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confusion...

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Posted on November 10, 2014 at 19:27:29
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23688
Joined: January 4, 2002
 What I think of as the "front end" of my multi-channel music/AV system is showing its ten years. The Pioneer Elite Pro-1000HD is not HDMI and neither is my Anthem AVM-20 processor, and the laser assembly in my Esoteric DV-50 is about to go (for the second time). The back end - five Paradigm Studio 100 v.3s, a Servo 15 v.2 and 5 300 watt channels of Bryston amplification is still going strong. So I'm looking for some thoughts here.

By chance I just bought a Samsung 51" plasma (the f5500), but I'm not sure it would be an adequate replacement for the Elite - even in my very dark living room. Thoughts on a TV, say 50" to 55"?

Given a new TV and player I could delay buying a new processor, at least until the Marantz AV8802 comes out in the second quarter of 2015. A player to replace the Esoteric is the really difficult question. The Oppo 105D is the only universal player I know of that offers the key outputs I want for multichannel music - XLR stereo and 7.1 analog. But I keep reading that others sound better.

The Marantz UD7007 might be good in stereo but the lack of 7.1 analog outputs means that I'd be listening to the processor for multichannel music, and it would need to be a new one with HDMI connectivity. The Cambridge Azur 752 BD has the 7.1 analog outputs but lacks the stereo XLR outputs. One nice thing about the Azur is that it would pair nicely with the Marantz 7702 processor, which at $2000 looks to be a tremendous bargain. Thoughts?

 

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RE: confusion..., posted on November 10, 2014 at 20:46:43
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I bought an Oppo BDP-105D eight months ago and I'm very happy with it. Yes, there are better sounding DACs at considerably higher prices, but the Oppo sounds pretty darn good to me. It is the heart of my audio/video system and I play it every day. I use two channels only with no desire for additional channels. The most recent firmware update makes it very reliable. It hasn't crashed or locked up in about two weeks since installing the latest firmware update. I intend to buy a better sounding DAC, but I think it might cost $5000. You would be hard pressed to find anything better sounding for the price of the Oppo BDP-105D.

Good luck,
John Elison


 

RE: confusion..., posted on November 11, 2014 at 08:30:09
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 You are correct, Jim, no other plasma (at any price) will better the Elite!

Did you consult Esoteric about your player?

 

RE: confusion..., posted on November 11, 2014 at 08:31:37
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Beautiful pic! JE.

The only thing I like about the Oppo 105, is that, it can be modded for better performance.

 

It hasn't crashed or locked up in about two weeks since installing the latest firmware update, posted on November 11, 2014 at 08:39:36
oldmkvi
Audiophile

Posts: 10583
Joined: April 12, 2002
 Marantz UD 7007 has never done that.
I've had it 2 years.
The Marantz doesn't have DSD File Playing tho.

 

Yes fantja..., posted on November 11, 2014 at 08:54:38
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23688
Joined: January 4, 2002
 I talked to a technician in California. Parts are available and the total cost of repair and shipping will likely be in the $1000 range. I have a cheap Pioneer player on hand that can keep my system going in the interim. I must admit I'm getting cold feet regarding an HDMI update.

 

RE: It hasn't crashed or locked up in about two weeks since installing the latest firmware update, posted on November 11, 2014 at 08:58:00
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I owned a Toshiba Blu-Ray player and a Samsung Blu-Ray player before buying the Oppo and they both locked up periodically so it didn't surprise me that the Oppo did the same. However, it seems to be cured now.

I couldn't possibly live without DSD. YMMV

Best regards,
John Elison

 

RE: Yes fantja..., posted on November 11, 2014 at 14:03:29
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Big decision, Jim.
Keep me posted.

 

RE: confusion..., posted on November 11, 2014 at 16:50:11
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46302
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Love the speakers John! And that TT to the right ain't so bad either. ;-)

 

RE: confusion..., posted on November 11, 2014 at 18:18:36
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Hi Abe,

I was real lucky when I got a deal on those Thiel CS3.7's. I expect them to last the rest of my life unless I win the lottery or something. I like that little turntable on the right, too. ;-)

Thanks,
John Elison

 

RE: confusion..., posted on November 13, 2014 at 15:49:58
Dave_K
 Jim,

Regarding the TV, I would keep the Samsung plasma for now. If you don't need 4k, then wait until 1080p OLED prices drop, which should happen as 4k adoption starts to pick up. If you do want 4k, then I would still wait as there isn't enough software yet to justify paying the premium.

Regarding the player, I think you're right to look for something with 7.1 analog outputs and good sound quality. I went with an Oppo 103 feeding a Marantz AV8801 via HDMI and I've been disappointed with the resulting sound except on Blu-Ray movies. I found that using the analog inputs on the Marantz in Pure Direct mode with a good quality source provides much better sound. Since you've got identical full range speakers, you don't really need the digital processing in the pre/pro. So you could just keep the Anthem unless you need HDMI switching for video.

 

A developing situation..., posted on November 13, 2014 at 20:26:13
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23688
Joined: January 4, 2002
 I lucked out. I had a Geek Squad in-home assessment (free), and got an older audiophile. As it turns out one of the local high end shops can likely repair the Esoteric, eliminating the $400 in freight to get 46 pounds to California and back. So I can likely get it fixed for $750 or so - and quicker too.

The feedback I'm getting is not to replace the Pro-1000HD for anything less than a good HD OLED. So I think I'm back to my old plan of using the Samsung as part of my Fibe TV hub when it becomes available here in the next month or two. Looks like my ten year old system's only update will be a Fibe TV receiver.

 

RE: A developing situation..., posted on November 14, 2014 at 14:58:00
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Excellent Jim!
where are you located?

 

RE: A developing situation..., posted on November 14, 2014 at 16:26:32
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23688
Joined: January 4, 2002
 Grimsby, a little town in the Niagara Peninsula. The dealer is Alternative Audio in Dundas Ontario. Odd that I didn't think of them, but then I've been out of touch for quite some time - that's what happens to some of us when we get the system we want.

 

RE: A developing situation..., posted on November 15, 2014 at 05:13:03
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Thank You.
here in the deep South, we have Audio Alternative in Atlanta GA.

 

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