BluRay player upgrade?

LandShark
LandShark Posts: 130
edited July 2011 in Electronics
Ok, right now I have a Sony S350 BD player. I'm always looking to improve the sound of my HT system. My question is, can the upgrade of a new BD player improve sound? I have an Onkyo 705 and it pretty much processes and decodes everything. Thanks!

TV: Samsung LN40A550
Mains: Polk Monitor 70's
Center: Polk CS2
Surrounds: Polk OWM3's
Receiver: Onkyo TX sr705
BDP: Sony S350
Subs: Velodyne VRP1200 and VRP1000
Monster Power Conditioner EP IR 2450
Post edited by LandShark on
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  • Almadacr
    Almadacr Posts: 185
    edited July 2011
    LandShark wrote: »
    Ok, right now I have a Sony S350 BD player. I'm always looking to improve the sound of my HT system. My question is, can the upgrade of a new BD player improve sound? I have an Onkyo 705 and it pretty much processes and decodes everything. Thanks!

    In a general HT environment 2 BR players will decode the same formats so , right there you will have no improvement at all , now if you are interested in SACD or DVD upscaling , its going to be there the improvement , not on how your DTS Master track or PCM will gain any advantage ! You would gain more sound quality by making the transition from the monitor line to the RTi line .:wink:
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited July 2011
    Give Oppo players a try. They perform very well.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited July 2011
    LandShark wrote: »
    Ok, right now I have a Sony S350 BD player. I'm always looking to improve the sound of my HT system. My question is, can the upgrade of a new BD player improve sound? I have an Onkyo 705 and it pretty much processes and decodes everything. Thanks!

    If you have your Blu-Ray player set to bitstream, then your AVR is doing all the decoding. Therefore, you have basically taken the audio production out of the hands of your Blu-Ray player totally.

    There is no need to buy anything to get better sound on the Blu-Ray player or AVR side since you Onkyo is sufficient in handling the demands of you current setup.

    Someone suggested upgrading your speakers, I would look into this first.

    Someone may know if picture quality is going to be a factor with your Blu-Ray player. I have not been able to tell the difference in that category between my PS3 and Pioneer BDP-330 Blu-Ray player, so I don't know in that regard.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited July 2011
    LandShark wrote: »
    Ok, right now I have a Sony S350 BD player. I'm always looking to improve the sound of my HT system. My question is, can the upgrade of a new BD player improve sound? I have an Onkyo 705 and it pretty much processes and decodes everything. Thanks!


    If you really want an upgrade in sound quality for H/T, then spending money will do it but not on the bluray player. I would look at getting a quality pre/pro and a power amplifier. This is going to cost quite a bit, but if you really want to go to the next level,this is what I suggest you do.
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • pdxfj
    pdxfj Posts: 376
    edited July 2011
    I think the only thing you'd notice is a possible change in video quality. As an experiment to troubleshoot an issue I was having with the audio dropping on BD movies I purchased another BD player.

    The increased video quality was noticeable but no change in audio quality since the AVR is decoding it. I compared the video chip specs between the two BD players and the new one had better color processing and motion control. Both were Panasonic players. I boxed up the old one and sent it to my sister along with a few BD movies for her kids.

    Next jump up for me would be an Oppo for a dedicated HT.
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  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited July 2011
    Oppo's are over priced unless you have a large DVD collection and listen to SACD's, but the new Oppo 93 isn't like the 83 in DVD upscaling.

    LG's I think give the most bang for the buck and have lots of online streaming features and play lots of formats.
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited July 2011
    post #8 reported
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,076
    edited July 2011
    If your just talking HT, I would upgrade the speaks, maybe add an amp. Another BDP will be a sideway move. Music, if your using the BDP to spin cd's on, then a dedicated cdp, or a tubed pre amp will give you significant gains in SQ.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2011
    Hi LandShark!

    It's been a while. Tonyb has pretty much covered the bases. If you keep your speaker set and AVR which are similar to mine the only thing I would consider is a 5 channel power amp. That would be a step up.

    I've run M-70s (etc.) off an Onkyo-605 and 805...they sound better with the 805 and they really sound good with a 200 watt power amp on them!

    Look for something like a Parasound or B&K, etc. Check out the used market both 'here' and on www.audiogon.com

    And enjoy. Hope everything is good!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • matchan
    matchan Posts: 73
    edited July 2011
    Oppo all the way
    or Panasonic DMT 210
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