OPPO BDP 83 as Redbook player?

If concerned about mod'ing the Oppo BDP-83, how well does it work as a transport with - say a DACMagic or Benchmark DAC? Anybody go this route?

I've had my BDP 83 for about 3 months now. I have been tinkering with the sound as a transport with an external DAC and different cables.

I hooked in a DacMagic to the Oppo via a high quality Analysis Plus digital interconnect. I am running the DacMagic into my Integra processor via Kimber balanced interconnects.

I have been comparing the sound of the Oppo player through three different connections for 2 channel sound.

1) Oppo 83 player playing two channel via HDMI connection, DVD input, hdmi connection

2) Oppo 83 player playing two channel through analog connections with no external DAC - DVD input, analog connection

3) Oppo 83 player playing two channel connected to Cambridge DacMagic described above - CD input on processor

My analysis is ranked below: Best resolving sound, warmth

#1 - Oppo connected to DacMagic, warmer sound with better clarity from highs to low bass

#2 - Oppo connected via analogs

#3 - Oppo connected via HDMI - a little edgy across the board to my ear. Increased + 5-7 dbz's via HDMI

This is just my personal preference in listening to two channel via the Oppo 83. Not scientific, just the way I like the sound.

Playing through Usher BE 718 Monitors, ATI 3007 amp, Integra Processor.

I actually have a second player that I kept in my system and I am experimenting versus the Oppo. I have been comparing the Oppo to my Arcam DV 139 for music. I have to say the Arcam is much smoother in playing music, but it is also 4 times the cost.

Oppo is great for DVDvideo and BluRay video. I think I will just run two players and have the best of both worlds.

Thanks Todd - helpful.

My Oppo 83 just arrived. So far it has blown away my Sony S500 BR and my Maraantz DV6400 SACD players. I know these players are not top of the line, I got them just to check out these formats. I have a few SACD's but the 83 has made me want more. With the BlueRay, the picture is much better and the loading time is now acceptable. As far as a CD player it is not to my liking. I am waiting for my new DAC to show up to see if I will like it as a CD transport. If not I may have the Oppo modded after the first year. I did take out an extended 1 year warrenty but I have blown more money on records I do not like than I did on the warrenty. I will also let it breakin for while before I decide to Mod it. I also like the fact that it has USB inputs.
Tried my XBox 360 HDdrive with no success. Thought I may be able to replace 3 players with one.

I have the oppo 83, and I have to say that as a CD player, it is average.

I also have the Cambridge Audio 840C, so maybe not fair to compare it to a $1500 CD player. The Oppo does not in any way compare to the 840C on CD playback. The Oppo is thin and on the screetchy side with CD. BTW, I am also using the same audio cables from my 840C to test the Oppo for CD playback, so signal loss due to cable differences.

I am very happy with the blu-ray audio quality (very happy with that side, fantastic), and SACD sounds better than my previous universal Denon 1920 or Pioneer 563A.

However, I can't say the same for DVD-Audio. My Pioneer and Denon both did a better job with DVD-Audio. More whole sounding. The Oppo plays DVD-Audio a bit disjointed, with the music not sounding "together". I have a bunch of DVD Audio and SACD discs to compare with, and a ton of CD. I know Oppo added DVD Audio support near the end of beta, so on the quality side I think that was a bit of an afterthought for them.

However, I am very happy with the Oppo overall. Would not trade it in.

Hope that helps.