Recommendations for Blu-ray Player


Guys, I'm so close to a solution for my 2-ch system. Looking for Blu-ray player recommendations thats fit the following:

  • Stream AmazonUHD, NAS, YouTube (and any other common audio/video streaming apps)
  • 24-bit/192kHz PCM audio quality
  • Ethernet and Wifi
  • HDMI and Coax outputs
  • Prefer: full-component width, front-panel display, on-screen menu system
I currently have a Sony BDP-S7200 that does everything above except no AmazonUHD app. And as easy as it would be to add it (Sony is an AmazonUHD partner) - Sony probably won't. Tidal option would be nice too. 

Thanks for your recommendations! When/if I find something, I'll report back.
128x128mwatsme
Google shows NO hits for AmazonUHD app except for this post. No clue what you're talking about.
And why would you want a quality audio streaming service on a video player?
Nobody else does so you'll have to build a one off.
Easier and cheaper to get a streamer.
I would simply get a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick and keep your Sony for discs. A smarter and much less expensive alternative, and tons of streaming options available to you, including Tidal. Heck, most smart TV’s can steam what you want to via apps.
@fuzztone AmazonUHD = Amazon Prime Music Ultra High Definition it's kind of like Tidal Masters or whatever other HD streaming services are out there.

@bkeske think those devices have HDMI out only. For audio, I need it to be coax - the HDMI will connect to a TV for watching music videos (concerts, etc.) Also, I only have one coax input to bring in all the audio, so all content needs to be on one coax output, rules out the TV option.
Blueray players seem to be few and far between these days. Like the previous responses, I don’t think there’s anything on the market that would be a blueray player AND have the Amazon UHD app/capability with a coax out. 
I was thinking you could utilize a Amazon Fire TV Cube with HDMI routed through a receiver (for audio playback) and then to the tv (for video), but even then, Amazon limits their audio stream to 16 bit...

Curious myself if there’s something out there that fits your needs. Interesting situation.
Check out the Yamaha BD-S681. It has an Ethernet port, plus analog audio, coax, and HDMI outputs, and you might be surprised how good the internal DAC performs to the analog outs. For streaming, you can use a UPnP app like mconnect, or use the WiFi Direct feature to stream anything you can play on a WiFi connected device, like AmazonUHD.  
I have a Yamaha BD-A1040, and I can tell you, trying to stream any video from it is a painful and terrible experience. And the internal DAC? Nope, all my CD play goes digital cable out to my PS Audio DAC>2 channel pre. For me, it’s basically a transport, and the rare DVD or BlueRay disc use, but again, that is almost never used anymore. Not with the options available by streaming devices and services.

I have a Yamaha AV receiver which drives all my HT 5.1 sound, including my Yamaha DVD/BlueRay via an HDMI to the AV receiver. All my music is 2 channel and separate (amp, pre, and sources), the pre-amp has a pass-through for the front main speakers when in HT mode for watching TV and movies.

Pretty simple really. My Roku is connected to the TV via one of its HDMI ports, then sound from the TV to the AV receiver via another HDMI (ARC) port (I don’t need an optical cable for sound from the TV). So, all video streaming is done by my Roku (or Samsung smart TV) and sound fed to my AV receiver via the ARC HDMI. My DVD/BlueRay connects to the AV receiver via HDMI for 5.1 playback. And again, for music use, connects to my DAC via digital cable. Again, many video and music/radio streaming options with the Roku, including Tidal, although I don’t use Tidal through the Roku, but can.

Bottom line, I doubt anyone will be too happy streaming through a DVD/BlueRay player available today. Some say Oppo’s are better in that respect, but not made anymore, so non-upgradable for various existing and new services. That is a technology that has been surpassed by a Roku, Fire Stick, or similar, is a much better experience, and has updatable OS software via internet connection. These players/streamers like my Yamaha haven’t had an update in months if not years, and cannot come close to the performance of the alternatives available.

I don’t have cable, I switched to streaming my TV (or by antenna for air reception). It’s the future, and a future I doubt any of the DVD/BlueRay players can or will try to compete with going forward.
@bkeske wow, that sounds like a big plate of spaghetti cabling. Think I'd have to see a drawing to comprehend it properly.
Yes, we too (like many others) cut the cable when Netflix went online - 2008'ish. So it's been... over a decade? How can that much time have passed - feeling old.

There is a full HT system in the basement (Denon AVR-X7400H, Xbox1S, 7.4.2 surround (if you count the GoldenEar Tritons built-in active bass as subs - which I do), all the 'surround' effect speakers are Martin Logan (SLM-XLs and in-ceilings). Honestly, I wouldn't mess with that system unless there was no other option.

The 'primary' 2-ch system consists of NAD C388 class D/H? (with BluOS2i and HDMI-2 modules added) run through ATI class A/B (for testing class D vs A/B) and various speakers turn-through the stable - it's a bit of a test-bed for music listening and system tweaking in a dedicated space upstairs.

This project has to do with the 'secondary' 2ch system built into the 'primary' 2ch system - for fun/discovery. Linkwitz LXmini speakers - which I have found to outperform practically everything, including Martin Logan electrostats (which I currently have for sale), and Tekton DI (w/factory upgrade) that I sold very recently. Problem with LXmini is, if you want to tweak them to your liking (like voice them to match Tektons - haha), you can't go the Pass Labs passive crossover route - you must use a 4-channel DSP. Problem with DSP (even the miniDSP4x10HD that I use) is the weak (by some standards) built-in DAC. So how to get the most from a DAC... use USB or coax inputs (optical is limited). The 4x10HD has one (1) coax out - but 2 are needed to produce 4 independent channels required by LXmini. Enter the miniDSP nanoDIGI (with 1 coax in and 4 coax outs and no DACs). Then all you need is two (or in my case 4 - gotta control that sub bass) stereo DACs.
I chose the economical yet highly rated and known to be warm (non-analytical) Topping E30 (x4). This secondary 'fun' system is to be connected like this:

Multi-disc streamer --coax(x1)--> miniDSP 4x10HD (for volume control and input switching) --coax(x1)--> miniDSP nanoDIGI (for active LXmini crossover) --coax(x4)--> Topping E30 (x4) --RCA(x4pr) --> ATI 6012 (12ch amp)
--Spkr(x4)--> LXmini speakers (play down to 35Hz)
--Spkr(x4 bridged = 220wX2)--> open-baffle subs (play below 35Hz)

Notice the small issue above with the miniDSP4x10HD - where it has only one coax input for digital sources - then it also has balanced and unbalanced inputs to be used for analog sources (but those are AD-converted at the input). With this system architecture, all digital sources will have only one DA conversion - performed simultaneously (with ease) by four (4) Topping E30's.

I just need to find that multi-disc streamer with AmazonUHD, coax and HDMI outputs. Even if it had just HDMI out, I could get-by using an audio extractor - but that would likely limit the signal quality, as those extractors are pretty cheap (looking).

@limomangus I did find one Marantz product that is close, the ND8006 is a CD-playing streamer with HEOS. My HT AVR is a Denon with HEOS, and it has Amazon UHD capability (think all HEOS does). ND8006 is missing video entirely, but it does have a coax input - where I could connect the coax output of the Sony Blu-ray player. It just seems like an expensive solution for not being complete. I find nothing in the Denon lineup that fits the bill.

@bkeske the smart TV idea might have merit - if it had a coax output that would pass-through audio from the Sony Blu-ray player HDMI connection - that search is beyond me... way too many choices when TV shopping.
HiMedia S500 player with a linear power supply.  It's one of the only two "generic" Android 9.0 OS devices, supporting full AndroidTV and Google Play apps, including Amazon Music for HD.  Alternatively, Nvidia Shield, but it has a proprietary power cable.

Maybe FireTV Cube with linear power supply, but it has a smaller non-standard DC plug.  An SBooster with all the different adapters would likely work).

Roku with linear power supply?

Unfortunately, all these devices only output audio through HDMI.  There really isn't any device that does what you want and still has a digital COAX output.
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OPPO BDP 105, Buy one if you can find it. Luckily OPPO was forward thinking enough so that you dont need firmware updates or any kind of updates. The great news is it will handle all your requested needs and then some!  I would buy one in a heartbeat if available because as bkeske has stated they dont make these anymore! (a Firestick hardly replaces this unit ,not even close).Because they are disc players OPPO is doing there forward thinking agian and sees discs are bad! LOL.


OPPO Digital universal players support a wide variety of audio file formats and sampling rates. When playing high resolution audio content from a USB hard drive, all of the typical high resolution audio formats are supported, including WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, and DSF/DFF.

USB Hard Drive and Network (SMB, NFS, and DLNA): Stereo and multi-channel PCM up to 192 kHz. Stereo and multi-channel DSD up to 2.8 MHz (DSD64).

USB DAC Input: Stereo PCM up to 192 kHz.


There are preowned ones still available....I think.

www.amazon.com/OPPO-BDP-105-Universal-Audiophile-Blu-ray/dp/B00BEZQU3G



Also,  1. These are highly modded by MODWRIGHT Instruments,

       2. You can add a very high quality dedicated music streamer via the OPPOs USB 2.0 audio connection :-)




Matt M
Oppo 103/105 is an excellent platform for streaming, but options are limited.  I know it streams Netflix and only a few other providers. It does NOT stream anything from Amazon.
I'm not sure there's an all-in-one box that will do what you want.  You want a blu-ray player for your two channel system?  

I have a combination 2 channel / home theater setup.  My preamp has a home theater bypass option so I can use it for both.  

My 2 channel system does not use my Oppo UDP-203 in any way.  I have a streamer that I use for streaming music.  I use my Blu-Ray player to watch Blu-Ray and 4K movies.  That's it.  For video streaming I have a Roku.

Space and budget may prevent you from getting purpose driven devices, but if you can get the right tool for each task instead of trying to use a Swiss Army Knife for everything.
@mattmiller

(a Firestick hardly replaces this unit ,not even close)

Well, I would strongly disagree with that. Like a Roku, A FireStick or similar, steams literally hundreds of video and music sources. Like I say, I cut the cord years ago, and use my Roku for YouTube TV and Philo (my live TV sources right now), YouTube, AppleTV, Pluto, and numerous other steaming and movie apps, (too many to list, most all free), The Digital Concert Hall (which I have a membership to watch the Berlin Philharmonic live), and so many various music and radio apps are available. Today, most ’smart TV’s do not offer the channels (apps) available on these dedicated streaming devices, and actually newer ones seem to have less streaming apps available today than just 2-4 years ago.

There is no DVD/BlueRay box that can do what a dedicated video and live TV streamer can do.

But, for critical music listening, I bypass all that and switch to my dedicated 2-channel system. Including Tidal, which I also send through my DAC. All in the same room.
Really because not only does it do everything you mentioned the Oppo will connect your Cloud Subscriptions with Professional Balanced Audio outputs, which no Firestick has, nor can it play discs, any disc for that matter, many people still own a vast library of them. Also, you can connect a high end music streamer via its 2.0 audio USB connection forming a very high end digital source. Point is the Oppo 105 is way better then a firestick in terms of versatility.
I think my comments are more regarding video streaming various video apps, such as Amazon .

Here is a review of the Oppo 205 regarding streaming:

STREAMING

The UDP-205 is also an asynchronous USB DAC but unfortunately I couldn’t give it a try. If you have a Mac you’re good to go, but Windows operating systems will need the appropriate file from OPPO’s website to get it working. My laptop has never behaved correctly since the Windows 10 update, and even after the download, my laptop wouldn’t make the match without problems. Boo to that. This isn’t an OPPO issue, it’s a Samsung laptop issue since Samsung no longer supports their older laptops. The OPPO UDP-205 can stream content from mass storage devices through the dual USB 3.0 inputs, as well as your home network. Unfortunately, there are no built-in apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or YouTube. Since I have a projector and not a SmartTV, I need an external device that’s 4K-HDR capable for these apps. I’d like the OPPO to be the solution, but it isn’t. You’ll need to connect that other device through the OPPO’s HDMI 2.0 input, your AVR, or directly to the display. Streaming quality is a mixed bag though, even from 4K HDR Netflix and Amazon Prime offerings. The high compression just destroys the image. I’d like to have these services within the player to reduce signal path and the number of boxes I have in my system. It’s a bit of a bummer if you use these services, but this is only one shortcoming of an otherwise excellent player.


Or this one:

And by "the latest in video wizardy," I mean that the UDP-205 is built on the same platform as OPPO’s UDP-203, which Adrienne Maxwell reviewed back in January. As with that player, the UDP-205 shares quite a lot in common with OPPO’s previous universal disc players, and it features a number of noteworthy differences. Gone, for example, are streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. That’s not a major loss, given that most of us have probably moved on to dedicated streaming media players for accessing such services. But gone, too, is the front-panel MHL HDMI input, which is a major bummer for me, since I use said input on my BDP-103 to connect my MHL Roku Stick.

Im not dissing the Oppo, I almost purchased one before buying my Yamaha (but steaming was not a factor as I was always going to use a separate device for that), but in terms of a ’one box’ solution to use video streaming services directly within it, I’m not sure it’s the answer. A Roku played can provide UHD if available by the service (you have to purchase the correct model that has that capability), and can send full surround sound to the receiver as well via the TV>receiver. I don’t know much about the details of the Amazon Firestick as I’ve never owned one.

As the OP seems to want High Def video streaming service (which a video steaming device can offer), but is attempting to also use a 2-channel set-up for sound, I’m not sure HT sound is important.
An Oppo BDP-105 is not a " high end digital source".  It's a little above entry level, and a great multi-purpose unit in its time, but it's long in the tooth.  The DAC is easily surpassed, your streaming options are limited, it's not a great CD player, doesn't support 4K, doesn't do Atmos, not to mention, good luck getting support on one.  Add to that, people are asking ridiculous prices for them, and it just isn't a good recommendation.  I still have one in my bedroom, but I rarely ever use it and I only use the BDP-203 in my main system for movies.
Think I can find what I'm looking for if I relent on the coax output, and use the optical input to miniDSP4x10HD instead.

I don't remember precisely why SPDIF optical is not as good as SPDIF coax - I just remember reading several comments where AES and optical were shunned when compared to coax digital signal quality.

Is there an inherent digital limitation with optical, or is it a conversion/generation loss issue?
The problem with optical toslink is that the light emitting diodes (LED) cannot light up fast enough to produce a perfect square wave.  The wave comes out almost curvy (almost like an analog sine wave).  You also have potential problems with the light receiver.  As far as how this affects sound quality, I can't really say. But I have compared toslink to COAX and COAX is always better as long as you have a good digital cable.
@mattmiller 

I thought this was Audiogon not Videogon bkeske....???

I did not start the discussion.
i am streaming from a Oppo 103 into an external DAC Tidal hi-res. sounds very very good.  however not sure if a dedicated streamer like an Auralic or Bluesound ect.  would sound better going into a DAC?