So how does the bdp-83 sound?

I just received the BDP-83 Wednesday and DVD-A (HDMI) really sounds great. The one fine print I didn't read was it is not guaranteed compatable with *.wav files (it seems to hesitate some of the time on *.wav). This just means I have to convert my *.wav's (created from LP's and some CD's) to DVD-A format. I bought "Wolverine" as my 1st Blue Ray and the picture and sound was outstanding.

Regular CD's I play through my my V-Dac and they really seem to sound richer and fuller (hard to explain) anyway, I like it.

RE: So how does the bdp-83 sound?, posted on August 18, 2009 at 20:24:49

213Cobra
Audiophile

Posts: 176
Location: Southern California
Joined: September 1, 2003

I have a Pioneer Elite BDP-09, the Oppo BDP-83, and an NAD M55 Universal with excellent audio and SD video. I also just had a chance to listen to the NAD M5 CD/SACD for audio comparison. Systems are both Zu speakers and Audion SET electronics. PQ comments pertain to what I see on Elite Kuro panels. You can look up my systems in my profile.

So, how does the Oppo Blu-Ray sound?

Listened to alone, the Oppo deck exceeds any expectation I had for audio quality in a player that supports all relevant formats at $499. It's convincing and capable. It also improves with burn-in.

On SACD, it fares worst compared to the NADs. Not that SACD is bad; that format is just clearly bettered on the $1800 NAD M55 Universal and elevated a bit still further on the audio-specific M5. These NADs are outstanding on SACD. The Oppo is simply very good.

On DVD-Audio I'll still place it behind the NAD M55, but the difference is quite small. The DVD-A implementation on the Oppo is loaded with tone and dimension, in a realistic way. Certainly the NAD M55 is ahead by much less margin than is commensurate to the price gap. All but a dead heat.

On Redbook CD, the NAD M5 and the Pioneer BDP-09 are equally good but somewhat different. The Elite's ganged Wolfson DACs are clear, dynamic and "objective." The NAD's overall DAC and audio sections are in league with players twice its price, but it's a 2006 implementation of Redbook playback. It sounds a bit more toneful and liquid than the Elite on Redbook, but a bit less objective for digital. The Oppo's Redbook can't quite compete with the other two in spatial soundstaging, but is quite competitive with the NAD M55 Universal. It's only a trifle more prim than the more organic, generous and forgiving NAD.

On Blu-Ray, the Oppo is outstanding in both visual and audio quality, in part owing to the format strengths themselves, and of course Oppo's prudent implementation. The $2295 Elite is more dynamic and expansive -- really explosive -- on Blu-Ray movies, but in the absence of direct comparison, the Oppo will not disappoint. The PQ differences between the Oppo and the Elite are quite nuanced and so small as to be not meaningful except in an extremely well-calibrated set-up with windowless man-cave/dedicated home theater lighting. The Blu-Ray audio advantage goes to the Elite on movies but most people won't miss the difference given the price delta and all the added functionality of having Blu-Ray Universal in the Oppo.

All listening was via 2ch analog outs from the players. I have two systems. Am I going to sell my Elite BDP-09 in favor of having two Oppo 83s? Absolutely not. But I couldn't blame someone else for concluding that for their purposes the Oppo BDP-83 is more than just fine, if they are about to choose.

Phil

RE: So how does the bdp-83 sound?, posted on September 12, 2009 at 16:43:59
merid Audiophile Posts: 25 Joined: April 25, 2005	Say wha?

"All listening was via 2ch analog outs from the players.", posted on August 19, 2009 at 12:59:45
Kal Rubinson Reviewer Posts: 7158 Joined: June 5, 2002	That should have been in the first sentence of the post. ;-) Kal

RE: "All listening was via 2ch analog outs from the players.", posted on August 19, 2009 at 13:50:20

213Cobra
Audiophile

Posts: 176
Location: Southern California
Joined: September 1, 2003

Well, perhaps. I've heard the Oppo on multi-channel via HDMI, just not in my room on my gear. It meets or exceeds expectations. Put another way, it does a great job of delivering multi-channel fidelity with all the aural dysfunction intrinsic to the 5.1 and 7.1 sonic schema. If you like multi-channel, the Oppo 83 will do nothing to disappoint you and much to impress, though it will be a bit less explosively dynamic than an Elite BDP-09.

Phil

RE: "All listening was via 2ch analog outs from the players.", posted on August 19, 2009 at 15:40:18
Kal Rubinson Reviewer Posts: 7158 Joined: June 5, 2002	"If you like multi-channel, the Oppo 83 will do nothing to disappoint you and much to impress, though it will be a bit less explosively dynamic than an Elite BDP-09." Not less via HDMI.

RE: "All listening was via 2ch analog outs from the players.", posted on August 19, 2009 at 17:07:03
213Cobra Audiophile Posts: 176 Location: Southern California Joined: September 1, 2003	Having heard both on the same movie via HDMI, I have to disagree. The Pioneer 09 is the audibly (though not by a big margin) more explosively dynamic deck. Of course, this is audio, so others -- someone, somewhere -- may disagree. Phil

I don't understand your contention, if via HDMI., posted on September 18, 2009 at 18:31:05
cfraser Audiophile Posts: 2061 Location: Pickering, Ontario Joined: April 30, 2000	You must be saying the BDP-83 is dropping bits or something similar to restrict dynamic range, if you are suggesting the players sound different with the same BD source track bitstream, and presumably compared into the same HDMI receiver. I would really like to hear what Oppo has to say about that... Personally, I don't buy it for a second.

RE: I don't understand your contention, if via HDMI., posted on September 29, 2009 at 16:30:56

213Cobra
Audiophile

Posts: 176
Location: Southern California
Joined: September 1, 2003

I didn't say the Oppo is restricting dynamic range. I said it is a bit less explosively dynamic than the BDP-09, even via HDMI. I don't know why and haven't bothered to investigate further because it's damned good the way it is. The dynamic *range* via HDMI is likely identical -- i.e. not dropping bits. But the jump factor is a shade less propulsive. For the difference in cost, not a criticism, just an observation. The Oppo is good enough I am considering moving it to my main system for the simple reason that the BDP-09 doesn't play SACD and DVD-A, and I have more room for an additional universal player for audio in my secondary system. -Phil

Granted. (NT), posted on August 19, 2009 at 18:08:54
Kal Rubinson Reviewer Posts: 7158 Joined: June 5, 2002

Better Redbook player than any I've ever owned or heard . . ., posted on August 16, 2009 at 16:09:52
GHM Audiophile Posts: 66 Location: Tampa Bay, Florida Joined: October 22, 2003	On SACDs it's a toss-up between the OPPO and my beloved SACD1000. They do sound DIFFERENT but, which sounds better depends on the disc. Usually, but not always, the OPPO wins. The best Blu-Ray formats are outstanding. My players feed Lexicon electronics and Maggie speakers all around. GHM

RE: So how does the bdp-83 sound?, posted on August 10, 2009 at 15:56:12

HighEndWire
Audiophile

Posts: 1317
Joined: August 2, 2002

For a $500 player it is excellent. I have a Marantz DV9600 right above it. I still prefer the Marantz over all but it was 4 times the price. The bass on the Oppo is a bit more balanced. It's soundstaging is excellent. The mids and highs are not quite as good as the Marantz. I have and have owned and have had a bunch of players in my system, including a Modwright XA-777ES which I sold 4 years back. For $500 I think it is worth it as an audio only player. I'm likely to have mine modded as I would like something a bit better than what I have now.

RE: So how does the bdp-83 sound?, posted on August 7, 2009 at 22:09:01

mark111
Audiophile

Posts: 3102
Joined: April 12, 2002

My previous player was an Oppo DV970HD.Before that ,I had a JVC in a completely different system,so it's hard to compare that one.
I thinkk the BDP-83 sounds a little better than the old Oppo on DVD-A.It is very clear and dynamic with excelent resolution.
I only have one SACD,that being The Moody Blues-On the threshold of a dream.That disc would hesitate between tracks with the old player,but playes right through on the BDP-83.I was hesitant to buy more SACDs,but now I might seach out some more.
Hope this helps.
enjoy,
mark

Yeah, thanks alot NT, posted on August 8, 2009 at 07:42:32
bcguitar Audiophile Posts: 334 Location: Maryland Joined: March 2, 2005	BC

modwright, posted on August 22, 2009 at 09:00:26
JPF Audiophile Posts: 76 Location: New York Joined: October 4, 2003	If anyone does the Modwright mod on the Oppo BDP 83,please post and let us know what you think.

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So how does the bdp-83 sound?

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