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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
chayro OP
1,801 posts
 
@ptss - no, I didn't buy the 205 as an audio upgrade.  After my Oppo 981 broke, I was using a $30 DVD player someone gave me and I needed a decent player.  Plus, I wanted very much to play my SACDs and DADs, which I couldn't do on the Acute.  Tell the truth, the 981 did a very good job with hi-res, so I expected the 205 to do a better than very good job with it.  Maybe it will.  I also like the built-in headphone amp, so I can do some casual listening with no fuss.  Video?  It has video?
almarg's avatar
almarg
8,673 posts
 
Chayro, I have no experience with Oppo products, but assuming you are using the 205 with the Viva Solista integrated amp listed in your system description I’m wondering if the fact that you have to use the unbalanced outputs of the 205 may be a factor in your assessment. The 205’s description, similarly to the descriptions of some of Oppo’s other models, states as follows:
The balanced output features a true differential signal path all the way from the DAC to the 3-pin XLR connector.
... which could conceivably mean that its balanced outputs would provide better results than its unbalanced outputs, if used with an amp or preamp providing **high quality** balanced inputs. (I’m certainly not suggesting that you change your amp, though; I’m just suggesting a possible explanation of your findings).

Also, unbalanced interfaces generally tend to be more susceptible to ground loop effects than balanced interfaces. As an experiment, it may be worth temporarily putting a cheater plug on the Oppo’s power cord, to defeat its safety ground connection. If that makes a difference it would suggest that ground loop effects occurring between the Oppo and the amp are affecting sonics.

Regards,
-- Al

browndt
83 posts
 
I have an OPPO 205 that sounded quite good after break in. However if you want it compete with single purpose CD players,
you need to have the MODWRIGHT modification done. I just received mine and it transformed the 2 channel performance of the OPPO into something that competes with the high end CD players
at a far more reasonable price. You will actually find yourself wanting to use the OPPO for sources that you would usually reserve for vinyl.  I have an extraordinary vinyl system and I can say that the OPPO comes close on some discs especially SACDs.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,483 posts
 
@ chayro, Your impression's does not surprise  me a bit, I have listened to quite of few of these oppo unit's,  including the best modright model's,  cheers
junzhang10
166 posts
 
205d doesn’t have tidal streamer app built in. I would think 105(D) is better overall except the 4K video.
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