That's what I thought. Oppo told me they strongly advise stand by mode when the unit is not in use. My take is the gentleman I've spoken with at Oppo 2x is not an audiophile. |
"There may be a rumored surprise around the corner for this! While I'm not sure about the details, I do know it has something to do with Apple!"
Darn, when I saw the title of your topic, I was hoping you were referencing iso's & firmware! (-: |
That would be nice. If the 95 would have had that option I would likely have sold my PS Audio DAC
"I think there's a new flagship from Oppo coming that will include inputs to the DAC to make it an all-in-one media centre. A bit like the Ayre I guess" |
I recently purchased a 95. I have heard that some people suggest using an aftermarket power cord with the 95. Any suggestions for an under $100 cord that anyone has specifically had good results with on the 95? |
Thank you much for the tips! I'll need to check on the FL/FR; all other settings are as you suggest. |
I also have a question on the burn-in, as I couldn't get a straight answer on this when I called Oppo.
When we talk about burn in, are we referencing:
1. Hours plugged into the wall
2. Hours in power up mode as opposed to standby
or
3. Hours playing a signal
Also, is standby sufficient to keep the unit warmed up for peak audio performance, or is leaving it in full powered on mode (as I have been doing) necessary? |
Thanks again for the info on FL/FR VS Downmix. I did have it set for downmix. I re-read the owner's manual, & that portion is very poorly written. I still don't really understand what Oppo is saying there (I did understand your post though), & suspect I perceived that setting as focusing on 5.1 movie audio; with the assumption I needed to enable downmix for stereo playback. While I am also using the player for video, I only have 2 speakers (& don't expect that to change). |
While it took several emails to get them to understand what i was asking, it appears that we were wrong on this,
"When using the dedicated stereo or the XLR outputs, the four DAC channels are stacked in parallel automatically.
When using the Front Left and Right output from the multi-channel analog outputs, then you can't stack the DAC channels. It is a single DAC channel per output.
Best Regards,
Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc." |
Having lived with a stock 95 for about 1 month & a half:
Strengths:
1. Value to price compared to any other unit i've ever heard/seen is astonishing
2. Soundstaging is the best I have ever heard un my system, including a $3k analog front end.
3. Video is excellent.
4. Plays iso's with firmware through 12/12.
Weaknesses
1.Internal computer glitches require occasional power cycles. I've only experienced this on audio
2. SLIGHTLY forward midrange. It still is by far the best sounding cd player I've heard under 3k, & the best hi-res player I've heard at any price; but I suspect if one had more $'s to spend there are probably more refined players out there tonally. But likely not at this price, or even close to it. (caveat: I have not heard the Nu-Force 93).
I have gotten so quickly & totally used to the 3d soundstaging that's it's become almost impossible to listen to 44/16 on my high end system! |
12/12 SHOULD have said "12/11". Firmware after Dec 2011 disables iso playback. |
Jdub39: I'm using a Shunyata venom 3 power cord & Tara Analog standard interconnect ($200 in the mid 90's).
Could you be more specific as to what you mean by "readjusting toe-in and rake"?
In my room, the speakers are pointed straight ahead because they're fairly close to my listening seat & they're large. (I'm using the old rule of 1/3's for speaker placement)
Not sure what rake is, & are you referencing the speakers or the unit itself for vibration control? |
I'm very fond of the USB input other than the 1/2 second delay between tracks with pc files which Oppo told me is a known issue they don't plan to fix.
Usually it's no big deal, but try listening to side 2 of Abbey Road as an example of it becoming irritating!
That said, i have 7 1/2 32gb USB drives filled up with hi res files & i love it! |
I finally got to do some 16/44 redbook cd comparison between the Oppo & my Esoteric P-10/PS Audio SL-3 cd front end. My tentative conclusion: At less than 1/3 of what I paid for the cd components in the 90's the Oppo has significantly better soundstaging on cd, though I have a SLIGHT preference tonally for the old player (on cd only).
I'm going to do more listening before i make a final decision, but I'm starting to lean towards selling the old system though I'm not sure if I'd be able to get enough for it to make it worth my while (i.e. it may be worth more to me than to anyone else); & also the Oppo doesn't have a straight s/pdif digital input which I may still need occasionally for dat &/or cd recorder. |
I have a question related to this thread:
I've been using USB keys for Hi-res flac files. My understanding is that per HD Tracks & others, the fact that USB drives have no moving parts tends to reduce jitter.
I am about to be gifted with a 3rd 2 tb USB e-sata hd that I currently have no use for.
Questions:
1. Would the hard drive's spinning degrade the sound (hi res) as compared to a non moving flash?
2. Does a USB connection require a high quality digital cable like an spdif does? If so, how good? I'm using a $300 Illluminati on my cd front end. Is something this high
quality required for usb? |
Bought the Shunyata Venom 3 tonight. Looking forward to hearing it when it arrives.
I'm starting to come to some opinions on the 95; I assume it's close to burned in at 3 weeks.
On hi-res:
+: Tremendous soundstaging, & very nice tonally on male vocals.
- Not the best detailing, a bit bright (though at a bit higher frequency than most bright players; I'd sat the brightness starts at around 3 k), & very unforgiving of bad mastering.
I have a suspicion that when my finances improve, I'll be looking into the mod companies offerings.
On cd: Not as good as my 3x more expensive 90's system (Esoteric P-10->Illuminati->PS Audio SL3 but surprisingly close.
Video: tremendous picture into my old Sony 480o Wega CRY. Best dvd picture I've ever seen in my home
Performance/price ratio: Pretty amazing
I am aware it may still burn in a bit more; but since I', hearing what other users have also written, I suspect we're getting close. I do also plan to play a bit more with cabling; I've been using a set of 90's Tara Analog standard (the same brand & model of cable I use on my cd front end); but due to a repair I no longer am able to view the directionality of this specific cable.
I read somewhere that even using the HDMI for video (which I'm currently not) negatively impacts the sound. I hope that isn't true, as someday I'll likely buy a 21st century television! |
Thanks to all again for your help. The FL/FR option definitely made a difference. IMO, they really need to re-write that section of the owner's manual; as it's pretty confusing.
It would be nice if they just devoted one page to all the optimal setting for best sounding 2 channel audio. I THINK I'm there now! At least I had the brains to use the dedicated stereo outputs from day 1!
My initial listening with the change seemed to show a moderation of the tone on USB Flac hi-res (a good thing), & a wider & more 3d soundstage on red book cd.
The power cord is supposed to be here tomorrow.
Unfortunately, the local power co shut off electricity today all day for cable repairs. From past experience I need to re-power up the system for at least 3 days before doing any serious listening. |
Just a couple quicky comments: I'm at around 5 weeks powered up. Using the Venom power cord, & 90's $200 Tara Analog standard interconnect.
While very sensitive to the mastering quality of what it's playing, on hi res this puppy is STAGGERING. I only better front end I have ever owned was an entry level ($2k in early 90's dollars I think) Well Tempered Record Player with a Blue Point standard; & that's by an OLD memory as I had to sell the TT in 1995.
I haven't done much redbook listening due to time constraints. Did a quicky comparison tonight between my old but beloved Esoteric P-10->Illuminati->PS Audio SL3 & the BDP 95. The comparison was a bit flawed as somehow the PS Audio had been powered down (I don't know for how long). Under those circumstances the Oppo was more refined & had a better soundstage (IMO soundstaging is this puppy's #1 strength).
For the price this puppy is amazing; especially if you look at it as a $500 Blu-ray player & $500 audio player!
At this point I'd say it has 4 main weaknesses, all of which I can live with at this price point:
1. Unforgiving of bad mastering
2. Occasional lock ups & glitches with the eternal computer
3. Apparently parts of the HDCD licensing have changed since the 90's; HDCD red book is AT LEAST the uncorrected 3db quieter than regular cd; it feels like considerably more than 3 db.
4. 1/2 second or so pause between tracks when playing computer files. Usually this is no big deal, but it made side 2 of Abbey Road (as an example) pretty unlistenable!
Oppo tells me this is a known issue that they DON'T plan to fix. |
Just an fyi, having now owned the stock 95 for a little over 7 months, I am very pleased. For the price, it sounds superb on high rez, though it is slightly less refined on redbook than my $3200 (in the 90's) Esoteric P-10-?Illuminati->PS Audio SL3 cd front end.
Also has the best video quality I've ever experienced, & that's through the component out, using the lesser of the 2 video processors.
My only significant complaints/caveats is make SURE you get one with firmware from 12/11 or earlier if you want to play iso's.
It would also be nice if it didn't have the 2 second pause between tracks on .flac playback. |
