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Comments on Oppo 105 for 2 channel audio system

I am considering the Oppo 105 player as a possible replacement for my Ayre CX-7eMP CD player in my 2 channel audio system. One of the advantages of the Oppo 105 is its ability to read my CD's stored on my Seagate hard drive in AIFF format. This allows me to easily select the albums I want to listen to. In addition, the Oppo 105 also can read SACD and DSD files. I can also use my iPhone to help control the albums I listen to. I will use the output XLR balanced connectors to connect to my Luxman L-590ax integrated amplifier connected to my Sonus Faber Auditor M Speakers. My questions are:

1) What is the sound quality of the Oppo 105 vs the Ayre? Many of the previous posts give the Oppo 105 good marks in its sound quality.

2) Will the 105 be able to select from different folders on the hard drive? In other words, will the Oppo 105 allow me to browse my content via a folder-type directory? For example, I plan on creating folders on the hard drive for classical, jazz, fold, etc to help manage the albums.

3) Are there other CD's I should consider that offer similar capabilities in the under $2,500 price range?

Your comments are welcomed.
hgeifman

Showing 4 responses by gz3827

gz3827
232 posts
 
Regarding your #2, how would you be connecting the Seagate to the Oppo?
gz3827
232 posts
 
I use my Oppo 95 for 2 channel only with no TV, and I use a tablet to view and select my digital audio files. Also, the Oppo is an SACD player.
gz3827
232 posts
 
Hgeifman: Given you connect the Seagate as an external hard drive to the 105's USB port, then the answer to #2 is yes -- but as Elevick pointed out "you need a monitor to view the files." With a monitor or a TV connected to the 105's HDMI out, when you press Home on the Oppo's remote, a menu of choices appears among which is one labeled "Music." When you select Music, the Seagate will be listed and when you select it you will see the same folder and file structure that you see when the Seagate is connected to a computer. At least that's the way it works on the Oppo 95, and I can't imagine that this aspect would be any different on the 105. I hope this helps. (Note: Flexibility in controlling playback of digital audio files through an Oppo is much more robust when accessing those files through a home network as opposed to through the Oppo's USB port.)
gz3827
232 posts
 
I've always been very pleased with the sound quality of the Oppo 95. Even though my speakers (B&W 804 Diamond 2) and my amplification (Musical Fidelity M6PRE/M6PRX) have higher price tags, I've never felt the need to climb the CD player ladder beyond Oppo. I have no personal experience with the 105, but others report its sound to be as good or even a little bit better than the 95 after a substantial break-in period which is usually described as around 300 hrs. It's not that the Oppo's are the best there is in sound quality. It's more that they seem to give the most bang for the buck. Oppo customer service (which on a scale of 1 to 10 is a 10) is another selling point not to be overlooked.
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