Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Don't know if you noticed but the Sony pictured above is a multi-channel SACD player and has analog outputs for 5.1.
Do SACD's sound better than CD's in a stereo system? or not?
- Thread starter theoman
- Start date
Don't know if you noticed but the Sony pictured above is a multi-channel SACD player and has analog outputs for 5.1.
A Sony SCD-CE595 appears to be a good choice for a used CD/SACD player. (I have no experience with the SCD-CE595.)
For those inclined to buy a used CD/SACD/DVD player (no Blu-ray or Ultra HD Blu-ray) that has analog RCA 7.1 outputs, I suggest also considering the Oppo DV980H, which features remote volume control and bass management (i.e., crossover, and line-level subwoofer connection). In other words, the Oppo DV980H has a “pre-amp” built-in and can directly drive power amp(s) (including vintage tube amps) and subwoofer(s) in a surround-sound configuration, without an AVR or pre-processor.
For a player that adds Blu-ray capability: Oppo BDP-105, BDP-95.
For Ultra HD Blu-ray: UDP-205.
Oppo is currently delivering a last batch of UDP-205, as they exit the business. (I took delivery of my second UDP-205 last week.) There are very few new Ultra HD Blu-ray players available with 7.1 (or 5.1) analog audio outputs. Fewer still (if any) with remote volume control.
For those inclined to buy a used CD/SACD/DVD player (no Blu-ray or Ultra HD Blu-ray) that has analog RCA 7.1 outputs, I suggest also considering the Oppo DV980H, which features remote volume control and bass management (i.e., crossover, and line-level subwoofer connection). In other words, the Oppo DV980H has a “pre-amp” built-in and can directly drive power amp(s) (including vintage tube amps) and subwoofer(s) in a surround-sound configuration, without an AVR or pre-processor.
For a player that adds Blu-ray capability: Oppo BDP-105, BDP-95.
For Ultra HD Blu-ray: UDP-205.
Oppo is currently delivering a last batch of UDP-205, as they exit the business. (I took delivery of my second UDP-205 last week.) There are very few new Ultra HD Blu-ray players available with 7.1 (or 5.1) analog audio outputs. Fewer still (if any) with remote volume control.
Last edited:
So you bought one of the new reissued ones? What did you have to pay? I have been on the list for a couple of months but have never heard from them?
Yes, I registered for the wait list for the (reportedly) last production run of the UDP-205 as soon possible, and ordered as soon as I received an email from Oppo. I paid standard price: $1,299 plus shipping. I already owned one UDP-205, plus a BDP-105, BDP-95, and two DV-980H, so it was an easy decision for me. Oppo published a firmware update to the UDP-205 about 2 weeks ago - which shows that they're still supporting the product.
Hmm, they have not contacted me? Thats why I decided to buy the one on BT. Maybe I am too low on the list? I have an Oppo UDP-103 in my HT system.
finally you get it.
You want a RCA interconnects left and right for the Oppo to go straight into you analogue input of the C2500. This will use the DAC in the Oppo and you can listen to anything the Oppo will play.
You will also run a digital cable from the Oppo to the DAC input of the C2500. It can be coax, optical, USB, Wireless. What outputs does your Oppo have or give me the model #?
While the C2500 does not play SACD you will have the option to use it's DAC, it may or may not sound better than the Oppo.
Did you notice his answers to those questions?
sqlsavior
Lunatic Member
It depends on the particular releases involved, as usual.
When I moved to LA for a work assignment a few years ago, I left my CD player at home, kind of on-purpose. I wanted SACD capability in a new player, and saw a new Marantz reference-series player, listed at $1200, from a dealer, whereas the list price was $2000. I took a chance on it, and besides the SACD capability, I was rewarded with the best (to my ears) Redbook CD sound I've heard. To me, it's a final purchase, for as long as it lasts.
When I moved to LA for a work assignment a few years ago, I left my CD player at home, kind of on-purpose. I wanted SACD capability in a new player, and saw a new Marantz reference-series player, listed at $1200, from a dealer, whereas the list price was $2000. I took a chance on it, and besides the SACD capability, I was rewarded with the best (to my ears) Redbook CD sound I've heard. To me, it's a final purchase, for as long as it lasts.
I can’t offer an opinion about hi-res consumer deliverables of recordings by these artists, because I’m not familiar with the music, and I’m not a recording engineer.
Here’s an article that discusses an attempt by the recording industry to establish voluntary standards regarding what is meant by “Hi-Res Music”: https://www.soundandvision.com/cont...w-guidelines-hi-res-music#UssXpmATMcGWkGz0.97
A quick google search yields the following information about a few specific recordings by artists the OP mentioned. (I’ve not spent much time researching this. This isn’t music that I listen to.)
Van Halen: I found 7 albums available as 192kHz/24bit download (e.g., HDTracks), plus one album 96kHz/24bit. One distributor provides the following description: “The remasters have been cut straight from the original quarter-inch tapes.”
Cat Stevens: “Tea for the Tillerman” is available as 192kHz/24bit download. “We are so fortunate that Ted Jensen, who originally mastered Tea for the Tillerman, for compact disc, was available to do these hi res transfers. Ted was kind enough to share some information about the process: ‘The tapes are in still excellent condition, the Dolby A encoded BASF tape used has held up very well compared with other formulations used in the mid 70’s and later. The tapes sound excellent. I’ve done no limiting or compression on these files at all. Playback was done on an Ampex ATR100, and the A/D converter was a prototype MSB unit that David Chesky was good enough to loan us.’ ” (Also available as SACD.)
Cat Stevens: “Tea for the Tillerman” is available as 192kHz/24bit download. “We are so fortunate that Ted Jensen, who originally mastered Tea for the Tillerman, for compact disc, was available to do these hi res transfers. Ted was kind enough to share some information about the process: ‘The tapes are in still excellent condition, the Dolby A encoded BASF tape used has held up very well compared with other formulations used in the mid 70’s and later. The tapes sound excellent. I’ve done no limiting or compression on these files at all. Playback was done on an Ampex ATR100, and the A/D converter was a prototype MSB unit that David Chesky was good enough to loan us.’ ” (Also available as SACD.)
If I were interested in this music, I’d buy one of the hi-res downloads and assess its audio quality for myself.
IME, while analog audio recordings from the 1960s and later can sound very good (even a few late 1950s RCA Living Stereo sound good), of course the same cannot be said for vintage video tape (vs. good quality film - e.g., 35mm or larger). For a 1970s or 80s performance, a video tape will undoubtedly will be nowhere near modern HD quality. I therefore doubt you’ll find top-quality concert videos from this era. Here’s a web site of Blu-ray concert videos: https://concertsondvd.com/collections/blueray-concerts?page=1 Or, on Amazon search for “Concert Blu-ray”.
Bottom line: As I said earlier, I suggest buying a player (e.g., Oppo UDP-205) capable of playing all formats: CD, SACD, Blu-ray, Pure Audio Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray, and hi-res downloads (24bit/192kHz PCM or DSD). That way you’ll have maximum flexibility in buying top quality recordings. And for the OP’s genre, there are hi-res downloads (and some SACDs) available (remastered from the original analog tapes). Only he can decide if he can hear a difference in 24bit/192kHz vs. CD.
Have you downloaded a 192kHz/24bit FLAC music file (e.g., from HDTracks), copied the file to a USB drive, then plugged the USB drive into the front USB port of your Oppo, and played it? (Instead of using this simple "sneaker-ware" method, you could use DLNA networking to play music files located on your PC or NAS.)
To send a digital signal out the Oppo and to the C2500
From the manual, number id the location
4. Coaxial Digital Audio Output
5. Optical Digital Audio Output
You can use one of these to the C2500 DAC side of the preamp and will play mostly all CDs and DVDs (Sound) through the c2500 DAC. I would probably use the Coaxial cable here.
To send a stereo analogue signal out the Oppo and to the C2500
From the manual, location 12
12. 7.1CH / 5.1CH / Stereo Analog Audio Outputs
However you only use Front Right and Front Left and hook up your standard type RCA cables, these will run to the C2500 analogue inputs, like the one marked CD. This will let you use the DAC in the Oppo, and will send the converted SACD, Blu-ray sound to your C2500 analogue inputs.
If you have a flat screen TV in the room
From the manual, location
5. Optical Digital Audio Output
6. HDMI 2 Output (3D Compatible)
7. HDMI 1 Output (3D Compatible)
Use one of these to send a signal to the TV to watch DVD, Blu-ray
HDMI would be my choice
With your CDP and all three of these hook ups you should be able to play everything the Oppo can play. You will have two options for the DAC of choice in most cases. You will also be able to watch DVDs and Blu-rays and have the sound go out your stereo system. Add a powered sub and you will have great movie sound and all that is really needed IMHO.
Sound Dragon
Yawns and sets his couch on fire!
For those lamenting the death of Oppo. This may be an alternative?
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....ocessor-dynamic-conversion-adjustment.829749/
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....ocessor-dynamic-conversion-adjustment.829749/
Yeah we can get him to hook up a computer but baby steps here and help him understand why some digital formats don't work in all DAC and why some cables send digital and others analogue.
The McIntosh C2500 preamp he's getting also has a built in DAC with all sorts of digital inputs.
• Digital Audio Inputs The C2500 has Coaxial, Optical and USB Digital Inputs to Decode PCM Signals from an external source. The C2500 Up Samples the Digital Signal to 192kHz with 32Bit resolution before the Digital to Analog process begins.
damacman
Resident Psycho
Well, you have one helluva' analog setup there! Very nice. The Oppo BDP-103 and the DAC in the C2500 will pale in comparison, but at least give you a taste. You may consider trading the C2500 in towards a D1100 DAC and use it in conjunction with your existing Audio Research preamp.
He's been racking his brains on witch mac preamp to get for a month. He's already jumped way higher than he wanted and it hasn't even arrived at his door. Now you want to tell him to jump another $4000 higher than he has already, I think Kev has you pegged as an enabler all right!!
