Digital Drive

Posted by PAR (A) on August 05, 2019 at 02:09:48

In Reply to: RE: I'm sure I would IF I had upwards of $20k to spend on it.... posted by TWB on August 04, 2019 at 18:43:45

Did you not notice the smiley at the end of my last sentence? That is there to indicate that my suggestion should not be taken too seriously. I was perfectly aware that you would be unlikely to buy the dCS equipment ( BTW more like $48K given your SACD requirement). I was using a little irony given the lack of a budget limit to suggest one of the most expensive items that I could think of. The point of my post was to ask for a budget.

Why do I ask for a budget? Because I do not know your detailed intention. For example do you want to spend whatever you once spent on your Oppo (and which Oppo, different models covered a range both of audio quality and prices)? Or do you want to spend a sum roughly equivalent to current prices for a used Oppo or for a NOS Oppo ? Do you want to spend less than previously? On the other hand have you sufficient funds to consider, say, one of the better Marantz players* or other good SACD players? Do you want simply to replicate the Oppo's audio performance or would spending a little more to get something a little better attract you?

Replacing something does not always equate to an exact substitute. Some people use the opportunity to upgrade or even downgrade ("downsize").

* I just checked the Marantz USA website and they now do not appear to offer an SACD player under 4 grand :-(. So I am guessing that option is no longer worth considering.At the other end of the scale there is a Sony Blue Ray player that offers SACD replay for around $300 - the UBP X800 M2 - but whether it is comparable to your old Oppo I could not say.

Incidentally your problem with the Oppo sounds as if the OPU needs replacing. Oppo used DVD drives and the laser units may still be available. Worth checking.

Edits: 08/05/19   08/05/19