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Oppo BDP-93 and BDP-95 - Blue ray players with the best Price/Quality bargain
Several years ago, the Oppo introduced to the masses high-resolution universal audio/Blu-ray players BDP-83 and its upgraded sibling, the BDP-83SE. The BDP-83 Series was a hard act to follow, but the market moves quickly and other BD player manufacturers were adding new features, such as 3-D video playback and Wi-Fi streaming capabilities that merged the PC world with standalone players. Therefore in order to stay on the top, with the new BDP-93 and BDP-95 models Oppo is maintaining their high-audio and video performance pedigree, but adding the bells and whistles that A/V customers want. From a performance perspective, the new BDP 93 maintains the quality that audiophile and videophiles desire, and the Oppo’s premium BDP-95 ups the audio quality even more.
BDP-93 - Universal Network 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
•Exceptional Picture and Sound Quality
•2nd Generation Qdeo Video Processing
•Blu-ray 3D & Network Streaming
•SACD & DVD-Audio/Video
•Wireless N, eSATA & USB 2.0
•Dual HDMI, IR & RS232 Control
For reviews look here.
The BDP-93 is priced the same as the venerable BDP-83 and features the same audio engine from the BDP-83 (Cirrus Logic CS4382 DAC), but the player is now equipped with HDMI 1.4A, 3-D playback and Wi-Fi streaming of internet favorites, such as Netflix and Blockbuster On-Demand. Its operating system is virtually the same as the old ‘83 — with the additional features —and the player’s aesthetics have been subtly changed to keep it modern looking. The concentric controller ring and most of the push-button, on-board controls have been replaced by flush, touch-panel buttons. Internally, Oppo switched to the Marvell Qdeo Kyoto G2 video processor, which offers the same subjective performance as the Anchor Bay processor used in the BDP-83 series. According to Oppo, the audio circuit is basically the same as the BDP-83, utilizing the good-performing Cirrus Logic CS-4382, which delivers solid, high-resolution sonics. The BDP-93 (and BDP-95) mechanical operation is significantly quieter than the ‘83s, due to better noise suppression on the internals of the chassis and a revised disc drawer design.
Connection options now include two HDMI 1.4a jacks, eSATA port, RS-232 port, Ethernet, SPDIF optical and coaxial PCM output jacks, and 7.1 RCA analog audio outputs. Component and composite video jacks are maintained, and two USB ports allow the BD player to be used as an audio/video player using files from a USB portable drive. For those who like to use peripheral DACs, Oppo has maintained its unencumbered LPCM digital output path. In fact, the BDP-93/95s output 24-bit/native sample rate audio from any PCM media including commercial DVD-As and Bluy-rays. With Blu-ray PCM, the high-res signal must be tapped from the HDMI jack and fed to a HDMI-to-SPDIF converter in order to allow it to connect to a DAC’s SPDF input. The Oppos’ SPDIF LPCM output of a Blu-ray is limited to 16-bit. SACD audio can be converted to 24-bit/ kHz PCM and output via the HDMI jack, too. No SPDIF digital output from SACDs.
The BDP-93’s real improvements come in the extra features set: the ability to stream video/audio from the internet and its 3-D capability. It is easy to set up the menus to allow streaming via the BDP-93. The player supports streaming services such as Netflix instant streaming and Blockbuster On Demand. It also supports BD-Live and BonusView (Profile 2.0).
Overall, the BDP-93 maintains the good video and audio performance of the BDP-83, but adds Wi-Fi streaming and 3-D. Its redesigned cabinet and loading mechanism also, is quieter than its predecessors, giving it a bit more high-end refinement.
BDP-95 - Universal Audiophile 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
•ES9018 SABRE 32-bit Reference DAC
•Balanced XLR & Toroidal Transformer
•SACD, DVD-Audio, HDCD, WAV & FLAC
•2nd Generation Qdeo Video Processing
•3D, Streaming, Wireless, eSATA & USB
•Dual HDMI, IR In & RS232 Control
For reviews look here.
Several companies have taken the basic models used by Oppo and have offered various audio upgrade versions, some in the many thousands of dollars, to achieve the better sound. The BDP-95 is Oppo's improved version of their own player and it is the step-up for those who want a bit more out of the audio performance. There are sonic improvements that audiophiles and picky eared home-theater fanatics will appreciate.
Operationally, it offers the same video processing, network streaming and 3-D capability as the BDP-93, but the audio section has been beefed up considerably. A toroidal power supply, courtesy of Rotel, SABRE ES9018 DAC chip, National Semiconductor 4562 op-amps and XLR stereo outputs put the BDP-95 squarely in the high-end two-channel player league — without the premium audiophile price. For a grand, this audiophile player is a steal. Throw in the excellent video, Wi-Fi streaming and 3-D capability, and the player package is simply amazing.
Moreover the BDP-95‘s upgrade list is more significant than the BDP-83SE. It includes a high-end ESS SABRE DAC (ES9018), National Semiconductor 4562 audio-path op-amps, Rotel-supplied toroidal power transformer and improved power-supply components, balanced XLR stereo outputs and unbalanced stereo outputs. Versus the old ‘83SE, the BDP-95‘s multichannel output jacks get more real estate on the chassis’ back-end, so it can accommodate high-end cables.
With accurate headphones and amplifier, headphone listening allows you to hear deeper into the mix to pick up differences that may not always be audible when listening midfield or far-field with speakers. Subtle nuances can be heard in the close headphone monitoring environment, as well.
The article is based on the review "Audiophile-Home Cinema Review!", by John Gatski, June 24, 2011
14.01.2012Back