Replacing a Panny blu-ray player. Best options?

[97disco]

Pannisonic BDP-55 just died. Well the memory chip has gone bad and I don't feel like messing with it.

So, its time for an upgrade!

I've been looking and hearing all the praise over the Oppo players and have also heard good reviews over the Marantz. Looking at the Oppo BDP-83 for $300 locally and the Marantz BD7004 Blu-Ray Player for about the same.

I like the features of the Oppo BDP-95, but I think the price is out of reach right now.

Any suggestions? I would like to get something that I could use as a decent CD audio analog source, but Im thinking about adding a decent DAC to the system.

[Skyblue]

It depends on how you want to use it, and the remaining system.

I use an oppo bdp 83 straight to hdmi into my receiver, letting the receivers dac do the work. That works like a charm. You really cant beat the oppo on price and speed.

If you are going to add a dac, then you dont really need the oppo 95. Its only advantage as I understand it, is the analog out.

[madmac]

Skyblue is exactly correct!. The Oppo BDP 95 has a killer DAC stage that will blow any amp or receivers DAC stage away in performance so if audio performance is your thing, then that is your player. However, it is pricey....but for a reason !!. The Oppo BDP 93 or 83 is an excellent choice for those letting their receivers or external DAC do that work. I would recommend the Oppo over the Marantz where Blu ray is concerned any day!. I am however, a BIG fan of Marantz's higher end stand alone CD players!!

[KRC]

You do not really mention a price point other than noting a few examples for $300.... So with that in mind and obviously you are not in the 10k gold plated platinum wiring crowd (I would seriously look at the Bryston, but that is north of the price point), I have had a quick demo of each the Cambridge I think it was the 840 or something like that and the Anthem BLX 200 (????). One being a CD player and the other a bluray. The trick of getting a player and then adding a DAC to the combo is now you are into the price point of very descent equipment in one box, without adding more interconnects (I know I can already hear the discussion when adding the word "Interconnect" to any comment). I did a quick search on Ebay for various companies and there appears to be alot of deals, including a Classe CD 300 but buying anything of value or size always scares the life out of me wondering if the deal is to good to be true, scam or destroyed in delivery. I guess that is the chances you take when you hit the "Bid" button.

Kevin

[mjb]

I too would recommend Cambridge Audio, for no other reason than its a good UK name, and their BR payers have received some very good reviews, for example: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets...mbridge_A4.pdf

Check out the CA Azur 650BD, 651BD and 751BD... http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products.php#dvd-players

Personally, I'm still using a PS3 and an SSP-800!

[97disco]

Thanks for the replies. However, now Im even more confused.

I would definitely go with the Oppo BDP-95, but I just can't cough up the extra Benjerman's right now.

As for my budget? I would like to keep it under $600. I was considering buying a decent DAC (heard the SCHIIT Bilfrost was all right), and upgrading my RSP-1066, but now the Bluray player crapped out I gotta spend elsewhere.

What about the Oppo BDP-83 SE? Has anyone had experience with this player? I know it lacks some of the features of the BDP-95, but I've got a local guy I could pick it up for less than $600.

[leej]

I'd grab that Oppo BDP-83 SE, for that price. Unless you need 3d, it's a great player with decent DAC. If the internal DAC doesn't prove to be good enough, you could add one later. Being local, can you audition this one?

[madmac]

The BDP 83SE is the same as the 83 but with a seriously upgraded DAC section for audio reproduction. If that is in your price range then go for it!!.

I however am still old school when it comes to 'format' players. I still believe that a dedicated, higher end CD player will do a better job than a BD player playing the same CD, regardless of it's price point. I had a chance to review the BDP-95 and you can find that review in this forum somewhere. My stand alone, higher end Marantz CD player outperformed it in my opinion (personal taste however....more of a vocal presentation thing). A BD player (even the BDP-95) is really still a BD player at heart. They put extra effort into the audio section but at the end of the day, the componentry inside is optimized for BD playback....not CD playback.

[97disco]

I however am still old school when it comes to 'format' players. I still believe that a dedicated, higher end CD player will do a better job than a BD player playing the same CD, regardless of it's price point.

I feel the same way, and without being able to audio this stuff in my home, Im going to have to rely on others experiences and opinions.

Im wondering if the Oppo BDP-95 sounds better than lets say the Rotel RCD-1072.

For the Price of the BDP-95 I could get the BDP-83, The Rotel RCD-1072 and have a few left over to go towards a decent DAC.

UG!

[stuofsci02]

It is not often that I can help, but here goes:

I used to have a Rotel RCD-1072. I then bought and Oppo 83SE. The Oppo was better then the RCD-1072. I sold the Rotel as it was useless to keep.

Just this weekend I compared my Oppo 83SE to a Cambridge DAC magic, Grant Fidelity DAC-09 and Bryston BDA-1. The Oppo 83SE and the Bryston were virtually identical in everyway, and better then the other two.

The Bryston is a $2000 DAC, which has been reviewed favorably. So for the Oppo to be right there says a lot.

I would go for the 83SE..

Cheers,

Stuart

[97disco]

I would go for the 83SE..

Cheers,

Stuart

Of course, the more expensive of my options. LOL.

[stuofsci02]

Of course, the more expensive of my options. LOL.

Yeah, but you "gotsta pay to play"

[97disco]

Yeah, but you "gotsta pay to play"

LOL!

Well, I'm considering the BDP-93SE very carefully right now. And coming from a guy who's got greater gear running 800 series B&W's, I'm sure it will be fine for my humble 700 series.

[Skyblue]

I have the oppo 83 for my 800's. Hdmi into ssp800. Good enough for watching movies..

Alternatively you can look into the ayre dx-5. Its a oppo 95 with ayres dac and asynch usb. That should solve all your problems, at only $10k.

[dukester]

You could find a used 83 and send to OPPO for SE upgrade for $299. I just sent mine in...Or you can bid on the SE on ebay...currently at $450.

[97disco]

So tempting. I just don't want to spends the kids christmas money :W

Well I'll make my decision soon. Im really leaning towards the 83 SE and the upgrade isn't that bad of a deal (considering its audio quality is better than the RCD-1072).

Has anyone used the 83SE as a DAC for external sources such as digital media files? Curious to see the difference.

[madmac]

@97disco.....Be advised that people will say one thing 'sounds' better than the other but this is very subjective and personal!. Like I said, my higher end, older Marantz CD player (circa 1998!!.....OMG.....I know..... sandals of Jezzus old by today's standards I know!!) sounded better than the BDP-95 and it does to my ears. But that's only my opinion. Yours might be different. Remember, we're splitting hairs here!!. I found the Marantz's stand alone CD player's sound more dynamic and punchy, with a MUCH more forward vocal presentation which I like. The BDP-95 had a better, sweeter, almost 24 bit style soundstage which I really liked.....but I just couldn't get over the laid back vocal presentation......

[wowo5]

I own 83SE. It is an unbelievable player besting players costing many times more. If you can't swing 95 I would go for 83E.

[97disco]

I own 83SE. It is an unbelievable player besting players costing many times more. If you can't swing 95 I would go for 83E.

I'm still shopping and have been more indecisive than ever!

I'm leaning towards the 83SE. I would prefer it to have the features as the 93, but you cant win em all unless your willing to pay for it.

[stevek]

denon dvd 3800bdci

[Skyblue]

So tempting. I just don't want to spends the kids christmas money :W

Get it after christmas

[97disco]

Get it after christmas

Ya, I think thats whats gonna end up happening.

[Skyblue]

Ya, I think thats whats gonna end up happening.

Kids vs audio shouldnt be a choice. Your selfish days are over, I am sorry to say

[97disco]

Kids vs audio shouldnt be a choice. Your selfish days are over, I am sorry to say

LOL.

That's why I've got older, used, midrange gear mate!