Oppe 83 + XDA-1 vs. Oppo 83SE

[Mark]

Wondering if anyone has thoughts on doing oppo 83 +XDA-1 vs. just getting the Oppo 83 Special Edition (SE). Price would be exactly the same with each option. True, xda-1 gives you some more flexibility, but just wondering from a pure sound standpoint.

Also since the UMC-1 would have to do the split out for a sub, does that negate both?

[Erwin.BE]

Oct 19, 2010 14:25:49 GMT -5 Mark said:

Wondering if anyone has thoughts on doing oppo 83 +XDA-1 vs. just getting the Oppo 83 Special Edition (SE). Price would be exactly the same with each option. True, xda-1 gives you some more flexibility, but just wondering from a pure sound standpoint.

This has been discussed before. IMO, for 2 channel, the XDA-1 with the standard Oppo 83 sounds potentially as good or better than the NuForce Edition. So, the 83SE would not sound as good as the standard 83+XDA-1.

Ah, well, I just won a BDP83SE on HomeTheaterShack and I have the XDA-1 on preorder also, so I will be able to test this myself...

[billmac]

Oct 19, 2010 14:25:49 GMT -5 Mark said:

Wondering if anyone has thoughts on doing oppo 83 +XDA-1 vs. just getting the Oppo 83 Special Edition (SE). Price would be exactly the same with each option. True, xda-1 gives you some more flexibility, but just wondering from a pure sound standpoint.

I have the BDP-83SE and I signed up for the XDA-1 preorder. I would like to compare both but will wait till some user reviews are posted before ordering the XDA-1. I think it is too early to guess which DACs (and their implementation) will be better but if the SQ is equal between the two I would think the BDP-83 and XDA-1 combo would be the better choice. Having the XDA-1 with the BDP-83 would certainly give one many more options than just having the BDP-83SE. Those being the digital inputs and the option of using the XDA-1 as a preamp.

But seeing that the BDP-83 is no longer available from Oppo it might be best to wait for the new BDP-93 to team up with the XDA-1. If the reviews are good with the XDA-1 when released I will definitely order one. If I found the XDA-1 to have equal or better SQ than my BDP-83SE DACs then I would consider selling it and buying the BDP-93.

But on the other hand Oppo has indicated that there will be a replacement for the BDP-83SE (BDP-95?). So that gives one more option so it will be interesting to say the least .

Also since the UMC-1 would have to do the split out for a sub, does that negate both?

It would as you would then be passing the signal from the XDA-1 through the UMC-1's DACs and DSP processing to use the sub (stereo mode). There is no option to use the sub when using the Direct mode of the UMC-1. You might want to consider the USP-1 as it has analog bass management. I would think the USP-1, BDP-83/93 and the XDA-1 would be an excellent sounding combination .

Bill

[spork]

Are you planning to use the Oppo 83 as a transport for audio CDs or for Blu-ray?

For audio CDs there should not be a problem, but for Blu-ray it is my understanding that, sadly, the DRM involved with Blu-ray audio prevents the lossless (24 bit) form of the signal from being sent over anything other than HDMI. I would be beyond enthusiastic if I was proven wrong, mind you, but as I remember, for a good stretch of time, the audio DRM of Blu-ray was responsible for putting a great big monkey wrench into HTPC use for Blu-ray until video card manufacturers allowed for the passing of LPCM through their cards.

This means that the coaxial and optical outputs of the Oppo 83 would never be allowed to output anything other than a neutered version of the Blu-ray's audio. As such, an external two channel DAC like the XDA-1, as good as it is bound to be, would be greatly hindered by a suboptimal source signal.

[Erwin.BE]

Oct 22, 2010 9:01:04 GMT -5 spork said:

Are you planning to use the Oppo 83 as a transport for audio CDs or for Blu-ray?

For audio CDs there should not be a problem, but for Blu-ray it is my understanding that, sadly, the DRM involved with Blu-ray audio prevents the lossless (24 bit) form of the signal from being sent over anything other than HDMI. I would be beyond enthusiastic if I was proven wrong, mind you, but as I remember, for a good stretch of time, the audio DRM of Blu-ray was responsible for putting a great big monkey wrench into HTPC use for Blu-ray until video card manufacturers allowed for the passing of LPCM through their cards.

This means that the coaxial and optical outputs of the Oppo 83 would never be allowed to output anything other than a neutered version of the Blu-ray's audio. As such, an external two channel DAC like the XDA-1, as good as it is bound to be, would be greatly hindered by a suboptimal source signal.

Well, I presumed it would be for 2 channel (CD, SACD), since the XDA-1 is 2 channel.

[Erwin.BE]

I looked a bit more into this, since I won the Oppo BDP83SE and I have the XDA-1 on pre-order. What the SE offers over the standard version, is superior analogue (2ch & multichannel) audio outputs. The NuForce Edition adds an even better 2ch SQ over analogue output.

The conclusion is, if you have a good surround system (say, based on UMC-1), go for the SE? If it's the 2ch playback you want to improve, go for the standard 83 or 83 SE and add the XDA-1? I think...

[djreef]

OK, so this unit will process SACD direct from my Denon universal DVD? Wait I'm not sure if the 3930ci will pass the SACD signal. If it will then I really need to get in line for this.

DJ

[Shawn]

The benefit of the 83se is in the analog output as previously stated. Where this would be most beneficial is with a multi-channel analog input on your pre/pro. The UMC-1 has this, as does almost any high end pre/pro.

From a pure sound quality standpoint, and to benefit SACD and DVD-A users, you can go the full analog route with a Parasound P7, Audio Refinement Pre5, or other multi-channel preamp.

The onboard Dolby TruHD and DTS Master Audio allows the newest surround modes, even if you don't have the newest and greatest processor.

Oppo BDP-83 SE with HDMI output=no improvement over the standard BDP-83.