For European readers, and netherlands readers especially, Livingcinema has the Oppo 83 for 519,00 euro. Region mod is 60,00. See link:http://www.livingcinema.nl/
Oppo BDP-83: The Official QQ Thread [BLU-RAY/SACD/DVD-A/HDCD]
- Thread starter JonUrban
- Start date
Help Support QuadraphonicQuad:
Chris Gerhard
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
I am interested in reading about comparisons of the standard BDP-83 to the versions with upgraded analog audio processing. I am using my BDP-83 with a $300 AVR, the Yamaha RX-V663, over HDMI and can't imagine even if I switched to analog with that receiver that I would be able to tell any difference.
Chris
Chris
El Guapo
Senior Member
Hi guys,
just to let you know: I joined the ranks of Oppo BDP-83 owners yesterday!
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
My friend who lives in Berkeley is home in Germany for a visit and was kind enough to bring the player with him on the plane. So far I am really ecstatic about the unit (I'm currently listening to The Beatles - Love, which is running without a hitch, which can not be said about my Denon 3910).
I just ordered a region free mod kit earlier today and once this is installed I can retire both the Denon and my LG BH-200 Blu-ray player!
Happy Happy Joy Joy!
:wave
Cheers,
Oli
just to let you know: I joined the ranks of Oppo BDP-83 owners yesterday!
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
My friend who lives in Berkeley is home in Germany for a visit and was kind enough to bring the player with him on the plane. So far I am really ecstatic about the unit (I'm currently listening to The Beatles - Love, which is running without a hitch, which can not be said about my Denon 3910).
I just ordered a region free mod kit earlier today and once this is installed I can retire both the Denon and my LG BH-200 Blu-ray player!
Happy Happy Joy Joy!
:wave
Cheers,
Oli
The Quadfather
1K Club - QQ Shooting Star
Is that region free mod kit an Oppo product? Where did you get it and what does it consist of?
The Quadfather
The Quadfather
El Guapo
Senior Member
Hi Quadfather,
I ordered it from a seller on ebay. If you search there for "Oppo BDP-83" you will find - besides already modded players - also these kits. As far as I could see there seem to be only three different vendors (don't know if I'm allowed to include direct links to ebay here).
The kits differ a little, but they all have in common that they hava a small board with some circuitry, which is plugged in-between a cable inside the Oppo and the main board (or - in one case - the cable is replaced with a new one with the board in the middle). Everything can be just plugged in - no soldering needed. Two of the sellers have detailed installation instructions already in their ebay auction descriptions - check it out.
After the kit is installed, you can choose the regions for Blu-ray (A/B/C) and for DVD (1-6,0) via the remote control of the Oppo.
I'll let you know how it works out for me once I receive my kit.
Best regards,
Oliver
This is not an Oppo (or even Oppo-endorsed) product.
I ordered it from a seller on ebay. If you search there for "Oppo BDP-83" you will find - besides already modded players - also these kits. As far as I could see there seem to be only three different vendors (don't know if I'm allowed to include direct links to ebay here).
The kits differ a little, but they all have in common that they hava a small board with some circuitry, which is plugged in-between a cable inside the Oppo and the main board (or - in one case - the cable is replaced with a new one with the board in the middle). Everything can be just plugged in - no soldering needed. Two of the sellers have detailed installation instructions already in their ebay auction descriptions - check it out.
After the kit is installed, you can choose the regions for Blu-ray (A/B/C) and for DVD (1-6,0) via the remote control of the Oppo.
I'll let you know how it works out for me once I receive my kit.
Best regards,
Oliver
ebay links are fine! 
El Guapo
Senior Member
Okay then...
This is the one I ordered.
Here's another kit from another vendor for the same price ($89 shipped).
The third mod kit I found costs less ($58 including shipping), but the seller doesn't ship to Germany.
The main reasons I went for the first one was that someone in a German forum where I'm a member wrote that this worked well for him, and also that it's sold from Denmark, which means that there won't be any trouble with customs for me in Germany (as both countries are members of the EU). But judging from the ebay feedback, all three units should be fine. The third seller doesn't provide installation and usage instructions in the auction description, but offers to send it out on request...
BTW: I found that one of the sellers already offers the BDP-83SE with region-free kit installed...
I'm wondering if the SE offers any improvement over the normal version if you don't use the analog outputs...
Best regards,
Oliver
This is the one I ordered.
Here's another kit from another vendor for the same price ($89 shipped).
The third mod kit I found costs less ($58 including shipping), but the seller doesn't ship to Germany.
The main reasons I went for the first one was that someone in a German forum where I'm a member wrote that this worked well for him, and also that it's sold from Denmark, which means that there won't be any trouble with customs for me in Germany (as both countries are members of the EU). But judging from the ebay feedback, all three units should be fine. The third seller doesn't provide installation and usage instructions in the auction description, but offers to send it out on request...
BTW: I found that one of the sellers already offers the BDP-83SE with region-free kit installed...
I'm wondering if the SE offers any improvement over the normal version if you don't use the analog outputs...
Best regards,
Oliver
Desmo888
Well-known Member
I am pretty sure that the HDMI output is not affected by the higher quality D/A converters.
El Guapo
Senior Member
A short update: I received my mod kit today from Denmark (that was really fast, I only ordered it on Tuesday).
I installed it and everything works as advertised!
So I now got an Oppo that is region free for DVD and can be switched between regions A, B, and C for Blu-ray!
:banana:
I installed it and everything works as advertised!
So I now got an Oppo that is region free for DVD and can be switched between regions A, B, and C for Blu-ray!
:banana:
Right. The only upgrade I've heard about that impacts the HDMI output is by one of the modders (Ric Shultz). He has a $60 Oppo mod that is said to improve HDMI output performance.
chuckflhp
Well-known Member
Well I've had this Special Edition for 48hrs. I can tell you there is a definite difference in the sound. I've gotten about 9 hrs. of dedicated listening in. I switched players 6 times. These impressions are all in relation to the standard version.
For multichannel I used Deep Purple-Machine Head SACD, King Crimson-ITCOTKK, Elton John-GYBR DVD-A & SACD, Queen-The Game,Porcupine Tree-FOABP, Pink Floyd- Dark Side AP, Dire Straits-BIA DVD-A & SACD Flaming Lips-Yoshimi and Mana-Suenos Liquidos.
For stereo it was Al DiMeola-Elegant Gypsy Japanese, Blood,Sweat and Tears-MFSL SACD, Boston-SACD.I also tried the Stereo mix on several of the DVD-A's.
I find in multichannel there is a tightening of the imaging and localization of sounds and instruments, thereby increasing the perceived spaces between. Clarity is quite good, at times seems to be bordering on bright in the midrange though. Highs are very clean and clear. The bass is very solid and authoratative.
The sound is different, better in some respects? Maybe, but so far, in no way am I hearing a $400.00 difference. This is also Where they decided to use ESS's bottom of the line, the Sabre Premier Audio DAC (ES9006)
Stereo playback is where this machine is supposed to shine(?). So this is where they chose to use the top of the line DAC quadrupled. The Sabre 32 Ultra from ESS (ES9016) .
(I'm sure to someone, somewhere, it makes perfectly good sense to use this for dedicated stereo in a machine that a large part of it's appeal is the playback of legacy audio formats, which are primarily friggin' MULTICHANNEL!! If you find them please hit them with a stick. I just don't get it.)
The special edition in stereo is alright. That's about it. I've heard several good players on my system and a couple very, very good ones. The BP-83 falls closer to the former than the latter. But a revelation from the standard edition? Honestly no. And once again DEFINITELY NOT worth The $400.00 IMHO
I'm trying to decide if I should keep it or send it back at this point. I had 3 friends over last night. Their observations echoed my own in many ways. One friend after listening, asked if there was possibly a setting wrong. I'm really starting to lean towards it doesn't sound as good as the standard in many ways!
It has dedicated stereo and multi out, right? Playing back a stereo track using the stereo analog direct is good and this is the supposed uber DAC. Well if you switch it over to the 5.1 analog out that should be the lesser DAC, correct? Well 7 out of 7 people preferred the 5.1 DAC doing stereo over the other multichannel DAC quadrupled to stereo. What's up with that? No crap, it just flat out sounds better. To the point that one of my friends asked if it could be broken.
This sucks...I really wanted this to be another example of Oppo quality.
P.S. Also found out that the *upgraded* multichannel DAC was previously used in last years $300.00 Samsung The BD-P2550. You can buy refurbs for $200.00 on Amazon
Here's the article: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS114736+27-Aug-2008+PRN20080827
And if you want to read more on the DAC's themselves:
http://www.esstech.com/index.php?p=products_DAC
And yes, it is the very top and the bottom DAC's.
I'll keep listening, figure I can keep it at least another week or two. Give it a chance. Can't hurt right. But if you made me decide today, it would be on it's way back.
For multichannel I used Deep Purple-Machine Head SACD, King Crimson-ITCOTKK, Elton John-GYBR DVD-A & SACD, Queen-The Game,Porcupine Tree-FOABP, Pink Floyd- Dark Side AP, Dire Straits-BIA DVD-A & SACD Flaming Lips-Yoshimi and Mana-Suenos Liquidos.
For stereo it was Al DiMeola-Elegant Gypsy Japanese, Blood,Sweat and Tears-MFSL SACD, Boston-SACD.I also tried the Stereo mix on several of the DVD-A's.
I find in multichannel there is a tightening of the imaging and localization of sounds and instruments, thereby increasing the perceived spaces between. Clarity is quite good, at times seems to be bordering on bright in the midrange though. Highs are very clean and clear. The bass is very solid and authoratative.
The sound is different, better in some respects? Maybe, but so far, in no way am I hearing a $400.00 difference. This is also Where they decided to use ESS's bottom of the line, the Sabre Premier Audio DAC (ES9006)
Stereo playback is where this machine is supposed to shine(?). So this is where they chose to use the top of the line DAC quadrupled. The Sabre 32 Ultra from ESS (ES9016) .
(I'm sure to someone, somewhere, it makes perfectly good sense to use this for dedicated stereo in a machine that a large part of it's appeal is the playback of legacy audio formats, which are primarily friggin' MULTICHANNEL!! If you find them please hit them with a stick. I just don't get it.)
The special edition in stereo is alright. That's about it. I've heard several good players on my system and a couple very, very good ones. The BP-83 falls closer to the former than the latter. But a revelation from the standard edition? Honestly no. And once again DEFINITELY NOT worth The $400.00 IMHO
I'm trying to decide if I should keep it or send it back at this point. I had 3 friends over last night. Their observations echoed my own in many ways. One friend after listening, asked if there was possibly a setting wrong. I'm really starting to lean towards it doesn't sound as good as the standard in many ways!
It has dedicated stereo and multi out, right? Playing back a stereo track using the stereo analog direct is good and this is the supposed uber DAC. Well if you switch it over to the 5.1 analog out that should be the lesser DAC, correct? Well 7 out of 7 people preferred the 5.1 DAC doing stereo over the other multichannel DAC quadrupled to stereo. What's up with that? No crap, it just flat out sounds better. To the point that one of my friends asked if it could be broken.
This sucks...I really wanted this to be another example of Oppo quality.
P.S. Also found out that the *upgraded* multichannel DAC was previously used in last years $300.00 Samsung The BD-P2550. You can buy refurbs for $200.00 on Amazon
Here's the article: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS114736+27-Aug-2008+PRN20080827
And if you want to read more on the DAC's themselves:
http://www.esstech.com/index.php?p=products_DAC
And yes, it is the very top and the bottom DAC's.
I'll keep listening, figure I can keep it at least another week or two. Give it a chance. Can't hurt right. But if you made me decide today, it would be on it's way back.
Good write-up Chuck! I had decided not to upgrade, and now I'm glad I did not. All I use is the HDMI output anyway.
That's not too surprising since we're talking about a $299 upgrade.
To really move the needle on the sound, you'd probably need to upgrade the digital to analog converters (DACs), audio circuitry, etc. Which would cost considerably more.
Interestingly, some of the folks who used to "hot rod" or "mod" SACD players like Dan Wright at Modwright and Rick Shultz at EVS/Tweak Audio.Com are now offering Oppo mods as well. So there are options as well.
And there's always higher end Blu-Ray/SACD/DVD-A players. They do cost more but usually have much better audio circuitry than what is in the Oppo.
As my Dad used to say when I was a kid, you get what you pay for. Very true here as well.
To really move the needle on the sound, you'd probably need to upgrade the digital to analog converters (DACs), audio circuitry, etc. Which would cost considerably more.
Interestingly, some of the folks who used to "hot rod" or "mod" SACD players like Dan Wright at Modwright and Rick Shultz at EVS/Tweak Audio.Com are now offering Oppo mods as well. So there are options as well.
And there's always higher end Blu-Ray/SACD/DVD-A players. They do cost more but usually have much better audio circuitry than what is in the Oppo.
As my Dad used to say when I was a kid, you get what you pay for. Very true here as well.
Isn't that the same thing?
Chris Gerhard
2K Club - QQ Super Nova
I can't speak for Oppo but I certainly agree a big part of the appeal of the Oppo line up of players has been SACD/DVD-A playback, in addition to excellent video performance all at a very good price/performance ratio. I think the company has been very successful in that regard. I do believe the primary goal of this SE model is to add outstanding two-channel audio performance for the market that wants that in addition to excellent Blu-ray and DVD-V performance. It is a complete universal player of course but I am going to guess there is a much larger market interested in stereo playback than there is in multichannel playback and this player is aimed at that market. Although I know improved analog multichannel out was also a goal, the premium may not be justifiable for the multichannel fan, especially the multichannel fan using HDMI for audio. Of course if the player doesn't deliver better two-channel audio, then it won't be justifiable for that market segment either. The market for slight incremental improvements at great price increases has never included me so I was not interested from the beginning in this model at an 80% premium.
My opinion was that using the same model number with SE addendum was a mistake, it should have been a unique model number in my opinion, clearly separating it from the BDP-83 and product attributes highlighted in an attempt to justify the premium compared to the BDP-83 but that is a minor quibble from a business perspective.
Chris
My opinion was that using the same model number with SE addendum was a mistake, it should have been a unique model number in my opinion, clearly separating it from the BDP-83 and product attributes highlighted in an attempt to justify the premium compared to the BDP-83 but that is a minor quibble from a business perspective.
Chris
Received my Oppo BDP83 with region free mod yesterday. Bought it from a delaer in The Netherlands, who imported a few dozen machines plus mods.
Machine plays nice, set up is easy. I will play different type of discs the next weeks to see if it all works fine.
Machine plays nice, set up is easy. I will play different type of discs the next weeks to see if it all works fine.
I just went through the entire thread because I'm looking at getting the BDP-83. Was the issue of the clipping of the first note when playing dvda via analog ever fixed by Oppo? (Posts 61, 77, 102).
Not yet. I have been in contact with Oppo and they assure me that they are working on it but as of yet no fix is available. They also assured me that they were able to replicate the problem. I sent them several discs that had the problem, however, every disc in my collection has the problem so I am not sure how they missed it in the first place.
How annoying is this problem? I mean of course you want it fixed but can you still listen to your discs with some degree of satisfaction?
