Help Oppo 103 or 105?

gudnoyez

I know dumb question right if one could swing it the 105 hands down. I would like to know how the 103 does at playing music, compared to my Marantz CD 5004? I know the Oppo 103 will play every thing you throw at it. The reason I ask I have revamped my HT to now include a Samsung UN55F9000 55 inch 4K UHD TV a CSIA6 along with the A5's and A3's I will also be running 2 PSW 111's. I want to keep it simple My Denon AVR one of the Oppo's and that's it.

If the 103 sounds better at playing music than the Marantz 5004 then I would be happy going that route plus having the ability to play a few SACD's would be pretty cool. It's my understanding that the 105 is superior, and that I could run it as a pre pro down the road and add a 5 channel amp which should make more since when I'am ready for more power instead of moving up to a more powerful AVR with preouts. I will be getting an Oppo be it the 103 or 105, however the 103 would be easier on the pocket book, thoughts anyone. The guy at the somewhat highend shop keeps telling me the Marantz 5007 would be the better choice, I figure he is saying that only because they don't sell Oppo's.

Tornado Red

I'm running the 103 in a 7.2 system, I'm just real happy with it. But I'm using HDMI, if you're wanting to run analog the superior DACs in the 105 would be the way to go. If you're digital, save your money and buy a 103, or better yet, a 103D, the extra $100 is worth it for the Darbee, or so I hear. Either Oppo have 2 HDMI outs so you can run to your new 4K display separately without going through your AVR, use the second HDMI out to the AVR for your audio, again if you're doing digital. Hard to go wrong with Oppo, great CS and they're built like tanks. You have a happy dilemma on your hands, regardless.

gudnoyez

Its my understanding that neither the 103 or 105 have analog outs just HDMI's, or do they, is it in your opinion that running digital the 103 will sound just as good as the Marantz 5004, and can you run the 105 as a pre pro? I definatley will get a Oppo the Darbee edition is in the middle of the pack right?

gudnoyez

Hey Red do you even have a CD player or Sacd player in your system or do you just use the Oppo?

brgman

Keep in mind the 103 and 105 use different chips for DAC
The 105 uses the Sabre it and the 95 are popular for but the 103 uses a Cirrus I think.
And that Marantz may have the same or similar chip in it.

Tornado Red

Nope, no cd player anymore, the 103 is my everything player. Blu-ray, cd, SACD, streaming (though I don't much) and now blu-ray audio only. Can't comment on your Marantz, haven't heard it myself. I didn't have SACDs before, have a small collection now and they sound great! Prices are:
103 - $499
103D - $599
105 - $1199

There is no Darbee edition at this time for the 105, but like brgman said, it's the Sabre DACs your paying for here. And yup, I've heard quite a few people say they're running them as pre/pros. You may find they lack some of the functionality of actual pre/pros though. I run a split HDMI out, one to the Panny and the other to a Pio SC-61. I have a 3 channel amp in the mix for the front 3 with the SC running the 4 surrounds, and DSW660Pro and DSW550Pro subs.

polkfarmboy

If I had the money....105 any day of the week and it will have a better resale should you choose to move on.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I have both, 105 in the main rig and a 103 in the bedroom. This has been discussed quite a bit, but the decision between the two comes down to how you want to use them:

If you're only going to be using the HDMI output then there's really no compelling reason to get the 105, grab the 103 and call it a day. So if you already have a preamp with superb DACs I'd suggest this route.

If you don't have a super high end preamp and want to use the analog outputs then the 105 is the clear winner. The 105 sounds MUCH better than the 103 (which already sounds decent) using the internal DACs (so using the analog outputs), it really isn't very close between the two at all. I wanted to like the 103 as much in this regard since it's so much cheaper and the rest of the functionality is basically the same, but my ears just wouldn't let me do it.

The 103 can be a great player in a setup with a better DAC downstream or a stand alone unit in a system that isn't the most resolving or revealing. The 105 can be an end-game source for a lot of us audiophiles out there and fits in quite well with much more expensive gear.

Conradicles

Are they both pretty much equal for video quality or is there a major difference?

AsSiMiLaTeD

Video quality is identical between the two

It's simple really, the 105 is ONLY better as a DAC and over the analog outputs, if you're not using it for that purpose then there is no reason to get the 105 over the 103

gudnoyez

So is the Darbee edition just gimmick or will the video quality of the Darbee edition be the way to go if your looking for video quality/enhancement?

AsSiMiLaTeD

I cannot comment on the Darbee edition as both mine are stock units and I've not done any research on the Darbee stuff. All I can say for sure is that picture quality on both players is superb.

Upstatemax

I've owned both the CD5004 and now own the 103. I like the 103 more...

More detail and better sound stage. Plus the 103 also plays SACD, FLAC.

As others have said, if you can swing it, get the 105 especially if analog playback is a concern.

WLDock

IMO, finding a used 95 would be then best deal if music playback is high on you list of requirements. Its a loaded unit in terms of design and analog playback. Its the only OPPO unit that I have personally heard and it sounds wonderful. I've seen them as low as $500.....compared to $1000 for the 105!

AsSiMiLaTeD

The 95 sounds great, but there are lots of features on the 105 missing on the 95. It's certainly worth checking into the 95 but ultimately it's going to depend on how you use it, the 95 would not work for me personally.

zane77

The 105 will be my next purchase in my 2channel system, it looks like it has all the inputs I need to use it as a pre for my system

WLDock

Yeah, the 105 has it all...but the price of the 105 is such that many may have to wait longer before they can bite. For music /video, a deal like this 95 at $500 http://salem.craigslist.org/ele/4224740741.html is a huge savings if it fits ones needs.

Irrenhaus

I have the 103 and I am very happy. I use the HDMI out for video and some music using the Onkyo and for music only I use the analog out to a B&K pre and I like how it sounds on SACD's,Vinyl and HD Tracks.

Cheers

gudnoyez

Talked to someone today at Oppo CS and asked them if and when the 105 will be offered as a Darbee edition, he said hes not sure some time at the end of the year or next year or possibly not at all. I told him I would rather wait and shell out the money for a Darbee edition 105, it would be just my luck after purchasing a 105 they would come out with the Darbee edition a few months down the road.

I asked him of the 3 the 103, the 103D, and the 105, which one had the best video display I was told the 103D is the better of the 3, however as all of you told me the analog outputs is where the 105 is superior he told me that the 103D would be a very good choice, if the analog output is not a big deal for me and shipping to my neck of the woods is $18 so as soon as the basement project is done, I'am leaning towards the 103D. Thanks for all the input everyone.

Habanero Monk

Oppo just released a firmware for the 103/105 that now provides DSD support. That makes the 105 worth the $1200 alone for those that are into DSD sounds better than 24/96-192 crowd.

AsSiMiLaTeD

My 105 has had DSD support since I bought it. I don't know when they added it, but I've been playing DSD files since early summer. SO I'm curious what exactly they added in this release.