Oppo Digital Folding.

[hjames]

For those using an Oppo 203 or 205, HDCD playback is possible using its USB input.

But HDCD decoding in an Oppo BDP 203/205 is still not an option,Only the older Oppo disc players can do that. Playing files decoded/loaded elsewhere is something different.

 

[sensei91]

Even though I have an older Oppo DVD player that works quite well, and my son is returning another Oppo DVD player that I " loaned " him several years ago, I ordered a UDP-203 on Wed. It just arrived .I might have to sneak it in the house after dark to avoid any questions from my wife.

 

[GChief]

probably experiment with a different way to stream Netfix

I travel a lot and the only issues my Firestick has with Netflix is if the Hotel Internet is crap. Good WiFi no problems.

 

[amb3cog]

DVD players are all the same in the digital domain. One DVD player driving HDMI (a purely digital interface) is the same as another, or it's broken. If it's driving an analog output (whether audio or video) then we're back in the analog domain where there are inevitably differences.

As for timing, early digital systems were subject to significant jitter (data arriving at varying times). Modern digital systems buffer the data retrieved from the source so transport jitter is eliminated. Any jitter is thus a function of the DAC, not the transport.

The buffer is to compile the data. Only player I've seen with a buffer like you mentioned is those old portable CD players. In a CD/DVD player the DAC controls the tuning. When you send it to an external DAC it's actually worse for the timing. The transports are not all the same The PS can affect the SQ, and poor design/poor quality parts can result in read errors. You're assuming perfection in an imperfect world. Everything including the weather, and the power in your house. Can effect everything. Whether you'll actually notice I don't know. But they're not all exactly the same at all.

Here's a quote from someone who can explain it better then me.

"There is no such thing as digital, it may surprise you to learn. Digital technologies are based on an idea of binary states, which must be achieved through analogue means. For most fields of work, this is sufficient to permit progress in execution. In audio, lack of precision in voltage signal boundaries, error accretion and time-smearing effects are inherently detrimental to the signal (and therefore outcome) itself and nigh on impossible to recover again. Error correction which invariably relies on interpolation (guessing, to you and me) can further impair the signal. Moreover, noise (from many varying sources, power, RFI, EMF related, for example) injected into digital systems is very hard to clean out again later down the signal chain. In those ideas lie an understanding of how and why well-built transport mechanisms can make a difference to a digital audio presentation."

And a good read.

https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-how-much-impact-can-cd-transport-have-sound-quality?amp

I'll try to post more links when I have time. I have a good one that explains why there's always timing errors even if you use a word clock equipped system. Even Uber expensive recording studio ones. Digital is not how everyone thinks at all. We've been lied to by people who want to make money. And from well meaning prior too. It's just binary measurements in the same way a carpenter writing down the length and width of the board he has to cut. That too is digital actually. When everything goes correctly they come back exactly the same. But there's always little errors.

OLD dog stuck in his ways. First I have the money to spend in fact I usually spend 300 bucks a week on CD's and records.
So I will go kicking, screaming, biting, punching. Right up to the end. But I have seen this before remember when vinyl came to a end. Well for guys like me it never did. I hung on to all I had and then went second handshopping. Now for the time being and I'm sure it will be short vinyl has made it comeback. Streaming is not even in my bandwidth so to speak before I pay a monthly fee I will just keep listening to my old out of date CD's and records. Why would anyone want to pay more for less? There are many times I can buy the actual disc for less then Amazon wants for the MP3. All that is, is air no disc no cover no book no nothing.
Like my grandparents would say to me in the old days, "If your friends jumped off a cliff would you?"

I had to make a choice of what medium I would use. Since I owned no music. I chose streaming. I don't have room for records unfortunately. Or the money really. So it works for me. I have Tidal, Amazon Prime (music and movies), Google Play Music/You Tube Red, Netflix, IheartRadio for local stations, internet radio like BBC, and anything I can't get there. I know where to go, and get it for free. I pay less then $15 a month for all that by being smart. I use free trials. I share passwords. I go halves on my Prime membership too.

So basically I can listen to any piece of music, and watch any movie I want. Anytime I want. And my room is still my room. I don't have to share it with a bunch of media. Yes I can't pull up that rare first pressing. I know. But I still have a TT if I ever see something cool like that. It's just in my garage now in it's original box. Because streaming is just too cheap, and convenient.

But I get it. Records are nice .They're really cool. I like the artwork, and such. It's just not practical in my case. And I like easy. And, unlike you. I'm not choosing to give up something I have already. I own less then 25 junk Records I bought off a guy for $20. And you don't have to spend much , or give up anything to try streaming. I own a really nice DAC I paid $100 for and it's just hooked up to my computer right now. Before that I had one I paid $60 that even came with the cable. That sounds good too. In fact If you have a computer with USB. I'll let you try it. I'm not using it right now. You just pay shipping back to me. I'll pay for it to go to you. It's tiny. Can go flat rate. LMK

 

[DaveVoorhis]

The buffer is to compile the data. Only player I've seen with a buffer like you mentioned is those old portable CD players. In a CD/DVD player the DAC controls the tuning. When you send it to an external DAC it's actually worse for the timing. The transports are not all the same

All working transports that emit a digital stream are the same -- i.e., they both meet the standards for the given output digital interface, and they emit a bit-perfect copy of the digital source -- or they're broken, in precisely the same manner that you get exactly the same colours and fonts and pixels on your computer screen whether the documents you're viewing have been loaded from a Western Digital hard drive or a Seagate hard drive or a Hitachi hard drive.

Unless, of course, the drive is broken. Then you get errors or obvious corruption.

All modern digital interfaces are buffered and error-corrected, and modern audio protocols support jitter-free interfacing. E.g., Class 2 asynchronous USB eliminates transport jitter; any jitter is either in the original source or introduced by the DAC. The intervening transmission is jitter-free.

Note that analog systems are more subject to both timing inaccuracies and noise than digital systems, which even with jitter are more accurate than their analog equivalents. Inaccuracies in digital systems are expressed as noise, which with 16 bits of resolution and above is generally lower level -- whilst being capable of wider dynamic range -- than any equivalent analog system.

 

[hjames]

This needs to start its own thread
since the real Question posted is "How do I do a digital music server?"
rather than the initial thought "Oppo is going out of Business".
Basically its a WHOLE DIFFFERENT TOPIC.
I've asked a superMod to move it to a new thread,
most likely in the Digital Sources section -
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/digital-sources.25/

Please, lets keep this thread strictly on
"Oppo is going out of Business".

Apologies in advance for this LONG ramble … and I may swerve off-topic in my quest for understanding “post-Oppo-UDP-205” options. I’ve tried to tie my questions and comments to the original topic.

Given that Oppo no longer manufactures products, I will 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.

I’d appreciate being able to read a separate thread wherein someone who is more knowledgeable than me explains in detail 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.

I’m not interested in taking on the role of systems integrator for a cobbled-together 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 NOT simple – it’s suited for PC hobbyists. I’m not interested in taking on a new hobby.)

Off the top of my head, 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, 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 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 gizmo) that supports all audio and video formats listed above, and delivers the following features:
  • Bass management, i.e., a configurable crossover 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 have no cable TV.)
  • USB input able to connect a computer, in order to utilize DAC.
  • Ability to connect to a USB external drive (or memory stick) that contains downloads.
  • Support for streaming video (hi-res multichannel) from Netflix, etc.
  • HDMI input to connect to Chromecast (video), Blu-ray disc player, etc. Hi-res.
  • Perhaps a coax input to the DAC would be useful to some people. (Though this is not a requirement for me.)
  • Pre-amp functionality, with remote volume control, suitable for directly driving a power amp. RCA analog line-level (red & white) outputs for 2.0, 2.1, and 5.1. (In my case, to drive my vintage tube power amps.)
  • 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 be added on (and tied together with rubber bands).
  • 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.)

If a concise, comprehensive explanation of server-based solutions already exists, I’d appreciate a link. (I didn’t find this information via the link that was provided earlier to articles by Kal Rubinson.)

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 copied, 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 a link, or a new thread, that sheds some light on 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.

Back on topic – it appears the UDP-205 sold out within a day or two after Oppo announced that they are exiting the business. 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 two days ago (when Oppo announced they’re 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.

Does any other manufacturer make a machine that does everything the UDP-205 did?

It appears that at some point, I will 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 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.

 

[bobschneider]

Oppo’s website now lets you sign up to be notified in case they do another run of 205s

https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/

 

[robert_kc]

This needs to start its own thread
since the real Question posted is "How do I do a digital music server?"
rather than the initial thought "Oppo is going out of Business".
Basically its a WHOLE DIFFFERENT TOPIC.
I've asked a superMod to move it to a new thread,
most likely in the Digital Sources section -
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/digital-sources.25/

Please, lets keep this thread strictly on
"Oppo is going out of Business".

Thanks for the assistance from the moderators. I've started a new thread in Digital Sources titled "Options for playing digital music ... now that Oppo is out of business".

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....usic-now-that-oppo-is-out-of-business.817825/

 

[Condorsat]

Never owned any OPPO disc spinners but ... must say that the company had a dedicated fan base. This fellow looks like he just got back from a funeral for a friend.

 

[N8Nagel]

Never owned any OPPO disc spinners but ... must say that the company had a dedicated fan base. This fellow looks like he just got back from a funeral for a friend.

That's kind of how I feel. Was really hoping to pick up a used 105 someday but now they'll probably never drop in value.

 

[Condorsat]

That's kind of how I feel. Was really hoping to pick up a used 105 someday but now they'll probably never drop in value.

I thought about it for a good many years when my original Sony Blu Ray player went Tango Uniform. Just never pulled
the trigger.

 

[N8Nagel]

I thought about it for a good many years when my original Sony Blu Ray player went Tango Uniform. Just never pulled
the trigger.

I do have a 103 for the quad system and a 95 as a straight up disc player so I'm not totally bumming... Just really wanted a 105 (or 205).

 

[Audiofreak71]

Never owned any OPPO disc spinners but ... must say that the company had a dedicated fan base. This fellow looks like he just got back from a funeral for a friend.

That reviewer is actually pretty good and one of the few who actually knows what he’s talking about in technical terms . He really explained the ins and outs of the Oppo players in detail, you should check him out sometime.

Audiofreak71

 

[damacman]

205 ... In da house!

 

[hjames]

FYI - I Just checked and Oppo apparently still has UDP-203-4K players for $550 w/2 year warrantee (their regular, non-gouge pricing)

They have a sign-up interest list for the last batch of the UDP-205 models ...

I have NO connection to Oppo other than owning an old 981HD and a bdp-103D player ...

 

[Audiofreak71]

FYI - I Just checked and Oppo apparently still has UDP-203-4K players for $550 w/2 year warrantee

They have a sign-up interest list for the last batch of the UDP-205 models ...

i have NO connection to Oppo other than owning an old 981HD and a bdp-103D player ...

Yeah I saw that on there website and although I own a 203 I signed up to get a 205 when they make some more. It’s crazy how much both the 203 and 205 are being marked up on eBay , still can’t believe there stopping production of there disc players .

Audiofreak71

 

[Bostown]

Yeah I saw that on there website and although I own a 203 I signed up to get a 205 when they make some more. It’s crazy how much both the 203 and 205 are being marked up on eBay , still can’t believe there stopping production of there disc players .

Audiofreak71

End of the world pricing... sometimes capitalism really brings out the worst in humanity . People with an Oppo 205 are trying to capitalize and instantly turning themselves into Martin Shkreli .

Sadly, too many sheep will lead their wallets to slaughter with this nonsense. It”s a media player, people, not a cure for the ills of the world.

Oh Snap! BREAKING NEWS: Beanie babies , Furbies and Tickle me Elmo dolls are all the rage again, Quick. Run to your attic...

SIKE!

 

[Condorsat]

 

[Bostown]

Psych!

Maybe it's an acid flashback , but I could swear I typed "SIKE!" intentionally since I wanted to use the urban slang spelling for effect in place of the correct spelling "Psych!" Yet miraculously, ( or mysteriously) The spelling was changed.

Damn , either that recent AK software upgrade added some Machine Learning voodoo or... AK has content editing fairies on their team.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

Maybe it's an acid flashback , but I could swear I typed "SIKE!" intentionally since I wanted to use the urban slang spelling for effect in place of the correct spelling "Psych!" Yet miraculously, ( or mysteriously) The spelling was changed.

Damn , either that recent AK software upgrade added some Machine Learning voodoo are AK has content editing fairies on their team.

As of this writing, your post shows "Last edited: 9 minutes ago". I remember seeing "SIKE!", which I assumed -- and you've confirmed -- was an intentional misspelling.

That edit wasn't you?

If the mods are doing copy editing -- particularly editing that subtly changes the tone or meaning -- that's a step outside of reasonable bounds. It's certainly outside of the norm for typical forum moderation.