Carver DTL200 vs Sony ES vs Oppo

Michael8it
Michael8it Posts: 192
edited October 2011 in Electronics
Looking to upgrade my CD player. I have heard very good things about Oppo and Sony ES series. I currently have a tired but trustworthy Carver DTL200mkII.

Any suggestions on Oppo, Sony or any others?
Carver C-1, M-500 MKII, Yamaha HTR-5835, Polk RTA 12BM's (M-for mod'd).
Post edited by Michael8it on
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  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited October 2011
    From what I've heard/read - if you're looking for a universal player, Oppo's are pretty hard to beat. I don't have a dedicated CDP though, and I've read some people that were pretty fond of certain vintage(esque) gear for strictly musical.

    Any need for video playback, or just looking to maximize your listening pleasures (guessing the latter based on your sig)
    65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
    Pioneer Elite SC-37
    Polk Monitor 70's (2)
    Polk Monitor 40's (4)
    Polk Monitor CS2
    Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    Oppo BDP-93
    Squeezebox Duet
    Belkin PureAV PF60
    Dish Network "The Hoppa"
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  • Michael8it
    Michael8it Posts: 192
    edited October 2011
    It would be nice to have a combo DVD/CD etc in the system. I have read so much good press on the Oppo that for $120 it's hard to beat.
    Carver C-1, M-500 MKII, Yamaha HTR-5835, Polk RTA 12BM's (M-for mod'd).
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited October 2011
    what are you going to use it for and how much $$ you got?
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

    Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords

    I’M OFFENDED!!!!
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  • Michael8it
    Michael8it Posts: 192
    edited October 2011
    I am looking at primarily 2 channel audio -
    Carver C-1, M-500 MKII, Yamaha HTR-5835, Polk RTA 12BM's (M-for mod'd).
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,926
    edited October 2011
    Sony made some great ES players, but those were the earlier models. The later ES models were not built to the same standards as the earlier models. All are getting long in the tooth and will need major cap replacements. I know I have several ES players and some of them were built around the Elna dourex II caps which have to be some of the MOST corrosive caps made. When they spill their guts they just eat away at the copper traces. Which in turn means you must jumper to a good part of the trace IF you can. Just so you know you may get a good player at a good price only to have to get work done that will run you 300.00+++ A stand alone CD player from a very good maker will give better sonics, but were're splitting hairs here at times. I just watched a Rega player that was completely upgraded with caps and a couple of other mod's sell for 560.00 on Ebay which in my veiw was a steal they are very good players.
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  • Twowheeldemon
    Twowheeldemon Posts: 22
    edited October 2011
    Cant go wrong sony es solid and well built, or so older yamaha's are nice.
    Infinity kappa 8
    ps audio 4.6
    yamaha cdx 1100rs
    yamaha pc2002m
    Home built class d amp putting out 120/channel
    sony gx90es
    jolida jd302b
    Klipsch forte
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited October 2011
    Michael8it wrote: »
    It would be nice to have a combo DVD/CD etc in the system. I have read so much good press on the Oppo that for $120 it's hard to beat.

    Find a used Sony 9100ES DVD/SACD player. If you really want to move up in the world find a used Sony DA7100ES AVR to go with the 9100ES SACD player. You can use the Sony digital link for SACD playback between the 2 units.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,926
    edited October 2011
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Find a used Sony 9100ES DVD/SACD player.

    I agree very nice player and still fairly fresh
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  • Michael8it
    Michael8it Posts: 192
    edited October 2011
    There is one Sony 9100ES on eBay right now and it's already pushing $200. I found an Oppo DV980 and negotiated down to $110 + shipping. I'll A/B test them when I get the Oppo but from all I have read this unit is far superior to just about any 25 yr old gear, so for that price I think I got a keeper!
    Carver C-1, M-500 MKII, Yamaha HTR-5835, Polk RTA 12BM's (M-for mod'd).
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 26,926
    edited October 2011
    Michael8it wrote: »
    There is one Sony 9100ES on eBay right now and it's already pushing $200. I found an Oppo DV980 and negotiated down to $110 + shipping. I'll A/B test them when I get the Oppo but from all I have read this unit is far superior to just about any 25 yr old gear, so for that price I think I got a keeper!


    yes and no
    The older ES(CD only) units had a real good 18 or 20 bit dac but most of the newer units ES and uni-players use a pulse 1 bit dac which IMHO doesn't sound as warm to my ears.
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