oppo's volume control

Moving the debate on....although personally I wouldn't put anything direct into a power amp other than an Oppo 105-that's the machine designed for optimum stereo playback....I have had the chance now to try the Oppo in this mode.

I've upgrade my amp to a Rega Osiris which has the ability to take a direct input.

The first thing I noticed due to the gain differences is that at volume level 1 on the Oppo is pretty loud as a starting point (0 is mute) although I've ordered some attenuators to see how that works.

What I do prefer is that the Oppo gives a much tighter volume control that the Osiris itself-that 0.5db increase is nice.

I haven't done this particularly analytically and I don't have a sound meter but I have a quick A/B using Beck's Sea Change (HDCD) and Radiohead's OK Computer.

To me the most obvious thing is that going in direct has a much more closed in sound-my speakers neither project the detail or 3D sound staging. It is noticeably different and possibly the change in presentation (I've only had the amp 4 days and only listened normally during that time) is off putting and I'm missing some positives but my gut reaction off the bat etc etc is that in my system with my amp going direct seems inferior and noticeably so.

I will return to this in more detail later as I do prefer the volume control steps via the Oppo.

With the volume issue, how are you connecting the Oppo, XLR or RCA's? Hopefully it's XLR because you'll get about 6 db less using the RCA's which might help your volume issue. I tried anntenuators too but I was concerned that another item in the signal chain wasn't a great idea, although I don't remember detecting anything bad. My results using the Oppo 95 direct to amp were decent, just not as good as with a preamp in the mix.

Runnin the Direct channel on the Osiris is RCA -indeed it only has one XLR input.

As it is I haven't even tried XLR-as my current cables were a tad short due to the Osiris having it's XLR at the far end of things.

I have an XLR cable due along with a set of attenuators for both set ups-RCA and XLR just to see how they work out. I was a tad worried about the extra volume on the XLR so I'm buying a pair just to see.

The Osiris has been reviewed as performing better on XLR and my dealer reckons this is also the case so we will see.

Attenuators are relatively cheap-like yourself I have some concerns but I suppose you trust your ears-they can come back out.

That's the fun of this hobby, there are so many options to tinker with! That Rega looks like quite the unit, please update us with your findings.

Runnin,
You aren't alone in your preference for a high quality preamp. They do complete the sonic picture and music sounds more real, natural and less sterile and "hifi". Others prefer a different sound that in their opinion is more accurate or correct. I find this personally to be an incomplete and artificial (stripped of tone, body and vibrancy).This is .one of those topics where there will be forever opposing perspectives ( which is fine with me). There's enough room in this hobby for us all to coexist and choose our own pathway to audio satisfaction. What some would call"pleasing coloration" I hear as natural and honest. Their "accuracy" is my thin and lifeless. So to each their own.
Charles,