Oppo BDP-83 SE vs McCormack UDP-1 Deluxe

Petek, when did you send your Sony to TUC? I have a very hard time beleiving that the mod from these guys barely surpassed the UDP deluxe. I am also very surprised that the stock Sony XA5400 did not compete very close to the UDP. My modded 83SE and Denon 5910 make a EMM CDSA SE sound lifeless and small in comparison. The stock Oppo 83SE is no slouch when it comes to stock units either. I wouldn't hesitate on sending a stock 83SE to TUC. The 83SE has a ton of potential and a lot of people are modding this unit with good results.

11-01-10: Paul2k7
Thanks for chiming in guys! Looks like Rwwear, Kal are in BDP-83 camp

Actually, I am in the HDMI camp.

Kal

Kal, I totally get (and dig) HDMI for movies. But for "music only" not sure?

IMO HDMI complicates (and severley limits) stereo/audio setup, requiring a good quality HDMI equipped pre/pro, which eliminates 95+% of audiophile gear.

Which HDMI based pre/pro (< $1k) or integrated (< $2.5k) would you recommend, for audio only?

thanks,
Paul

I would wait and check out the new OPPO 93 replaces the OPPO 83 or the new OPPO 95 that replaces the 83SE. These players will be shipping shorty and are a jump in performance.

People are already dumping their 83s and 83SEs here right now...

Paul,

Not Kal responding, but my Sony XA5400ES is set up to output either HDMI or analog XLR to my Cary Cinema 11a processor. I prefer the HDMI even for stereo, but a well done bit-streamed multichannel SACD tips the scale heavily in favor of HDMI. My impression is that the Cary Cinema 11a is an excellent choice for audio quality.

db