kapsnb01

Exactly...I didn't "need" the Oppo, just as I didn't "need" to rip apart my CF-3s and put them back together. But, it was sure fun doing it and I enjoy the results! I won't pretend it was a major factor in the decision, but I do use the PS4 a lot, so it will be nice to not keep putting hours on it as a game system and Blu-ray player. My wife is the opposite of tech savy, so it will also be nice for her to have a dedicated Blu-ray player that will be easy to use. She gets lost using the PS4 and controller to try and watch Blu-rays...so she'll really appreciate not having to do that as well.

Well...I certainly wasn't a rock of decisiveness on this one. I did order the Sony BDP S6500 with every intention of keeping it. Of course, then Oppo started listing refurbished 103's on their site for $415. Derrick, I'm sure you're laughing as you hit the nail on the head...this became much more of a "want" than a "need." I canceled the Sony and ordered the 103. I figure that if I don't notice a difference or decide it's way overkill for what I use it for, I have the 30 days to send it back and I'm only out original shipping. I also figure that since I'm putting together a theater/family room that my wife, daughter, and I will spend a fair amount of time using, I may as well put it together right the first time. Since I tend to keep my gear for quite a while, the Oppo will get a good workout and quality build and support is important. So, we'll see how this goes, but I found a way to talk myself out of it and then back into it...go figure...

Agreed..."new" does not always equal "better"...

Sending a pm

After we watched Josh's Oppo that day, I started thinking about getting one. It was certainly crisp and sharp, but it is also overkill for what I'll use it for.

Appreciate all the input. As much as I like the Oppo, I can't justify spending $500+ for what I would use it for. Looking at the Sony BDP-6500 (their brand new flagship), I can get it for $130 on sale at Best Buy. I think that's the direction that I'm going to go. If I'm not completetly satisfied, I can move it to the bedroom and get an Oppo then. From the specs, I think I'll be more than happy with it and I'll keep nearly $400 in my pocket for other "upgrades."

So you're running your Dish Hopper through the Oppo. I assume then that you have the Oppo running HDMI out directly to the TV? And are you then running the second HDMI to the receiver. I'm thinking that'd be the way to go so that you wouldn't be passing the video signal through the hopper, Oppo, and then the AVR before the TV. It seems that you do think then that the Darbee is worthwhile for a flat panel over just the straight 103...?

Most of my issue is that I'm just not overly impressed with the PS4. It's outstanding for games, but compared to the PS3, it's not great for most everything else. I'm more impressed with my Apple TV for streaming and even my old cheap living room Sony BluRay player for movies. Nismo, you're correct, the PS4 is also pretty loud. It's not that I completely dislike the PS4, but it does one thing (games) well and everything else ok. So that is what stoked the thought that standalone may be a better option...and Oppo is pretty high on the list of standalone. In some respects I'm trying (badly) to talk myself into riding with the PS4 in the hopes that firmware will eventually upgrade the non-gaming aspects...but it's been 18 months with little improvement so far in that regard.

I realize this is a rehash of a topic that's come up several times both in this forum and in the AVS forum. Trust me, I've read nearly all these threads...which is likely why I'm stuck with too much information and too many opinions. So, why not add some more. I'm currently running a PS4 as my primary BluRay player and am generally ok with it. I think it does a decent job, though it's primary focus is geared more toward the gaming aspect than being a high level BluRay player. I'm trying to get off the fence as to whether an upgrade to a stand alone Oppo 103 or 103D for BluRay duty should be my next upgrade. From all the reading that I've done on both forums, folks are split about 50-50 as to whether the upgrade is worth it (though all agree that Oppo is a high quality player). For me, where 90% of the use will be playing BluRays...most opinions are that I won't see an appreciable difference from my current rig. However, PQ may be a little better, build quality will be better, and customer service/support is very strong. Also, on my 50" plasma, it likely won't be a benefit to get the 103D (even with an eventual planned upgrade to a 65-70" in 1-3 years). All of that said, do I need it...no...do I sort of want the Oppo...yes. And thus my paralysis by overanalysis. So, here we are...those who own an Oppo and took the plunge, are you happy you did and what led you to your decision? I'd also be interested in the thoughts of those that considered an Oppo but went a different direction. Lastly, I love music and use my CF-3s quite a bit for 2-channel. I could see myself giving SACD a try at some point...but at this point I don't know what I'm missing in that department. I'm not generally this indecisive...but, I've read way too much on this topic...

Well, I heard back from the guy in Indy and it looks like we've got a deal. Thanks everyone for your input and thanks opus for posting that link. I'll be sure to pass along my impressions once I get the KV-4 all hooked up and integrated into the system.

Which is exactly why I'll wait patiently until I find one. Since the 4 is what Klipsch intended to be the center for the CF-3s, I want to first give that a try. If for whatever reason I don't like how they image together, I can always try the KLF or even the RC7. But, I'd rather first try the 4, then if I decide to try the others, I can A/B compare them to the 4.

There are several forum members in Indy that might be nice enough to help out, if he isn't willing to ship. Yeah, we'll see...been posted for 25 days and so far no response to the e-mail.

Great post...well said.

Thanks for the link...sent an email so we'll see if they're willing to ship. Great price though. And that's what I've read on the KV-4 as well...which is why I wanted to go this way if I could find a good one. I've had a mismatched center before and it always bugged me a little bit...not a lot, but just enough that I'd notice it. That's why I lean towards the KV-4 (although they are the harder one to find). If I can't find a KV-4, then I'd try the C7, but I'm not in a hurry right now, so I have time to wait out a 4 popping up.

Maybe put a call for both, and see what the market bears? +++ I know I am in the minority on this, but I find the concept of timbre matching L/C/R way over rated. On my 5.1 system dialog comes mostly out of the mismatched center, music comes out of the L/R, with birds chirping and the occasional off-screen gun shots coming out of the surrounds. Yes, I know if a person walks from L to R across the screen talking blah blah blah it isn't "timbre matched," but honestly, how often does that happen, and does it really bother someone if it isn't 100% perfect? I would rather have crystal clear dialog anchored to the center. My vote would be for you to get the best center you can lay your hands on. I don't think I'd be unhappy with a C7, if that's the route that I end up going. The one downstream on the Garage Sale is definitely tempting and I may yet contact the seller. Just waiting a bit to see if a KV-4 pops up. Ideally, I'd put another CF-3 in the middle, but those don't come up very often (at least within reasonable proximity and you'd almost have to match the versions), and the current room would need some major reconfiguring to make it work anyway.

Appeciate the link. I've vacilated back and forth between those 2 also, but I've read a couple times that the 4 is the better sonic match to the Epics while the C7 was built to match the KLF's. Don't know how accurate that is, but if I can't find a 4, I'll probably end up giving the C7 a try instead. Those seem to be the easier to find of the 2.

If anyone has a KV-4 that they'd like to let go of, I'd like to give it a try between my Epic CF-3s. Been running the old phantom center, but would like to see how things sound with a true center. Would like the 4 to be in nice condition. If you have one that you're interested in letting go of, please let me know, along with what you'd want for it shipped to MN. Thanks!

Agree completely with Alex. When I braced my CF3s and put the felt & dynamat in, I noticed the same change. Nothing got louder, but it was much more clean/detailed, the boominess was gone, and it was noticeable. I did not do the EV DH1506 mod right away (actually undertaking this one now), but I did send the networks to Crites for re-capping. Alex is right though, get them up off the ground so that you're looking down the throat of the horn...makes a signifcant difference.

Awesome bike...that blue is a sharp color!

Good luck with your sale, Alex. Someone will get a great set of speakers.

CL ad is below...thought at least some of the gear may interest a few folks. No affiliation I have a denon 3313ci, Emotiva Xpa 3 , Def Tech BP7002 Towers , Def Tech CS8040HD center that iam trying to sell all of these items have been well taken care of and show no cosmetic damage at all . One of the towers has a small tear in the sock but have brand new sock to replace the old one as the other tower was changed a few months ago. The Denon is about a 2 years old and has had no problems. Emotiva Xpa 3 is about a year old and still has 3 years warranty left on it and as you can see in the pic is still has the plastic on the display and has no scratches what so ever. The DefTech CS8040HD center is about a year old and has warranty left on it. Please let me know if you are interested in any of these items they have all been well taken care of and if you wondering why im getting rid of well i got the upgrade itis and got some new gear. Denon 3313CI ////// 400.00 Def Tech BP7002 ////////// 600.00 Pair Def Tech CS8040HD Center ////////// 300.00 Emotiva Xpa 3/////////500.00

Hope it's helpful, Bryan. You've got a nice system there (I used to have the previous generation RF62, RC62, & RB51). I know I really enjoyed having it...of course, then the upgrade/modification bug struck! Unfortunately, I didn't own the 62 system at the same time as the LFM-1, so I can't 100% tell you how they sound together, but I think you'd be pleased and it'd definitely fill your room. Good luck with whatever you decide.

If you can find an Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, I think it'd fit in nicely with what you have. Trouble is that Outlaw discontinued them for a new model (which I haven't heard yet), but for the money it's a nice sub that would go well with your 62s.

Thanks Opus...didn't know that!

Well, to revive any old thread... The wife "accidentally" broke/threw away one of the badges. If anyone were to have a single or a pair of these laying around that I could buy off you, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!