Is OPPO losing it's way?


Their new 'upgrade' Sonica DAC is using the new ESS ES9038PRO Sabre Dac; while the new
UHD player UDP-203 uses the new AKM (4458). What gives? Why not just use the best for both-especially with the promise of UHD?
ptss

Showing 3 responses by mward

I second oddiofyl.  The 103 is best with an external dac and makes a great streamer. If you like Pandora on the 103, give Tidal a try.  
I've been thinking about the original question of this thread, "Is Oppo losing it's way?".  I don't think they have lost their way because they still make good products, but I miss the days of the BDP-83 when their top tier product cost $500 and you didn't have to choose between it and a higher tier option.  The 83 came with separate analog outputs for 2-channel stereo as well as 5 analog outs for multi-channel, different dac chips for each. Oppo made its name by being the smart choice for budget conscious audio/video enthusiasts.  I don't think that is their M.O. anymore.  I chose the 103 because I believe external DAC's are the way to go, so I appreciate having a 103 to choose, but the same $500 that bought me the 83 with the top of the line features no longer buys those features.  They're gone from the $500 range.  And the next step up is a big one.
I guess, but you can see the road that leads down.  Maybe someday they'll make a $4000 player that sounds as good as a $6000 player.  It's leaving their original $500 customers in the dust.  They sell great products, just not in the sub $1000 range anymore.  That's the "way" they might be losing.