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Old 09-08-2020, 04:25 PM
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Smile Oppo Fans - Any thoughts on the 203 vs the 105D?

Hello to all in The Lounge..... Although we're well aware of the fact that they've gone out of the universal player business, I've seen numerous signatures on the AAF that contain the same brand name: Oppo.

For all the Oppo fans in the lounge, what are the pros and the cons of the Oppo UDP-203 versus the venerable Oppo BDP-105D?

Thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts
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Old 09-08-2020, 07:38 PM
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105D adds a few more things to the offering. As a stand-alone DAC and improved power supplies. The 9018 DAC wasn’t one of my favorites but it does get decent reviews.

Downsides to the 205 - it doesn’t play UHD discs nor is the streaming system as powerful as the 20x (now adds Roon as a Transport service).

I actually prefer the sound of the AK range of DACs but the 203 implementation does skimp on the analog outputs and power supplies.

If you are buying preowned, I wouldn’t pay a premium for either - even if the market is commanding one. Disc transports are mechanical structures that exhibit wear and tear more noticeably. I remember you already purchased the 20x and didn’t pay a premium for it. So that’s good. If you want better sound, get the Bryston DAC and connect it to the Oppo via HDMI.

For the money, and you needed a second player - you might be better off getting a Panasonic UB820 to play UHD discs if that’s all you want. Or the Pioneer LX500 (which does use an upgraded AK4490 DAC) which does play SACD/DVDA and the lot like the Oppo 20x.
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Old 09-08-2020, 10:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doggiehowser View Post
105D adds a few more things to the offering. As a stand-alone DAC and improved power supplies. The 9018 DAC wasn’t one of my favorites but it does get decent reviews.

Downsides to the 205 - it doesn’t play UHD discs nor is the streaming system as powerful as the 20x (now adds Roon as a Transport service).

I actually prefer the sound of the AK range of DACs but the 203 implementation does skimp on the analog outputs and power supplies.

If you are buying preowned, I wouldn’t pay a premium for either - even if the market is commanding one. Disc transports are mechanical structures that exhibit wear and tear more noticeably. I remember you already purchased the 20x and didn’t pay a premium for it. So that’s good. If you want better sound, get the Bryston DAC and connect it to the Oppo via HDMI.

For the money, and you needed a second player - you might be better off getting a Panasonic UB820 to play UHD discs if that’s all you want. Or the Pioneer LX500 (which does use an upgraded AK4490 DAC) which does play SACD/DVDA and the lot like the Oppo 20x.
DoggieHowser..... I probably should have added that we already have a Sony X800M2 that will handle our 4K video duty, so I'm comparing the Oppo 203 to the 105D as audio sources, not only for sound, but also for connectivity. Put another way, if we keep the 105D as our SACD, DVD-A and our HDCD source -- a function we lose with the 203 -- will we be losing much in the way of a DAC?

I also like the fact that we can utilize the 105D's balanced XLR outputs in our system -- again, something we lose with the 203 -- but I've never heard the 105D -- which is on its way as I type this -- so I'm asking the folks on the AAF for some thoughts on the audio capabilities of the two Oppo players as DACs (for the most part)...and, not to confuse matters, but I understand that the 105D is a better source for ripping physical media, which we have a lot of.

Thank you for posting.
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections

Last edited by 70sMac; 09-08-2020 at 10:47 PM.
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Old 09-09-2020, 02:11 AM
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I debated this for a long time. At the time Oppo announced that it was closing I had
the Oppo BDP-105 which served me well, playing any disc (then) and do Netflix and
Vudu streaming. I got it before the Darbee versions 105D and 103D came out.

When the news broke, I decided to get the UDP-205 on the spot since there was not
going to be a 8K version coming (rumoured if I recall) or anything else after the closure.
I wanted to have the best blu-ray player with an abundance of connectivity. However,
I was torn that it had no streaming capabilities, but I understood they they were
sacrificed for audio quality.

At some point with both the 105 and 205 in house, I decided to part with the 105
and search for a well cared 103D. The reasoning was that if I was using one for audio
I would pick the 205 and the older brother for video streaming, and preferably with the
extra Darbee hardware. So far, I think they compliment each other well.

Additionally, I got the Amazon Fire that I connect to the HDMI input at the back of
the 103 and I have even more streaming options. Then I use the HDMI input at the back
of the 205 connected directly from the 103D.

What I'm trying to say is that it was really hard to decide on one unit. By having both,
I am set with all the connectivity without sacrificing features. I also can rip SACD
with the 103D, so I'm covered there too.

Since you own the 203 already, perhaps you could get the 105D to complement it.
Or, if the price is hard to justify, get a 103D instead. Both have about the same height
and they will certainly look cool together.
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Last edited by piolaxo; 09-09-2020 at 02:17 AM.
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  #5  
Old 09-09-2020, 03:21 AM
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Thumbs up They certainly would look good in a rack

Quote:
Originally Posted by piolaxo View Post
I debated this for a long time. At the time Oppo announced that it was closing I had
the Oppo BDP-105 which served me well, playing any disc (then) and do Netflix and
Vudu streaming. I got it before the Darbee versions 105D and 103D came out.

When the news broke, I decided to get the UDP-205 on the spot since there was not
going to be a 8K version coming (rumoured if I recall) or anything else after the closure.
I wanted to have the best blu-ray player with an abundance of connectivity. However,
I was torn that it had no streaming capabilities, but I understood they they were
sacrificed for audio quality.

At some point with both the 105 and 205 in house, I decided to part with the 105
and search for a well cared 103D. The reasoning was that if I was using one for audio
I would pick the 205 and the older brother for video streaming, and preferably with the
extra Darbee hardware. So far, I think they compliment each other well.

Additionally, I got the Amazon Fire that I connect to the HDMI input at the back of
the 103 and I have even more streaming options. Then I use the HDMI input at the back
of the 205 connected directly from the 103D.

What I'm trying to say is that it was really hard to decide on one unit. By having both,
I am set with all the connectivity without sacrificing features. I also can rip SACD
with the 103D, so I'm covered there too.

Since you own the 203 already, perhaps you could get the 105D to complement it.
Or, if the price is hard to justify, get a 103D instead. Both have about the same height
and they will certainly look cool together.
Piolaxo..... Although they would certainly make a cute couple, the Mrs. probably wouldn't be so enamored with having both of them. The 105D is already in route, so I'm trying to get some input(s) from the board to help pick one over the other...but, so far, the benefits we will get with the 105D look pretty good to me. Thanks for the post.
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections
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Old 09-09-2020, 02:11 PM
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I may be an outlier, but I prefer the picture quality of my 105D to the 205 for everything except 4K since the 105D can't do 4K. I only used both units for HT since I prefer a dedicated CD/SACD player for 2 channel music. The 105D lets me stream Netflix which I often do and play BluRays. I preferred the 105D so much that I sold the 205.I did make a tidy profit on the sale.
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Old 09-09-2020, 02:31 PM
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Thumbs up Nice

Quote:
Originally Posted by PMCH View Post
I may be an outlier, but I prefer the picture quality of my 105D to the 205 for everything except 4K since the 105D can't do 4K. I only used both units for HT since I prefer a dedicated CD/SACD player for 2 channel music. The 105D lets me stream Netflix which I often do and play BluRays. I preferred the 105D so much that I sold the 205.I did make a tidy profit on the sale.
Good on ya, Paul! The kind of money folks are getting for the Oppo 205s is mind-boggling, quite frankly...and that's why I took that particular model out of the context of our searches altogether.

Which dedicated CD/SACD player do you prefer for stereo music, sir?
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections

Last edited by 70sMac; 09-09-2020 at 04:36 PM.
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Old 09-09-2020, 04:32 PM
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Bill, I use a Esoteric K-01x. To me it sounds much better than any universal CD/SACD player but at its price point it should. I do love my 105D since it does everything else I want. It does a great job on music videos in 5.1, it even plays my old DVD high def surround disks.
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Harbeth 40.3 XD, Sound Anchor stands w/ Stillpoints, Luxman M900 & C900, Aurender N20, Jay's Audio CDT3 - MK3 CD player, Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, Shunyata Denali 6000/s V2, Altaira

Last edited by PMCH; 09-09-2020 at 07:33 PM.
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Old 09-14-2020, 03:46 PM
Dilettante Dilettante is offline
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Bill,

As far as sound quality the 105/205 would be much superior to the 103/203 when using the analog audio outs. The 105/205 were designed and built differently than the 103/203. The 105/205 have separate and better power supplies, a dedicated stereo analog audio output stage, better DAC implementation & configurations, better power supply regulations and implementation, etc.

But if you want to connect everything via HDMI out of the Oppo player to your AV pre pro the 203/103 will be better choice since you are only using the Oppo as digital disc transport if you connect via HDMI out or coax digital out or optical digital out of the Oppo player and can save some money.

Since you already have the 203 for watching movies and you stated that the 105D is en route, well......you can use the 105 for CD, SACD & DVD-Audio playbacks and run the analog audio outs of the 105. You can also use the 105 as a standalone DAC since it has various digital audio inputs on the back as well as USB DAC. And use your existing 203 for 4K UHD & bluray movies via HDMI out. The 203 has no streaming features whereas the 105 does. With the 105 you can stream Netflix, Vudu HD movies, Tidal & Pandora music streamings. The 203 has no streaming platforms at all. You can also connect the 105D via HDMI out to your AV pre pro for Netflix & Vudu HD movie streamings if you are into streaming movies. If not, just run the XLR analog audio out of the 105 to your preamp or stereo integrated amp or pre pro.

The 105/205 or the Oppo in general are jack of all trades or like a Swiss Army knife and does everything well. But if your main focus on 2ch audio music playbacks there are dedicated 2ch audio only machines out there that will sound better than the 105/205 but they usually cost lot more than the Oppos. All Oppo players are true bargain and very reliable and have top notch video qualities (picture qualities) when playing movies. When used as a video player / transport using HDMI out, the Oppo will be your best bet. The Oppos will play 4K, bluray & DVD movies flawlessly and video qualities and upscalers are top notch. Plus all Oppo players are very reliable and durable and will play any media discs reliably.

Last edited by Dilettante; 09-14-2020 at 04:04 PM.
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Old 09-14-2020, 04:01 PM
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Wink We'll see, aye?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dilettante View Post
Bill,

As far as sound quality the 105/205 would be much superior to the 103/203 when using the analog audio outs. The 105/205 were designed and built differently than the 103/203. The 105/205 have separate and better power supplies, a dedicated stereo analog audio output stage, better DAC implementation & configurations, better power supply regulations and implementation, etc.

But if you want to connect everything via HDMI out of the Oppo player to your AV pre pro the 203/103 will be better choice since you are only using the Oppo as digital disc transport if you connect via HDMI out or coax digital out or optical digital out of the Oppo player and can save some money.

Since you already have the 203 for watching movies and you stated that the 105D is en route, well......you can use the 105 for CD, SACD & DVD-Audio playbacks and run the analog audio outs of the 105. And use your existing 203 for 4K UHD & bluray movies via HDMI out. The 203 has no streaming features whereas the 105 does. With the 105 you can stream Netflix, Vudu HD movies, Tidal & Pandora music streamings. The 203 has no streaming platforms at all. You can also connect the 105D via HDMI out to your AV pre pro for Netflix & Vudu HD movie streamings if you are into streaming movies. If not, just run the XLR analog audio out of the 105 to your preamp or stereo integrated amp or pre pro.
Yep, the Oppo 105D should be here tomorrow, so, eventually, we'll see the difference ourselves. The 105D is said to have HDCD playback capability, so that's another check in the 105D "pro" category.

Just to clarify one issue...we presently have our Sony X800M2 hooked directly, via HDMI, to our LG OLED television. This has been our blu ray (BD) source since we purchased it and it has done a fine job for us. Believe it or not, we just unpacked the Samsung sound bar we purchased with the LG OLED and hooked it up via the digital cable that came with it. Wow! Did that ever wake things up around here! Man, what a difference a few inches of speaker surface and a subwoofer can make. In short, we can't wait to get our new B&W HTM3S center hooked up and "talking."

Now, it's just a matter of finding the right multi-channel power amp...

By the way, that was my very first experience with an "optical" interconnect cable. In my best southern draw: Yeah, I'm your huckleberry.
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections
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