How does this player compare with an OPPO 103 for audio quality? Does it have a comparable on board DAC?
1185333
As someone who took a chance on this, I'm happy. Pair it with a good basic Denon amp and it will work.
1309810
As is stated above, the HD version adds support for the aptX standard that greatly increases the sound quality on the Bluetooth transmission/reception side and also allows you to use an external device's DAC via the SPDIF connectors. Since the average receiver has a better DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), the combination of later BT Audio quality (aptX that does not compress the audio like earlier standards) and the option for "off board" DAC use makes for a very solid sound quality as long as the player is new enough to support the BT 4.0 or later standards (3.0 may work as well but I haven't bothered to check). Older devices will play music but still suffer compressed audio quality and this will not magically make poor bit rate files sound better. As for the DAC on the HD, it's probably better than the original version as well but the big advantage here is the ability to just use it as a more or less transparent receiver of clean audio over a wireless connection; this alone is a big step. I can say that listening to high quality rips over my Pioneer Elite AVR connected via SPDIF over my extra DCM Timeframes has really impressed me. The HD is capable of passing through very good quality sound and that makes a great deal at the available price. Audiophile thumbs up.
174377
Thanks for your question. You may come out of the digital out to an external DAC of significantly better quality than the internal one to improve the sound quality of the machine. This is a fantastic sounding player. World Wide Stereo is 35 years old and a very proud Yamaha dealer.
1865835
I have had the E10 for over a year and have been satisfied. If you are looking for amps and DACs I'd suggest heading over Headroom (http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/) to sort out price and quality with audio enthusiasts. Lot of very good detail reviews.
144671
It may be better to connect devices straight to the tv, but I have an elite 101-fd, so it doesn't even have audio out. So I'd have to use my oppo player's 2 hdmi IN and use optical and then have ne device with no sound.
1698056
Probably not a DAC. Amplifier possibly. Their closed and not incredibly hard to drive, but tbh, the listening experience with even a modest amplifier will be substantially better. I currently use one of the small FiiO amps.
1191741
Thanks so much! You have me convinced to get the 980! I have had a problem with a previous DVD player's sound, and I would rather get the sound quality with "a little less picture quality." Although, reading throught the reviews, the OPPO 980 sounds absolutely wonderful in picture quality too! If it is everything people say it is, I know I will be very pleased! Thanks again!
1506755
I have owned an Oppo upconverting DVD player for several years. It does a wonderful job improving the quality of my standard DVD movie disks. But a $500.00 Oppo Blu_Ray player? I have a big problem with that. Can we really SEE the difference in a Blu_Ray movie played on an Oppo machine versus a player costing half the price. I cannot say, but I personally doubt it. I'd really like someone to explain this (in non-tech terms) to me.
1653216
This might not be the answer you want since I have never heard either, but this Yamaha sounds better than the Bose wave iii , which I mentioned in my review. I also have a recent model Onkyo mini system, which sounds quite good, but the Yamaha beats it out also. I think the Yamaha is well worth the price!
1506761
The professional reviews I read are all contrary to your comment. You would have to spend $3-$5 thousand to get a player just equal to the Oppo.
539671
All digital devices (iPods, iPhones, MP3 players, etc.) have to have a DAC -- otherwise you couldn't hear the music. But there are Chevrolets and Cadillacs and Ferraris among them. And the quality of the DAC obviously will determine the quality of the sound you hear. On the Sangean the internet feed will not sound as good as the actual FM signal. But on the other hand, on the Magnum Dynalab MD807 internet tuner (Google it!) which I prefer to listen to, the sound is as good or even better than the actual FM signal. Why? Because of the high-quality DAC and its tube output. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for!
449190
The built-in DAC of the Sonos is, IMHO, lousy. Any outboard DAC will sound much better. The Dragonfly has had some amazing reviews. Big bucks are not required.
1846917
Dan,The X3 is FiiO's "med price" player, DAC and headphone amp and as the Brits say a nice bit of kit, be aware FiiO is now shipping the X5 at a higher price. I' m happy with the X 3 as a player in my car and van but the interface takes some getting use to. Take a look at ---FiiO.com and on youtube to see the interface. I do NOT try to control when driving . I have made cards for longer trips and play as a whole.
1447559
I've been listening with iPhone, iPod, iPad, and from amp of new NAD D3020. All are good but from NAD is best. I don't think the phones are hard to drive so they sound great with may systems. I am considering the new Fiio X5 or the HRT microstreamer.
1614179
correction to my previous answer, there is one out there now used from emusic for 249. Buy it now if you really want one. EMUSIC is great and the price is the best.
2270655
Hello Melba - I'm pretty certain this player is NOT upgradeable. I have an all-zone Oppo brand player which is, but it costs 5 times as much. Other than that flaw, the Sony unit is a good player, with good sound and picture. And my answer is merely based on reviews by other non-pro users. If I were you, I'd email Sony and ask them too, if you've not already done so. Sorry for the slow response - only got your inquiry yesterday. Good luck.
1506756
Is the Oppo better? Look at ANY professional review (there are about 2 dozen) and you'll find all are telling you that to get a better player, you might have to spend a lot more money (I'm talking thousands of dollars). If you already have a PS3, I don't see a great need to upgrade to the Oppo (the PS3 was the reference player of most of these review sites, that is, until the Oppo came along). If you're trying to choose between the two, the difference in price is significant enough to give many people pause (and I doubt many could tell the difference in the blu-ray quality between the two in a blind head-to-head test -- depending upon their other equipment -- because both are excellent blu-ray players). Where the Oppo outshines most other players is in its up-converting capability and audio capability (and matches the speed -- the time from insertion to playback -- of the PS3). But don't take my word for it, read all the professional reviews.