High Quality Universal Player??


I’m interested in a disc player for CD, SACD, and cinema DVDs, Blue-Ray.

It MUST have equal or better sound quality than my current Cal Audio HDCD player.

Ideas? How about the Cambridge Audio Azur 651BD Universal Blu-ray/SACD/DVD/CD Player?

or the newer 751? Also, what is the difference between the 751 and 651?

I’d laos like to buy form a company large enough to stay in business for a while :)
randy-11

Showing 14 responses by nutty

I Have not heard it yet but Arcam has a new player.
UPD411
3D blue ray, 4K upscale.

N
In my experience, until now the Oppo would have been my first choice. Straight out of the box, no mods. Also my experience, Arcam has bested Cambridge in sound quality. I have heard several players and DAC's.(even though at one time they both used Wolfson DACS)

Here are a few quotes I have found on line regarding Arcams universal player UDP411.

"...In fact, it’s worth mentioning here that the OPPO BDP-105D, the UDP411’s closest competitor, offers a decent range of smart functionality (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube), dual HDMI ports, multichannel outputs and DVD-Audio playback for around £100 less than the Arcam..."
"...We had a OPPO BDP-105D on test at the same time as the Arcam and were able to do a straight comparison. There isn’t a great deal between them – these are clearly two audiophile decks operating at the top of their game – but we preferred the Arcam’s slightly smoother and more insightful presentation..."

I personally would audition each unit. It's the only way to be sure. 

N




Hello A’goners, I need to resurrect this one. I have the opportunity to upgrade my old Oppo DV980H. I’m down to two units:
Oppo-BDP 105D, Sabre 32 reference DAC , balanced outputs (prefer balanced)
Vs.
Cambridge Audio CXU, Wolfson 8740 Dacs, single ended outputs

 The audio performance is as important to me as the video. Your feedback is appreciated.

N


reubent, randy- 11,

All great points. I have pleanty of media and hi rez. I can borrow a CXU from my local vendor over the weekend. I will need to order the Oppo. 

N
reubent, auxinput,  (I do prefer balanced outputs as the rest of my gear is balanced and most all of my cables)....

The local shop that I have been dealing with for about 20 years Audible Elegance in Montgomery, Oh. They having are  celebrating  their "30th anniversary".

In addition, I messaged Oppo in regards to production and availability of the BDP105 and here was their response.

We are no longer manufacturing or selling the BDP-10x series of players as we are replacing the BDP-103/D players with the UDP-203 UHD Player (http://oppodigital.com/uhd/) and will be manufacturing a replacement for the BDP-105/D players by early-2017.

Best Regards, 


Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
162 Constitution Dr. Menlo Park, CA 94025 [email protected]
Tel: 650-961-1118
Fax: 650-961-1119

I contacted Audio Advisor and they had a few left in stock. Only black units. I ordered one and it shipped this afternoon. I will demo it first. I can return if it doesn't perform well. It appears the Cambridge CXU will have pleanty of availability. 

N

I’ve had the OppoBDP105D and the Cambridge Audio CXU in my system since Tuesday. They have been running 24/7. Here is my take.
Oppo...
Pro- The oppo has great mid and high frequencies.
Pro- USB, Optical, and Coax input (especially USB).
Pro- Balanced outputs.
Pro- Headphone outlet on front
Pro- Netflix/Vudu/Pandora software
Pro- 14 awg three prong grounded power cord- upgrade opportunity.

Con- The bass is a bit disconnected- it seems (((bloated))) at times.
.......................
Cambridge CXU
Pro- Music- plenty of detail and energy. Very musical.
Pro- Bass frequency is taught and frankly deeper and more in control over the Opp.

Con- No headphone output on front panel.
Con- No "stop disc" button on front of player.
Con- Two prong non grounded power cord- limited upgrade opportunity.
Con- Single ended outputs only
Con- No Netflix/Vudu/Pandora software

More to follow.




Oppo BDP 105D
Pro- Smart Phone App.
Pro- HDMI connections are very secure, not overly tight. 
Pro- Streaming dongle included.

Cambridge Audio CXU 
Pro- able to play Android phone (MLH) on front panel through direct connection

Con- No smart Phone App./ Wireless.
Con- HDMI connections not very secure.
Con- No USB input, only Optical and Coaxial.

Video performance is about equal. Oppo has blacks and Cambridge has more detail. So at this point the conclusion is that the Oppo has more to offer in terms of options. And I think the exterior build quality is superior.  However the Cambridge CXU's sound quality on music playback edges ahead slightly. 

N


Yes- it will stream. It does have Android app. Thanks auxinput.

I introduced a Nordost Shiva Power cable into the mix. It solved the ((bloat)) on the Oppo and opened the soundstage too. High frequency energy is better. Additionally with more burn in it will get better.

Bottom line, I returned the Cambridge CXU this am and am keeping the OppoBDP105D . It has the build quality and feature set I'm seeking. 

In the meantime, thanks for the advice, and I apologize to my A'gon friends if I have strayed to far from Audio and wandered into the dark side. 

N
reubent,
I have not ran the 105 directly into the Levinson amp. I plan to. The Oppo has a 100 step volume control and it is factory set to 100. Caution: If anyone plans to, reduce the volume first. I suggest reducing the headphone volume also before testing as well.

N


I have not evaluated the 103D vs the 105D. However reports suggest the 105D has superior "audio" circuitry. In addition , the 105D includes a headphone amplifier which is pretty nice. The 103D does not. The 105D also includes 3 digital inputs, Coax, Optical and USB. The 103D doesn't appear to. The 103D does not include XLR connections either. The 105D chassis larger and heavier and the faceplate design is different. I would say that if auditioned simultaneously you would be able to pick a wimner. Not saying the Oppo is the best spinner on the market. Just saying it's going to meet my immediate needs for multimedia.  

N



You may be able to locate units at Oppo vendors. I found mine at Audio Advisor after speaking with Oppo. There may be others out there, but they may only have silver.

N
 Sorry to hear about your Lexicon. My OppoBDP105D is not my primary player but it keeps getting better with each disc I spin through it. SACD, HDCD playback great. I'm planning on upgrading the powercord again. (Currently Nordost Shiva) Does anyone have any positive feedback on power cords for Oppo? I'm currently using Audioquest Cheetah balanced (solid silver) interconnects with upgraded DBS. 

I've been mostly running it through a Anthem I225 Integrated Amplifier.  But it sounds superior through the Pre-output jacks, into my Levinson no. 334, or through my Classe' preamp/Levinson combo. I am still pleased with the purchass. Glad I got one before production stopped. Additionally, I can always send it out for mods.

N
jafant,

Thanks! It is built like a tank. Very powerful. Great low frequency grip. 

N