Oppo and Roon

[Puma Cat]

I've been using Roon for almost a year now, and love it. My Mac Mini, which is dedicated solely to functioning as a music server is running the Roon core in my bedroom office, and is connected via Ethernet cable to my network router. It found all my content and organized it very quickly and the interface is to die for. I love the "Radio" mode that plays related content to a starting track. I've discovered music I've had that I had not listened to and that is pretty wonderful. Also, the integration with Tidal is world-class. I use a Sonore microRendu running hardware version 1.4 powered by an Uptone Audio LPS-1 power supply as my Roon endpoint. I stream files from the Mac Mini via Wifi to an Apple Airport Express in the audio rack, connect to the Rendu via Ethernet, and then via USB from the mRendu to Gumby. As the Rendu is a an Roon endpoint, I can get bit-perfect streaming from Roon. I then run another copy of Roon on my iPad or Macbook Pro in "Remote" mode and therefore do not have to use Screen Sharing to control content playback.

Here's a screenshot with a custom playlist (which are very easy to make) and the shot showing the bit-perfect "Lossless' path (got the "purple star" icon).





And how can you beat this interface? As far as I am concerned, if a device doesn't support Roon, it's out of consideration for me...a deal breaker.



Plus you can use it to stream content to other zones, so when I am in the bedroom office, I can use my Modi 2 Uber and Schiit Valhalla 2 headphone system, while still having the main system configured.

IMHO, Roon is FANTASTIC. These guys at Roon have got it GOIN' ON....

[PHC1]

Ok Oppo UDP-203 installed in my rack. Roon ready device, supernova light on, meaning lossless stream is a go. Was not planning on keeping the Oppo in my rack, just wanted to try the Roon ready device but here is how it is stacking up so far. If I keep the Oppo in my rack, I have the Roon, I have a CD player, I have an SACD player and Bluray/UHD video player to use for my computer monitor all in one box for $549.

[PHC1]

Sounds incredible by the way. Don't know why there is such a noticeable difference but Roon to OPPO to Schiit DAC is much better than before which was Tidal to USB to DAC. I have not messed around with DSP at all.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Ok Oppo UDP-203 installed in my rack. Roon ready device, supernova light on, meaning lossless stream is a go. Was not planning on keeping the Oppo in my rack, just wanted to try the Roon ready device but here is how it is stacking up so far. If I keep the Oppo in my rack, I have the Roon, I have a CD player, I have an SACD player and Bluray/UHD video player to use for my computer monitor all in one box for $549.

Tought to beat that. Plus you have Roon, too.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Sounds incredible by the way. Don't know why there is such a noticeable difference but Roon to OPPO to Schiit DAC is much better than before which was Tidal to USB to DAC. I have not messed around with DSP at all.

Those guys at Roon sure know what they are doing; the RAAT may be a part of that (Roon Advanced Audio Transport).

Personally, I think Roon's Tidal implementation is actually better than Tidal's implementation! ;-)

I don't mess with the DSP at all, personally.

[PHC1]

I suspect the bigger Oppo bro, the UDP-205 could easily replace some outboard DACs for some. The "audiophile grade OPPO UDP-205" is equipped with two ESS Technology ES9038PRO 32-bit HyperStream DACs for both stereo and 7.1 channel analog audio. As the flagship of the ESS SABRE PRO series, the ES9038PRO sets a new benchmark for audio excellence with its best in class 140 dB of dynamic range.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Ok Oppo UDP-203 installed in my rack. Roon ready device, supernova light on, meaning lossless stream is a go. Was not planning on keeping the Oppo in my rack, just wanted to try the Roon ready device but here is how it is stacking up so far. If I keep the Oppo in my rack, I have the Roon, I have a CD player, I have an SACD player and Bluray/UHD video player to use for my computer monitor all in one box for $549.

So, Serge, how are you connecting from your PC to the Oppo? Via USB? Or? And then another USB to Gumby, or a SPDIF cable?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Those guys at Roon sure know what they are doing; the RAAT may be a part of that (Roon Advanced Audio Transport).

Personally, I think Roon's Tidal implementation is actually better than Tidal's implementation! ;-)

I don't mess with the DSP at all, personally.

Stephen, the difference is not insignificant. I am frankly amazed at the extra resolution and analog smoothness. I don't know why that is but I am stunned and happy.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

So, Serge, how are you connecting from your PC to the Oppo? Via USB? Or? And then another USB to Gumby, or a SPDIF cable?

PC to Oppo is through WiFi! That is the best part. No Ethernet cables in my listening room. My Xfinity modem is in another room all together. The Oppo picks up the WiFi and I have over 100mbps in this room through the WiFi. Oppo coax digital is feeding the DAC but I also have the optical if I want to compare. So I have Roon and UHD, Blu-ray, 3D, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD and CD all in the same box.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I suspect the bigger Oppo bro, the UDP-205 could easily replace some outboard DACs for some. The "audiophile grade OPPO UDP-205" is equipped with two ESS Technology ES9038PRO 32-bit HyperStream DACs for both stereo and 7.1 channel analog audio. As the flagship of the ESS SABRE PRO series, the ES9038PRO sets a new benchmark for audio excellence with its best in class 140 dB of dynamic range.

It's possible; I haven't heard the new Oppo, though I like their products very much. Talk about another company that provides value, holy smokes!

I mostly use my Oppos for Blu-Ray playback; but I'm several generations back with the now old BD-103SE. All my SACDs were ripped to DSD file by a buddy that had one of the very first-gen Playstation 3s, so I don't play physical SACD disks anymore.

Haven't been much of a fan of ESS SAbre DACs for a while now, since hearing AKM DAC chipsets, but I haven't heard the latest gen SABREs. I do like the ESS Sabre DAC that Gordon Rankin uses in the Dragonflys, though, but Gordon adds his Streamlength code "secret sauce" to those.