Whats with all the talk about Oppo BDP-83 ?

vmaxer

danz1906 wrote: »

Thanks, How does the Hi-rez sound compared to the regular DTS/DD?

I use mine with the 7.1 analog also, the sound is better using the hi-rez than using the digital out and non hi-rez...

I love it!!

danz1906

How much better is the Hi-Rez sound compared to regular DTS/DD?

vmaxer

danz1906 wrote: »

How much better is the Hi-Rez sound compared to regular DTS/DD?

I really don't know how to answer that one. The best way would be to listen to one that someone has set up. I don't know if I would listen to one in a store without knowing how everything is set up, some of them would try to mis-lead you just to make a sale. There is a very noticeable difference in my set up, but then again the 8 channel inputs on my Sunfire are pass through, they don't change the sound at all.

Sorry I can't provide a simple answer.

Ron Temple

vmaxer nailed it. I notice more detail, much larger, more dynamic soundstage...hey it's lossless...you'll notice immediately. DD and DTS still sound good, the hi rez codecs sound better. I wouldn't call it night and day exactly, but it's a definite upgrade.

danz1906

Ron Temple wrote: »

vmaxer nailed it. I notice more detail, much larger, more dynamic soundstage...hey it's lossless...you'll notice immediately. DD and DTS still sound good, the hi rez codecs sound better. I wouldn't call it night and day exactly, but it's a definite upgrade.

Thanks,I look forward to comparing the sounds in my own system.
The BDP-83 seems to be the player to get.

vijayl

Shud be available tomorrow for ordering from Amazon. Folks in Calif cud save on Tax..

danz1906

vijayl wrote: »

Shud be available tomorrow for ordering from Amazon. Folks in Calif cud save on Tax..

Free Shipping,now thats cool!

Ron Temple

Alrighty Erik...you've had time to play with it...where's your review?

Erik Tracy

Ron Temple wrote: »

Alrighty Erik...you've had time to play with it...where's your review?

It is supposed to arrive today/tomorrow....hey...I'm just as curious as you!

Ron Temple

Erik Tracy wrote: »

It is supposed to arrive today/tomorrow....hey...I'm just as curious as you!

I'm not curious about the player...just about your reaction. It's as close to reference as any piece of gear I'll likely ever own.

kolyan2k

danz1906 wrote: »

How much better is the Hi-Rez sound compared to regular DTS/DD?

I dont have a great hearing, but Hi-res sound is much better. There is a clear difference when i which back and forth on my ps3

danz1906

kolyan2k wrote: »

I dont have a great hearing, but Hi-res sound is much better. There is a clear difference when i which back and forth on my ps3

Thanks, I should have my Panasonic DMP-bd80(I got a great deal on it)
Blu-ray player on Monday.

Erik Tracy

Ron Temple wrote: »

I'm not curious about the player...just about your reaction. It's as close to reference as any piece of gear I'll likely ever own.

Well,
My 83 arrived today!

First impressions:
* love the packaging: everything about the packaging speaks first class - even the thick block inner box with the interconects and the black 'carrying case' bag for the player itself.
* clean looking unit - nice lines and design with a solid feel
* easy to set up - just turn it on and it has a very well thought out easy set up wizard to get you going with movies. Later, you can go back and tweak to your hearts content.
* the on screen guis are also well thought out. As an engineer myself, one pet peave I have is how horribly designed user guis are - the 83's gui layout is logical and intuitive and easy to follow. Settings are logically grouped by function and even have on screen short explanations as to what each are for.

I connected up the 83 three ways:
* HDMI - Blue Jeans
* Optical - Blue Jeans - just for grins to compare to HDMI and analog
* Analog - MIT AVT1 for pure direct audio for CDs

I picked up the MIT AVT1s from audigon at a really nice price.

But...I really do NOT like these cables with the screw on RCA body shell - the shell restricts the inside contacts from expanding and I could not fit them over the RCA contacts on the back of the 83 without forcing it. I was afraid I'd break off the connector. I tried it on my old DVD player and VHS player - same thing. Bad design. The only way I could use the MIT's is to unscrew the RCA body shell so that the inner contacts could open up and fit the player jacks.

The original box did not have any directions as to what end goes where.

I searched the forums here and got conflicting advice so I called MIT and got the straight ****: the boxes should be connected to the destination device and the long ends to the source device....meaning long ends to the player and the short end with the boxes to my AVR.

Anyway.....

Quick impressions of performance:
* First blu-ray I used was the remastered Fifth Element - gorgeous clean crisp BD picture and sound - as expected. Remote is easy to use.
* First audio CD used was Bryan Ferry's Boys and Girls - very clean mix. I switched back and forth between analog and digital....haven't decided what I like better. The analog inputs have a higher gain than the digital so it is hard to properly evaluate the SQ. The analog output seems to be cleaner/crisper with a slightly more forward and open sound stage than the digital. I need to spend some more time here. I am also going to compare it to my Cambridge 640C v2 as I have two identical store bought copies of the Bryan Ferry CD so I can do a true A/B comparison.
* First SD-DVD was Fellowship of the Ring. Very nice upconversion. I have played with the DVD/24p setting - but during the day it is too hard to really see much difference. My 50" Panny 1080p plasma does support 24fps so maybe when it is darker I can do some more comparisons.

There is a plethora of sub settings for the picture - but so far I'm pretty much still in the 'auto' settings for most. As I log more time on the player I'll experiment a bit.

No SACDs...yet....:(

But I'll rectify that soon and give those a spin too.

So far....two thumbs up!

Erik

danz1906

Erik, Congrats-Enjoy!

Ron Temple

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Anyway.....

Quick impressions of performance:
* First audio CD used was Bryan Ferry's Boys and Girls - very clean mix. I switched back and forth between analog and digital....haven't decided what I like better. The analog inputs have a higher gain than the digital so it is hard to properly evaluate the SQ. The analog output seems to be cleaner/crisper with a slightly more forward and open sound stage than the digital. I need to spend some more time here. I am also going to compare it to my Cambridge 640C v2 as I have two identical store bought copies of the Bryan Ferry CD so I can do a true A/B comparison.
* First SD-DVD was Fellowship of the Ring. Very nice upconversion. I have played with the DVD/24p setting - but during the day it is too hard to really see much difference. My 50" Panny 1080p plasma does support 24fps so maybe when it is darker I can do some more comparisons.

There is a plethora of sub settings for the picture - but so far I'm pretty much still in the 'auto' settings for most. As I log more time on the player I'll experiment a bit.

No SACDs...yet....:(

But I'll rectify that soon and give those a spin too.

So far....two thumbs up!

Erik

I've got mine hooked HDMI to TV (audio off), 5.1 MCH outs to HK via Ben's silvers, 2 channel outs to Luxman pre via Ben's, optical to HK. One of the nice things about this config is that all outputs are always active. Digital via optical works fine for DVDs and DTS concerts, but I find, even so, everything sounds better over analog. If I had a HDMI 1.3 capable receiver, I might not think so. The players audio capability is far better than the Oppo 980 or Sony S300 I was previously using. Much more tonally rich, better definition and much more open/larger soundstage. If you don't notice it, then your Cambridge is a far better player than my previous ones too (probable). As I've posted earlier, MCH, either DVD A or SACD is a real treat. For 2 channel through the Luxman, at first blush, I prefer the MCH outs over the dedicated 2 channel. That may change with some tweaking. The higher output voltage and upgraded internal components should offer better sound. I haven't found the right balance yet. The Luxman seems to like 2 volts vs 2.4 volts better...sounds more natural. The 2 channel outs deliver one hell of a wallup. If I can make a suggestion...get the AVR out of the path with either a cheap used 2 channel pre (of good quality) or try hooking the player directly to the amp and use the Oppo's volume control. I think you'll be rewarded.

Have some fun. I calibrated using the included disk and it did make a difference. I'm not sure how much of an uptick you'll notice on DVDs with a 50" screen. My son has a 46" and it's very difficult to see the difference between 480P and 1080P. On mine it's nearly blu-ray quality with the right transfer. Fifth Element, I believe, is uncompressed PCM. Try a disk with DDTHD or DTSMAHD and let me know what you think.

Sherardp

I watched Monster's Inc. on BD and it was incredible in DTS HD. If you guys are ok and a fan of the movie I would definitely recommend you import it. We are talking reference material. I'm a fan of the title and it holds up to some of the best. Tons of LFE and good use of surrounds. The title is Region Free and won't be in the USA til Oct or Nov according to sources at AVS. "SNOW CONE"!?

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF-Blu-ray-%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%83%BB%E3%83%89%E3%82%AF%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC/dp/B001SS0KFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1247268773&sr=8-1

digitalvideo

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Well,
My 83 arrived today!

First impressions:
* love the packaging: everything about the packaging speaks first class - even the thick block inner box with the interconects and the black 'carrying case' bag for the player itself.
* clean looking unit - nice lines and design with a solid feel
* easy to set up - just turn it on and it has a very well thought out easy set up wizard to get you going with movies. Later, you can go back and tweak to your hearts content.
* the on screen guis are also well thought out. As an engineer myself, one pet peave I have is how horribly designed user guis are - the 83's gui layout is logical and intuitive and easy to follow. Settings are logically grouped by function and even have on screen short explanations as to what each are for.

I connected up the 83 three ways:
* HDMI - Blue Jeans
* Optical - Blue Jeans - just for grins to compare to HDMI and analog
* Analog - MIT AVT1 for pure direct audio for CDs

I picked up the MIT AVT1s from audigon at a really nice price.

But...I really do NOT like these cables with the screw on RCA body shell - the shell restricts the inside contacts from expanding and I could not fit them over the RCA contacts on the back of the 83 without forcing it. I was afraid I'd break off the connector. I tried it on my old DVD player and VHS player - same thing. Bad design. The only way I could use the MIT's is to unscrew the RCA body shell so that the inner contacts could open up and fit the player jacks.

The original box did not have any directions as to what end goes where.

I searched the forums here and got conflicting advice so I called MIT and got the straight ****: the boxes should be connected to the destination device and the long ends to the source device....meaning long ends to the player and the short end with the boxes to my AVR.

Anyway.....

Quick impressions of performance:
* First blu-ray I used was the remastered Fifth Element - gorgeous clean crisp BD picture and sound - as expected. Remote is easy to use.
* First audio CD used was Bryan Ferry's Boys and Girls - very clean mix. I switched back and forth between analog and digital....haven't decided what I like better. The analog inputs have a higher gain than the digital so it is hard to properly evaluate the SQ. The analog output seems to be cleaner/crisper with a slightly more forward and open sound stage than the digital. I need to spend some more time here. I am also going to compare it to my Cambridge 640C v2 as I have two identical store bought copies of the Bryan Ferry CD so I can do a true A/B comparison.
* First SD-DVD was Fellowship of the Ring. Very nice upconversion. I have played with the DVD/24p setting - but during the day it is too hard to really see much difference. My 50" Panny 1080p plasma does support 24fps so maybe when it is darker I can do some more comparisons.

There is a plethora of sub settings for the picture - but so far I'm pretty much still in the 'auto' settings for most. As I log more time on the player I'll experiment a bit.

No SACDs...yet....:(

But I'll rectify that soon and give those a spin too.

So far....two thumbs up!

Erik

I contacted Oppo about where I should have the settings at in the menu for best picture quality for watching bluray and DVD and they said the player should be set to 1080p and that HDMI set to 'Bitstream' in (Audio Setup). Just my two cents.

Erik Tracy

digitalvideo wrote: »

I contacted Oppo about where I should have the settings at in the menu for best picture quality for watching bluray and DVD and they said the player should be set to 1080p and that HDMI set to 'Bitstream' in (Audio Setup). Just my two cents.

For now I've got the Oppo set to decode the lossless formats - I'm one of those that think...for now...it doesn't make a difference if the audio is decoded in the player or the AVR.

I'm not going to obsess with seeing the DTS-MA light come on the AVR

I'm more interested in the Cambridge CDP vs Oppo-83 "death match" I'm going to do later this weekend!!

digitalvideo

I mentioned to them that my Oppo is hooked up to my Pioneer SC-05 reciever too just to clarify. Which I never understood where my Pioneer reciever should be set at in the menu options when hooked up to the Oppo. They say the Pioneer reciever will pass the HDMI signal straight through without being touched but then why is there the option in the Pioneer reciever to set it to "1080p or 1080i etc ect." ? If I have the Oppo set to 1080p and the reciever to 1080i or to a lower level will it still display a 1080p image on my Pioneer plasma? If the Pioneer SC-05/07/09 recievers don't touch HDMI signals at all then why is there the option in the menu of those recievers to set it to 1080p, 1080i, 720 etc? That doesn't make sence to me.

Erik Tracy

digitalvideo wrote: »

I mentioned to them that my Oppo is hooked up to my Pioneer SC-05 reciever too just to clarify. Which I never understood where my Pioneer reciever should be set at in the menu options when hooked up to the Oppo. They say the Pioneer reciever will pass the HDMI signal straight through without being touched but then why is there the option in the Pioneer reciever to set it to "1080p or 1080i etc ect." ? If I have the Oppo set to 1080p and the reciever to 1080i or to a lower level will it still display a 1080p image on my Pioneer plasma? If the Pioneer SC-05/07/09 recievers don't touch HDMI signals at all then why is there the option in the menu of those recievers to set it to 1080p, 1080i, 720 etc? That doesn't make sence to me.

I could be mistaken, but, I think that via HDMI at 720p or higher no AVR will/can rescan/convert the incoming signal.

So if you have the Oppo set to output 1080p and you've got it hooked up via HDMI in and HDMI out - you are going to get 1080p to your HDTV.

I think....

Ern Dog

Erik Tracy wrote: »

I'm more interested in the Cambridge CDP vs Oppo-83 "death match"

Me too! I'm hoping to get the oppo soon.

leroyjr1

Erik Tracy wrote: »

For now I've got the Oppo set to decode the lossless formats - I'm one of those that think...for now...it doesn't make a difference if the audio is decoded in the player or the AVR.

I'm not going to obsess with seeing the DTS-MA light come on the AVR

I'm more interested in the Cambridge CDP vs Oppo-83 "death match" I'm going to do later this weekend!!

ERIK

How's the blu-ray PQ and SQ compared to the PS3.

Sherardp

digitalvideo wrote: »

I mentioned to them that my Oppo is hooked up to my Pioneer SC-05 reciever too just to clarify. Which I never understood where my Pioneer reciever should be set at in the menu options when hooked up to the Oppo. They say the Pioneer reciever will pass the HDMI signal straight through without being touched but then why is there the option in the Pioneer reciever to set it to "1080p or 1080i etc ect." ? If I have the Oppo set to 1080p and the reciever to 1080i or to a lower level will it still display a 1080p image on my Pioneer plasma? If the Pioneer SC-05/07/09 recievers don't touch HDMI signals at all then why is there the option in the menu of those recievers to set it to 1080p, 1080i, 720 etc? That doesn't make sence to me.

I think you need to send your player back, I have answered your post numerous times regarding setup. The Pio will not touch the signal via HDMI out, there is no way it can alter the HDMI video. Try playing with the settings and you will still get whatever the source signal is being output if that makes sense. Don't worry yourself over it. If it makes you feel better, set it to 1080p and leave it.

ntculenuff

ordered up my oppo yesterday from amazon (free 3 legged horse shipping lol) well it is estimated to ship july 22 i must have patience and i just want it now. but from what i have read the wait will be worth it. i am replacing my panny bd30 and my elite dv45a woo hoo

Hilbert

Just ordered from OPPO website (they say it's in-stock and ships in 24 hrs---not much good on Saturday, it it?). $517 + $24 extra shipping to avoid UPS & Fed Ex Ground. Am fairly sure I don't have enough RCAs lying around.

Looking forward to hearing 5.1-channel SACD.

It's been 10 minutes and no email confirmation...should I be worried?

Ron Temple

Hilbert wrote: »

Just ordered from OPPO website (they say it's in-stock and ships in 24 hrs---not much good on Saturday, it it?). $517 + $24 extra shipping to avoid UPS & Fed Ex Ground. Am fairly sure I don't have enough RCAs lying around.

Looking forward to hearing 5.1-channel SACD.

It's been 10 minutes and no email confirmation...should I be worried?

Did you get a printable order confirmation when you went through checkout? I think that's all I got, but I picked mine up.

Hilbert

Ron Temple wrote: »

Did you get a printable order confirmation when you went through checkout? I think that's all I got, but I picked mine up.

Yes, I got the confirmation. Also I've already checked the order status once---
at this rate it's going to be a long 3 days till it arrives.

digitalvideo

ultimateavmag.com did an expert review on the Oppo BDP-83, they tested it for 3 months and also give some of their advice on where to have the settings at on the player for best picture quality and audio quality. The player needs to be set a little differently in some settings when watching Bluray, DVD, SACD. They tell you where to set it at for each (if you don't already know.)

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/hddiscplayers/oppo_bdp-83_universal_disc_player/

Erik Tracy

Oppo BD-83 vs Cambridge 640c v2 Audio Death Match!

So, I spent some time this afternoon to conduct my own death match of these two players as a CD music player.

Configuration #1:
Oppo BD-83 connected via MIT AVT1 ICs from the 2-channel outputs to my Yamaha AVR to the DVR analog inputs (had to - as I had the Oppo still hooked up via HDMI to the BD/HDDVD input and priority is given to digital over analog inputs).

Cambridge 640c V2 connected via Audioquest Copperhead ICs to my Yamaha AVR to the CD analog inputs

Yamaha RX-V1800 set to Pure Direct so that the CDP and BD DACs were the only DACs in the signal path.

Music Source:
Bryan Ferry's "Boys and Girls" as I have two exact store bought copies that I put into both players and manually synchronized the two so I could source select between the two for direct A/B comparisons.

The nice thing about the Oppo is that it has a volume control so that I could level match the Oppo to the Cambridge.

Listening Results:
Oppo - warm, laid back, natural sounding - I guess you would call it somewhat 'neutral'. Did very well.

Cambridge - a bit more forward, but I also perceived more detail in the layered sound of the CD - more nuances could be heard.

Configuration #2:
So, to be fair I switched the ICs and started over.

Same results: the Oppo had the warmer/neutral sound and the Cambridge had the slighter more forward sound but more detail - more subtltely could be discerned in the layered sound that Bryan Ferry is known for.

The 'winner' for 2-channel CDs is the Cambridge - for me.

Does that mean the Oppo CD sound sucks?

Heck NO!

Still sounds really really good - but it is $500 do it all player and the Cambridge is a $649 MSRP dedicated CDP - what would you think should sound better?

I still haven't compared the 83 vs the PS3 for upconversion - more on that later when I have some more time.

Ern Dog

Erik Tracy wrote: »

The 'winner' for 2-channel CDs is the Cambridge - for me.

That was my guess, but I would have have **** my pants if the oppo took it! I was glad you switched the IC's just to take them out of the equation. Enjoy your new toy!