Topic: Maybe a decent Universal Player option?

[SparkE!]

You have to turn HDMI off before you can get output from either of the S/PDIF digital (coax or optical) outputs.  If you have HDMI output enabled, S/PDIF is disabled according to the user manuals for the DV-970HD.  There's one version of the user manual that was co-authored by audioholics that is particularly easy to understand.  Both versions of the user manual are available on OPPO's web site.

[Nick's Picks]

interesting.
I ordered a 970HD today so I can see if its any better than the already cheap universal I have.

[Nick's Picks]

what I really like about these is that Rick Shultz is doing mods, and they are not all that expensive. I'm going to have mine done....IF....with his mods he can somehow add a toslink INPUT jack into the signal chain somewhere.
w/its digital volume control (on the remote), this could be a slick minimalist approach and using the OPPO to drive an amp directly.  I like that option.
but I need more than one input for my digital needs. 

[carlbeck]

The only problem with the minimal route of just a volume control is that usually the system will lack dynamics. In my past systems the pre-amp always adds an increase in dynamics & slam, especially in a tube system. Not to say that from a purely economical point it wouldn't produce good music but usually once a good pre is inserted in the system the system will sound better & more three dimensional.

[Nick's Picks]

this is digital volume control.  it'll lack at low volumes, but be fine once its turned up.
Isn't there a saying that "the best preamp...is no preamp" ?
;-)

economics dont really play into this here.  its a cheap deck, and well worth the try.  everything I can eliminate between the bits and the speakers will help.

[carlbeck]

Nope, I gotta disagree with you 100% especially after living with just volume control on the Benchmark. A pre adds to the system. No pre is better then a crappy pre but but a good pre will blow away a volume control digital or not.

[Nick's Picks]

i've got no preamp in my system now, and even you agree its the best my living room has ever sounded.

[som]

Teddy - Are you using this as a transport, or are you using the D/A as well? I don't have a DAC, so am interested in the quality of the analog output.

Thanks!

[carlbeck]

Nick, you have a pre-amp stage in your integrated amp, it is still an additional stage in your amp is my point, not a passive volume control. Technically I don't have a pre-amp in addition too my integrated either 

[RebelRebel]

Teddy - Are you using this as a transport, or are you using the D/A as well? I don't have a DAC, so am interested in the quality of the analog output.

Thanks!

right now, using the D/A as well.

[Nick's Picks]

i dont believe there is a preamp stage in there.  not sure though

[thegreatgumbino]

Anymore feedback on these units, fellas?

[RebelRebel]

nothing more to say other than I love mine. If you per chance dont enjoy it, there are a number of places that mod them. but stock it clearly trounces my denon . pinoneer, and toshiba

http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/

http://www.tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Modifications_to_DVD_and_Univer.html

[Nick's Picks]

Rick Shultz MOD is where i'd be going if I was using its analog output.

any whoo...
awesome video.
killer features
volume control
USB input allows you to attach any USB HDD and it will read the contents and play files it recognizes, wav, mp3..etc.  you can scroll through it via the remote and using the TV to navigate.

so if it sounds great on its own, and you can dump $3-400 into it in modifications to make it sound seriously great....and it gives you all those other features, seems like a nice digital front end option to put in front of any amp you like.  tubes,/T/D/SS, bring it on!

[Tim]

huh - I like the USB function. All I need is a decent transport in front of the Bel Canto