Oppo BDP-83 SE vs McCormack UDP-1 Deluxe

The McCormack is nice and probably well built but the Oppo has newer and better DAC's as well as Bluray and online firmware upgrades.

I suggest you see if you can fit the Oppo into the McCormack chassis. ;-)

Kal

Paul :

I once owned almost the same system you describe above and can share some insight. In my case, a DNA-1 Rev A, MAP-1 and UDP-1 Deluxe with AQ and Cardas cabling.

It made for a nice combination - my aim at the time was to get synergy using components from the same manufacturer. My speakers were initially the Harbeth M30's and then Verity Parsifals.

Regarding the UDP-1 Deluxe, it is a very capable CD and SACD player from top to bottom. In some ways it is under-rated. I think the reviewers are spot on. If anything, it is more neutral and analytical but with nicely weighted bass low end. I recently replaced my UDP-1 Deluxe with a Sony 5400 with Upgrade Company mods, expecting the grass to be greener with a newer player. Let's just say that the Sony did not blow away the UDP-1 Deluxe, despite my pre-conceived ideas (probably based on media hype and talk that the modded Sony competes sonically with 10k players). It was fairly close but with some clear difference. Please note, both units were fully burned-in. I kept the Sony as I wanted to use the balanced output with my fully balanced tube integrated amp.

In terms of engineering and construction, I cannot imagine that the Oppo is in the same league.

Bottom line: i would not dismiss the UPD-1 Deluxe believing that the latest generation of cd/sacd players are sonically superior.

good luck,
peter

Thanks for chiming in guys! Looks like Rwwear, Kal are in BDP-83 camp

Kal, I think I hear you loud and clear (Oppo), but let's not mistake McCormack with Lexicon ;-)

Peter, thanks for sharing your Sony upgrade experience, I know a bit about "the other side grass greener thing" ;-). Our setups are very similar - my DNA225 is Rev.A+ as well! Its just that I have Oppo 83 SE and have not heard UDP-1 and a good opportunity seems to be on hand, to add it - if its SQ can hold against Oppo 83 SE.

A full McCormack stack, on rack will look nice, but not sufficient to jump into it. Most UDP-1 reviews I could find are pre BDP-83 days, so let's wait to hear from some who might have had 1st hand experience with both players.

thanks,
Paul

Petek, when did you send your Sony to TUC? I have a very hard time beleiving that the mod from these guys barely surpassed the UDP deluxe. I am also very surprised that the stock Sony XA5400 did not compete very close to the UDP. My modded 83SE and Denon 5910 make a EMM CDSA SE sound lifeless and small in comparison. The stock Oppo 83SE is no slouch when it comes to stock units either. I wouldn't hesitate on sending a stock 83SE to TUC. The 83SE has a ton of potential and a lot of people are modding this unit with good results.