Blu-Ray player as a transport?

[jhoak]

Yes this is a question related to the XDA-1 ;D

I'm planning to get one of the XDA-1s as soon as they're released. I already have an ERC-1 but it seems to me that it might be a bit "overkill" when used with the XDA-1.

I also have a new Sony BDP-S570 doing Blu-Ray duty. Surprisingly it also sounds very good playing CDs. It got me to thinking... Yea... I know... Me "thinking" is always a dangerous (or expensive) proposition.

Considering the bit density that a BD player has to deal with I would assume that the drive mechanism, laser and optics would need to be WAY superior to what is needed for CD playback. If that assumption is correct a decent BD player "should" make for a very good transport when mated to a good DAC.

Am I way out in left field here?

[joel]

I don't don't think there's any real difference performance wise. But BD-players are usually a lot slower in loading times compared to a CD-player, as a transport either one should do the job very well. Although I would prefer a real CD-player for transport, don't know why...it just feels better ;D

[corgidog59]

I am planning to go the route of using a BD player as a transport. I plan to buy the new Oppo BD-93 when it comes out in the next couple of months or there abouts. Then I will buy the XDA-1 for it so I can listen to CDs. I was also thinking about buying the ERC-1 but with the XDA-1 coming out, I don't need both. Going with the XDA-1 provides me with more flexibilty. If the reviews of the XDA-1 aren't great than I will re-evaluate what I want to do.

[kse]

Sept 29, 2010 6:09:26 GMT -5 jhoak said:

If that assumption is correct a decent BD player "should" make for a very good transport when mated to a good DAC.

Am I way out in left field here?

No, you are not out in left field. The Oppo-83 or one better, the 83SE both make for a Grade-A CD player, even without being mated to a good DAC. Their analog sections are more than competent, to say the least.

And their load times are instantaneous.

[jhoak]

Load times aren't really a consideration for me. I'm in no hurry at all. That said the load time on the Sony for CDs is very quick. I haven't done a "side-by-side" race with the ERC-1 but I'd bet that they're only a couple of seconds if that apart.

[monkumonku]

Sept 29, 2010 8:27:50 GMT -5 joel said:

I don't don't think there's any real difference performance wise. But BD-players are usually a lot slower in loading times compared to a CD-player, as a transport either one should do the job very well. Although I would prefer a real CD-player for transport, don't know why...it just feels better ;D

I think the loading time has more to do with the source material than whether it is a blu ray or a CD player. Blu ray discs in general take a long time to load because of their higher and more complex content. CD's would probably load pretty quickly no matter what the transport was.

[selkec]

I was wondering the same thing. I just have a panny bd-35 bluray. would mating ix with the xda make listening to cd's better. I dont know anyting about DAC's or even how i would integrate it into my system. But i like alot of components in my rack and if it helps sound i may go for it. So would it help me and is it easy to add into a system used for mostly HT?

[thepcguy]

Me, I use the PS3 for everything: Blu-Ray, DVD, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and of course PS3 games. To me, all players are just transport devices to read the software. Processing the data is best handled by a processor, which in my case is the UMC-1.

[Erwin.BE]

Fellow dudes, it seems to me none of you guys were brought up in the CD era! You would drop in a CD and it would just play within a few seconds! ALL DVD/Blu-ray players are frustrating in this regard. Proper CD players are also indestructible devises (I have a 20-year old Philips CD player that plays as new, IT NEVER FAILED TO PLAY ONCE). I believe the ERC-1 is also very, very well made. Even though the CD era is past it's peak, I will probably never get rid of the ERC-1! And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, now does it? Sending the digital signal via coaxial to my DAC really makes it sing...

[billmac]

Sept 29, 2010 8:48:56 GMT -5 kse said:

No, you are not out in left field. The Oppo-83 or one better, the 83SE both make for a Grade-A CD player, even without being mated to a good DAC. Their analog sections are more than competent, to say the least.

And their load times are instantaneous.

I agree . I have a BDP-83SE and it is my one and only disc player at the moment. Excellent 2 CH SQ that goes analog out to my Parasound 2100. So using a BR player as a transport with the XDA-1 would work quite well IMO. The load times of the 83SE are as quick as any other CD player I have owned. Also if you have your display on and the AVR/prepro to the BR video input you can see the CD information as well .

Bill

[jedinite24]

Greetings all

I currently use a stock Oppo BDP-83 as a transport to an external DAC (McCormack DAC-1). It is connected via a Monoprice Toslink cable with the premium connector. To me this set-up sounds better than the stock 2 channel analog section of the BDP-83. Regarding load time I never noticed. I put a CD in and by the time get back to my sitting position everything is a go. I then set the Oppo BDP-83 to Pure Audio. I still have not heard a difference with this option on or off.

I say give it a try. JD

[billmac]

Sept 29, 2010 19:57:23 GMT -5 jedinite24 said:

I then set the Oppo BDP-83 to Pure Audio. I still have not heard a difference with this option on or off.

I use the Pure Audio mode as well and do not notice any difference audio wise as either. I use it more to try to keep the temperature of my 83SE lower so the fan does not come on. So far it seems to work as I believe the video circuitry does generate a fair amount of heat.

Bill