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OPPO 205 VS 105 QUESTIONS

     I'd like to upgrade from my current  Oppo 105 to the 205 but need advice on whether there are functions the 105 does that the 205 cannot.  I'm basically just looking to upgrade from the 1080p video playback of the 105 to the 4K playback of the 205 while still having all of the audio capabilities I currently use on the 105 
     I currently use the 105 in a combination 2-ch music and 5.1 surround ht audio system.  For video I have a 65" Panasonic plasma that is 1080p but wanted the 205 just in case I purchase a 4K OLED hdtv in the near future.  The 4K and high contrast color are really the only reasons I'm considering upgrading to the 205.
     But my questions are all concerned with the 205's audio capabilities:

1.  Can I connect the 205 to my Xfinity cable wi-fi router/modem via an rs43 ethernet cable just like the 105?
     My main 2-ch music source is a 2TB NAS, also connected to my wi-fi router/modem via ethernet,  that contains my entire 16/44 CD collection and a growing number of 24/96 hi-res music files. The NAS  only contains audio files, no video files.  I use a wireless laptop running JRiver Media Center to select the music file to play.  All is functioning flawlessly and just want to make sure swapping in the 205 via ethernet will work the same way.  I understand the 205 has the latest top of line Saber dac chips that are likely an improvement over the 105's Saber 9018 chips.  


2.  Can I send internet music files (currently only Spotify but likely others in the future)  to the 205 from my laptop for use as a digital streaming playback device utilizing its internal dacs just like the 105?  

3.  Can I connect the 205 directly to my amps as I currently do with the 105?  If so, does it have dedicated XLR l+r stereo outputs and rca outputs for the surround channels just like the 105?

4.  What would you do: be content with the 1080p Oppo 105 and Panasonic 1080p plasma that are functioning very well or upgrade to a 4K Oppo 205 and 4K OLED both with improved color capacity?

5.  Are there any other significant differences between the 105 and 205 that you think I should be aware of?

     I understand the 205 is currently in short supply but know that Oppo is planning on 1 final production run of the  205 before bowing out of the market. I did signup on the Oppo website fairly early for notification of future availability.  I really want to avoid buying one of the currently still available 205s, but at significantly increased prices, if I can.  I'm going to ask Oppo if I can reserve one of the final run units if I prepay.

Thanks in advance for your assistance,
   Tim
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Showing 3 responses by noble100

noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
2,419 posts
 
Hello auxinput and esthios13,

     Very helpful info, thanks a lot.
     I saw the picture quality of the latest 4K 65" LG B7 OLED paired with an Oppo 205 at a local a/v store and was very impressed. My thought is that It's kind of a mixed bag. At my viewing distance of 12-14 ft, I think the HDR10 and Dolby Vision improved color may be more obviously an improvement to me than the 4K. Not having Darbee and the streaming capabilities is fine with me. I currently own the 105, not the 105D with Darbee,
     Without hearing music files through the 205 and the upgraded Saber dac chips in my system, it's not possible to have a worthwhile opinion right now about how it compares to the Saber 9018 dac chips in the 105. 
     After just rethinking the wisdom and benefits of spending thousands for the 205 and a 4K OLED hdtv, I realized I currently don't actually have a strong perceived need to improve the audio or the video performance of my system. I think my current thinking is best described as firmly straddling the fence with an existing 1080p A/V system that is performing at a high level on one side and the prospect of an exciting and new 4K A/V system. with HDR10 and Dolby Vision for improved colors and possibly somewhat improved audio performance on the other side. 
     Like most of us, I'm easily enticed by things that are new, exciting and a bit different from what we have and become accustomed to.  This human tendency may explain the lure of system changes as well as extramarital affairs.
  Tim
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
2,419 posts
 
Hi junzhang10,

     Just to be clear, I own the 105, not the 105D. 
    Getting the 203 may be a good option if I can verify proper hookup to my 105 and future OLED hdtv. Here's my current thinking about proper hookup:

1.  Connect my Xfinity cable box's HDMI output to the 203's HDMI input.

2. Connect the 203's HDMI main output to the OLED hdtv's main HDMI input.

3.  Connect the 203's HDMI 'Audio Only' output to the 105's main HDMI input.  This would allow the 105 to decode the audio codec and output the 5.1 analog channels to my amps/speakers.

     I believe this setup would allow 4K video playback of 4K discs, cable content and  Netflix from the cable box outputted to my 4K hdtv and audio playback of the same outputted to my 105.   

     Anyone disagree?

     However,  I'm starting to realize I may be better off just being satisfied with my 1080p 105 and plasma hdtv. I know the 4K is unlikely to be a significant improvement for me due to my 12-14 ft. viewing distance. The main benefits I'll perceive are improved colors with the new HDR10 and Dolby Vision mostly with future content. However, I'll be sacrificing audio quality and convenience by using the 205 unless I Jerry-rig some extra hardware to my system.
      So, I need to determine whether to spend about $3,000 on an Oppo 205, 65" LG B7 OLED hdtv and a Roku or similar device for improved color reproduction and keeping my current functionality with streaming music and video  OR    keep the $3K,remain satisfied with a 1080p 105 and plasma for another 5-10 yrs and await the next technological breakthroughs in audio/video reproduction.

    I'm seriously leaning toward the latter option right now.

Tim     
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
2,419 posts
 
Hi basement and auxinput,

     I know the 105 uses Saber 9018 dac chips and the 205 uses Saber's newest and best dac chips.  Interesting that you think your older Theta Prime 3 dacs sound equal or better than the 205's.  Of course, there's more than just the dac chips used that determines the final sound quality.

     But I get your point.  Fortunately, I like the sound of my music files using the 105 as the dac.  I also notice there's a quieter background, more detail and greater dynamics when playing a Blu-ray disc compared to cable and streaming.  I was thinking the video differences may be less discernible to me due to the 105's video processing circuitry.
Thanks,
  Tim    
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