Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes the BDP-83, BDP-83 SE and BDP-83 NuForce Edition?
The Oppo BDP-83 uses a Cirrus Logic DAC. The Oppo BDP-83 SE uses an ESS Sabre32 DAC for the stereo outputs, Sabre DAC for the 7.1 outputs and a power supply that differs from that of the BDP-83. The BDP-83SE Nuforce Edition further improves the already excellent Sabre32 platform.
The power supply, which operates on analog audio, has no impact on HDMI output. However, we believe that the quality of the SE and NuForce Edition's analog output easily surpasses that of most HDMI processors ¡V unless, of course, you're using an extremely expensive processor (a Lexicon or Meridian for example) that performs elaborate DSP re-clocking procedures. The Nuforce Edition does not replace the original SE power supply. Rather, we upgraded the regulation and related circuitry.
The SE equals or betters many high-end CD Players. Further, we are constrained by limited board space for further improvements. Half of the SE board's real estate is allocated to two-channel stereo; the other half is devoted to the other 8 channels (running off a single 8-channel Sabre32). We have done nothing to change the surround channels' analog circuit. However, since we did improve the power supply's regulation, the surround channels also benefit from stiffer regulation. To upgrade a BDP-83 to SE or Nuforce Edition, the analog DAC board and the original power supply must be replaced.
How does the BDP-83 NuForce Edition's audio quality compare to our CDP-08's?
We configured the NuForce CDP-08 to be one of the best Redbook CD playback devices on the market. The CDP-08 doesn't do upsampling or bit extrapolation. A conventional optical drive provides compromised data. Consequently, we see these algorithms as afterthoughts. The CDP-08's DSP platform refines Redbook data with a sophisticated error-correction system; the 16-bit data retrieval is then slaved to the DAC as a jitter-reduction strategy. The 384Fs oversampled output, as pure 16-bit, goes to an AKM Hybrid DAC, thus combining the best of an R2R and Delta-Sigma DAC's performance.
The BDP-83 operates under a different set of conditions. For BD playback, we are looking at a 192kHz/24-bit SACD (DSD) standard supporting all digital formats, which the Sabre32 DAC accepts. The BDP-83SE NuForce Edition's analog output stage is essentially similar to that of the CDP-08. The sonic differences between the BDP-83 Nuforce Edition and NuForce CDP-08 are those of dissimilar approaches and concepts.
I want to know how good the Nuforce Edition is. Can you provide some substantive guidance?
Most audiophiles agree: at bottom, judgments about audio quality are subjective. Suffice here to say that the BDP-83 received high praise in The Absolute Sound. The reviewer compared it to CDPs costing a great deal more. In our opinion, the SE is easily as good as many high-end CDPs. The Nuforce Edition is better yet in that it conveys that extra degree of gratification: a better sense of air, clearly delineated dynamics, a lifelike soundstage, sweet, extended highs, a convincing midrange, a solid yet musical low end ¡V all those qualities that make for a thrilling listening experience.
How do the SE and NE compare to modified Oppo players?
The typical mod involves the substitution of better parts and perhaps even a new clock, as well as the addition of capacitors to further stiffen the power supply. All to the good. However, the new SE and NE versions feature a completely different DAC. Now, unless the mod in question replaces the original with a superior DAC, it isn't likely to challenge the Oppo SE's performance. The SE employs two new ESS DACs, Sabre32 DAC for two-channel stereo, the Sabre DAC for eight-channel movies.
The Sabre32 DAC runs off an independent clock in order to reduce incoming jitter. Consequently, this is how the Oppo SE board is set up. A separate clock powers both onboard Sabre32 DACs. In this mode the Sabre32 DACs ignore the incoming MCLK and use their local reference clock to achieve the lowest jitter.
I am running HDMI from my Oppo BDP-83 to my AVR/AVP. Does this give me better performance?
Unfortunately, no. The Oppo SE and Nuforce Edition's superior performance centers on the analog audio board. This has no impact on HDMI's digital performance.
