Oppo BDP83-SE : my first impressions
Posted by: Dungassin on 07 February 2010
I've finally got the Oppo 83SE bedded in and now feel happy to make some comments about it.
Rather clunky fast forward/reverse. Not nice to use.
Analogue outputs - eventually got it sorted out. I must have mislabelled one end of my analogue leads, as I had to reverse V1/V2 at the AV2 end. 8-P
Incidentally, using a sound meter, the subwoofer output level setting on the analogue outputs is the same as that for the coaxial digital - which is different from your findings, Tony. Playing bluray discs via the analogue output, the subwoofer output is well integrated, so I believe I have set the levels correctly.
Bluray HD audio (PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS master) all better than the downgraded version via the coaxial digital output. I would rate it as a little more obvious than going from 128bit MP3 to WAV.
DD and DTS (not HD) I find preferable via the coaxial digital lead into my AV2 rather than using the Oppo's analogue output. A testament to the quality of DAC implementation in the AV2
Bluray picture - not much different from that from my PS3 (now in the hands of my son-in-law). I'm only using a 40" 1080p display, so daw your own conclusions.
DVD picture - a little better than from my DVD5, but this may be down to the Oppo upscaling better than my Sony TV does.
DVD-A = less capable than the Naim DVD5. Using the DVD5 I preferred the multichannel DVD-A to CD, but with the Oppo, although DVD-A is good, I prefer the DVD5 playing the same tracks on CD. I have set up the DVD5 with all the video outputs disabled, and it does run direct into the NAC282 via HiLine, so it may not be a fair comparison (damned if I'm going to disconnect everything to try ordinary DIN into the AV2!)
SACD - On the Oppo itself, to be honest I couldn't really tell any difference betweed CD and stereo SACD via the analogue outputs (you can switch which version you listen to on the Oppo in the setup menu). However, I did prefer multichannel SACD to stereo SACD. The DVD5 (CD, of course!) easily outperformed the Oppo, and had much more of that toe-tapping quality. Can't see myself going out of my way to buy any more SACDs.
I've reprogrammed my Harmony remote to work well with the revised setup, and in the Oppo "activity" have set a couple of buttons to let me easily switch between coaxial digital and "multi" inputs on the AV2.
The sound quality on the supplied AIX bluray calibration/sampler is very pleasing.
On the whole, a worthwhile purchase, but I can't comment on whether the 83SE is better than the ordinary 83, never having heard/seen the latter.
Now all I've got to do is persuade SWMBO to let me replace the DVD5 with something like a CDX2.2 ... 8-)
Rather clunky fast forward/reverse. Not nice to use.
Analogue outputs - eventually got it sorted out. I must have mislabelled one end of my analogue leads, as I had to reverse V1/V2 at the AV2 end. 8-P
Incidentally, using a sound meter, the subwoofer output level setting on the analogue outputs is the same as that for the coaxial digital - which is different from your findings, Tony. Playing bluray discs via the analogue output, the subwoofer output is well integrated, so I believe I have set the levels correctly.
Bluray HD audio (PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS master) all better than the downgraded version via the coaxial digital output. I would rate it as a little more obvious than going from 128bit MP3 to WAV.
DD and DTS (not HD) I find preferable via the coaxial digital lead into my AV2 rather than using the Oppo's analogue output. A testament to the quality of DAC implementation in the AV2
Bluray picture - not much different from that from my PS3 (now in the hands of my son-in-law). I'm only using a 40" 1080p display, so daw your own conclusions.
DVD picture - a little better than from my DVD5, but this may be down to the Oppo upscaling better than my Sony TV does.
DVD-A = less capable than the Naim DVD5. Using the DVD5 I preferred the multichannel DVD-A to CD, but with the Oppo, although DVD-A is good, I prefer the DVD5 playing the same tracks on CD. I have set up the DVD5 with all the video outputs disabled, and it does run direct into the NAC282 via HiLine, so it may not be a fair comparison (damned if I'm going to disconnect everything to try ordinary DIN into the AV2!)
SACD - On the Oppo itself, to be honest I couldn't really tell any difference betweed CD and stereo SACD via the analogue outputs (you can switch which version you listen to on the Oppo in the setup menu). However, I did prefer multichannel SACD to stereo SACD. The DVD5 (CD, of course!) easily outperformed the Oppo, and had much more of that toe-tapping quality. Can't see myself going out of my way to buy any more SACDs.
I've reprogrammed my Harmony remote to work well with the revised setup, and in the Oppo "activity" have set a couple of buttons to let me easily switch between coaxial digital and "multi" inputs on the AV2.
The sound quality on the supplied AIX bluray calibration/sampler is very pleasing.
On the whole, a worthwhile purchase, but I can't comment on whether the 83SE is better than the ordinary 83, never having heard/seen the latter.
Now all I've got to do is persuade SWMBO to let me replace the DVD5 with something like a CDX2.2 ... 8-)
quote:I am curious, now you have had the Oppo a few months, how are you finding it? Still a satisfying upgrade from the PS3
I am seriously considering buying one very shortly...I really want to move to HD sound. Also which cables did you use, naim or 3rd party?
God! Has it been that long? Well ...
I'm still very happy with the Oppo. I'm using it with Chord Crimson cables. It (like the DVD5) occasionally throws a wobbler, which means disconnecting it from the mains, but otherwise functioning fine. I still think the "fast forward" is rather clunky, but the picture and sound quality are excellent.
To be honest, the picture isn't a lot better than the PS3, but that may be down to the limitations of my display. Can't comment on its HD sound via HDMI, as, of course, the AV2 doesn't support that. However, the HD sound via its analogue outputs into the AV2 is a worthwhile acquisition.
Also, I can't comment as to whether its analogue sound is better than the standard Oppo 83, never having done the comparison.
DVD5 totally relegated to use as CD player. Still debating (SWMBO permitting) whether to get a Naim DAC for it, or change it for a CDX2.2
I too currently use a AV2, Ps3 and 40" screen.
Hope you like your Oppo when it comes.
Just looked at my last posting here. Boy, did I really cock up the quoting. Must have caught that stupid mouse pad on my laptop while typing and moved the cursor.
Just looked at my last posting here. Boy, did I really cock up the quoting. Must have caught that stupid mouse pad on my laptop while typing and moved the cursor.