Universal player...

Upstatemax
Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
edited December 2012 in Electronics
I'm between the Marantz UD5007 and the Oppo BDP-103...

I know the Oppo is great for video, but I really want audio performance as well (CD & SACD)...

My gut tells me that the Marantz will be a better audio source.

I could use some feedback on the units if anyone has any.

I've heard that Marantz made some real improvements to the UD line this year and I love the Marantz sound. BTW, I know WiFi is not included on the UD5007 and I could care less. :lol:
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2012
    Don't know that Marantz. Have heard Oppos and they are certainly OK. Personally, I wouldn't go Universal player that includes Blu-ray? Too much going on there.

    A dedicated CD/SACD player would be best. In that less than 1500 dollar range I really like the Pioneer Elites I've heard, can't remember the number...maybe PD something?

    Here it is:

    http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Audio-Components/Hi-Fi+Audio/PD-D9MK2-K

    cnh
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    cnh wrote: »
    Don't know that Marantz. Have heard Oppos and they are certainly OK. Personally, I wouldn't go Universal player that includes Blu-ray? Too much going on there.

    A dedicated CD/SACD player would be best. In that less than 1500 dollar range I really like the Pioneer Elites I've heard, can't remember the number...maybe PD something?

    Here it is:

    http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Audio-Components/Hi-Fi+Audio/PD-D9MK2-K

    cnh

    Needs to be universal. It has to be able to replace the PS3.

    I would love something like the UD7007 that's supposed to be a beast of a machine, but I just can't justify the cost right now...
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,584
    edited December 2012
    OPPO is my pick but I'm a OPPO fan boy!! LOL!!
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  • littlewoodboats
    littlewoodboats Posts: 823
    edited December 2012
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    OPPO is my pick but I'm a OPPO fan boy!! LOL!!

    I am also an Oppo fan boy but only just recently. My BDP-103 teams up with my 2 channel system for amazing audio.

    It is my understanding that the video is same same among the units. The 105 sports audio that could provide proper two channel pre functions.

    I would like to hear from other 103 users. On a side note I ordered mine direct from Oppo for perfect shipping
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  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,229
    edited December 2012
    Another OPPO owner here. The BDP-83SE is my machine, and the separate stereo analog output is absolutely the best for 2 channel. My cd player gets far less use unless it's for background music. From what I've heard the newer OPPO machines that offer this are even better! For SACD and other multi channel formats, the 8 channel analog out is remarkable on my older machine and again from what I've heard, the newer ones are even better. IMO you can't go wrong with the OPPO.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,236
    edited December 2012
    Check out Cambridge Audio , They make remarkable sounding Players for all duties. I own one myself and love it.
    http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=776
    or
    http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=887&Title=Azur+651BD+Universal+Blu-ray+Player
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    mantis wrote: »
    Check out Cambridge Audio , They make remarkable sounding Players for all duties. I own one myself and love it.
    http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=776
    or
    http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=887&Title=Azur+651BD+Universal+Blu-ray+Player

    I did like the 651, but the zero streaming makes it a no go...

    The player needs to stream at a minimum; NetFlix and Hulu Plus.

    That seems to really limit my options to Marantz and Oppo. I'll just have to fnd a way to suffer with those two options... :)
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited December 2012
    cnh wrote: »
    Don't know that Marantz. Have heard Oppos and they are certainly OK. Personally, I wouldn't go Universal player that includes Blu-ray? Too much going on there.

    A dedicated CD/SACD player would be best. In that less than 1500 dollar range I really like the Pioneer Elites I've heard, can't remember the number...maybe PD something?

    Here it is:

    http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Audio-Components/Hi-Fi+Audio/PD-D9MK2-K

    cnh

    I am running the 1st series of this pioneer. It is a heavy solidly built player. Very clean sounding and can be found used for 500-600$. If you are not going to use the video part, I would take a serious look at a used one of the D9 and save yourself some money. Just make sure it has the remote and when you open up the box or pick the box up, remember its not a light unit lol
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    I was really sure that the 103 supported Hulu...

    Seems I'm wrong. That pretty much leaves the Marantz as the only player standing.

    Thanks for all the input!

    Think I will wait and see what A4L prices a refurb unit at and go from there.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2012
    You could always get the roku stick to get Netflix and Hulu + many more.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    You could always get the roku stick to get Netflix and Hulu + many more.

    I would just keep the PS3 up and running.

    However, I would really like a one unit solution... Not so much for me, but my wife.

    The easier this is to use, the better my life is.
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,682
    edited December 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    You could always get the roku stick to get Netflix and Hulu + many more.
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I would just keep the PS3 up and running.

    However, I would really like a one unit solution... Not so much for me, but my wife.

    The easier this is to use, the better my life is.

    There's your solution right there. The Oppo + roku stick. The latest issue of Home Theater has a great review of the 103 and mentions the roku stick as an option.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    Alright, I ordered the UD5007 last night and I bullied a buddy into letting me steal his Oppo 103 for a few days!

    I'm going to get my eyes and ears on both and figure it out from there.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    After a weekend with both units, the Marantz will be staying.

    The Oppo was a great player but I found the video to be no better than the Marantz and I preferred the analog section on the Marantz to the Oppo. I found the Marantz to keep wonderful detail with a smoother top end than the Oppo. The Marantz also seemed to have a wider soundstage.

    If I passed everything through HDMI I found almost zero difference, no surprise there...

    Plus the "all in one" aspect of the Marantz being able to stream Hulu Plus for me was a big plus for me with the wife. VERY simple to use.

    How does the new Marantz compair to my PS3? Dear god I now HATE the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player! Having a player than can finally bitstream audio is a god send. WAY more dynamic with a HUGE soundstage. The first movie we threw in was "Lion King" on BR since my daughter was home and it was awesome. The bass response was far more impact full and vocals were crystal clear compared to the PS3.

    Now the colors and clarity. The image was outstanding! Hell, even Hulu Plus looked way better on the Marantz!?

    All in all I'm very happy with the new player. Now I think I need to sell the CD5004...
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2012
    The ps3 slims allow you to send bitstream audio.

    image.jpg

    image.jpg


    Feature wise the oppo is hard to beat. Loving the hdmi inputs.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    The ps3 slims allow you to send bitstream audio.

    image.jpg

    image.jpg


    Feature wise the oppo is hard to beat. Loving the hdmi inputs.

    I have the older "fat" PS3 so no bitstream for this guy...

    As for the features of the Oppo, I just have zero need for two HDMI outputs or 7ch analog output or wifi. I prefer the hard line connection so even with wifi, I never use it and the other stuff is mainly for 3D and I hate 3D. Lol.

    The Marantz had the features that I wanted and needed while the Oppo had a bunch of stuff I have no need for and it was missing Hulu Plus built in... It was a great unit, but it needed to blow the Marantz away and I found that it did nothing better than the Marantz.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited December 2012
    Upstatemax wrote: »
    I have the older "fat" PS3 so no bitstream for this guy...

    As for the features of the Oppo, I just have zero need for two HDMI outputs or 7ch analog output or wifi. I prefer the hard line connection so even with wifi, I never use it and the other stuff is mainly for 3D and I hate 3D. Lol.

    The Marantz had the features that I wanted and needed while the Oppo had a bunch of stuff I have no need for and it was missing Hulu Plus built in... It was a great unit, but it needed to blow the Marantz away and I found that it did nothing better than the Marantz.

    Yeah, I hear you. I don't use half the features on my oppo but I always told myself it's good to have it just in case. I do like running my laptop and others devices thru the oppos hdmi inputs. I've always loved marantz gear though. Guess now you have to get the matching receiver. Lol

    Congrats on your new purchase.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,695
    edited December 2012
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    I've always loved marantz gear though. Guess now you have to get the matching receiver.

    The SR7007 is on top of my list if my Denon kicks the bucket. That's the only way I'm getting one by my wife...

    I would also contemplate the AV7005, selling the Parasound and getting a 5ch amp...
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