Oppo 203 decoding question

[63909]

Hi All,
having owned one of these and barely utilised all it can offer, I've a couple of questions if I may about what it'll do and how to connect it into an older Processor.
I'm mainly using it for Blu ray audio and SACD - so if I utilise RCA connections will it do all the processing itself and if so, theoretically, it would only need a multi channel amplifier to reproduce this?
Most new AV amps have their own processors - but as I'm only interested in 5.1 - if I did manage to use a HDMI connection - which unit is decoding the info, the Oppo or the AV?
Kind Regards and best wishes for the festive season
Joe

 

[LuvMyQuad]

Yes, it will do all the processing internally using the analog outs. As long as you have a way to adjust volume, a mch amplifier will work fine for audio.

You can always connect both the analog out and the HDMI. For bluray you will probably need HDMI and a video monitor anyway just to navigate the menus. Both will work at the same time, and you can decide for yourself which processing gives the best audio result. Note that for SACD, your AVR probably cant decode it natively (although some higher end units do offer DSD over HDMI). You need to set the Oppo to convert DSD to PCM to use HDMI for SACD. The Oppo will process SACD natively and output it via analog out. That might be the biggest audible difference.

 

[par4ken]

I would use the Oppo analogue outputs if possible. As has already been stated you can run HDMI to an AVR but many of those will not accept DSD and letting the oppo convert SACD (DSD) to PCM does compromise the sound. I would think that the Oppo has better DAC's than most AVR's anyway. I love the sound of my 103!

To make sure that the Oppo doesn't switch to PCM set SACD to DSD not to auto!

 

[63909]

Thanks all,
OK time to get out the instruction manual I think! I've my eye on an old Processor which has an analogue straight through setting so whatever comes out of the Oppo will just get pre amplified then sent to the power amps, as the speakers (electrostatics) are quite difficult to drive with ' normal transistor amps' - which is why I wouldn't use a normal AVR.
Thanks again
Joe

 

[wavelength]

I would use the Oppo analogue outputs if possible. As has already been stated you can run HDMI to an AVR but many of those will not accept DSD and letting the oppo convert SACD (DSD) to PCM does compromise the sound. I would think that the Oppo has better DAC's than most AVR's anyway. I love the sound of my 103!

To make sure that the Oppo doesn't switch to PCM set SACD to DSD not to auto!

While DSD is preferred is it not also true that if your speakers are not all the same distance from the main listening position then you need to convert to PCM to process those differences in distance. If you output DSD there is no signal processing taking place.

 

[par4ken]

While DSD is preferred is it not also true that if your speakers are not all the same distance from the main listening position then you need to convert to PCM to process those differences in distance. If you output DSD there is no signal processing taking place.

You will get better sound with DSD! Distance compensation is not important at all with mixes made from multitracks!

 

[wavelength]

You will get better sound with DSD! Distance compensation is not important at all with mixes made from multitracks!

Well, I guess I'll try it.

 

[mandrix]

You will get better sound with DSD! Distance compensation is not important at all with mixes made from multitracks!

Ah you mean from the Oppo. I never set up that stuff in the Oppo, I let the AVR handle it since it's all calibrated.
Well the speaker distances. My AVR will process DSD so no prob there.

 

[ar surround]

and letting the oppo convert SACD (DSD) to PCM does compromise the sound.

You will get better sound with DSD! Distance compensation is not important at all with mixes made from multitracks!

Why does converting DSD to PCM in the Oppo compromise the sound?

 

[mandrix]

I could never hear a definable difference. I just pass DSD cause the AVR will handle up to 512.
Besides I haven't used analog outs on the disc spinners in years.

 

[par4ken]

Why does converting DSD to PCM in the Oppo compromise the sound?

DSD sounds best in it's native format! There are many threads and posts about it. Many disagree with me but they they're all wrong! If you can't hear the difference fine, but I suggest in that case that your equipment is sub par! DSD is best left as DSD!! To me the difference is like night and day! DSD sounds more natural, converted to PCM it sounds like a tape!

The Oppo manual even acknowledges the difference in sound between the two but diplomatically says that you may prefer one or the other.

 

[ar surround]

DSD sounds best in it's native format! There are many threads and posts about it. Many disagree with me but they they're all wrong! If you can't hear the difference fine, but I suggest in that case that your equipment is sub par! DSD is best left as DSD!! To me the difference is like night and day! DSD sounds more natural, converted to PCM it sounds like a tape!

I have to try this. The problem is that it won’t be a double bind test. There is the levels matching consideration; the relay click when shifting from DSD to PCM which prevents the test from being double blind; plus I have an Oppo 205 which is superior to the 103. So lots of other variables.

 

[ar surround]

If you can't hear the difference fine, but I suggest in that case that your equipment is sub par!

You forgot to suggest ‘old ears.’

 

[mandrix]

DSD sounds best in it's native format! There are many threads and posts about it. Many disagree with me but they they're all wrong! If you can't hear the difference fine, but I suggest in that case that your equipment is sub par! DSD is best left as DSD!! To me the difference is like night and day! DSD sounds more natural, converted to PCM it sounds like a tape!

The Oppo manual even acknowledges the difference in sound between the two but diplomatically says that you may prefer one or the other.

Now, now, Ken. Don't go picking on my equipment. lol.
My hearing is fair game though.

 

[LuvMyQuad]

Many disagree with me but they they're all wrong!

Actually Parken and I have had this conversation before. I cant hear any difference between an SACD rip and the same rip converted to PCM 24/88.2. But his observation is really more about the conversion that takes place on the fly, inside his Oppo, when it is set to convert DSD to PCM. I think the best explaination was it is likely due to the specific filters used in the Oppo to remove ultrasonics.

 

[par4ken]

You forgot to suggest ‘old ears.’

My ears are old too but I can hear the difference! A well done conversion might be harder or even impossible to discern but via the Oppo the difference is very audible. I maintain that it is best not to convert if at all possible!

 

[esimms86]

Why convert if you don’t have to?

 

[ar surround]

Why convert if you don’t have to?

No one expects The Spanish Inquisition!

 

[ar surround]

My ears are old too but I can hear the difference! A well done conversion might be harder or even impossible to discern but via the Oppo the difference is very audible. I maintain that it is best not to convert if at all possible!

The only comparisons I’ve made are dsf to the same files converted first to 32 bit wav and then to 88/24 FLAC. I can’t say that I can detect anything that cries out ‘deterioration’ from the conversion process.

I’ve mainly converted dsf files to FLAC when I’ve wanted to tweak the recording, i.e. EQ.

 

[mandrix]

I can honestly say, if it weren't for the rare DVD-A and SACD authoring these days, and ripping SACD, I can do without the disc spinners most of the time.
Everyone can talk about how good their spinner's DAC's are, but since I use only HDMI between devices analog honestly doesn't mean anything to me. (except analog pre out to separate amp from AVR)
For that matter I can plug a USB stick into the AVR and play up to 512 DSD.

But we all have our druthers. I would rather not be up and down changing discs when I'm trying to relax.
I still believe no spinner will beat the sound I get direct from the pc > AVR via HDMI, but that's JMHO. If it can it's likely beyond my hearing.

Once I was all analog and I had several analog switches, and a total nightmare of wiring. Don't miss it a bit. Still too many darn wires.