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Snood, refer to post #177 on the SHF! http://www.forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/sony-ubp-x800-universal-player.660223/page-8
For those looking for an alternative....RIGHT NOW on amazon $158 for the Sony X800...HERE
What I'm struggling with is the quality of the transports on these inexpensive machines like the Sony X800 and the impact on sound quality. I did an experiment today where I played the same CD and DTS 5.1 tracks using the coax digital outputs from a Marantz DV9600 (Retail $2100 in 2006) and a Sony BDP-S550 (Retail $400 in 2008.) The D/A conversion was done by a Lexicon RV8 receiver (circa 2006.)
The Marantz definitely sounded smoother compared to the Sony which had what I would describe as that slight digital sounding "edge" that can get fatiguing.
Another thing that bugs me is the problems people report with the X800. I don't understand why this machine can be so dodgy. I have two Sony Bluray players, one of which is internet connected and I've never had any problems with either of them. In fact, I've never had a problem with any Sony product.
I asked earlier if the Oppo 205 sounded better than the Marantz DV9600. Some members said it definitely would given the vintage of the DACs in the Marantz. Well, a followup question would be...How would the sound quality of a more reasonably priced used machine such as the Oppo 103D compare to the Marantz? What about the Oppo 103D compared to the Sony X800? The characteristic I'm looking for is smoothness.
The Marantz definitely sounded smoother compared to the Sony which had what I would describe as that slight digital sounding "edge" that can get fatiguing.
I asked earlier if the Oppo 205 sounded better than the Marantz DV9600. Some members said it definitely would given the vintage of the DACs in the Marantz.
You would be the first I have heard from who claim to hear a sonic difference in digital transports. There was a lot of that kind of hype early on during the introduction of CDs with those big, thick, heavy, flywheel type CD platters and upside down laser mechanisms and other ideas that seemed like they were a re-hash of the predominate turntable technology of the day. But this is the only recent comment about digital transports I've run across. But who knows... Ralphie is out there and he firmly believes that some kind of special cleaner he uses enhances the sound of optical disks.
With respect to the sound quality of a Marantz DAC vs the DAC in an Oppo ... I have read more than once that it really isn't the specific DAC that determines sound quality, its is more about how it is implemented in the circuitry overall. Has there been quantum leap in DAC technology over the last 10 years? I would suggest that proclaiming that one DAC doesn't sound as good as another simply because of the vintage of the chip is not something to base a decision on.
You would be the first I have heard from who claim to hear a sonic difference in digital transports.
I have been through 2 of the previous generation elite players. Both failed to play hi rez stuff repeatedly. I even argued with people about the discs I bought from them were junk and demanded refunds only to find that when playing those same discs in my Oppo 103 they played flawlessly. I was frustrated beyond belief that my 2nd unit, which replace my first was also a piece of shit that didn't work as advertised. Too late to return it, it sits collecting dust and frustration with the other stuff I threw under the stairs. Not even good for a paperweight IMHO.Looks like Pioneer will be introducing its new Elite UDP-LX500 Hi-Res Disc Player later this year. $999.00 is the price.
I have been through 2 of the previous generation elite players. Both failed to play hi rez stuff repeatedly. I even argued with people about the discs I bought from them were junk and demanded refunds only to find that when playing those same discs in my Oppo 103 they played flawlessly. I was frustrated beyond belief that my 2nd unit, which replace my first was also a piece of shit that didn't work as advertised. Too late to return it, it sits collecting dust and frustration with the other stuff I threw under the stairs. Not even good for a paperweight IMHO.
Maybe this newer version will work more than 3 months....but I will keep looking myself. This coming from someone who has been loyal to Pioneer and have 2 of their receivers purchased in the last few years, one of which was the SC77 elite version that was paired with that POS elite bd player.
I asked earlier if the Oppo 205 sounded better than the Marantz DV9600. Some members said it definitely would given the vintage of the DACs in the Marantz. Well, a followup question would be...How would the sound quality of a more reasonably priced used machine such as the Oppo 103D compare to the Marantz? What about the Oppo 103D compared to the Sony X800? The characteristic I'm looking for is smoothness.
According to the manual, the Sony outputs DSD over HDMI--but only if whatever it's connected to also processes DSD over HDMI (and my understanding is that most AVR's don't). Otherwise it converts to LPCM.
Can't speak to the quality of the transport, although if it makes a difference sound-wise, I'm fairly sure the rest of my system isn't good enough to let me hear it. I mainly bought a Sony so that I could put it into rotation with my Oppo 103 (and thereby extend the Oppo's life).
What I'm struggling with is the quality of the transports on these inexpensive machines like the Sony X800 and the impact on sound quality. I did an experiment today where I played the same CD and DTS 5.1 tracks using the coax digital outputs from a Marantz DV9600 (Retail $2100 in 2006) and a Sony BDP-S550 (Retail $400 in 2008.) The D/A conversion was done by a Lexicon RV8 receiver (circa 2006.)
The Marantz definitely sounded smoother compared to the Sony which had what I would describe as that slight digital sounding "edge" that can get fatiguing.
Another thing that bugs me is the problems people report with the X800. I don't understand why this machine can be so dodgy. I have two Sony Bluray players, one of which is internet connected and I've never had any problems with either of them. In fact, I've never had a problem with any Sony product.
I asked earlier if the Oppo 205 sounded better than the Marantz DV9600. Some members said it definitely would given the vintage of the DACs in the Marantz. Well, a followup question would be...How would the sound quality of a more reasonably priced used machine such as the Oppo 103D compare to the Marantz? What about the Oppo 103D compared to the Sony X800? The characteristic I'm looking for is smoothness.
You would be the first I have heard from who claim to hear a sonic difference in digital transports. There was a lot of that kind of hype early on during the introduction of CDs with those big, thick, heavy, flywheel type CD platters and upside down laser mechanisms and other ideas that seemed like they were a re-hash of the predominate turntable technology of the day. But this is the only recent comment about digital transports I've run across. But who knows... Ralphie is out there and he firmly believes that some kind of special cleaner he uses enhances the sound of optical disks.
With respect to the sound quality of a Marantz DAC vs the DAC in an Oppo. I have read more than once that it really isn't the specific DAC that determines sound quality, its is more about how it is implemented in the circuitry overall. Has there been quantum leap in DAC technology over the last 10 years? I would suggest that proclaiming that one DAC doesn't sound as good as another simply because of the vintage of the chip is not something to base a decision on.
From what you wrote, I understand that you were using the analog outputs to drive the active speakers. Is that correct or were you using HDMI ?Let me be the second. I never thought I’d hear a difference either.
During the last Christmas season, I went out and purchased one of the Sony 800’s on sale for a buck fifty. Originally, I planned to have two separate systems in two different rooms. I felt the Sony was cheap enough and would do as a transport on the fly in my Home Theater system, and with my music system, I would take advantage of the analog outputs directly into a pair of active speakers. I didn’t have the Sony player in the system but for a few hours and noticed something was off in the sound in comparison to using my OPPO 205 as a transport. Not sure if was the electronics settling in, I continued to use the Sony 800 on a daily basis for almost 3 weeks. And I put several hours a day on that player. One day at the end of that 3 weeks, I still noticed that something didn’t sound the same as I was used to hearing. So, I swapped out the Sony for the OPPO and couldn’t believe the difference. Swapping the players in and out, I noticed the Sony had a more forward presentation and was quite a bit hard sounding in comparison to the OPPO. On the other hand, the OPPO had a smoother, more laid back sound quality with more separation between instruments. I thought I had been listening to the analog outputs of two different machines. The conclusion I came to is, not all transports sound alike. I really feel that it comes down to the overall quality of the electronics used and how that digital signal get manipulated as it travels through the electronic circuitry. Could be the lack of digital jitter either machines are able to produce. Could be the combination of many things.
In the end, I found it hard to return the Sony player but eventually did. The sound wasn’t awful but the price was very cheap for the features it offered. The one feature I felt I needed to have was Dolby Vision and the Sony player would never get an update to have that ability.
YMMV
Using a disc player as a transport would require a digital output. I used HDMI for both players.From what you wrote, I understand that you were using the analog outputs to drive the active speakers. Is that correct or were you using HDMI ?
Yes, just wanted to make sure.Using a disc player as a transport would require a digital output. I used HDMI for both players.
Just to be clear, I wasn’t using active speakers at the time. As I stated, I wanted to build a second system using the active speakers plus the 205. So, I ended up using both players as a transport via HDMI into a Marantz Receiver, which I used at that time.Yes, just wanted to make sure.
With respect to the sound quality of a Marantz DAC vs the DAC in an Oppo ... I have read more than once that it really isn't the specific DAC that determines sound quality, its is more about how it is implemented in the circuitry overall.
Once the Pioneer elite brand was truly an elite product...but they "pimped" the Elite name out on inferior products...some of which were merely rebadged Sharp players...I bought one of those elites...it served my purpose and it played hi rez discs and when I became convinced that I wanted to be in the surround hobby...I bought an Oppo and it was like comparing a Mercedes to a junker….Pioneer continued to sell their "name" to other cheapo companies...I wouldn't trust anything they sell now...
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