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Oppo Vs Esoteric

Folks,
I would like to acknowledge the fact that I have heard the Esoteric players at AXPONA and coupe of other places. But my question is how much better is a Esoteric K-07X or K-05X compared to the Oppo UDP-205? I know that the Oppo UDP-205 is a killer machine for $1300. But it is a Jack Of All Trades, while the Esoteric is (soft of) Master Of One. So in that sense, can anyone let me know if it is really worth spending $$$$$ on the Esoteric (or a Marantz SA-10 or Luxman) compared to the Oppo?
Please share your experiences if you have compared the Oppo UDP-205 to any high end CD/SACD player.
Thanks!
128x128milpai

Showing 2 responses by dlcockrum

dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
HDMI and I2S are not the same thing and, if I understand correctly, are not compatible even though both use a "HDMI cable" (with some I2S using RJ45).

The BDA-3 does have 2 channel HDMI capability, but the Holo and the Denafrips are I2S and would not work with the Oppo as a transport via its HDMI output, but of course would work as a transport for all via Coax S/PDIF..

Dave
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
My MW Sony 5400ES has a similar HDMI audio output and I run it to one of my Onkyo HT processor’s HDMI inputs to play multichannel music from SACD. Works nice and the only way to pass a SACD’s DSD raw signal in digital form to another device for D to A conversion as the HDMI handshake provides copy protection to eliminate risk of copying the DSD files from SACD. Won’t do it via Coax S/SPDIF (only a converted PCM file from here).

HDMI DSD output is not I2S compatible so will not work with the Holo nor the Denafrips I2S input but should with BDA-3 and other HDMI compatible DACs as I previously stated.

Dave
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