Given that Oppo no longer manufactures products, I may eventually need some solution other than their universal players (e.g., UDP-205). Perhaps another brand of universal player, or a server-based networked solution, or streaming from a service provider.
Regarding server-based solutions, I'd like to learn more about how to copy all types of music (and video) discs to a central server (or NAS), and play it – meeting all of the following requirements.
First, let me say that I’m not interested in taking on the role of systems integrator for a DIY solution that is based on a mix of open-source software and generic hardware components – unless it’s extremely simple to install. (What I recall reading about building a solution based on Raspberry Pi is that it is suitable for PC hobbyists.)
My needs for a server-based audio/video solution – that would match (or exceed) what my Oppo UDP-205 does – would include the following requirements:
Thus far, the descriptions I’ve read have caused me to conclude that there is no simple and reliable solution – unless you’re only ripping CDs (and the CD layer of SACDs) for pop music (vs. classical music).
Ripping the SACD layer of a hybrid SACD apparently involves a specific early version of Playstation 3 that has been rebuilt and/or modified and/or hacked, and third-party software? Or, the audio must be converted from digital to analog, and then converted back to digital? When I bought a new PC a year ago, there was no PC disc reader that would read the SACD layer of an SACD (vs. reading the CD layer).
Is it possible to rip Ultra HD Blu-ray? How easy is it to rip Blu-ray and Pure Audio Blu-ray?
Tagging classical music is reportedly a PITA – requiring the end-user to define a schema for the metadata, and manually tag each recording. (Or pay a fee to a service provider. Roon? Gracenote? Other meta-data service-provider?) Apparently, there is no standard in the recording industry for something as simple as what goes in the “artist” field for classical music: the composer, conductor, or one of several soloists? Reportedly, without editing the supplied metadata, classical recordings are often not easily searchable.
In my reading about the challenge of copying multiple types of discs to a server, I learned a new (to me) slang expression: “faff”.
And then there’s the issue of becoming knowledgeable about optimizing in-home data networking (i.e. configuring routers, extenders, etc).
Regarding playback software, some people think JRiver is “the cat’s pajamas” and is easy to use. Others report that it’s difficult to use, and some are dissatisfied with JRiver’s support model. It seems that every software solution for playback has its limitations.
I’d appreciate your comments (or a link), that explains everything that is needed – hardware, software, and labor – to establish a server-based solution for all of the digital audio and video formats. I’d be interested in learning how long it takes a newbie to install and configure this type of solution, and how long it takes to copy - and edit the metadata for classical music - for each type of recording listed above.
I’m glad that I own a UDP-205, BDP-105, BDP-95, and two DV-980H. I hope they will serve me for many years. Until Oppo announced they are exiting the business, I had concluded that the UDP-205 was the best solution for my needs – providing simple “drop a disc in the tray” ease-of-use for all audio and video digital formats – stereo and multi-channel – directly driving my vintage tube amps (i.e., no need for a pre-amp, or pre-processor, or AVR).
Does any other manufacturer make a machine that does everything the UDP-205 did?
It appears that at some point, I may need to learn a new approach. A home-server-based solution might be one option.
Or, perhaps I’ll wait until streaming is available with uncompromised multi-channel hi-res audio and video – and uncompromised reliability - for all music genre (including classical music and opera) - and let the service provider (e.g., Spotify or Tidal or Netflix) do most of the “heavy lifting”. (It seems to me that for people who are satisfied with “near-CD audio quality” – streaming is the solution today. Why bother with copying CDs to a server, when you can access the same music from Spotify for $10 per month? Or, Tidal “HiFi” (with arguably better audio quality) for $20 per month.)
For now, I’ll keep using my Oppo UDP-205 (and BDP-105, BDP-95) so that I can play all types of hi-res discs, plus my HDTracks hi-res downloads. I’ll continue to use Spotify Premium and Youtube for exploring music that is new to me. And I’ll probably experiment with a different way to stream Netfix that is more reliable than my Chromecast and Android tablet. At the same time, I need to start looking to the future. Any advice will be appreciated.
Regarding server-based solutions, I'd like to learn more about how to copy all types of music (and video) discs to a central server (or NAS), and play it – meeting all of the following requirements.
First, let me say that I’m not interested in taking on the role of systems integrator for a DIY solution that is based on a mix of open-source software and generic hardware components – unless it’s extremely simple to install. (What I recall reading about building a solution based on Raspberry Pi is that it is suitable for PC hobbyists.)
My needs for a server-based audio/video solution – that would match (or exceed) what my Oppo UDP-205 does – would include the following requirements:
- Reliable. No smartphone/tablet apps that freeze or loose synchronization. (IME, a common problem with Chromecast playing Netflix.) No audio drop-outs. (IME, an occasional problem with Chromecast Audio playing Spotify Premium.) Apps must be proven reliable.
- No degradation of audio quality compared with the source recording. No down-sampling. Preferably, no transcoding – i.e., retain the original format.
- A way to copy (i.e., rip) existing recordings. Software that is simple to install, and use – for all types of recordings listed below.
- Support for all types of multi-channel (5.1) and stereo audio and video (e.g., concert videos, opera, ballet - plus Hollywood movies):
- SACD (i.e., copying the SACD layer, not the CD layer of a hybrid SACD)
- Blu-ray
- Pure Audio Blu-ray
- Ultra HD Blu-ray
- CD
- HDCD is important to some people. (But not a requirement for me.)
- Downloaded hi-res (24bit/192kHz) FLAC
- Downloaded hi-res DSD
- Simple (and preferably automatic) way to correct and enhance metadata for classical recordings (e.g., subgenre, composer, composition, conductor, orchestra, soloists, etc).
- Ensure that multiple-movement compositions (e.g., a symphony) are properly concatenated – in the right order.
- Gapless playback (e.g., a long movement that is broken into more than one file).
- A DAC (or “network player” or other device) that supports all audio and video formats listed above, and delivers the following features:
- Bass management, i.e., a configurable crossover that is installed before the amp(s), in order to off-load deep bass from the main amp(s) and speakers. (In my case, 2.1 and 5.1 systems.) Line-level RCA connection for subwoofer.
- Support for streaming from local NAS (DLNA?) for all formats listed above.
- Support for streaming audio from a service provider (e.g., Spotify Premium, Tunein) built-in, or a TOSLINK input for something like Chromecast Audio.
- A TOSLINK input to connect the audio from my TV. (I do not have cable TV.)
- USB input able to connect a computer, in order to utilize the DAC.
- Ability to connect to a USB external drive (or memory stick) that contains music files.
- Support for streaming video (hi-res video, hi-res multichannel audio) from Netflix, etc.
- HDMI input to connect to Chromecast (video), Blu-ray disc player, etc. Hi-res.
- A coax input to the DAC might be useful to some people. (Though this is not a requirement for me.)
- Pre-amp functionality built-in, with remote volume control, suitable for directly driving a power amp. RCA analog line-level outputs for 2.0, 2.1, and 5.1. (In my case, to drive my vintage tube power amps without requiring another piece of equipment in the audio chain, such as a pre-amp, pre-processor, or AVR.)
- Whatever else is needed to make the DAC work. If “jitter buffers” and/or “power supply filters”, etc. are required, they should be built-in, not external add-ons.
- Some might want a built-in headphone amp and jack. (Not a requirement of mine.)
- Playback software that is simple to install and use. (In my case, based on Android, and Windows 10.)
- Ability to play through multiple hi-fi systems. (In my case 5 hi-fi systems.)
Thus far, the descriptions I’ve read have caused me to conclude that there is no simple and reliable solution – unless you’re only ripping CDs (and the CD layer of SACDs) for pop music (vs. classical music).
Ripping the SACD layer of a hybrid SACD apparently involves a specific early version of Playstation 3 that has been rebuilt and/or modified and/or hacked, and third-party software? Or, the audio must be converted from digital to analog, and then converted back to digital? When I bought a new PC a year ago, there was no PC disc reader that would read the SACD layer of an SACD (vs. reading the CD layer).
Is it possible to rip Ultra HD Blu-ray? How easy is it to rip Blu-ray and Pure Audio Blu-ray?
Tagging classical music is reportedly a PITA – requiring the end-user to define a schema for the metadata, and manually tag each recording. (Or pay a fee to a service provider. Roon? Gracenote? Other meta-data service-provider?) Apparently, there is no standard in the recording industry for something as simple as what goes in the “artist” field for classical music: the composer, conductor, or one of several soloists? Reportedly, without editing the supplied metadata, classical recordings are often not easily searchable.
In my reading about the challenge of copying multiple types of discs to a server, I learned a new (to me) slang expression: “faff”.
And then there’s the issue of becoming knowledgeable about optimizing in-home data networking (i.e. configuring routers, extenders, etc).
Regarding playback software, some people think JRiver is “the cat’s pajamas” and is easy to use. Others report that it’s difficult to use, and some are dissatisfied with JRiver’s support model. It seems that every software solution for playback has its limitations.
I’d appreciate your comments (or a link), that explains everything that is needed – hardware, software, and labor – to establish a server-based solution for all of the digital audio and video formats. I’d be interested in learning how long it takes a newbie to install and configure this type of solution, and how long it takes to copy - and edit the metadata for classical music - for each type of recording listed above.
I’m glad that I own a UDP-205, BDP-105, BDP-95, and two DV-980H. I hope they will serve me for many years. Until Oppo announced they are exiting the business, I had concluded that the UDP-205 was the best solution for my needs – providing simple “drop a disc in the tray” ease-of-use for all audio and video digital formats – stereo and multi-channel – directly driving my vintage tube amps (i.e., no need for a pre-amp, or pre-processor, or AVR).
Does any other manufacturer make a machine that does everything the UDP-205 did?
It appears that at some point, I may need to learn a new approach. A home-server-based solution might be one option.
Or, perhaps I’ll wait until streaming is available with uncompromised multi-channel hi-res audio and video – and uncompromised reliability - for all music genre (including classical music and opera) - and let the service provider (e.g., Spotify or Tidal or Netflix) do most of the “heavy lifting”. (It seems to me that for people who are satisfied with “near-CD audio quality” – streaming is the solution today. Why bother with copying CDs to a server, when you can access the same music from Spotify for $10 per month? Or, Tidal “HiFi” (with arguably better audio quality) for $20 per month.)
For now, I’ll keep using my Oppo UDP-205 (and BDP-105, BDP-95) so that I can play all types of hi-res discs, plus my HDTracks hi-res downloads. I’ll continue to use Spotify Premium and Youtube for exploring music that is new to me. And I’ll probably experiment with a different way to stream Netfix that is more reliable than my Chromecast and Android tablet. At the same time, I need to start looking to the future. Any advice will be appreciated.