Help with processor decision

Bebopmecha5

Here's what i've found to be the best method of getting outstanding performance between the 8801 and Oppo 105. Assign the 8801's Cd input to the XLR's for the Oppo's XLR outs for stereo and use the Pure Direct mode for 2/ch this way you can hear the outstanding 2/ch preamp abilities of the 8801 ( I find it a hidden gem) Also set the Oppo to bitstream for hdmi ( using the hdmi 2 out as hdmi 1 will not send DSD) and set to DSD as the 8801 will accept a native bitstream over hdmi after that and a good run of Audyssey you have a killer 2/ch preamp and multi/ch processor setup to die for !

Enjoy your new setup

It took about as long as the 105 for burn in about 100hrs or so to gain its refinement, I found in comparing the two that it comes down to mood as you will have two very capable playback dac's to choose from and even via hdmi for stereo the 8801 will amaze at its handling of jitter when compared to rca or xlr for stereo, the 8801 does indeed have a nice rytm and pace that will have one's toe tapping, while the 105 will have that extra something you will like indeed. I will say a reference sacd via hdmi w/Audyssey for multi/ch is quite breathtaking and with the setup you now have you can enjoy playback option glore at the touch of a button.

The dac's in the 8801 may or maynot be superior but different in its overall implementation as a whole and after a comparison between the Oppo 105 direct to my Halo A21 ( xlr & rca connections) and with the 8801 in the chain as a pre and also against the 8801 doing the conversion for stereo I came to the conclusion I liked all three options and considered it just system flexibility, now having said that the end configuration and use has been the 105 via XLR assigned to 8801's cd input for 2/ch ( but when I want a sub its the 8801 doing the job)

Whilst all things multi/ch the 8801 with Audyssey my defacto standard. Regardless of how good the 105's dac's are I had to come to the conclusion the also good dac's in the 8801 + DRC is hard to touch for playback of reference material. great thing is I have all the connected methods above at the touch of a button (not counting the direct to Halo A21 from the Oppo but haven't tried it again since the comparison)
Best of both worlds!

Dbphd

Three? Analog from the Oppo direct to the amp and HDMI-2 from the Oppo to the 8801 would seem sufficient. I hope you don't take analog from the Oppo to the 8801 and digitize it again. Or do you take analog from the Oppo to an 8801 passthrough, and if so, what's the point given the 8801 can't process a signal if it doesn't digitize it? The Oppo has ample output level to drive the amp and has a fine volume control.

While the method above is sufficient, it would bring into play the hassle of connecting and reconnecting the XLR's for different use and why I use the pass through option on the 8801 and the XLR's can be digitized if one wants to, as Marantz decided to send the XLR input signal through there HDAM, they did however leave the 7.1 inputs pure analog with no option to digitize at all , so if one wants the option it does exist which is why I have all three methods connected but use the one's I noted above. Trust me I know how good the 105 sounds direct to the amp but after the comparison I did, it would be splitting hairs to justify a more complex setup for little return and why I feel the 8801 as a preamp is transparent to the source. So the point is the 8801 does offer a non digitized path via its 7.1 analog inputs via rca but after considerable listening sessions for 2/ch the Oppo 105 via its XLR's to the 8801 assigned to the CD input in Pure direct gave me extremely close to that Oppo direct sound that I listen to daily.

I pretty much tried to clarify the methods of connection and the reasons and uses for each and commented on each of there sonic merits to my ears at least. I'll state once more that I use the Sabre dac's via XLR to the 8801 in Pure Direct assigned to the CD input for 2/ch. I also use the 7.1 analog rca inputs but only the fR/FL but very very seldom as I prefer the sound of the XLR connection (regardless of what Oppo says)And lastly I use hdmi for all multi/ch material movies & sacd . What's achieved is playback options and flexibility that's not limited to analog connections and no room correction as I have both in conjunction with a well treated room. I know at the touch of a button what's being processed and what dac's are doing so and which path its taking as each has an audible difference however so slight.