Modwright BDP-83

polkatese · April 2010

Right now it is a placeholder when I have enough mileage on this player. I hooked it up yesterday in the main system.

My SACD1000 tube mod player has moved to dedicated 2 channels system. For the longest time I have paired it with Cremona/REF50/Gemstone. Now it has moved to LSi15/Krell 400xi/MIT S3. And I have to say for the first time since I owned that two channels setup, I am disappointed in the sound. Compared to the Cremona, I lost the luster, clarity, balance throughout low-mid-top, and resolution. Given the same source (SACD1000) and Media (Joe Sample "Sample This") it could either be the Krell or the LSi15. It could also be that my ears are well adapted to the SF sound more so than LSi15 (I listen to the system about 85% SF, 15% LSi15).

Back to Modwright, Multichannel SACD and DVD-A sound excellent. Very close to the warm sound of tube player, with added layer of clarity and resolutions of instruments. I am planning to burn-in quite a bit more before I do critical listening. As far as the video, Avatar looks damn close to 3D (as far as depth perspective) without the glasses.

Here is some pics of the guts as posted by Dan over at AC:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=77051.0

more to come...

rlmacklin · April 2010

Polkatese,

So glad your Modwright Oppo BDP-83 arrived on schedule and is sounding excellent ("Very close to the warm sound of tube player, with added layer of clarity and resolutions of instruments.")

I had seen several references to "harsh" sound from the stock Oppo 83 over in the (now 158 pages) thread "Official BDP-83SE Analog Audio Discussion Only Thread" on AVS Forum and as I have a completely analog system and the SE model came out with the ESS Sabre DACs and upgraded analog output stage, i went for the SE and had Dan mod that version.
So I got the Modwright Oppo BDP-83SE (which uses the ESS Sabre DACs) and which brings even more detail, clarity, and dynamics. As the Burson master clock upgrade was included in the SE mod package at the same price as the stock 83 mod at the time I ordered, Dan honored this and so my Modwright SE has the Burson master clock - which should improve the video over the stock master clock.

For burn-in of the Oppo's dedicated 2-channel analog outputs, I have run the IsoTek burn-in CD Track #2 during sleep hours over several weeks (still continuing).

Enjoy your music and video - Dan's work is top notch in my opinion.

rlmacklin · April 2010

Polkatese and others,

Another interesting fact gleaned from the later pages of the (now 158 pages) thread "Official BDP-83SE Analog Audio Discussion Only Thread" on AVS Forum is that the Oppo BDP-83 or Oppo BDP-83SE [and the NuForce and Modwright modded ones] does not downmix when operating in direct DSD to analog on SACD (when the Oppo is set for SACD priority to be DSD and no HDMI handshake issues are forcing DSD conversion to PCM before the signal goes to the DACs).
My understanding from that thread is that setting Oppo SACD priority to PCM is necessary to have the Oppo's multichannel bass management and multichannel output trim levels and distance settings engage. (Again this DSD conversion to PCM can apparently be forced by an HDMI device hooked to the Oppo via HDMI if the device cannot handle DSD over HDMI).
The easiest way to guarantee that direct DSD to analog is taking place is to adjust the volume control on the Oppo remote - if DSD is in operation, the volume control should have no effect until reaching "zero" when it will "mute" the analog outputs. When using the volume control with PCM, apparently bits are discarded/lost and sonics degrade when the volume setting goes below 80%.

At any rate, if you are running full range speakers, equidistant from listening position for all channels, the best sonics for multi-channel SACD using direct DSD to analog should be while using the Oppo's dedicated 2-channel analog outputs for the front left/right and using the multichannel analog outs for center and surround channels, provided your analog system preamps or linestages allow volume adjustment to match all channel's levels. (There could be some unknown slight delay between the sets of outputs, which are apparently all active all the time.)

I read through the AVS Forum "Official BDP-83SE Analog Audio Discussion Only Thread" while Dan was performing the mods and read more as the thread continued to grow to its now 158 pages while I have had my player hooked into my system. I would hate for anyone else to have to slog through all those pages of postings to find out these tidbits.

vc69 · April 2010

Good post. I would add that in my setup, I simply unplug the HDMI cable when I am not viewing a movie. Though my receiver is DSD capable, if it is off, the handshake always forces DSD->PCM conversion which is undesirable.

I am anxiously awaiting Polkatese's impressions.

Erik Tracy · April 2010

How does the standard 83 and 83SE do a "direct" DSD to analog conversion?

I thought the DACs must be fed a PCM stream for the final analog conversion at its RCA outputs?

Can the standard 83 DACs and the Sabre DACs really accept a direct DSD data stream?

vc69 · April 2010

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Can the standard 83 DACs and the Sabre DACs really accept a direct DSD data stream?

Yes, it can and does.

polkatese · April 2010

rlmacklin wrote: »

My understanding from that thread is that setting Oppo SACD priority to PCM is necessary to have the Oppo's multichannel bass management and multichannel output trim levels and distance settings engage. (Again this DSD conversion to PCM can apparently be forced by an HDMI device hooked to the Oppo via HDMI if the device cannot handle DSD over HDMI).
The easiest way to guarantee that direct DSD to analog is taking place is to adjust the volume control on the Oppo remote - if DSD is in operation, the volume control should have no effect until reaching "zero" when it will "mute" the analog outputs. When using the volume control with PCM, apparently bits are discarded/lost and sonics degrade when the volume setting goes below 80%.

Thank you for the info rlmacklin. I didn't know that. So, to recap, the best way to make sure DSD Analog is active, HDMI need to be inactivated? Could you clarify? I noticed that when I pressed volume button on the Oppo remote, the sound follows accordingly. Btw, the sound through HDMI is very decent.

Thanks...

VC69, I am still tweaking the player as I typed.

SCompRacer · April 2010

Kewl!:cool: Congrats on the modded player!

vc69 · April 2010

polkatese wrote: »

Thank you for the info rlmacklin. I didn't know that. So, to recap, the best way to make sure DSD Analog is active, HDMI need to be inactivated? Could you clarify? I noticed that when I pressed volume button on the Oppo remote, the sound follows accordingly. Btw, the sound through HDMI is very decent.

Thanks...

VC69, I am still tweaking the player as I typed.

The "volume control test" applies only to DSD->analog output. It is a way to test whether or not you getting a pure DSD->analog output from your player. If it is doing a DSD->PCM->analog output, the volume control will perform as expected. If the volume control does not incrementally reduce the volume but instead goes all the way down without change until it "mutes" completely, you are getting a DSD-analog conversion without the PCM conversion in between. DSD is definitely the preferred output and is audibly better. The only way I have found to ensure that your SACD's are being played properly is to disconnect the HDMI cable thereby allowing no "handshake" to occur.

Of course you know that listening to the player via HDMI output is not "really" listening to player, but instead the DAC's that the HDMI cable is connected to. (receiver, etc) If you want to hear that thing at it's best, use the stereo outputs into an analog preamp. Remember that "most" receivers and pre/pro's digitize their analog inputs thereby negating the benefits of the modded player.

polkatese · April 2010

Ok. I think I got it as it is supposed to be.

Pre-amp is Marantz AV8003, which has an AUX 7.1 CH Direct Input. From Oppo I did all RCA (SCA2) to Marantz 7.1. My Modwright is 7.1 multi-channels mods, so L&R to be used is the MCH L&R instead of L&R dedicated (which is on the stock Oppo was used to connect to TV).

My previous statement was incorrect. I've been playing CD/SACD/DVD-A using 7.1 CH Input (Direct Mode), and whether I removed HDMI or not, has no effect. So, I am pretty confident that I am listening to Analog 7.1. The nice thing about 7.1 CH Direct INPUT on the Marantz, is that you can assign HDMI for video only. So, when I played DVD-A, I can still get the Video display of the liner notes or track titles, but I am listening to Analog output from the Oppo.

Btw, on the Oppo setup, SACD Multi-Channel output is set to DSD.

Thanks for the explanation though, vc69. It is very helpful.

I found one drawback of having one Universal player for everything: I have to get up and remove and change the media every time I want to switch from listening to CD/SACD/DVD-A to watching DVD/BD.

Ern Dog · April 2010

I'm interested in reading your review. I considered getting this because I know that Dan's work is top notch. Instead I opted for a dedicated reference SACD player. I'm glad someone on the forum jumped on one.

polkatese · April 2010

Yes, it has been awhile since I bought my last modded CDP, so I am pretty excited with Modwright Oppo. This is my third modded CDPs, I sold one of them here. Always have a "thing" and a firm believer of modded CDP.

Guys, on DVD-A 5.1 or SACD 5.1, in direct mode, are the surround channels being routed to the SBR and SBL in a 7.1 speakers setup?

polkatese · April 2010

Never mind with my question, I tested it out and rewired SL/SR SBL/SBR speaker cables based on the test BD that came with the Oppo. Just in case anyone interested, on DVD-A and SACD 5.1 Multi-Channels direct mode, SBL and SBR should be completely silent.

Big Phat Band DVD-A is playing....(progressive Jazz big band)

And yes, Analog MCH output is better than HDMI. Bass is more prominent and reach lower, overall instruments separation from bass all the way up to trumpets and clarinets are distinct.

rlmacklin · April 2010

Polkatese and all,

4 Herbie's Audio Lab "Tenderfeet" work well
for isolation/vibration control under the Modwright Oppo -
but I find that 4 {Iso-Cup w/Lampblack Ball} combination
(also from Herbie's Audio Lab)
performs a shade better and
the balls fit neatly beneath the Oppo's footers.
Additionally using two stacked component top weights -
"SuperSonic Stabilizers" -(also from Herbie's Audio Lab),
centered over the player's closed tray position.

polkatese · May 2010

http://oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/bdp-83-firmware-50-0424.aspx

looks like the volume control test no longer valid with the latest beta firmware which I have applied.

polkatese · May 2010

Quick update: still doing the burn-in (whenever I can). But tonight, I took out all of my HDCD recordings and it was just wow. Very close to SACD, who knew, breathing a new life on my HDCD collections, ever since I gave away my Denon DVD-3800 a few years ago. Nice bonus...and XRCD is also sounding awesome, although HDCD is still better.

Erik Tracy · July 2010

polkatese wrote: »

http://oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/bdp-83-firmware-50-0424.aspx

looks like the volume control test no longer valid with the latest beta firmware which I have applied.

Pardon the thread revival....but with the new f/w upgrade that fixes the volume control in DSD mode, is there a new way to verify that when playing SACDs via 2-channel analog output that the data flow is direct DSD to DACs as opposed to converting to DSD to PCM first?

jayman_1975 · July 2010

I just recieved my SE Nuforce Edition a week ago. I haven't gotten a chance to give it a good listen yet buy what i have heard so far is pretty sweet on 2 channel.

Ern Dog · August 2010

Polkatese- I'm interested in hearing your review of the Modwright BDP83 now that burn in is complete.

polkatese · August 2010

Ern Dog,

I'll do a cliff note version, if you don't mind.

Positive: (analog mode)

Bass is distinct and tight. It digs down and dependent on the quality of the medium. Crappy recording sounds a tad better but made it even more unbearable to listen to. It extracts every ounce of the imperfections from the redbook. Conversely, great recording will make you humming and nodding along.

Channels separation is better than my SACD1000. The instrumentation and sound stage wraps you, if you are sitting in the sweet spot of your setup. Vocalists sound very neutral, female vocals voices come through very clean and let you feel the emotions and nuances (I listen almost exclusively to Jazz fusion, standards, or Jazz vocals). High are clean, no evidence of strain, but polite.

Not So Positive (for me) for Audio:

I sometimes feel that I am missing a bit of the oomph. I found the the Oppo to be sweet sounding, polite, truthful, and great for classical more than for Jazz. I found myself reaching for the remote to make the volume louder. Hence, I tend to switch to HDMI Digital mode, applying the Audyssey and let it rip. Perhaps my room acoustics is part of the problem. It is less than ideal, with the room adjacent to the kitchen, nook, without any wall separation.

All in all, the biggest value for me is the fact it plays almost every single media. If it plays HD-DVD, then I would be done having multiple players. Btw, HDCD and DVD-A are awesome in this player.

Ern Dog · August 2010

Do you think there are better sounding sources for the same price?

polkatese · August 2010

Let's see: for about $1,800 I am pretty sure there are other options. Personally, I believe in modded players, so I would rule out stock exotics players. Not at the class of Esoterics though. To be completely objective, if I have the resources, I would lined up NuForce, RAM, and Modwright. But since I don't, I picked Modwright.

hearingimpared · August 2010

polkatese wrote: »

Ern Dog,

I'll do a cliff note version, if you don't mind.

Positive: (analog mode)

Bass is distinct and tight. It digs down and dependent on the quality of the medium. Crappy recording sounds a tad better but made it even more unbearable to listen to. It extracts every ounce of the imperfections from the redbook. Conversely, great recording will make you humming and nodding along.

Channels separation is better than my SACD1000. The instrumentation and sound stage wraps you, if you are sitting in the sweet spot of your setup. Vocalists sound very neutral, female vocals voices come through very clean and let you feel the emotions and nuances (I listen almost exclusively to Jazz fusion, standards, or Jazz vocals). High are clean, no evidence of strain, but polite.

Not So Positive (for me) for Audio:

I sometimes feel that I am missing a bit of the oomph. I found the the Oppo to be sweet sounding, polite, truthful, and great for classical more than for Jazz. I found myself reaching for the remote to make the volume louder. Hence, I tend to switch to HDMI Digital mode, applying the Audyssey and let it rip. Perhaps my room acoustics is part of the problem. It is less than ideal, with the room adjacent to the kitchen, nook, without any wall separation.

All in all, the biggest value for me is the fact it plays almost every single media. If it plays HD-DVD, then I would be done having multiple players. Btw, HDCD and DVD-A are awesome in this player.

Very nice concise review Francis! Did you call Modright about the lack of oomph? They may have run across this and have a suggestion for you.

polkatese · August 2010

Thank you Joe.

That's good idea Joe. My listening habit has changed a bit, I am not sure if it is so much because of the player. I used to be able to sit and listen in and enjoy the music while I am working on the computer. Now I get to hear more of my thoughts then the music.

Modwright BDP-83

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