Oppo BDP-93 or BDP-95

[Evilcat]

I am trying to decide between these 2 players. First I should tell you what my other electronics are. I have a Panasonic 50" VT25 plasma and an Onkyo TX-NR809 Receiver. I know the main difference between the 93/95 is that the 95 has a better audio section. With my Onkyo I am able to connect via HDMI 1.4a and/or the analog 7.1 outputs. I know the 95 has a better DAC's than the 93 or my Onkyo. My Onkyo uses TI Burr-Brown 113dB 192 kHz/24-Bit 8-Channel DACs (PCM1690) and the 93 uses Cirrus Logic 114 dB, 192 kHz/24-Bit 8-Channel DAC. The 95 uses the <135dB SABRE32-bit Reference Audio DAC. Will I be able to take advantage of the greater Dynamic Range of the 95 with my Onkyo TX-NR809 or would I have to have a better Receiver or Pre/Power amp to notice much difference? Any help or insight would be appreciated.

[Suave]

Hello Evilcat and welcome to the CANADA HiFi forum!

You've got a very good question, something that a lot of potential Oppo buyers are probably wondering. Given that you've got a very nice, mid-range Onkyo AV receiver in your system, I would imagine that you should be able to hear an increase in audio performance provided by the Oppo BDP-95 over the BDP-93. How much better the sound will be will depend of course on your speakers, hearing and what kind of music you listen to. The difference should be easier to tell with higher resolution music, like SACDs and DVD-Audio discs.

It should be said that stepping up to a higher-end AV receiver or a pre/pro should reveal even more sonic advantages of the BDP-95, if you choose to upgrade your AV receiver in the future.

Hope this helps!

[Evilcat]

Thanks for the reply Suave.
A well respected local dealer has said that the 20 plus dB of dynamic rage would defiantly be noticeable. He compared the 20 dB difference to be like cassette with top noise reduction having a dynamic range of 75dB vs CD's 95dB range. That seems to make sense to me.
In writing this I found a couple of articles that state that the human ear has a dynamic range of approximately 120 dB's. That puts the Dynamic range of the Onkyo and 93 within 6-7 dB's of that and the 95 beyond whats audible. That said the realistic difference is only the audible 6-7 dB's. Also that is only at very loud levels. Does this make sense to anyone else or am I nuts.

[Suave]

Yes Evilcat, this does make sense. However to my knowledge, the 95 offers more than just an increased dynamic range - it offers a few upgrade components in the audio path (as well as the power supply) which combined should result in a better overall sound.