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Post by frisco on Nov 24, 2016 13:02:15 GMT -5
My HT expectations are very modest and I would like to simplify by ditching my bottom end Denon and using the Oppo 105 as a pre pro. At the same time, I'd be satisfied with a 3.1 system.
Any thoughts on the pros and and cons of using the oppo directly? I don't need a lot of fancy video enhancements, but am concerned about sound. I notice that Oppo reccomends an input impedance of at least 47k for amps, but the latest emotiva amps rate lower than that. One idea was to move my xpa-200 out of two channel and acquire a used xpa-100, both rated at 47, ( I know the xpa-200 drives my bookshelf speakers fine.)
Frisco
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Post by garbulky on Nov 24, 2016 13:17:03 GMT -5
Nah it's not worth spending the extra money for impedance. The Oppo does "okay" but not great as a preamp.
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Post by qdtjni on Nov 24, 2016 13:25:04 GMT -5
Nah it's not worth spending the extra money for impedance. The Oppo does "okay" but not great as a preamp. Surely better than a bottom end Denon though, right? |
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Post by leonski on Nov 24, 2016 13:30:32 GMT -5
Recommending 47k INPUT impedance from the OPPO tells me it has EXTRAORDINARILY high OUTPUT impedance. Like 5k or so.
This doesn't jive with what I know about modern SS gear.
If I wanted to drive myself nuts, I'd look up the OutPut impedance of the OPPO. 10:1 is ok while 20:1 is very acceptable.
THat would be LIKE 500ohms OUT to 10k ohms IN.
Is there something else going on that OPPO doesnt' mention? Maybe rising impedance as the level is lowered? That'd work,
but I don't know how to DO that.
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Post by garbulky on Nov 24, 2016 13:54:44 GMT -5
Try it with what you have (the XPA-200) and tell us what you think  I wouldn't expect the result to change drastically if you replaced it with the XPA-100. |
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Post by frisco on Nov 25, 2016 19:36:31 GMT -5
Try it with what you have (the XPA-200) and tell us what you think I wouldn't expect the result to change drastically if you replaced it with the XPA-100. Oh, sorry for the confusion, I was going to use the xpa100 for center and the xpa 200 for l r i may still try this, knowing I have a new pre pro option from emotiva available on December 30 if the direct connection doesn't work. |
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Post by vneal on Nov 26, 2016 9:30:00 GMT -5
My HT expectations are very modest and I would like to simplify by ditching my bottom end Denon and using the Oppo 105 as a pre pro. At the same time, I'd be satisfied with a 3.1 system. Any thoughts on the pros and and cons of using the oppo directly? I don't need a lot of fancy video enhancements, but am concerned about sound. I notice that Oppo reccomends an input impedance of at least 47k for amps, but the latest emotiva amps rate lower than that. One idea was to move my xpa-200 out of two channel and acquire a used xpa-100, both rated at 47, ( I know the xpa-200 drives my bookshelf speakers fine.) Frisco For what you want try it and see how it sounds. I have listened to the Oppo 105 as a 2.1 preamp and it sounded a little flat or thin with my system. It costs nothing to try |
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Post by mdanderson on Dec 2, 2016 23:55:28 GMT -5
I previously had a XPA-200 and I hooked it up directly to my Oppo 105 for a brief period of time. I felt like the sound was good but it did have a bit of harshness to it that I was just not used to hearing. I had to keep the volume way down like to 23 on the Oppo because like leonski said, it has a high output impedance. The sound was just a little too forward to me.
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Post by leonski on Dec 3, 2016 22:39:30 GMT -5
Just curious about OPPO recommended 47k minimum input impedance. LOTS of good SS amps don't qualify on that basis alone.
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Post by knucklehead on Dec 4, 2016 0:23:00 GMT -5
I used my 103 in preamp mode for a while. Sound quality was pretty decent. Rather than believe what everyone else thinks and hears why not just do it? You might like how it sounds. The lack of inputs and flexibility drove me back to an AVR.
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Post by wldock on Dec 6, 2016 15:57:28 GMT -5
I agree, its best to just try it yourself even though its not the best choice for a preamp.
You really have to define what you are after and whats important to you. Already you've stated that you are happy with 3.1. Now, decide how important movies and music are to you. Maybe your goal is the best HDMI 3.1 channel sound or maybe 2 channel analog sound is more important?
Then you can decide whats the best preamp option for you. Big bucks on a 7.1 preamp for 3.1 might not be the best place to spend your money? Maybe a modest price used 2 ch tube preamp for music with HT bypass mated with a modest AV receiver with preouts might be what you are after? Maybe, downgrade the 105 to the 103 and put the difference towards sound. Whats are your main sources for movies and music? Maybe you stream more digital files more so than CD's and Blu-Rays?
Ask yourself many questions to figure out where you need to go.
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Post by mountain on Dec 6, 2016 17:42:17 GMT -5
I ran mine straight to my amps for almost a year. Sound was fine. I bought the preamp for greater flexibility, ease of use, and my cable box did not play well with the newer oppo. Try it.
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 8, 2016 15:41:33 GMT -5
I agree with mountain - The Oppo can drive amps directly (PARTICULARLY for HT) without any loss of quality. YES it would sound better than anybody's bottom of the product line AVR. Go for the gusto & you'll be amazed at how good the Oppo sounds. Boom |
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Post by leonski on Dec 29, 2016 22:06:24 GMT -5
OPPO will shortly be stopping the 103 and later the 105 players. NEW stuff coming: www.oppodigital.com/BluRayPlayer.aspx203/205 series will be the standard OPPO players for the next few years. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 30, 2016 7:46:28 GMT -5
Hi frisco - I've done EXACTLY what you're proposing, and with a variety of power amplifiers. Works fine - sounds better than an AVR - Ideal for 3.1 use. In short, go for it! The stereo outputs of the Oppo are also most excellent. Once the Oppo is fully warmed up (about 20 minutes from cold start), the sound is competitive with most anything I've heard (and at any price). If you DO need a preamp (most don't, with the Oppo), then may I recommend the Emotiva BASX PT-100. Happy New Year - Boomzilla |
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I wouldn't expect the result to change drastically if you replaced it with the XPA-100. 
