Son of a...so I face a dilema.

ZLTFUL

I don't like to frivolously spend money.
I typically save and focus on getting exactly what I want when I can pay cash outright for it.

There have been a few instances where I have thrown that mentality out the window in this hobby.

And this is one of those cases.
My wife received an award from work. Along with it came a $500 Amazon gift card.
She, out of the blue, says to me this morning, "You wanted to upgrade the Blu-Ray player sometime right?"
Uh yeah...but I was going to save up for a $1200 Oppo 105 once I got the last couple of items for my 2 channel sorted. But I was thinking next year since funds in the mad money account are rather short and I have made an agreement to purchase something else from a forum member.

So the dilema I face is as follows...
We currently have a Sony BDP-S590. It is SACD capable and offers wireless connectivity along with all the standard apps.
It isn't perfect but it works.
I have debated for a while now about moving it upstairs to our bedroom so that we can do Netflix in there.
To replace it *now*, the only 2 options I am even considering are the Sony BDP-S790 or the Oppo 103.
Ideally, I would save up for a 105 but the 105 offers more functionality than I will ever use. I have a fantastic transport already in my 2 channel system along with an ESS Sabre 9023 based DAC. So I don't need the audio superiority for music.

The realistic options for the HT system are the 790 or the 103. Performance-wise, obviously the 103 comes out on top.
But the 790 does most everything I want at half the price. *But* it won't stream HD video formats from my media server and that part almost has me saying no to it out of hand.

So I figure most of you are going to say the 103.
I guess I just want to confirm that I am making the right choice before I have my wife pull the trigger...

Too bad the 95 still goes for nearly as much as the 105 or I would "settle" for that.

pglbook

Zltful, I think you should get the Oppo 103. From reading your post, I can tell that is the unit you truly want, and, imho, if you got the Sony, you'd always regret not getting the Oppo. Plus, as you said, the Oppo has the advantage of being able to stream HD video formats form your media server. Go for the Oppo 103!

pitdogg2

Come on man!! Just how often does the wife go for a new audio purchase? Get it you won't be sorry. Look at it this way the SONY doesn't play DVD-Audio so that's it get the OPPO
I love spending your money:cool:

adb3da

Can you sell off some unused gear to make up the difference? Don't you have like 4 complete LSi sets?

pglbook

Dskip made a good point...if you can afford the 105, you should get the 105 over the 103. But definitely go for either model Oppo over the Sony.

cnh

OPA, OPA, OPA! I've always thought Oppo should LOSE their name and go with the Greek exclamatory expression! I mean, seriously "Oppo"! Not much of a name there? But every time you give an OPA, you CELEBRATE!

While the Oppo may be the superior machine, I doubt you'll SEE a huge difference between it and the Sony unless you have some kind of 10K+ projection system. And since you don't need it for sound quality! Why not just get the Sony and save for something else (or not?).

cnh

Tornado Red

I've had the 103 for about 6 months, and those were my 2 choices as well. I know the Oppo with do split HDMI out so you can go directly to your display if your AVR doesn't do 3D, not sure about the 790? HDMI input on the 103, some folks are running their HD cable boxes though here to spruce up the pic somewhat. And I believe the 790 only does stereo on the analog end, IIRC. Save some money with the Sony however. My deciding factor was (IMO) build quality and customer service from Oppo. Don't think you can go wrong with either one though ZLTFUL, good luck! If you do go with the Sony, you'd have money left over to get something nice for the wife :biggrin:

ZLTFUL

adb3da@yahoo.co wrote: »

Can you sell off some unused gear to make up the difference? Don't you have like 4 complete LSi sets?

MY LSIS! CAN'T HAVE! :mad: :cheesygrin:

Well, the 105 is what I would take in an ideal "money is no object" sort of world. Because, even with the gift card, I would have to save up "mad money" for the 105 and at my self imposed bi-weekly allowance of $90, it would be a while. ~4 months. But the only *real* advantage the 105 has over the 103 is vastly superior audio.
I already have a superior DAC in my 2 channel system than what the 105 offers. Plus a universal transport I am very happy with. So it wouldn't be used for music...maybe 80/20 in favor of HT.

Now the 103 vs the 790 is a closer consideration.
The 103, in reading reviews throughout the internet, does present better video processing than the Sony. And reviews tend to favor it visually over the Sony. The other complaint I have about my current Sony is that we get intermittent hangs on streaming. Like the internal wifi just can't handle the speed of our home wireless network/fiber optic internet.
And it has the same wifi card as the 790.

I am pretty sure that i am going to pull the trigger...er well...have *her* pull the trigger on the Oppo. With Amazon Prime's return policies, I can try it out and A/B it with my 590 and if I can't see a substantial difference in performance in audio and video then I can just swap it out for the 790.

The part that stands out to me is the 1/2 star reviews when comparing the 2 units. The Oppo has a handful...on Amazon, 12 out of 210 total with at least 1 just being an anti-Oppo propagandist.
The Sony on the other hand has 19 out of 137 total.
So 6% vs 14%...

I just think the 105 is going to be overkill for my HT needs while the 790 isn't going to offer me the whole package integration that the 103 does.

polkfarmboy

I love the bdp 790, for streaming and bluray its a stunning performer for cheap

EndersShadow

That doesnt sound like a dilemma. Consider this your kick off the fence. Get the Oppo 103 and be done.

And to thank me for my help in this decision, drop by one of your spare sets of LSi 15's in Indy when your here for MotoGP :biggrin::evil:

ZLTFUL

LOL. Dan...gonna be hard to fit em on the bike...

I do plan on doing something nice for her...already did in fact. Ordered her exhaust for her motorcycle that she wanted. And just got the call that it showed up today. So this weekend, she gets a new exhaust for her motorcycle and I get a new Oppo 103.

codyc1ark

Oh, the world of worries us polkies have in life! :cheesygrin:

Emlyn

ZLTFUL wrote: »

I just think the 105 is going to be overkill for my HT needs while the 790 isn't going to offer me the whole package integration that the 103 does.

The Oppo 105 actually isn't sold directly by Amazon, it comes from Oppo, so the gift card might not be valid for that model even if it's purchased through the Amazon website. Amazon does sell the 103 directly.

The Sony and Panasonic units do seem to have more WiFi connectivity problems. I use a Panasonic, and like many other owners it will disconnect itself from my network and require a manual setup again and again. Sounds like the Sony units might have the same annoying difficulty. I haven't heard that the Oppo has that kind of problem.

If I were to buy something new, I'd probably go with the 103 unless I wanted to get the 105 for its two channel analog output capabilities for music.

Tornado Red

ZLTFUL wrote: »

MY LSIS! CAN'T HAVE! :mad: :cheesygrin:

Well, the 105 is what I would take in an ideal "money is no object" sort of world. Because, even with the gift card, I would have to save up "mad money" for the 105 and at my self imposed bi-weekly allowance of $90, it would be a while. ~4 months. But the only *real* advantage the 105 has over the 103 is vastly superior audio.
I already have a superior DAC in my 2 channel system than what the 105 offers. Plus a universal transport I am very happy with. So it wouldn't be used for music...maybe 80/20 in favor of HT.

Now the 103 vs the 790 is a closer consideration.
The 103, in reading reviews throughout the internet, does present better video processing than the Sony. And reviews tend to favor it visually over the Sony. The other complaint I have about my current Sony is that we get intermittent hangs on streaming. Like the internal wifi just can't handle the speed of our home wireless network/fiber optic internet.
And it has the same wifi card as the 790.

I am pretty sure that i am going to pull the trigger...er well...have *her* pull the trigger on the Oppo. With Amazon Prime's return policies, I can try it out and A/B it with my 590 and if I can't see a substantial difference in performance in audio and video then I can just swap it out for the 790.

The part that stands out to me is the 1/2 star reviews when comparing the 2 units. The Oppo has a handful...on Amazon, 12 out of 210 total with at least 1 just being an anti-Oppo propagandist.
The Sony on the other hand has 19 out of 137 total.
So 6% vs 14%...

I just think the 105 is going to be overkill for my HT needs while the 790 isn't going to offer me the whole package integration that the 103 does.

For sure. The main attraction of the 105 is its DAC, so if it's not something you'll use.......enjoy your new 103!

ZLTFUL

Tornado Red wrote: »

For sure. The main attraction of the 105 is its DAC, so if it's not something you'll use.......enjoy your new 103!

Exactly. And the ESS Sabre DAC in the 105 is a generation older than my current ESS Sabre based DAC so I would actually be going backwards in DACs. Granted, the transport is probably better in the 105 than it is in my DV-47A but since it is *just* used as a transport...

EndersShadow

ZLTFUL wrote: »

LOL. Dan...gonna be hard to fit em on the bike...

Cmon you know your bike will tow a mini trailer.... or a sidecar...

B Run

I have the S790 and love it, PM Sherardp I think he's compared his 790 to an Oppo and may be able to help.

Monster Jam

Your missing the boat, IMO.

The correct answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE. You kiss your wife, tell her she is awesome and deserves the award she earned. She buys what she wants and you take her to dinner and show.

Consider this an investment in your audio upgrades (new car, etc) down the road and thank me later for this advice.

zane77

Gotta admit MJ, that's pretty good advice!

ZLTFUL

My wife is a very selfless person. It takes a LOT to get her to spend anything on herself. She also is impossible to shop for because she won't give anyone any hints as to what she wants.
So I make a very conscious effort to notice things that make her smile or sigh contentedly or cry tears of joy. And those are the things I spend money on.

And I am pretty good at surprising her too. She knows we are going to Indy for MotoGP. What she doesn't know is that the day after we get back, I have arranged for her to have the day off from work and to spend the day at the spa and shopping with her best friend who she hasn't seen in person for nearly 4 years.