Got a chance to audition the DX-5 today both visually, with surround sound and 2 channel. Hard to say about the video, it looked great but I'd like to compare to Oppo 83 to really see the difference.

In terms of sound, a beefed up, reworked Oppo guts product it may be but it doesn't sound like any Oppo I've ever heard. With the sound going through an Arcam processor, not a high end preamp, what I heard was a very detailed sound that was refined and exhibited great focus, depth and width of soundstage as well as a sense of effortless dynamics and a smooth sonic signature that reminded me of their CDPs with MP filters.

Very nice!

Thanks for the feedback on ther DX-5. I own a CX-7-e that hasn't been sent back to Ayre for the MP upgrade yet. I can only imagine how nice the DX-5 sounded playing 2 channel music. What other components besides the Arcam? Higher end preamp would I'm sure bring out even more from the unit. Now the real question to put you on the spot. If you had the opportunity would you buy it? 9K for a heavily modified Oppo isn't that cost effective but tempting for someone that needs a "high end" CD/DVD/SACD/Blu ray player that sounds better than the standard units. I would love to read a comparison of the Oppo BD-83SE and the Ayre DX-5 both video and audio playback.

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V.Sharp

I think taking the Arcam out of equation would bring about an even greater improvement to what was an already very impressive sound. The rest of the gear was Bryston amps, transparent cabling and Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers.

In terms of if I would buy it if I needed a one box solution for CD/SACD/Blu? Probably. No matter how good the Oppo is, the DX-5 is simply better. Take a look at some pics out there and see how much work they did to it.

Serge.......Yours are the first comments I have read from anyone on the new Ayre DX-5 universal player. It's good to hear some feedback on this product. Knowing Ayre's approach to design and engineering excellence, and realizing their confidence in the Oppo BDP-83SE as a starting platform for the DX-5, it would stand to reason the DX-5 would demonstrate superior performance over the stock Oppo BDP-83SE. None the less the BDP-83SE is a serious contender for a high performance Blu-ray player and universal audio player. It would be a bona fide buyers bargain at twice it's current selling price.

Just out of curiosity, what is the Ayre DX-5 retail price?

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

US$10k

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Turntable
Dr. Feickert Twin-DFA
TriPlanar Mk VII UII
Miyajima Shilabe Cartridge
Lehmann Black Cube SE Decade

Meridian
504 FM Tuner
Sooloos C15
Twinstore [3TBx2]
808i.3 CD/DAC/Preamp
800v4 CD/DVD AV Computer (DAX)
DSP8k SL Speakers

Multi Player
Oppo BDP83se NuForce Edition

Power Dist & Cables
Shunyata Hydra Talos
Shunyata Venom 3

Interconnects
Cardas Clear

Extra Gears
AKG K701 Headphones