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Oppo 103 comparison with an Ayre Codex

I have a new Ayre Codex DAC, a pretty good DAC.   I connected my Oppo 103 to my preamp with RCA cables and also connected the Oppo via a decent Toslink cable.  I could switch back at forth RT between the analogue path vs the digital path > Ayre DAC and I will be damned if I can perceive any difference, not even in SPL.  The Codex was a bit of any improvement over my Ayre QB-9, a much-heralded DAC, which itself was a demonstrable improvement over the five sub-$1K DAC’s that preceded it streaming music from my iMac.  The QB-9 acquisition prompted me to sell my TT, it was that good.  The Codex is slightly better.

Two observations:
1.  The DAC in the Oppo 103 is very good.  
2.  Knowing that my $20 Toslink cable is as good as the RCA connection, it frees up the $350 Cerious Technology Graphene Express IC cables to be used elsewhere in my system.  

While I am moving to have all my music on an external HD and playing the music through the Audirvana software, with its error correction, etc., I will always have use a CD player.   By far, the great valued-component component in my sytem has long been the Oppo 103.  It was the best $550 I have ever spent in an audio purchase.  I did hear an Oppo 205 and it was slightly sonically superior to my Oppo 103, which makes sense.  I have no clue why Oppo discontinued their sales of the Oppo CDP’s.
whitestix
whitestix OP
684 posts
 
Mr M,
I guess I need to try XLR cables with the Codex again.  I tried in once and heard no difference.  I have inexpensive Monoprice XLR's so maybe I need to step up in quality to hear what you are hearing.  Don Sachs tells me the same thing with his Schiit Yggy.  

Noble,
I suspect you are exactly right about Oppo's decision to get out of the CDP business.  I was surprised on a visit to Thailand and Viet Nam where I saw Oppo signs on businesses, and got excited thinking they were audio stores.  Of course they were only selling cell phones.  

My Oppo 103 was far better than a Consonance tube CDP which was 6X the price of the Oppo.  On a whim, I sent the 103 to Stereo Dave's audio store in Seattle for some modest mods, which were just wonderful.  My pal, I swear, got the last 205D that Oppo sold and I kick myself for not getting one myself.  Check out the prices of used 205's -- shocking that they are selling at 2-3X the list price.  I dunno, maybe there are other CDP's as worthy as the 105/205 at similar prices, but I repeat again Oppo provides a glimpse of hifi sound at an incredibly modest price.  Considering price vs. performance, my 103 has been my best acquisition every.  

whitestix OP
684 posts
 
Gents,
I hooked up XLR cables to my Oppo and compared it to the RCA connections and the difference in sound is rather noticeable. It seems to reduce the glare to a certain degree and to my ears it is preferable.  Any recommendations for good XLR cables that don't break the bank would be appreciated as I roll as a "cheap and cheerful" sort of audiophile.   
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
whitestix,

I have an extra pair of balanced Purist Audio Museaus interconnects (1 meter). If interested, PM me.:-)
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
whitestix:
 "I dunno, maybe there are other CDP's as worthy as the 105/205 at similar prices, but I repeat again Oppo provides a glimpse of hifi sound at an incredibly modest price.  Considering price vs. performance, my 103 has been my best acquisition every."

Hello whitestix,

     I heard a rumor that Panasonic was going to come out with a high quality Blu-ray player meant to compete with the Oppo 205.  I would think Oppo dropping out of the market would only increase demand for such a product.

Tim
whitestix OP
684 posts
 
Noble,
Very interesting.  Personally, I always wished that Oppo would produce an audio-only DAC and dispense with the video aspect of the units. But I understand that the video folks love the Oppo's as much as us audiophiles.  Thanks.  
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