Oppo DV970HD

snow

The one thing that I noticed throughout this thread was a lack of bass response with the oppo. I noticed the same thing, even more so with SACD playback.

I changed the interconnects I was using and the bass came back in spades it was like listening to a different player.

I cant say that it will be the same for anyone else but with different interconnects the bass improved greatly. with redbook cds, SACD, DVDA, even the tuner I am using. I noticed the difference on them all.

Of course I am sure that these test were done using the same interconnects so the results would stay the same. But it might be worth a shot if you have diiferent styles of interconnects of switching a few around to see if the bass improves.

REGARDS SNOW

Refefer

snow wrote: »

The one thing that I noticed throughout this thread was a lack of bass response with the oppo. I noticed the same thing, even more so with SACD playback.

I changed the interconnects I was using and the bass came back in spades it was like listening to a different player.

I cant say that it will be the same for anyone else but with different interconnects the bass improved greatly. with redbook cds, SACD, DVDA, even the tuner I am using. I noticed the difference on them all.

Of course I am sure that these test were done using the same interconnects so the results would stay the same. But it might be worth a shot if you have diiferent styles of interconnects of switching a few around to see if the bass improves.

REGARDS SNOW

Were you using it as a transport or the internal dac?

snow

Refefer wrote: »

Were you using it as a transport or the internal dac?

I was using the internal DAC.

It is supposed to become world class if you use it as a transport to a better seperate DAC.

I had it hooked up to my lexicon MC-1 using the second room analog inputs in 2 channel so it bypasses all the digital conversion in the lexicon.

REGARDS SNOW

madmax

In the comparison I used the MIT S1 interconnects. The bass response was not noticeably weak, just not real well defined and didn't sound as real as the Theta/AudioNote.

Funny, the one set of interconnects cost maybe six times more than the DVD player...
madmax

heiney9

hearingimpared wrote: »

Good stuff Chuck. My chief complaint with the Oppo's DAC is its thinness of bass response as well as its overstating of bass on any redbook CD. I also notice a "mellow attack" with the Oppo.

IMO, these 3 shortcomings are pretty significant (maybe not for $150 unit). Correct bass w/o bloat and overhang and the "leading edge" attack of many instruments is what really stands the hairs on the back of my neck up. A player or dac unit that exhibits these shortcomings gets very tiresome very quickly.

That being said I have yet to hear the Oppo, but then I probably wouldn't expect much of it anyways. Benn down this road too many times with these proclaimed giant killer electronics and I always come away disappointed.

The subtleties, finesse and musicality is usually missing, meaning the heart of the music is gone.

H9

H9

heiney9

snow wrote: »

It is supposed to become world class if you use it as a transport to a better seperate DAC.

Of course it does, the heart of any digital unit is the digital to analog conversion. I have a flimsy Pioneer DVDp that becomes a world class player when hooked to a seperate dac.

H9

hearingimpared

Snow, good to see you back on the web.

I disagree with your statement about the SACD being thin in the bass. I played Roy Orbison, "Black & White" SACD and the bass and kick drum had more than enough attack and slam. The same with any SACD where bass is present. DSOTM, JATP, Norah Jones, and a couple of Living Stereo SACDs.

Again I wouldn't call this a reference player but when I am on the laz and just want to sit and listen and not go through the gyrations of cleaning records and stuff this SACD player works just fine. It maybe that I have the proper analog ICs on it. . . I believe they are Signal Cables.

H9, I can live with my current redbook set up using the Oppo. Until I can get the cash together to buy a world class CD/SACD player like F1nut or RT1 I'm just going to keep listening to my vinyl collection and known good redbook CDs. I've never listened to the Oppo's DAC, unless I was just comparing it to another player or A/Bing it with its transport going through the Timber DAC.:)

.02 complete!;)

madmax

Things just don't stay the same for long with me. I completely disassembled the Oppo and added dynamat. I covered the inside bottom, nice big piece on the lid and all over the transport. It was easy to disassemble EXCEPT the ribbon cable going to the transport was glued to the bottom. I almost broke it before I realized.

All back together and seems to still work.
madmax

hearingimpared

I think I'm going to Dynamat all my gear this weekend!!! It never stops!

snow

hearingimpared wrote: »

Snow, good to see you back on the web.

I disagree with your statement about the SACD being thin in the bass. I played Roy Orbison, "Black & White" SACD and the bass and kick drum had more than enough attack and slam. The same with any SACD where bass is present. DSOTM, JATP, Norah Jones, and a couple of Living Stereo SACDs.

Again I wouldn't call this a reference player but when I am on the laz and just want to sit and listen and not go through the gyrations of cleaning records and stuff this SACD player works just fine. It maybe that I have the proper analog ICs on it. . . I believe they are Signal Cables.

Thanks for the welcome joe. The reason I was experincing the almost non existent bass with the oppo was not the fault of the player but the interconnects I was using. The moment I switched interconnects the bass was there, I even had to turn down the bass on some SACDs and tracks on my preamp.

It was kind of odd because I remembered SACD sounding so much better before on a different player and simply thought it must be something with the oppo. But I have noticed not only on SACD playback but DVDA and cds also the bass was greatly improved with the new interconnects.

REGARDS SNOW

madmax

I did many of the same comparisons last night with the dynamatted player as I did for my original review. The dynamat really helped the attack issue. It made a reasonable difference in the bass and got more intense as you get into the higher frequencies. It is now much quicker than it was previously and that uneasy feeling it gave me has gone away. This was a noticeable difference without a direct comparison but I did one anyway because often we hear what we want without a reference to prove us wrong. I highly recommend the dynamat on this unit.
madmax

Edit: BTW, I don't know exactly why this helps but I noticed the same effect with other players I've modded so I gave it a try.

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

Things just don't stay the same for long with me. I completely disassembled the Oppo and added dynamat. I covered the inside bottom, nice big piece on the lid and all over the transport. It was easy to disassemble EXCEPT the ribbon cable going to the transport was glued to the bottom. I almost broke it before I realized.

All back together and seems to still work.
madmax

I'm not familiar with CDP transports. Could you give some details on where to put the Dynamat. I'm going to Dynamat every piece of gear I have. CDPs are not my forte'.

madmax

I removed the power supply board, main board and transport unit. Each is held onto the chassis with a few screws. (main board also held with some screws in the back). In the bottom of the case it drops down a little. I cut a piece to fit the whole dropped down area. (you can see it if you look at the bottom of the player). Make sure its all stuck down so the PCB doesn't come into contact with it. I also cut a piece and put on the top cover. Maybe 6x10" or so and put it over the drive.

Now, on the drive itself I put it all around the outside edges, on top of the assembly that covers the CD, in all the holes on the bottom, at the back of the tray, around the main motor that spins the CD, little thin pieces on the metal frame on the bottom. (pretty much anywhere it would go without affecting the tray opening or the laser moving). Find my 3960 pics. (search forums for "madmax 3960" or "madmax 3950")

Then you just put everything back together and it might still work.

Early B.

The HDMI cable that comes with the Oppo -- is it a good quality cable or do some of you Oppo owners recommend upgrading it?

polkatese

I am using that cable to connect LCD and DirecTV DVR. It appears as good as any other HDMI. But that is an interesting question, I am not sure if HDMI cable makes any noticeable difference, and I am a cable believer otherwise. I tell you what, why don't you get an upgraded HDMI (even SignalCable sells one), and let us know what did you find out. I'll be right behind you if you can "see" the difference, and get one.

ohskigod

hearingimpared wrote: »

I think I'm going to Dynamat all my gear this weekend!!! It never stops!

just dynamat your listening room and be done with it.

ohskigod

sad thing is, I still haven't dynamatted the jolida. I am such a lazy audiophile!!!!!!

madmax

I dynamatted the inside of a set of bookshelf speakers once. Seemed like a waste of time (and dynamat) but I might have noticed a little cleaner bass. I tend to think it was playing mind games with me though.
madmax

bikerboy

Hi Madmax,
Are you going to hotrod the oppo? I havent looked into this player but I would think it would improve like the Toshiba did. I am still using my 3950 but am thinking about better player. Good to hear your impressions. Thanks.

Early B.

polkatese wrote: »

I tell you what, why don't you get an upgraded HDMI (even SignalCable sells one), and let us know what did you find out. I'll be right behind you if you can "see" the difference, and get one.

Actually, I was hoping one of you guys would have already taken the plunge and upgraded the HDMI cable.;)

madmax

bikerboy wrote: »

Hi Madmax,
Are you going to hotrod the oppo? I havent looked into this player but I would think it would improve like the Toshiba did. I am still using my 3950 but am thinking about better player. Good to hear your impressions. Thanks.

I might try a few things later on. If I get any decent results I'll post them.
madmax