Looking For A New Bluray?

[JackA]

So the Oppo BDP 83 SE have arrived, but unfortunately something else have:

"Oppo Clones" - and it seems all are built upon the Oppo BDP 83 *not SE.

Prices for: Oppo BDP 83 : 499USD

Oppo BDP 83 SE : 899 USD

Differences between SE and Non SE

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83S...Comparison.aspx

Here are some - and we start with the most "blatant" ripoff ever seen:

Lexicon BD30:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/transpo...xicon-outside-1

Talk about "double boxing" - price : 3500 USD..

Another hiend brand : Theta Compli Blu

http://www.avrev.com/forum/blu-ray-players...adged-oppo.html

They changed box as well and changed the powersupply to a toroidal one.

Price : 2995,- (Initially 4995,-), but once the truth was known it was reduced.

Last but not least:

Ayre DX-5, which might really have some changes done, but at a premium.

http://www.avrev.com/forum/blu-ray-players...d-500-oppo.html

Yup... it will set you back a cool 10.000 bucks...

Keep this in mind when you go shopping..... (I just got my Oppo BDP83 SE, and while it's a great

player - even the upgraded version have the dreaded NEC5532 OPAMPS).

But really, for the price it's a great buy - and even 2 channel "audiophiles" might consider this one.

[clokwise]

With Lexicon, etc, you're paying for the brand. Oppo's a great machine, no doubt, but who's ever heard of Oppo?? You can't blame Oppo for offering OEM versions of the gear, you can only blame yourself if you bought one.

I couldn't figure out why I would need the SE -- I'm 100% digital at least up to the speaker and the SE doesn't seem to offer any real benefit with that route.

I was disappointed that unlike previous Oppo's, with the BDP-83 there is no way unlock the region. I found a chip which easily slips onto a cable on the inside of the box which makes it multi-region. I hated to pay for it, but it's necessary it if you have non-USA region DVDs or BDs. Don't know if I am allowed to mention the chip name/url here or not, so I won't.

[JackA]

The most important thing for me was - the ability to replace the need for separate CD, DVD, SACD, DVD-A and Blu-ray players,

without compromising too much on either audio and video. I chose the SE part, for the simple reason that the extra 10.000 baht

was cheap considering the alternative of buying a separate SACD player - and what 10.000,- baht SACD player would I be able to

get anyway? - But you're right - going pure digital - there's absolutely NO difference between the Standard / SE / NE.

In other words - I care mostly about the SQ, whereas the VQ is an added bonus for me - For you it seems OPPOsite, with

the VQ part being important (I don't even have a surround system).

As for the "clones" - we all know that the level of "diminishing returns" are reached fairly quickly in the A/V world, so I have no

problems with companies do their tweaking, or even double wrap it - it's just a testament of how good the Oppo really is.

[Oberkommando]

Don't know if I am allowed to mention the chip name/url here or not, so I won't.

It is perfectly legal to sell it and buy it so of course you are. The only reason blu-ray players are region locked is because of Sony and their influence on the movie industry. HD DVD which lost the next format war was conveniently region free.

I made my Oppo region free here. http://www.bluraychip.dk/

Great Blu-Ray player.

[clokwise]

I made my Oppo region free here. http://www.bluraychip.dk/

Ok, since you mentioned it first... that's where I got my chip too.

[Nordlys]

The most important thing for me was - the ability to replace the need for separate CD, DVD, SACD, DVD-A and Blu-ray players,

without compromising too much on either audio and video. I chose the SE part, for the simple reason that the extra 10.000 baht

was cheap considering the alternative of buying a separate SACD player - and what 10.000,- baht SACD player would I be able to

get anyway?

How do these Marantz and Denon's top end universal players compare with OPPO?

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2936.asp

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4760.asp

I bet you're not paying for brand with these models? They sell for close to 200K baht in Thailand. Heard their SACD playback is pretty good, yet they are still considerably cheaper than my 2 channels, SACD/CD-only player. Problem with those universal player is that they take too much time in discerning what disc you've inserted. My Pioneer LX-52 doesn't play SACD or DVD-A but it takes so much time from when you insert the disc till anything appears on TV. And takes too much time from when you turn the power on till it is ready to receive any command by remote.

[JackA]

How do these Marantz and Denon's top end universal players compare with OPPO?

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2936.asp

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4760.asp

I bet you're not paying for brand with these models? They sell for close to 200K baht in Thailand. Heard their SACD playback is pretty good, yet they are still considerably cheaper than my 2 channels, SACD/CD-only player. Problem with those universal player is that they take too much time in discerning what disc you've inserted. My Pioneer LX-52 doesn't play SACD or DVD-A but it takes so much time from when you insert the disc till anything appears on TV. And takes too much time from when you turn the power on till it is ready to receive any command by remote.

As I might be considered biased (by owning one), I think you might find the answer to your question somewhere among these:

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/...-83-Review.aspx

I'm very happy with the player - now if it had any inputs - it would be "perfect" - those ESS DACS are seriously good, and I'll bet that you'll see some highend DAC's coming to market based on the ESS chipsets. McIntosh have also chosen ESS DACS for their transport (MCD500).

[Oberkommando]

My Pioneer LX-52 doesn't play SACD or DVD-A but it takes so much time from when you insert the disc till anything appears on TV. And takes too much time from when you turn the power on till it is ready to receive any command by remote.

That's another plus for the Oppo, it's load times for Blu-Ray. Very quick.

Piyanas have a special on the Oppo BDP-83 at 19,990thb and are selling the newer Special Edition for a ridiculous 29,990thb.