Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition - Sabre 32 DAC

The oppo is esentially a universal player, a good one at that. If your only interest lie in the video and audio for movies,there are plenty players that can keep pace with the oppo,minus some bells and whistles of coarse,and costs way less. Not Taking anything away from the oppo,it appears to be a great universal player by any standard. But one has to wonder, with the next generation possibly comming out with green ray technology, do you really want to spend that much coin on something that may be obsolete in 2 years?
You also have to consider if your video display is up to the task to take advantage of what a player like the oppo has to offer. If you run a 720p display smaller than 42 in. you may not notice the difference in a 800 buck player or a 200 dollar player. With the pace at which technology keeps improving, it's hard for me anyway,to throw gobbs of money down that rabbit hole for shorter periods of time.

DForeman wrote: »

Got mine today -- unfortunately it's a Christmas gift so will have to wait until 12:01 AM December 25th to hook it up.

There is a good thread with feedback over at the AVS forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1194011

The thread gets quite technical at times ("modding this and modding that") but I was able to glean enough information to entice me to buy it.

Thanks for the info...That is a long thread:eek:

I just placed my order for the upgrade:D

Sherardp wrote: »

How much is the upgrade? I'm giving it some thought.

The upgrade is $300 for current owners of the -83. Another plus is that it resets the factory warranty.

Caveat: If you are using HDMI to handle your audio, there is no compelling reason to upgrade (in case you hadn't read up).

I just received my RMA from Oppo today so it's going back tomorrow or Friday. I'm gonna hate going back to my 8 year old Pioneer DV-578A while it's gone but by all indications it's a worthy upgrade for those of us using it mostly for 2 ch analog. I have always felt the -83 was a tad harsh. It seems the new DACs and mods tame that without losing detail, something I feel the Rega Planet2k I have lacks. I dunno. We'll see.

If you are using the mch analog outs, and looking for a serious mod, you may want to check out the NuForce edition. It's even more tricked out on the mch outs.

I am anxiously awaiting your thoughts Ron. It's going to be awhile before I hear mine again. Maybe even after the 1st of the year. Get your tail over there!

and... Merry Christmas!

Here's an interesting review: http://audioaficionado.org/general-audio-discussion/2991-oppo-bdp-83se-versus-mcintosh-mcd500.html

Face wrote: »

Here's an interesting review: http://audioaficionado.org/general-audio-discussion/2991-oppo-bdp-83se-versus-mcintosh-mcd500.html

Looks like Oppo has another winner!

Can any of you tell me how to upgrade my Oppo with firmware updates using the USB drive? This is my first time using USB to upgrade my Oppo. I always used the Ethernet port to upgrade but Oppo told me earlier that they recommended using the USB or CD method to upgrade because BETA firmware sometimes doesn't go through the Ethernet method.

I have a 1GB USB thumb drive. I need to know how I get the file from Oppo's website to my USB thumb on my computer, how to zip and unzip it.

Fortunately, the instructions are on the page that you get the firmware from.
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/bdp-83-firmware-48-1218B.aspx

Got my hands on the SE today. I've got a problem with LFE integration. I was able to apply a 10db boost between my pre and the player to calibrate with the 83. I've had to apply 19db plus increase my gain on the sub for the SE. I've been in touch with Oppo and they are in a quandary about this too. They did a test before they called back and the boost should have been even. I'm going to play with mine for a week or so. If I can't fix this, then they'll do a swap out. Nice folks.

That said, I'm fine now, but the sub doesn't seem as profound, just cleaner. All the rest of the channels are markably more detailed, airy and tone/tuneful. I've just been playing some MCH and a BR, along with the AIX calibration disk to get things to sound right. I've got a rough calibration now. I'm plugging in the Luxman pre for some 2 channel listening later.

First blush, definitely an upgrade. The detail in the surround channels with the new DACs is very noticeable, along with the front 3 integration. Just played Steely Dan's Everything Must Go DVD A, a favorite. Sounds like a speaker upgrade.

vc69 wrote: »

That is strange Ron. I haven't read any reports of that anomaly on the SE thread at AVS. I use only HDMI for MCH so my bass mgmt is done in my receiver.

I am looking forward to your 2ch impressions as that is my only reason for the upgrade.

Mine is on it's way back, but will most likely not arrive before the long weekend. I am bummed.

Yeah it looks like I'm the only one. If it's not my HK, then I'll get a new one, so I can't complain. You'll be impressed with the 2 channel improvement. There are lots of embedded subtleties that come out in the midrange, vocals come forward a bit and the highs exhibit
more detail and sizzle. There's an apparent increase in separation. For $300 you're getting a heck of an upgrade. Reports of increased bass from others, haven't occurred on my rig...already had plenty...but it is more defined and seems tighter.

That's with 3 hours out of the bag...(which I used to take it back)

Well, I don't know if this is break in or what, but after only about 4 hours last night, I put it to bed. Today, I decided to recalibrate by dropping the trims on the AVR by 10 dbs, then the drop the trims on the SE by -5dbs except the sub was + 5. First calibration was off. Tried again, made some minor adjusts and then the sub level was a couple of dbs hot. Fiddled again, then put in a DVD A. Sub was there again and I had to reduce the trim on the Oppo down to +3. Which combined with the pre's trim is now 15dbs above the mains...not 19...and it's profound again.

I'm a bit stumped, but if it keeps improving during burn in, I won't have to swap out the unit. I've just never seen that big a correction on any unit I've ever had. Benefits after burn in are usually more subtle.

I'll keep you posted..

vc69 wrote: »

Something doesn't sound right about that to me. I can't see how the SE mod could be causing fluctuations like that. I'm wondering if it's a firmware thing.
Have you posted at AVS about this? The firmware in SE is obviously different as opposed the std. -83 and I know it's fairly new. Perhaps you have found a bug. I'm perplexed.

Still, I'm jealous you have your machine in hand.

The latest non beta firmware update is universal for the 83 and the SE...it's the 1210 firmware and loaded on at Oppo. Don't think it' the firmware...might be the AIX disk...could be the HK...could be break in...but, if it keeps getting better it's a non-issue.

More headscratching going on...last night after my recal, I shut things down and went to dinner with my wife. When we came back, we watched a DVD...no sub. I put in a DVD A...no sub. Switched over to HDTV in DD (a different optical connection)...no sub. Deciding that either my analog sub pre out was bad or the sub's amp is getting wonky...or a bad cable, I shut it down for the night.

This morning I started an email to SVS, but then decided to try a couple of things. I put in WOTW DVD to demo a heavy scene. The sub woke up slowly and when I cranked it, it hit hard, but sounded intermitent (this is through the digital optical connection. I then put in a DVD A, MCH, analog connection, Celebrating Weather Report. The sub sounded way hot, not smooth at all, so I recalibrated again and got it to sound smooth and impactful. My mains and surrounds are on set on the pre at -5, on the Oppo @ -5, the sub is now at -0 on the pre and -2 on the player...so now my net boost is 8db...not 19, not 15. I'm not quite stumped...I probably either need a new pre or AVR, a new cable or a new BASH amp in my Ultra. But it all started happening when I put the SE back in the chain and I've got some lingering doubts about signal strength fluctuation from the new sound board.

Anyway, the other channels are to die for and, as noted, it might be the old HK or my 2.5 year old Ultra causing the headache. I did shoot off an email to SVS, but with CES coming up and the holiday, I don't expect a reply soon.

Well now the upgrade window is officially over (I think). vmaxer, you just got in under the wire . Enjoy.

BTW, SVS is sending me a new amp.