I am trying to decide on one of these three players. Going to use it as my central hub for most everything. Streaming Netflix, Amazon and YouTube. Plus obviously playing 4k Atmos movies. I am sure all three of them do all the above pretty close to the same. Where the quality might, and I stress might differ is two channel audio performance which is CRITICAL for me. And depending which route I take, I might even just use HDMI for that as well. Because my AVR accepts the HDMI SACD transfer direct with no down conversion. So I get to take full advantage of DSD, SACD. But, I still might go analog out to my AVR for two channel Redbook CD playback. And if I did that, do you think it would be a noticeable difference between the three players?

Thanks

• 2

Get a separate amp for two channel listening, get a separate dac as well , get an oppo up-203 (because it has the multi channel inputs and has exceptional video ) and your all set .

Audiofreak71

• 3

I am for the UBP X1000 ES. I own an Oppo 105D and the Sony blows it out of the water. I use the Oppo in my basement system now, but if someone offered me close to the going price for my Oppo, I would sell it and get another Sony for the basement. IMHO. I have the Sony in my main set up now.

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  I am for the UBP X1000 ES. I own an Oppo 105D and the Sony blows it out of the water. I use the Oppo in my basement system now, but if someone offered me close to the going price for my Oppo, I would sell it and get another Sony for the basement. IMHO. I have the Sony in my main set up now.

I’m referring to 4K video not audio and the flexibility to add a dac for better audio with the oppo .

Audiofreak71

• 5

Of the three, only the UBP X1000ES is the only player that will play high resolution DVD-Audio as well as SACD. It also has two-channel stereo audio outputs so, you have the choice of using the analog outputs or the HDMI -> receiver.

EDIT: I was incorrect. The Sony UBP-X800 will also play DVD-Audio discs.

Last edited: May 21, 2019

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The new Panasonic’s are supposed to be really good as well .

Audiofreak71

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  I am for the UBP X1000 ES. I own an Oppo 105D and the Sony blows it out of the water. I use the Oppo in my basement system now, but if someone offered me close to the going price for my Oppo, I would sell it and get another Sony for the basement. IMHO. I have the Sony in my main set up now.

Wow. Blows it out of the water?!?!?! And the Oppo is pretty darn good. I used to own one. I am assuming you are talking about the analog outs on it for cd and SACD playback?

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  Get a separate amp for two channel listening, get a separate dac as well , get an oppo up-203 (because it has the multi channel inputs and has exceptional video ) and your all set .

Audiofreak71

203’s are now overpriced.

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  I’m referring to 4K video not audio and the flexibility to add a dac for better audio with the oppo .

Audiofreak71

I am sure the 4K video and any of the video processing on a lot of these players is pretty spectacular. And the reason of my post is mainly asking about the two channel audio performance. The analog outs on the Sony seem to be the way to go for two channel audio. I listen to a lot of music on my home theater system, whether that be cd’s, sacd’s or streaming Spotify. So want to find a player that does that very well.

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  Of the three, only the UBP X1000ES is the only player that will play high resolution DVD-Audio as well as SACD. It also has two-channel stereo audio outputs so, you have the choice of using the analog outputs or the HDMI -> receiver.

The DVD-Audio isn’t a concern either because I own no discs. All my music is either SACD or Redbook cd. I own some DTS 5.1 Audio as well. And if I were to get the 1000, it would be to use the analog outs on it.

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  203’s are now overpriced.

There’s still some that are reasonably priced . A guy local to me was selling his for $750. Just gotta look past the greedy people.

Audiofreak71

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  I am sure the 4K video and any of the video processing on a lot of these players is pretty spectacular. And the reason of my post is mainly asking about the two channel audio performance. The analog outs on the Sony seem to be the way to go for two channel audio. I listen to a lot of music on my home theater system, whether that be cd’s, sacd’s or streaming Spotify. So want to find a player that does that very well.

Then I would recommend the Panasonic that does both 4K and has an excellent dac with balanced outputs as well as single ended , it’s the closest thing to the 205 and cost a lot less .

Audiofreak71

• 13

  There’s still some that are reasonably priced . A guy local to me was selling his for $750. Just gotta look past the greedy people.

Audiofreak71

And you think $750 for a 203 is reasonable and not greedy? I had a 203, wish I would have never sold it but they were $500 new.

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  Wow. Blows it out of the water?!?!?! And the Oppo is pretty darn good. I used to own one. I am assuming you are talking about the analog outs on it for cd and SACD playback?

Yes on the analogue outs. I use HDMI for the video and RCA’s for audio in my system.

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  Yes on the analogue outs. I use HDMI for the video and RCA’s for audio in my system.

Can you elaborate on why the Sony blows the Oppo out of the water? When I had my 105 I REALLY liked it! So if a $499 player blows away a $999 player, that's very impressive. Two channel audio is a HUGE importance for me and I want an audio player that I will be happy with for the next 10+years.

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I thought the oppo 205 was 1200 before they become not available?

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  And you think $750 for a 203 is reasonable and not greedy? I had a 203, wish I would have never sold it but they were $500 new.

They were $650 new . Have you ever bought something used that was in demand? . My AR XA was $70 new but now worth over $700 . I see your point but you do understand why they’ve gone up in price right?. Anyway I’m not trying to get into a debate some people but things that are cheap and are fine with it and some buy things that hold there value in the end it’s what you want . So with that said if I were in your shoes I would be looking at the Panasonic 4K players which are built like the oppos .

Audiofreak71

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  They were $650 new . Have you ever bought something used that was in demand? . My AR XA was $70 new but now worth over $700 . I see your point but you do understand why they’ve gone up in price right?. Anyway I’m not trying to get into a debate some people but things that are cheap and are fine with it and some buy things that hold there value in the end it’s what you want . So with that said if I were in your shoes I would be looking at the Panasonic 4K players which are built like the oppos .

Audiofreak71

Were they $650? I thought they were $499? I will have to go back and look because I bought one. I bought mine with the Outlaw combo. It was a 975 pre,outlaw 5000 power amp and Oppo 203. I got a killer deal on that set up. I should have NEVER sold my 203. The 203 was $499 MSRP. I don't know where you are getting $650. And no, I haven't because usually it's a waste of money. At least in the electronics world. And yes, I understand why they have gone up in price but it's silliness. The Oppo's are good but even at the MSRP of $499 for the 203, that was stretching it. It's not that good. If it was the HOLY GRAIL of players, I can see them fetching a premium but it's not. Hints why I sold it in the first place because it was nothing special. Even the 105 and 205 at MSRP of I think $1299 was expensive. There are a lot better options. And I am not debating you at all, I get some things hold their value and appreciate, the 203 is not worthy of that in the least bit. Especially $750?!?!?! No fing way! Go get a 95 for a lot less and a lot more of a player. In fact I have read that the analogue section on the 95 is the BEST Oppo has ever built.

With that said, I am most likely going with the 1000ES. I am reading real good reviews on it. IMO, all players are very similar when it comes to spinning blu-ray, 4k, HDMI audio, apps and so on, where players get special is in their dac's and analogue sections. But I will look into the Panasonic. Thanks.

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  Were they $650? I thought they were $499? I will have to go back and look because I bought one. I bought mine with the Outlaw combo. It was a 975 pre,outlaw 5000 power amp and Oppo 203. I got a killer deal on that set up. I should have NEVER sold my 203. The 203 was $499 MSRP. I don't know where you are getting $650. And no, I haven't because usually it's a waste of money. At least in the electronics world. And yes, I understand why they have gone up in price but it's silliness. The Oppo's are good but even at the MSRP of $499 for the 203, that was stretching it. It's not that good. If it was the HOLY GRAIL of players, I can see them fetching a premium but it's not. Hints why I sold it in the first place because it was nothing special. Even the 105 and 205 at MSRP of I think $1299 was expensive. There are a lot better options. And I am not debating you at all, I get some things hold their value and appreciate, the 203 is not worthy of that in the least bit. Especially $750?!?!?! No fing way! Go get a 95 for a lot less and a lot more of a player. In fact I have read that the analogue section on the 95 is the BEST Oppo has ever built.

With that said, I am most likely going with the 1000ES. I am reading real good reviews on it. IMO, all players are very similar when it comes to spinning blu-ray, 4k, HDMI audio, apps and so on, where players get special is in their dac's and analogue sections. But I will look into the Panasonic. Thanks.

Well you may have read that one thing is better than this or that but actually owning it and coming up with your own conclusions is something else, I have owned just about every oppo that was made save but a couple and the one thing they did right is build there players to last made sure the picture was as accurate as possible aka neutral and gave you room to adjust to your liking and offered spot on support and updates for there players in which the 203-205 are still being supported after they shut the doors on there blue ray players , that’s something you cannot say about other Blu-ray manufacturers especially Sony . No offense I’m sure there fine players but there just not on the same level . I bought mine directly from oppo for $650 retail the 205 was going for $1300. Whichever way you choose as long as your going with your gut is the right answer, try out multiple players but know that you get what you pay for .

Audiofreak71

• 20

I bought an open box es1000 and saved 130 bucks. Doesn’t come with the same warranty though as paying full price. I like it a lot but doesn’t have 7 channel input like the oppo’s, does that make a difference?