New Oppo DV-980H


I have just ordered the new Oppo DV-980H for budget two-channel music playback. It will replace my excellent DV-970HD I hope (as long as it sounds better)!

I will write a report after it has burnt in.

Anyone else using one yet? Got any set-up suggestions for stereo playback?
adamj
All of the Oppo models have the built in volume control for direct connection to amps.
"Does the new Oppo 980 have a built in volume control for direct connection to amps?"

Bill, yes it does.
It really, really, really works well.

I love my 2ch room now... no preamp- makes me laugh sometimes.

I have not had any popping sound either to this point w/ the 980. It sounds amazing, and i would have to spend much more on a high level preamp to sound better than this. The goal in my mind is to have as few breaks in the signal chain as possible- I dont want to colorize the sound from the CD- I dont want to change the audio signal- how much money do you have to spend on a preamp that sounds as if it is not there? alot.

This is also the easiest and fastest way to compare RCA's... direct from the source to the amp. The Opps's volume control is great to say the least.
Hi guys, seen as you are discussing the volume control I thought I would add some more thoughts on the 980H.

I used my 970HD direct in the Trends Audio T-amp (configured as a poweramp). Wih that unit there was a lot of noise along with the signal, and the noise was in inverse proportion to volume... this sucked, as most of the time I don't listen at high volume.

With the 980H the noise was gone. Completely. However, inserting the new Kingrex pre-amp between the (980H and the Trends amp made a HUGE difference. I used to be convinced by the economy and logic of a "direct to power-amp" approach but now I have to say I am amazed. If and I mean IF! there was any loss of detail, siblance, depth, width or ANYTHING else from adding the pre then my ears are not good enough to hear it. More than that, everything was enhanced by the pre-amp.

Clearly this is probably more to do with the pre-amp than the fact I was running the 980H at full volume, but it is worth noting that the "direct" approach is, in my opinion, of no quantifiable benefit. Moreover, adding a good pre-amp can be the start of something beautiful!