[jdandy]

I ordered the Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition today. As good as the standard BDP-83 sounds with the single Cirrus Logic DAC, and it does sound very good, I just could not resist owning the BDP-83SE with four ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC's per channel, and the all new analog audio stage power supply.

I expect the Oppo BDP-83SE to be quite a step up in clarity, and sonic presentation. With specs like this: stereo: 20Hz - 44kHz (±0.2dB); 20Hz - 96kHz (±1.1dB); 7.1ch: 20Hz - 44kHz (±0.4dB), and an unweighted signal to noise ratio of 117dB, it would not surprise me to hear the BDP-83 Special Edition approach the performance level of the MCD500 in two channel analog output. In two channel Oppo uses the new ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC's in a dual quad arrangement, similar to the MCD500. I am anticipating exceptional CD/HDCD/SACD/DVD/DVD-A, and Blu-ray DVD sound. Of course, the video section remains the same, but no reason to change any of that since it is using one of the most adavnced video precessing chips on the market today, the VRS by Anchor Bay. The 1080i and 1080p video performance of the Oppo BDP-83 and BDP-83SE is exemplary.

I will move the Oppo BPD-83 that is in the home theater system now to the living room system, where I have only two channels in the main system for DVD video sound, and I use "only" with tounge in cheek. I will move the new Sony BDP-S560 Blu-ray player from the living room to the bedroom, replacing the Pioneer Elite DV-37 DVD player there. That will finally put Blu-ray players at all four widescreens in the house.

I am looking forward to putting the new Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition into the surround sound system of the home theater. I am very excited to hear what the new ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC's sound like. Even with the new DAC's, analog power supply, and backlit remote control, it is hard to believe this incredible Blu-ray player sells for less than $900.00. This is the player to beat under $2K in my opinion.