Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Oppo BDP-83 on the way.

Randy your comment actually brings up a question I had the other day looking at the Oppo specs. They list the following:

Operating Temperature 5C - 35C, 41F - 95F
Operating Humidity 15% - 75% No condensation

That gave me a bit of a start since the humidity here in Phoenix is often in the single digits and if you add in air conditioning it definitely is. Then I noticed that seems to be the spec on all their equipment and I’ve been running their HD-981 for over 2 years now w/o a problem. But it makes me curious why a manufacture would list specs like that.

They should have built their igloos out of ice. It would have kept them cold.

It showed up in the mail today! Along with the Accents and EP400 I ordered for my buddy. The Acents are cute little farts! I think I'm going to hook them up and hear how they sound tomorrow.

Ahhh, I think Regina's farts are probably cute, too.

Would there be any advantage to using the 7.1 analog outputs to my 3808, rather than HDMI to take care of everything? I just read a review about the Oppo, and the reviewer stated "The 7.1 analog outputs on my still not completely broken in unit is excellent, matching the sound I've been getting from my $6000 list Esoteric DV-60 DVD/SACD player."

Could someone please explain this to me.

Thanks

Wheelz, *if* your AVR is not capable of decoding the newer codecs (DTS Master Audio, Dolby TruHD, for example) then you have to depend on your BD player to decode it for you. And if you don't have an HDMI input on your AVR to receive the decoded PCM stream, then you have to use the analog inputs on the receiver. So older AVRs would mate perfectly with this Oppo player. Since the player can decode all the formats and send it out via Analog outs, older receiver owners can enjoy all the high definition sounds. But since you have a 3808 receiver, it's a moot point. You can just let the player bitstream the sound via HDMI and your receiver will do everything.

Thanks for the reply, that clears up everything BUT I also didn't know if there was a difference in sound quality, which is why people will go the analog route. I have since read that some people prefer to run HDMI directly to their TV and feed their receiver with 7.1 analog, even though their AVR is HDMI capable, but others have stated that there isn't a difference in sound quality.

It's all very confusing. I'm assuming the perceived difference in sound quality is purely subjective.

It all depends on how well your avr will decode the sound vs. how well the player decodes. It could be some just prefer the way the player decodes vs. their own equipment. Just because the guy has a $6000 player doesn't mean it is as good as the Oppo, just means he spent WAY too much money on that esoteric player

Thanks Jay, I think for now I'll just use the HDMI cable I have sitting around desperately waiting to be hooked up to the Oppo!

I have had a chance to compare the three possible hook-ups in my new BDP83(stereo analog, 7.1 and HDMI) in to a Marantz 5003 and multi-channel outboard power amps. I must admit in comparison to "stand alone" CD players I have had in the past, the BDP83's stereo analog outs are among the best I have ever heard. A sound, although "slightly" bass shy, very comparable to an HDMI direct digital connection. There is also NO drop in volume which sometimes can happen when making comparison between analog and digital connections. The 7.1 connections and internal decoding are quite good as well.

In the end though, it is important to note, especially with 7.1 internal decoding, the inherent limitations with bass management in these players, in my opinion anyway, makes a direct connection, via HDMI in to a compatible AVR/Pre-Pro still your best and most versatile option, PLUS it cuts down on the cables!