Just Got My Oppo 205!


So - I wanted an Oppo 105 for about 3 years and when I heard they were closing it down, I popped for the 205 through Amazon. Got one of the last ones. I’ve owned some very good CD players - Naim CD5x with flatcap, Naim CDX2 with Supercap, Doge6, Lector and my current EAR Acute. So how does the Oppo compare you might ask. Well, it is new and I expect some improvement, but my first impression is - flat, sterile, uninvolving, compressed and basically lacking in musical texture. I’m just being honest and letting you know that this thing is no great shakes and certainly nothing to lust after, IMO. I happened to need a new DVD player anyway and, as I said, I have no doubt it will improve, but these are my honest first impressions that I’m sharing with you just in case you think you need to run out and buy one. Of course, I may (and I hope) I will be surprised at a vast degree of improvement with break in, but somehow I doubt it will ever improve to the level where I sell my EAR. All that said, I remember having an old Oppo 981 I think it was, that did a very credible job with SACD, so I’m thinking that the 205 will come around. I’ll let you know.
chayro
@whitestix 

Is your friend's Oppo 205 a stock version? Is the tubed Oppo 105 a Modwright or another company's modification?
How are you guys hooking these up xlr or rca ? I hear rca connection are having a horrible sound . Have you tried the filter settings as well?
....I hear rca connection are having a horrible sound.....
Where have you heard that? XLR is best/preferred, but RCA is very doable and definitely not horrible.

Have you tried the filter settings as well?

Tried them all. Get the stethoscope ready if you’d like to determine which is your preference. Personally I like the default mini phase fast, but have reason to believe linear phase slow is the theoretical best.

I read from a post that the rca outs had a issue where the output caused brightness and thin sound vs the xlr something due to bad circuitry . I am using a marantz sa14s1 right now , wondering if the 205 would be a better choice 

Guys, You really need to get at least 200 hours of play time on the Oppo 205 before it makes its magic (put it on repeat non stop for 10 days straight).  Then it will be really good.....not great, but really good.  Modified, it is really out there.....really great!