Oppo 83 transport and DAC


I love LPs, but have listened to more SACDs and CDs in the last few years (mostly international folk songs and music). Getting OPPO 83 for Blu-ray recently, I don't know how I can max out Oppo audio quality to my MFA Magus Pre-amp and Sun Audio 2A3 power amp, and Lowther's speakers (set up purposely for my Teres turntable and Shelter's cartridge). I heard that the OPPO 83's weakest link is its DAC, so I wonder what DACs will work with the 83's transport well to give me the midrange and extended bass I am used to. I do not want to spend $5K DAC that will not help the 83's transport. So, Question 1: Anyone knows how good the 83's transport is? Question 2: Which DAC will work for my 83's? MSB Link III, Musical Fidelity A3 (24), MHdT Havana or Paradisea, CAL Sigma, Benchmark, TUDAC, PS audio, Cambridge Audio? Help! thanks
ykk

Showing 1 response by bondmanp

Ykk: I think you are a bit confused. The DAC chip inside any player provides an analog signal to the analog output stage, where it is amplified enough to provide enough voltage to drive a preamp's input section. Outboard DACs may or may not use different DAC chips than the Oppo, but it is the design of the output stage that has a big impact on sound quality. Well-regarded outboard DACs not only have high quality DAC chips, but also have well designed analog output stages (and power supplies, etc.). When you output a digital signal from the Oppo, you bypass both the Oppo's internal DAC chips and the Oppo's analog output stage.

Even with the best, SOTA DAC chips, an analog output stage designed to come in under a certain price point or that is just poorly designed will not sound as good as an even cheaper DAC chip that is used in a well-designed high end DAC with a good analog output stage.