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EVS modded Oppo 95

Recently, while looking for mods for my new Oppo 95 player, I ran across tweakaudio.com. After reading a bit and viewing some basic photos, I followed up with Ric Schultz at EVS to discuss his mods for the 95. After several calls and discussion about what Ric had achieved with the basic 95, I decided to send him my unit; just a couple of weeks prior to Christmas. For reference, I had about 125 to 150 hours of play time on my machine so I had a good reference point for my system. Burn-in for the stock unit, from my experience, was about 50 hours of playing time. Two weeks later I had my 95 back from EVS, and immediately out of the box the sound was better. I left the unit on 24/7 for break-in and listened every couple of days to the same source disks for sonic change. After a couple of weeks, I called Ric and told him I was blown away... pure and simple. I've had numerous modded, tubed players and this was by far the most dramatic result I have encountered. Fast forward to six weeks later and the sound just keeps getting larger, cleaner and more dynamic. The musical range continues to expand and the sound stage is even more lifelike. All I can say is that I haven't heard anything, at any price, that compares with this unit. For $1000 the Oppo 95 is a great machine, for another $1200 bucks, Ric has transformed this beast into an incredible machine. I will also note the video portion of the 95 improved modestly as well. I have made numerous tweaks to my system as well as source material and listen to a variety of music genres.

My system:
EVS modded Oppo 95 digital player
Jud Barber, Joule Electra LA-150 Signature Edition (SE) Line Stage Pre-Amplifier
Spectron Musican III Mk2 fully modded Bybee MONOBLOCKS
Martin Logan / Spire Speakers, modded
Remote Sense RS Mk2 Signature Loudspeaker cable
Harmonic Technology MAGIC Link Two, interconnects
Dedicated circuits, power conditioner, premium receptacles and power cords.

D.C.
Kennesaw, GA
dclevr
agisthos
166 posts
 
I have never purchased a product from EVS. But Ric is very open with his mods and explains them on his website. I copied 2 of his ideas and they worked very well.

One was using the Audiomagic Pulse Gen field generator in the Oppo player. This improved everything. Bizarrely it even made the color richer on my TV via HDMI.

The other idea was to remove the optical output connector from the mainboard in the oppo. This is a must have mod to implement. He says it introduced noise into the system due to the optical light, and he is right. Best time to do it is when the board is out getting a clock upgrade.

Ric knows his stuff. Ric Schultz and the other Rick Schultz! both of them out of the box thinkers and tinkerers.
rklune
21 posts
 
I have a Ric Schultz modded Oppo BDP-95 that I've been running for 2-3 years (can't remember exactly) with the Stereo Mods (1v output) and the result is just stunning.  Every time I listen to music I just can't help but grin.

I can't tell you how many times I've been in listening rooms with systems with $5-10k cd players and where the speaker cables cost more than my Oppo, and just had to shake my head and say I'll just have to go home to my system so my ears can get right again.

Ric's mods are worth every penny.  I'm beyond satisfied!  Don't cheat yourself, spend the $700-800 clams for the stereo mod at least.  Guaranteed you'll be happy you did.
statman's avatar
statman
282 posts
 
I searched and found this thread. I do appreciate the feedback on this subject, as it really helps. It's time to send my BDP-105 to EVS for the upgrade! I was set to go with the Modwright conversion, but it appears from actual owners of the EVS modded unit, it provides more for the money spent. The other factor is I already have a tube preamp, and feel the Modwright unit would be redundant at this stage.
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