Okay, after years of denying it, I'm now interested in multi-channel audio. It was the recent Genesis archival box set that put me over the edge – what does the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway sound like in 5.1 audio? Now where to start. Obviously there are three things you need for multi-channel audio: 1) six speakers, 2) a receiver to process the audio signal, and 3) a disc player that can play all those formats. Well, I've got 2.1 setup with my PSB speakers, so I just need to purchase a couple of surrounds (Alpha LR1's for $85 each) and a center channel speaker. I honestly have no idea on a receiver, as this seems like the most daunting purchase (and a later post).
But the player ended up being quite an easy choice. I'm not sure how I stumbled on to it, but the Oppo DV-980H is one amazing universal disc player. Nuforce, who brought us the wonderful Icon amplifier, even offered a 20% discount on the player for their customers. A trip to Amazon.com and $134 dollars later, I've got a universal disc player that can play DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, HDCD, VCD; in fact, every format except BlueRay and the now deprecated HDDVD. It handles up to 7.1 audio, sports 24-bit, 192kHz high resolution audio D/A converters, and has Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding. Stylish, easy to setup, and above all, one great sounding disc player, it's no wonder that the Mountain View based Oppo Digital has won too numerous accolades to mention. As a DVD player, it also upconverts, which may be of interest to those looking for HD video.
I almost forgot to mention – it also plays discs with Divx and Xvid files, and it's easy to hack into an all-region player too. Check out the Videohelp website.
On the web:
Oppo Digital DV-980H
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