at up to 24/192 are incredible!

phipiper10

I'm running a hard drive via esata to the oppo 95. I played a live show in FLAC of a sound board from some (unnamed) hippy band this weekend..................It was Astounding...really!

I'm still figuring out about disc performance....the player has improved over time but I'm not sure if it is a giant killer or not based on my limited CDP experience. This is my first universal player and chose this over a dac for that flexibility of media which can be played. The player certainly does a lot and sounds great.

I've been conteplating returning it if I could find similar audio performance for less money in a universal player. The UI for playing from usb/hard drives for large libraries is definitely not great but is usable.