OPPO BDP-83 It is simply spectacular ....

polkatese

Just in case anyone need a one-stop FAQ location for BDP-83:

http://watershade.net/wmcclain/BDP-83-faq.html

Bernal

BlueFox wrote: »

I need to get this. I encountered my first disk the Oppo will not play, John Woo's "Red Cliff".

However, I notice it does not have a region on the cover, rather it is the 2 disk "Original International Version".

I had a similar problem with my Oppo DVD 980-H
Ask Support: service@oppodigital.com
They sent my email solution in 24 hours

polkatese

Anyone else ordered modded Oppo from any of the known modders (i.e. RAM, Underwood, Modwright, Nu-Force (other than 83SE))?

kuntasensei

BlueFox wrote: »

I need to get this. I encountered my first disk the Oppo will not play, John Woo's "Red Cliff".

However, I notice it does not have a region on the cover, rather it is the 2 disk "Original International Version".

If it makes you feel better about upgrading the firmware, Red Cliff played fine on mine with the latest firmware installed. And it's a freakin' BRILLIANT movie.

Bernal

BlueFox wrote: »

I contacted Oppo and they said to upgrade to the March 2010 Beta firmware.

Release date: March 29, 2010.
Category: Public Beta Version

Main Version: BDP83-50-0323B
Loader Version: BE2690 or BT0390
Sub Version: MCU83-27-0326


I downloaded it to a CD, and installed it tonight. Fixed the "Red Cliff" not playing issue, and my other BR-DVDs seem okay. When Avatar shows up that will be my main test.

Ok.

_____________________________________
01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's
03) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio
04) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
05) DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
06) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
07) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
11) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
12) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround back speakers)
13) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround back speakers)
14) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES 12"(High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=98096[/QUOTE]

kuntasensei

I can confirm that Avatar plays flawlessly with the latest firmware.

F1nut

So Bernal, have you married your Oppo yet?

Bernal

F1nut wrote: »

So Bernal, have you married your Oppo yet?

The answer in this link ...

http://audioaficionado.org/general-audio-discussion/2991-oppo-bdp-83se-versus-mcintosh-mcd500.html




....With 46 hours of break-in time on the Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition, I felt comfortable enough with its sound to put it up against the McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD player for a head to head comparison, so I removed it from the surround sound system, and installed it in the two channel tube system in the studio.

I discovered a few things about the Oppo BDP-83SE setup that two channel users will need to be aware of before using the player strictly for two channel. You do not need to use Oppo's setup menu to select 2 channel mix down when using the stereo left and right outputs, as this mix down is done continuously no matter what adjustments have been made in the speaker set up menu for surround sound. In addition, the stereo ouputs are active all the time, so a second output is available even while connected for analog surround sound. If you are listening to SACD's in stereo, you will have to go into the Playback menu and set SACD priority to Stereo, otherwise the lowest frequencies are routed to the Oppo's sub output jack, which is not used for two channel stereo listening. If you do not change the SACD priority to Stereo the low bass is not at the proper level.

The Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition features factory upgrades that include a new analog power supply, and the new ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC's. In my head to head comparison of the standard version BDP-83 against the Special Edition, the SE outperformed its sibling in every aspect of the surround sound audio presentation by a significant margin.

In this head to head comparison I am pitting the Oppo BDP-83SE against the vaulted McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD player. McIntosh also uses ESS DAC's in a dual quad arrangement, although they are the Sabre Reference 24 bit DAC's, which are about a year old in the market place now. I used the following gear for this shoot out: McIntosh C1000C/T preamplifier, two McIntosh mono MC275 amplifiers, with Sonus Faber Guarneri Momento speakers and the McIntosh XLS112 subwoofer. The MCD500 is normally connected to the C1000T with Wireworld balanced Silver Eclipse 6.0 interconnects, but the Oppo has only unbalanced outputs. I do not own any Wireworld unbalanced interconnects, so I switched the interconnects for the MCD500 to a pair of Tributaries Silver Series, and used an identical pair of Tributaries Silver Series interconnects on the Oppo BDP-83SE. I did not want any sonic differences between the two players skewed by using different interconnects. As you can see from the included photo, there was just enough room in the two channel system rack to squeeze the Oppo SE on top of the C1000T.

The music selected was as follows: Jacintha - Best Of SACD, "Willow Weep For Me"; Jaime Valle - Round Midnight CD, "Cry Me A River"; John Previti Quartet - Swinging Lullabyes For My Rosetta CD "I Thought About You"; Gregg Karukas - Looking Up CD, "Girl In The Red Dress"; Eva Cassidy - Wonderful World CD, "What A Wonderful World"; and Peter Frampton - Fingerprints CD, "Float". The six different genre of music gave me a solid impression of how the player performed with many styles of music and vocal arrangements.

I played each song first on the Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition player, paying close attention to the level meters on the C1000T preamplifier, because I wanted to ensure that I was closely matching levels from one player to the other. As it turned out, the Oppo, set at 95% volume using its remote control to operate this feature, was a perfect level match for the MCD500. The remote volume level output on the Oppo player is a feature that would allow the Oppo BDP83SE to feed amplifiers directly without the need for a preamplifier if one chose to use it in this manner.

Let the music begin. I chose Jacintha, "Willow Weep For Me", and placed it in the Oppo player's tray. Pressing play closes the drawer and starts the music. Load times on the Oppo are quicker than on the MCD500. As the music began, and Jacintha's voice appeared in the center of the sound stage, I was impressed with the tonal balance, the deep bass, and Jacintha's sultry voice. I found myself thinking that this is one awesome sounding SACD/CD player. I moved the disc to the MCD500, pressed play, and sat back. The music begins, and immediately I notice a slightly more forward presentation with a more defined sense of space between the sax, guitar, bass, and Jacintha's voice. I could hear her breaths more clearly, the sound of lips parting was audible, and the sound stage was more three dimensional front to back.

On Jaime Valle's "Cry Me A River" I experience a similar event, that is the Oppo BDP-83SE was a tiny bit darker in its presentation, and although very good sound was reproduced by the Oppo, by comparison to the MCD500, there were less harmonic after tones to the sounds of the wooden vibes being struck, and less crisp leading edge string attacks to Jaime's guitar sound. The MCD500 was able to produce more space between every instrument's sounds, which offered brighter illumination to details that were ever so slightly masked on the Oppo.

The minuscule darkness to the sound's character continued with the Oppo's presentation of John Previti's "I Thought About You", where he trades verses with his wife's lovely voice, while vibe notes ring between the phrases of the song. The Oppo presented a fine performance, but when directly compared to the MCD500 it seemed slightly less 3 dimensional, a shallower sound stage, and a marginally darker presentation, with less shimmer on the vibes, and cymbals. The micro dynamics were more audible on the MCD500, with a more open sonic presentation. As with the previous tunes, the MCD500 was able to present the performance with a larger sense of life, with plenty of space for each and every sound to appear and be heard. The same sonic presentation remained with Gregg Karukas, "Girl In The Red Dress", where his piano's timber was more accurate on the MCD500. It was on this particular track that I also noticed the MCD500 offered up greater texture to the bass being played on this particular track. On Eva Cassidy's "What A Wonderful World", the Oppo sounded very good, but under direct comparison to the MCD500 her voice was not as clearly delineated from the piano and guitar sounds as was the case on the MCD500. The MCD500 presented the brushes on the cymbals with complete accuracy, where as the Oppo BDP-83SE presented the same brushes somewhat reduced and faintly clouded, in keeping with it's slightly darker sonic presentation. When playing Peter Frampton's "Float", the Oppo could not equal the MCD500's ability to clearly separate the acoustic and electric guitar sounds completely, and the guitar reverb on this track created a real sense of floating, as the tunes name implies, on the MCD500. That same sense was lessened by a few degrees when played on the Oppo SE.

All in all, the Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition is an exemplary SACD/CD player, not to mention a first class Blu-ray video player. In surround sound, the Special Edition really shows its colors, and struts its stuff. I am thrilled with the SE's surround performance in my home theater system. It's two channel stereo presentation is also very good, quite detailed, with excellent dynamics. Were I not making a direct song for song, head to head comparison against the MCD500, the minutely darker nature of the Oppo's audio performance might not have even been noticed. For a person looking for a really great surround sound and stereo SACD/CD player, with a spectacular Blu-ray player thrown in for good measure, all at a price that is almost unbelievable considering the level of performance, the Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition is the player to beat in this price category, and then some. That the Oppo SE can stand as close to the MCD500's performance, as it did today, is quite remarkable when one considers the MCD500's price tag is greater than seven times that of the Oppo BDP-83SE.

As I began this head to head comparison, I never really thought the Oppo SE would outperform the MCD500, and it didn't. What is amazing, though, is how close it came to matching the MCD500 performance for so little money. I am thoroughly impressed. A big thumbs up to the Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition.
__________________
Dan


Main System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC501 (2), MCD500, MS750, MR85, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113, PS Audio Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Wireworld IC's & PC's.
Studio Tube System: McIntosh C1000C/T, MC275 (2), MCD500, Micro Seiki DD-40 w/Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento, McIntosh XLS112 (2), Wireword IC's & PC's.
Studio HT System: McIntosh MX120, MC352, MR74, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332, JBL LSR-6312SP, JBL LSR-6328P, Tributaries Silver IC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MAC4300V, JVC XL-Z1050, Sony TC-K890ES, JBL4312A....".



_____________________________________
01) DENON AVR-4308CI
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's
03) OPPO BDP-83 se
04) OPPO DV-980H
05) DENON DVD-2500BTCI
06) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
07) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
11) POLKAUDIO LSiC Vertically (Surround speaker)
12) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround back speakers)
13) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround back speakers)
14) VELODYNE OPTIMUN SERIES 12"(High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)

F1nut

So, the marriage is off.......probably a good thing.

cnh

I've heard a couple of decent McIntosh CDPs....and I've never thought much them. I, too have found them a bit forward, suprisingly. As for the Oppo...that's Bernal's territory. Nice review.

cnh

hearingimpared

F1nut wrote: »

So, the marriage is off.......probably a good thing.

Crack me up!

Amherst

Dropped the regular 83 like a hot rock... now engaged to the SE.

Go figure.


BTW, I have three different players here that outperform the regular 83 in two channel. One of those players is substantially less expensive, so I concur with your review.

hearingimpared

So if I'm reading this correctly, the Oppo BD 83 SE at $899 is a superb CD/SACD player. Is this type of review typical from other reviewers who ran it head to head with a CD/SACD player costing substantially more?

I really could care less about the HT portion of this player as I enjoy movies with the lowly Oppo 9xx, NAD T765, RT2000Ps - fronts, CS 350 LS - center, and Rt/Fxs as surounds and am not a big HT enthusiast. I realize from what I've read the 83 SE really is something special in the HT realm.

I am however definitely interested in the SACD playback at this price if it really does compares favorably to SACD players at "seven times" its cost. I would love to own a Musical Fidelity kw SACD player but $8k is out of my league as is the Oppo BDP 83 SE but at least it is more within reach when I'm ready.

So what say ye who own the 83 SE for SACD playback and have heard superb SACD players in the high end? Does it really stand up like all the hype it is given?

polkatese

I am also intrigue by all the positive reviews about the player, specifically on SACD/DVD-A. But, instead of the SE, I am trying out Modwright, getting mine next Wednesday. I'll let you know Joe.

hearingimpared

polkatese wrote: »

I am also intrigue by all the positive reviews about the player, specifically on SACD/DVD-A. But, instead of the SE, I am trying out Modwright, getting mine next Wednesday. I'll let you know Joe.

Thanks Pal!

I like Modwright modded gear. I spoke with the owner one time, I forget his name as well as the owner of Underwood HiFi, when I was searching for a CDP a few years back and we were discussing all the mods he offered on various products and different aspects of the CDP. I've been thinking about having the Denon 2900, I currently use for SACD playback, modded by Modwright but Ben told me he has a mod for it that would cost me practically nothing and really improves SACD playback. I would just have to ship him the audio card.

rlmacklin

polkatese wrote: »

I am also intrigue by all the positive reviews about the player, specifically on SACD/DVD-A. But, instead of the SE, I am trying out Modwright, getting mine next Wednesday. I'll let you know Joe.

Polkatese,

I went the extra $ to have Dan mod an Oppo 83SE for me.

The Modwright "full multichannel mods" Oppo BDP-83SE is absolutely stunning/mesmerizing to me in its level of sonic detail and musicality.
It clearly beats my Matt Anker/sacdmods.com custom dual ZapFilter modded, Denon 3930CI.
The Modwright Oppo BDP-83SE goes well beyond the 83SE NuForce edition in what Dan doesthe and IMHO the Modwright 83SE is certainly "cutting edge"
at its price point -and in my opinion is an absolute wonder in performance and value.

I wish Oppo had put an ESS Sabre Ultra DAC ES9016 or higher running in quad for each channel, but that will never happen. And Dan Wright is only doing two channel tube mods (requiring external power supply) for the Oppo.

The Modwright Oppo 83SE dedicated 2-channel stereo analog outs and front left/right multichannel analog outputs signals go to 2 different inputs on my Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature tube linestage (which I am running with upgraded Bendix 6900s and cryoed metal base 1957 Philips Miniwatt GZ34/5AR4). Both have TelWire Cord (with Oyaide P-004/C-004) for power cords. Black Sand Violet Z1 (with Oyaide P-004/C-004) power cords also work well.
Power amps are Odyssey Mono Extreme SE and HT-3 to Polk Audio SDA-SRS-2s in front , CSi-5 center and FXi-5 surrounds (no subwoofer).
All ICs and speaker cables are Grover SX.

Des Moines

Interesting info for Oppo BDP-83 vs 83SE
"OPPO Digital recommends the BDP-83 Special Edition to customers who primarily use the analog audio output to connect to either a dedicated stereo or a multi-channel surround system. For customers who primarily use the HDMI output to connect to an A/V receiver or directly to a TV/projector, and for customers who primarily use the digital optical/coaxial audio output, the standard BDP-83 is recommended."

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/transports/high-definition-dvd-players-hd-dvd-blu-ray/oppo-bdp-83SE_FL

polkatese

rlmacklin wrote: »

Polkatese,

I went the extra $ to have Dan mod an Oppo 83SE for me.

The Modwright "full multichannel mods" Oppo BDP-83SE is absolutely stunning/mesmerizing to me in its level of sonic detail and musicality.
It clearly beats my Matt Anker/sacdmods.com custom dual ZapFilter modded, Denon 3930CI.
The Modwright Oppo BDP-83SE goes well beyond the 83SE NuForce edition in what Dan doesthe and IMHO the Modwright 83SE is certainly "cutting edge"
at its price point -and in my opinion is an absolute wonder in performance and value.

I wish Oppo had put an ESS Sabre Ultra DAC ES9016 or higher running in quad for each channel, but that will never happen. And Dan Wright is only doing two channel tube mods (requiring external power supply) for the Oppo.

The Modwright Oppo 83SE dedicated 2-channel stereo analog outs and front left/right multichannel analog outputs signals go to 2 different inputs on my Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature tube linestage (which I am running with upgraded Bendix 6900s and cryoed metal base 1957 Philips Miniwatt GZ34/5AR4). Both have TelWire Cord (with Oyaide P-004/C-004) for power cords. Black Sand Violet Z1 (with Oyaide P-004/C-004) power cords also work well.
Power amps are Odyssey Mono Extreme SE and HT-3 to Polk Audio SDA-SRS-2s in front , CSi-5 center and FXi-5 surrounds (no subwoofer).
All ICs and speaker cables are Grover SX.

Cool! Sounds like you're in love with the sound of your Modwright 83SE. You're right, to quad DAC ESS sabre per channel would be awesome, none of the manufacturer would go for it though, except perhaps Esoteric or MF for their TOTL CDPs.

You have an awesome setup, btw.

polkatese

Guys,

For the following Video setup, could you let me know yours and why?

Video Setup:

- 1080p24 Output [Auto|On|Off]
- DVD 24p Conversion [On|Off]

HDMI Options:
- HDMI Deep Color [36 Bits|30 Bits (dithered)|3- Bits|Off (dithered)|Off]
- Demo Mode [On|Off]
- A/V Sync [0-200]

TIA

vc69

video Setup:

- 1080p24 Output [Auto|On|Off] on
- DVD 24p Conversion [On|Off] off

HDMI Options:
- HDMI Deep Color [36 Bits|30 Bits (dithered)|3- Bits|Off (dithered)|Off] off (dithered)
- Demo Mode [On|Off] off
- A/V Sync [0-200] No change for me

Ron Temple

polkatese wrote: »

Guys,

For the following Video setup, could you let me know yours and why?

Video Setup:

- 1080p24 Output [Auto|On|Off]
- DVD 24p Conversion [On|Off]

HDMI Options:
- HDMI Deep Color [36 Bits|30 Bits (dithered)|3- Bits|Off (dithered)|Off]
- Demo Mode [On|Off]
- A/V Sync [0-200]

TIA

Can't remember if 1080/24 is auto or on. DVD 24p upconversion is on (works fine for most DVDs, not that I watch that many anymore...the one's that show artifacts I change back). Deep color 36, demo off, no need for AV sync (no issues) so I left it at default.

reeltrouble1

My 83 Oppo player presents a nice picture on my TV and plays movie soundstrack Fx appropriately, musically, it is underwhelmingly mundane presenting musical sounds with ordinary repleteness.

RT1

hearingimpared

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

My 83 Oppo player presents a nice picture on my TV and plays movie soundstrack Fx appropriately, musically, it is underwhelmingly mundane presenting musical sounds with ordinary repleteness.

RT1

Ted, are you using the 83 or the 83 SE?

Bernal

OPPO BDP-83 and OPPO BDP-83SE

Bernal

Ranked #1 of 45 in HD and Blu-Ray DVD Player.
http://dvd-players.toptenreviews.com/hd-and-blu-ray/oppo-digital/oppo-bdp-83-review.html

2010 HD and Blu-Ray DVD Player Product Comparisons
http://dvd-players.toptenreviews.com/hd-and-blu-ray/

http://dvd-players.toptenreviews.com/hd-and-blu-ray/oppo-digital/oppo-bdp-83-review.html

http://dvd-players.toptenreviews.com/hd-and-blu-ray/sony/sony-98006-reviews-16944.htm

http://dvd-players.toptenreviews.com/hd-and-blu-ray/sony/sony-ps398004-reviews-16943.htm

reeltrouble1

hearingimpared wrote: »

Ted, are you using the 83 or the 83 SE?

the 83, nothing special, the analog section is weak, which the SE attempts to address, so for those who are on a budget.........maybe......OppO is trying though, at least they seem to be, they are realizing good sound takes quality, so from hundred buck players to eight hundred.....

I suppose now that I am a first order audio snob of high degree, if it dont glow it dont go........well, not Exactly, Esoteric is interesting along with Wadia.

RT1

hearingimpared

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

the 83, nothing special, the analog section is weak, which the SE attempts to address, so for those who are on a budget.........maybe......OppO is trying though, at least they seem to be, they are realizing good sound takes quality, so from hundred buck players to eight hundred.....

I suppose now that I am a first order audio snob of high degree, if it dont glow it dont go........well, not Exactly, Esoteric is interesting along with Wadia.

RT1

Yeah Big Bro, I've not seen you writing much about the Esoteric, unless I missed it. I was talking to Steve about his recent visit, he was floored again. . . man I wish I lived closer. How's the search for the Clearaudio upgrades in cartridges going?

megasat16

I think my Oppo (rearranging the letters in Oppo would sounds ****) just blasted in spectacular flame!

Gees...is club polk sponsoring the **** now?

Bernal

".... Overall the OPPO BDP-83 is a better player than the Sony BDP-S570 since the OPPO has a better video processor and plays DVD-Audio discs. ..."

Bernal wrote: »

http://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-players-recorders/140736-sony-bdp-s570-new-reference-player-speed-beats-oppo-bdp-83-a.html

"...It's amazing how fast technology changes. The PS3 use to be the fastest BLU-RAY player on the market but all that changed when the 2009 OPPO BDP-83 came out and with the several new models of 2010 BLU-RAY players...."

Bernal

Bernal wrote: »

".... Overall the OPPO BDP-83 is a better player than the Sony BDP-S570 since the OPPO has a better video processor and plays DVD-Audio discs. ..."

http://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-players-recorders/140736-sony-bdp-s570-new-reference-player-speed-beats-oppo-bdp-83-a.html