Max2 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Just got it set up late last night, just going the easy HDMI connection for now. I already had a Blu Ray player, but It wouldn't play SACD's so this was my first opportunity to listen to my Dark Side SACD. All I can say is wow. I have never heard Dark Side sound so good with such clarity and dynamics. I also had time to pop in Steely's Gaucho DVDA, Zeppelin's Celebration Blu Ray Audio, which was their last get together in 2007 with Bonhams son playing drums. I also snuck in Rush's Moving pictures Blu ray Audio. All the Audio disks just confirmed how its a shame we all cant listen to everything in a lossless format. Back to the Player, I stuck Avatar in and started messing with the Darbee settings and immediately was glad I spent the extra $100. What already looked really good before was suddenly transformed into what looked to be a full step above the normal BluRay format. I had contemplated for a few months on picking up a Marantz or Denon refurb and save $250, but Im really glad I went with the Oppo and now see what all the fuss is about. Hopefully, this player will be up to snuff for the next 5-10years 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holtrp Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I have the 83 and have been thinking about upgrading to the 103. Wasn't really sure if Darbee was worth it. Good to hear someone chime in with a noticeable difference. If you like DSOM, check out Wish You Were Here SACD. I really hope Pink releases more SACD, specifically The Wall and Meddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) i just bought a second 103 here's a thread about the D model https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/147518-oppo-103d-first-impressions/?hl=%2Boppo+%2Bdarbee Edited March 26, 2014 by Budman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) I have a -105D coming next week to replace a -93 ISO capable. Found a guy wanting an ISO 93 so we struck a deal. Nothing like getting what you paid 4 years later! Really don't know how I'll use it. I'm thinking maybe I'll hook up everything to it: AppleTV into the 105, 105 XLRs into AV8801 Direct Stereo, HDMI into 8801 for ease of movie playing and 5.1 channel analog into 8801 for the few SACDs I have. and maybe 105 RCA 2 channel RCAs out to the NBS. Which DAC better: Marantz 8801 or Oppo -105...... Edited March 28, 2014 by USNRET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Which DAC better: Marantz 8801 or Oppo -105...... I bet that would be a tough call. Both have 32bit DACs. TI Burr Brown PCM1796(Marantz) vs ESS Technology SABRE32 Reference ES9018(Oppo). Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 MAX2, hope you don't mind the thread crapping.... Not being up to speed on DAC-a-lacks, would you say that either the Marantz and/or Oppo would be better than the Emotiva XDA-1 and XDA-2 DACs that I currently have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasDom Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Congrats to both of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Not being up to speed on DAC-a-lacks, would you say that either the Marantz and/or Oppo would be better than the Emotiva XDA-1 and XDA-2 DACs that I currently have? Your XDA-2 has the same Analog Devices AD1955 DAC chip as my Cambridge Audio 840C CD player/DAC, though I am not certain that it has two DAC chips(one for each channel) as the 840C. With all that said, I am very pleased when I use the 840C as an outboard DAC. It is a given that it is a great CD player. Since you will have all said gear in a few days, you should do an A-B-C-D comparison and let us know your opinion. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max2 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) MAX2, hope you don't mind the thread crapping.... Not being up to speed on DAC-a-lacks, would you say that either the Marantz and/or Oppo would be better than the Emotiva XDA-1 and XDA-2 DACs that I currently have? Shoot, don't worry about my threads. I always enjoy when threads take a turn and I end up learning something that I wasn't looking for. As far as the different DAC's go, Im not up to speed on all of them, but Im sure someone will step up that is. I was after a good midrange universal player for a decent price. After hum hawing around, I decided just to spend a little more and go with the Oppo. I have heard their service is top notch and I like the fact that building U players is all they do. Its their "forte" so to speak Heck, I just saw where you have a 105 on the way.....ooooh, Im jealous! As good as my 103 sounds, I can't see you not being thrilled with the better components with the 105. Kudos! Edited March 28, 2014 by Max2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Oppo customers service is GREAT. I sold my -93 to get the -105D. I promised the buyer that everything was pristine and as it turns out the Oppo shopping bag was torn and the manual had a crayon mark on it. I called Oppo today and asked if they could sell me a replacement bag and manual (yea, downloaded manual is available). A couple of question and the Oppo dude says hey, I recognize your name have you bought from us before? Yep, an -83 a -93..he interrupts with 'I'm shipping your -105D now, what do you need? The new printed manual and bag is on it's way to the new buyer; all is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max2 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Yep, pretty good guys to stop and pull old manuals and another bag and then send them to a 3rd party for you. Give us an update when the big 105 shows up. Are you going to run analog out of it? I was thinking about giving this a shot, but I didn't know if the DAC is my receiver was inferior to what is in the 103. Heck, the multi channel stuff is so good with a basic HDMI hookup, I probably won't ever mess with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akdave Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Max thanks for the post and the review. No one around here that I know has one and there aren't opportunities to preview. Reviews like yours are beneficial to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max2 Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 I have had a chance to pick up some other BluRays and Multi channel disks. I got Getz/Gilberto on 2channel BluRay. A great disk. You can hear the reed flutter in Stans Saxophone. Im loving this one. Fleetwood Mac: Rumors on DTS. Holy Cow, worth all 50 bucks I paid. This one ranks in my top three favorites easily. Queen: A Night at the Opera on BluRay DTS HD master. This one has some spacious mixing going on and utilizes the rear channels very well. Im eagerly waiting on a Jethro Tull Aqualung Anniversary box set. Let me rephrase....Im jonesing hard for some lossless JT. I also picked up the BeeGees, but it turned out to be a live 5.1. Although they played 33 songs which initially I though would be studio recordings, it turned out to be a live performance where they just played snippets of various songs. A little let down on that one, but still worth 20 bucks. Very happy with my Oppo so far. As you can see I have only been using it for music, but Im thrilled I can finally play a SACD. Im going to start a thread on the forum members here Personal must have SACD's, Blu ray Audio and DVDaudio disks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vectra Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 (edited) Can you play DSD files on Oppo 103D like 105D w/o having to connected a USB hard drive directly to player? I would like to play my ripped SACD .dsf files from J River. Today they are converted and the sound is dull (little dynamics, veiled sound, etc.). I have a regular 103. when I connected a USB drive the DSD files sound much better. Of course I can play the silver SACD discs but that is a pain for jukeboxing. Edited April 19, 2014 by Vectra 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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