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It was educational, as well....and I own one!
As a two channel guy, I will add: This baby is even better than Kal said!
First, we replaced the circuit-breaker box, to increase the current and add circuits. The main rack components retain their dedicated 20A circuit, which feeds them through an AudioQuest Niagara 5000 power conditioner. Now, the power amps and subs at the other end of the room also have their own dedicated circuit. Second, we improved the networking that connects our network-attached storage (NAS) with the music room by installing both copper CAT6A and fiber-optic links between the two rooms in place of MoCA (Multimedia over CoAxial) links. Third, we installed an updated Baetis Prodigy X server.
As for the Prodigy X: In the past, the Baetis servers, with their Intel Core i7 processors, did a bang-up job with every stereo and multichannel music file, including many that had overwhelmed proprietary server hardware based on lesser processors. The Baetises even handled the additional tasks of on-the-fly file conversion, downsampling, upsampling, convolutions, room equalization, and output via Signalyst's HQPlayer app. The trouble was that applying all these operations to the highest-resolution multichannel filesDSD256 and 24-bit/352.8kHz PCM (DXD)was still just beyond my system's grasp: playback of the whole enchilada, including all apps, was often plagued by infuriating interruptions for buffering.
Baetis's new, fully kitted-out Prodigy X, with i7-7700K at 4.2GHz CPU, 512GB RAM, 1TB SSD drive, SOtM tX-USBhubIN output, and HD-Plex linear power supply, is now running the latest versions of Roon and JRiver Media Center (respectively v1.3/build 247 and v23.0.36), and indeed it did eliminate those occasional hiccups when processing and playing multichannel DSD256a relief and a pleasure, as I have a lot of those files. Unfortunately, it didn't make much of a difference with my dozen or so DXD files, but why? After all, DXDs are really PCM files of equivalent data density to DSD64, and obviously don't have to be converted to PCM, thereby eliminating a process needed for DSD256. The solution lies elsewhere.
My apartment is part of a Manhattan fortress of concrete and steel. That means I haven't been able to tunnel an Ethernet cable from my modem and router in the room containing my NAS drives directly to the room where my music system lives. The solution, at first, was a pair of Ethernet Powerline adaptersdevices that enable the transmission of data through household AC wiringwhich I later replaced with much faster and more reliable MoCA adapters, which operate over the coaxial cables already installed for TV by the cable company. With the latter, the LAN speed from NAS to server was a respectable 350Mbs, which served me welluntil the processing of DSD256 and DXD files revealed the limits of the setup. I tried playing them from a local, directly connected USB drive, but that didn't help, probably because I was then using a less potent server than the Prodigy X.
The main motivation for the renovation was to install a washer and dryer, which required running new AC lines from a new breaker box (near the music system) to the new laundry (close to the modem/router and NAS). The contractor was willing to run my CAT6a and fiber-optic cables as part of that job.
Hooray! It's had an immediate and substantive effect. Now, every file I can lay hands on plays flawlessly, and the overall result is a perceptible stability and purity of playback of all formats, even with the same DAC, preamp, power amps, and speakers. Inspired by the announcement of Merging Technologies' ZManan accessory circuit board, compatible with the audio-specific Ravenna protocol, that the company plans to offer to their OEM partnersI still dream of building my own silent superPC based on a CPU with eight or more cores and communicating via my LAN directly with DACs, amps, and powered speakers that support their own streaming services and DSP processing for decoding or room EQ. That may come, but for now there's nothing to do but enjoy the ride.
Oppo Digital UDP-205 universal disc player
The first Oppo product to be reviewed in Stereophile was the DV-970HD universal DVD player, by Wes Phillips, in the May 2007 issue. A high-value SACD and multichannel player, it sold for $149 and weighed less than 5 lbs. Ever since, Oppo players have been at the leading edge, introducing new features while also improving sound quality, and have become the darlings of value-conscious audiophiles.
The latest and, perhaps, greatest Oppo is the new UDP-205 universal Blu-ray player, which weighs a considerable 22 lbs and costs an equally considerable $1299 (footnote 1). From its cutting-edge DACs to its substantial housing, the UDP-205, unlike early Oppos, isn't merely a high-quality, low-cost disc player. The universal encrypted in the prefix UDP means that the UDP-205 can play any commonly available 45/8" silver disc (except HD DVD), and decode and/or output all audio and/or video content. Oppo's packaging has always been exemplary, but now it's fully justified. As I slipped the UDP-205 from its velvet sheath, it was apparent that this player is intended to appeal to senses other than auditory. Its beautiful reinforced case contains a toroidal transformer in its power supply, and enough strategically placed heatsinks to eliminate the need of a ventilating fan.
The UDP-205 offers myriad combinations of inputs and outputs. The analog audio output benefits from the use of dual ESS ES9038PRO Sabre Pro DACs, and one of its two HDMI audio outputs features a high-stability, high-precision clock and a special audio jitter-reduction circuit. In both my New York and Connecticut systems, I used the Oppo to play discs, access music files, and as a bridge (footnote 2) or renderer with my servers.
Setup was the same process familiar to users of earlier Oppos, but the menus and screens have been updated to a cleaner appearance. Of course, that's aided by Oppo's complete elimination of the array of external apps featured in those earlier playersno longer are there home-page links to Netflix, YouTube, Tidal, etc. Notable among the new additions are options for digital audio filters. However, the UDP-205 and its stablemate, the UDP-203 ($549), can't be used to rip SACDs, as their predecessors can.
I played mostly SACDs and BDs; the UDP-205 was fast, silent, and deadly effective. Discs loaded briskly, and track changes seemed quicker than with previous Oppos, especially with BDs and streaming.
One of the UDP-205's two HDMI outputs is labeled Audio Only. For that output, the standard video clock is replaced with a dedicated, high-stability, ultra-low-jitter, 148.5MHz master clock, based on an SAW oscillator, that uses a pattern-generator chip to create full black content. This is intended to eliminate the multiplicity of phase-locked loops (PLLs) to provide the clock frequencies for different video formats, and to eliminate the influence of different video formats on the audio, which is embedded in the video blanking interval.
Sound quality via either HDMI outputlabeled Main and Audio Onlyto my Marantz AV-8802a preamplifier-processor was excellent, but comparing them was difficult. Connecting the Audio Only HDMI output mutes the audio from the Main output, making it impossible to conduct A/B comparisons by using two connections to a pre-pro or A/V receiver. This probably reflects the Oppo's inability to use different clocks for audio over each of the two HDMI outputs simultaneously. And because there is no video from the Audio Only HDMI output, video users who can't bypass their pre-pros for video won't benefit from the Audio Only output's low jitter. This means that you: 1) can't get the superior audio with any video; and 2) can't choose between A/V and superior audio with the pre-pro's input selector.
Footnote 2: The Oppo UDP-205 can function as a network bridge by receiving multichannel digital input from a server via Ethernet, wired or wireless, and conveying it to a local DAC via its HDMI Audio Only output. It can also do this with two-channel signals via its TosLink or S/PDIF output.
It was educational, as well....and I own one!
As a two channel guy, I will add: This baby is even better than Kal said!
Hmm, $1,300.
All things being equal I figured OPPO stuff would be in the $5k range by now.
It's better in all manner of ways, isn't it?
Egads, seems like Oppo is lowering their prices.
And,
this is the same outfit that MSB in Watsonville says is so very high level. Phew.
And it's the Player that Mr. JVS has sitting amongst those very pricey Wilsons.
I'm heading to 6moons to double check your appraisal.
So-far, I'm stammered by your reviewing discoveries.
Tony in Michigan
ps. I'm not a TV / Video guy so I don't follow this 4K stuff.
In a "Manufacturers' Comment," Jason Liao announces that the UDP-203/205 models are now Roon Ready devices and, therefore, can be controlled by Roon via Ethernet. This is, of course, good but please note that this support does not extend to DSD or to multichannel. IMHO, this is unfortunate.
Roon is only music, so far, aren't they?
I thought that they were an off-shoot of MQA people who are an off-shoot of Meridian.
Egads, so many intrigues.
Overall, I contend that things are getting pretty darn good, especially compared to those old 100lb. TV sets sitting in everyone's basement, patiently waiting for a safe way to dispose of them.
I admire your work ( and Professor Waldrip's) in this area buuuuuuuut, as a one time retailer, I can't see regular civilians willingness to spend for quality music gear at the entry level, much less the 5 Channel versions. ( as of today )
Futuristically, I see all music delivery as surround type format, it's the method that can place listeners in the experience. Music in the Round is like being in the Holidome, I suspect it's a logical application of the emerging 4th Generation of music formats.
We have a wonderful music future ahead of us ( I think; in the next 10 years ).
Tony in Michigan
ps. we've come a very long way in the last 70 years, which is only the beginning.
Yes, Roon is just music, afaik, not movies/video. Also, there is a back-story about their relationship to Meridian but they are now quite independent.
I just got an email say'n that our Bernie Sanders is Larry David's cousin, he looks strong enough to run in 2020 ( where I'll again be delighted to help )
This Internet is Shrinking the world around us.
I'm watching Roon
Tony in Michigan
ps. the RMAF17 Seminars are starting to be YouTube released, they're pretty darn good.
Great review, Kal.
I used to be a big Oppo fan, and I fully realize that the focus of the review is music. But....
If you don't actually spin music discs anymore (which I don't, anymore), the new Sony UBP-X1000 ES is a better purchase if you want to use the player for spinning 4K HDR video discs. I traded in an Oppo 105 and a 103D for two of the Sony units in one house, and will trade in two similar Oppo's in our mountain house next year when the other equipment is 4K HDR ready. The build quality of the Sony is very good (not like "consumer" Sony Blu-ray players) and takes 3-prong IEC power cords so you can use an upgraded power cord. It also has features that are useful to custom installers (Control 4 friendly). And... you can stream video through it, a feature that Oppo has dropped. The Sony unit is half the price of the Oppo.
I love listening to music, particularly high rez files and Tidal (and Spotify) and bit-perfect ripped CD's. I just don't play CD's or SACD's anymore.
Great review, Kal.
Thanks.
I used to be a big Oppo fan, and I fully realize that the focus of the review is music. But....If you don't actually spin music discs anymore (which I don't, anymore), the new Sony UBP-X1000 ES is a better purchase if you want to use the player for spinning 4K HDR video discs.
Thanks but I am not particularly interested in 4K video although I have a Samsung 4k player in my work room.
I suspect that there are more than a few Stereophile readers that:
- Already have a decent DAC, in one form or another
- Do not regularly play SACD or DVD-A discs
For the same money as the Oppo, these good folks could buy a Bluesound Vault 2 and connect it to their existing DAC (with a good coaxial digital cable) and:
1) Buy high rez files from HD Tracks and have them automatically download to the Vault 2 (2 TB capacity)
2) Take their existing CD's and rip them (bit perfect) directly into the Vault 2
3) Access existing music files on other NAS's using the Vault 2
4) Stream high rez Tidal using the Vault 2. There is also support for MQA.
5) Access all of the above in different locations in the house if additional Bluesound devices are added later.
I used to be a huge fan of Oppo and have purchased 5 of their players, including a few flagship 105's. In the brave new world, their appeal is now quite narrow in my opinion.
For the same money as the Oppo, these good folks could buy a Bluesound Vault 2 and connect it to their existing DAC (with a good coaxial digital cable)
AFAIK, no BlueSound device does multichannel. Thus, I prefer using my Baetis Prodigy-X server with an external DAC to do those things.
Fair enough.
My macro level point is that Oppo players used to have very broad appeal (to people like me) and I submit that going forward they will have a much narrower appeal.
Oh, I do agree and a lot of it is that the market it is in has become splintered at the same that Oppo has deleted apps that broadened its appeal.
On the contrary! I play more SACD & DVD-A than ever before and relish multi-channel whenever available! Oppo retains a central place in our home. Music companies are finally issuing first class remasters of great opera & orchestra recordings of the past, and what a difference from the pathetic Red Book previous reissues!
The SOUND IS THE THING, and the Oppo 205 delivers musical enjoyment as never before.
Unfortunately, Oppo is no longer in the disc player business.
We live in interesting times.
good review but an even better deal is the OPPO 203 which is 99% as good for half the price. I think I read that the two are identical except for a couple of relatively minor circuitry differences which wouldn't mean anything to the vast majority.
Indeed. There is a different DAC but that affects only the analog outputs. Otherwise, a great alternative.
and the replies above which criticise the OPPO on the basis of the lack of importance of playing discs anymore are simply wrong. Millions of audiophiles still want an excellent digital disc player. I have absolutely no interest in streaming and files and Tidal and spotify and all that BS.
Nobody has ever been able to reliably and repeatedly distinguish between CD and hi-res in a properly controlled double blind test.
I'm a little late to this party but the review does not mention that there is a noticeable audio delay on the first track of CD's. When I play a CD on my Oppo, the audio is not heard until 1/2 to 1 second into the song. I find this very annoying especially considering the 205 is touted as a superior CD player. Why is this not noted in reviews or the manual perplexes me.
Thank you for noting in the review that the Oppo doesn't do gapless reliably. It is infuriating that most professional reviews of file-playing devices either don't test for this or suppress the findings. It is also infuriating that in 2018, a small handful of manufacturers -- Oppo being the most notable -- continue this bug, which has been known for many years and which distorts recordings in most genres (opera and other classical music being the most affected).
Thank you, Kal. I found this very informative and helpful. I was wondering what your impressions are of how the Oppo (used as a stereo DAC) compares to the Mytek Brooklyn DAC (or the newer DAC+ model)?
Much appreciated.
I am not sure why Oppo has to pose so many limitations:
Unable to do DSD128/256 or DXD multichannel, b
Only can do DSD128 stereo, with DSD256 only via windows, not Mac
What is the point then, it seems playing SACD may just be much easiler. downloads are very expensive compared with SACDs these days. If I do downloads, I better get the best RES playback.
I wonder if there will be more software updates later on to allow these playback. The ESS chip should be able to do high 256 M-ch though I could be wrong. This sounds more like a universal disc player with limited file playback only.
I wish there is a bit more comparison with the exasound. How much bEtter is it compared with Oppo?
This is a question for Kal. I am currenty using an Oppo 103D to rip and stream MCH DSD from my NAS. I am looking to improve the quality of MCH playback and weighing going to UDP-205 and using analog outs into my Integra DHC 80.3 or keeping the 103D and upgrading to Marantz 8802A using HDMI to send MCH DSD. Which path is likely to yield better results? Thanks