OPPO BDT-101Ci review
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Oppo BDT101CI
Review
Associated equipment:
My set
Benq W1070 for movie nights J
PS64D8000FM Samsung plasma TV
Marantz PM 11S3 : 2 channel stereo amp
with HTbypass and 100W per channel driving the front pair of 804D
(http://peteswrite.blogspot.sg/2014/04/marantz-pm11s3-review.html)
Oppo BR player BDP 101CI as CD
transport and HT source
Rotel RMB 1585 – 200w X 5 driving the centre,
side and back surrounds.
Marantz NA11S1 as a DAC and network
player
Apple TV (Gen 1) X 2 for music and
photos
HTM4s centre, Radius 90HD for front
height
B&W 805s for rear back
Monitor Audio RXFX in dipole mode for
side surrounds
JL Audio E112 (two units) located at right front and rear left
Anthony Gallo A'Diva for ceiling Atmos
placement and "Voice of God" placement
QED XT Revelations for front and centre
speakers
QED Micro speaker cable for the
surrounds
Audioquest Cinnamon HDMI for Oppo to amp
Wireworld Chroma from amp to TV
AQ Forest HDMI cable - amp to TV and
other sources
Audioquest Snake subwoofer cable
Blue Jean subwoofer cable
Wireworld Oasis 6 & 7 Interconnects
Wireworld Oasis 6 power cables
Assorted Xindak, PS Audio and other power cables
Assorted Xindak, PS Audio and other power cables
MK wall power sockets
Shunyata Venom Distributor and power
cable 20A for high current items
Rhodium Right Angle Plug adapters for
USA power cables
Auralex subdude platform and Mopads
under centre speaker
Da lite screen
Glass optical cables
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As
usual the technical specs from their official website first:
The difference between the 101 and the 103 / 105:
Advanced Features
- Universal disc format support including Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D1, DVD, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, CD, HDCD and more
- Upscaling to Ultra HD (4K) resolution
- VRS® (Video Reference Series) ClearView™ video processing
- Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus decoding
- DTS-HD Master Audio™ decoding
- Bitstream output compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS-X
- Three USB ports for playback of media files2 (AVCHD, MKV, AVI, MP4, WAV, FLAC, APE, DSD, etc.)
- Ethernet port for BD-Live, firmware upgrade and home network media file playback
- True 24p™ video for Blu-ray encoded in 24Hz frame rate and optional conversion of DVD to 24p
- Multiple zoom modes
- Advanced picture control including video smoothing, detail and edge enhancement
- Premium 32-bit audio DAC by AKM
- Optical and coaxial digital audio outputs
- Rigid steel chassis and centre mounted disc loader with motion balance and vibration isolating mechanisms
- Back-lit remote control
Custom Installation Features
- Versatile modular design with many customised options
- One or two HDMI outputs via the additional HDMI output module
- Optional HDBaseT output module for long cable runs
- Stereo or optional 7.1ch analogue audio output module
- Optional rack mount kit
- Large front panel buttons with finger guards
- RS232 and IP control for system integration
- Switchable rear IR sensor for a clean IR blaster/emitter installation
- HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)
- Three customisable picture adjustment presets
- Settings can be locked to prevent inadvertent changes
Features I like:
(The features in bold are the ones I really like)
In
Stereo: AKM 4490 DAC – the best in the business
7.1 channel card uses the AKM AK4458 DAC
Solid drive, dampened and centrally mounted
Digital output: Coaxial & optical, so I can use this as
a CD transport
Three USB outputs
VRS video chip
4k upscaling – well maybe…
Universal voltage
Oppo remote control on your smart phone
Main chipset is a Mediatek MT8555 SOC
Internal
Tru-Hd and DTS-MA decoding with output as LPCM
Things I dislike:
Remote feels really cheap – same one they have been using
for a long long time.. (except no Netflix or other net function buttons)
No wifi
No toroidal transformer – hey it’s cheap ..
No DVD code free
No USB 3.0
I have owned or used every single Oppo
Blu Ray player ever made, and this is the latest addition.
It’s a late addition to their stables,
given the imminent arrival of 4k Blu Ray. So why buy one now?
Well my Oppo 105 has seen good service, and I realized that most of the time, I just need a good transport, and I don’t use most of the other features, such as the DAC, 7.1 outputs or net streaming capabilities.
So actually this player makes more
sense. And the fact that I can sell my older player and pay less for this
player made it an interesting choice.
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Some reviews online
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The player is responsive, there are no
clicks unlike the 105, and it runs just a tad cooler, perhaps due to the fact
that there are less HDMI related boards inside. Apart from the cheesy remote
control, it feels well screwed together, and it feels like it will last quite a
few years. The drawer in particular feels quite solid.
The Oppo replaces the Oppo 105 and is a little
shorter, but is still significantly taller than the 103, so if you need it to
fit into a tight space, don’t get this. There are no fans, so the extra height
probably helps with air circulation.
The video quality is very decent, but
these days, I like to take a feed and take it and let the amp / TV do the video
processing. If you prefer, you won’t be unhappy with the 101. The Darbee
processor offers a different look, and I use the word different rather than
better.
How does the AKM 4490 equipped Oppo
sound?
Well I have heard this DAC being used
in the Denon AVR 7200, and it provides a neutral to slightly warm sound, which
has a certain inviting quality. The SABRE ESS chip has a more deeply etched
treble characteristic, and that is less warm in the 105 compared to the 95. Different
people will react either positively or otherwise to this change in sonic
signature.
As a CD player, it won’t feel
embarrassed by CD only players in the $5-800 range. But used as a CD transport
for my Marantz NA 11S1, it was very competent, and the sonic improvements were
evident. I found no real difference between the 105 and the 101 in real life as
a CD transport.
When it was used as a CD player, there
was a good soundstage, and a solid bass note, with good pace and rhythm. Buyers
looking for a BR player that can hold a tune will not be disappointed. It was
not bright, and fitted well with the rest of my Marantz gear. In fact, it was so
much fun, I took the NA 11 out of the system and used it directly to my PM 11
S3.
I think the ultimate compliment that I
can pay this player is that I simply replaced my older 105 with this and found
that I did not miss it very much. It simply got on and did the job.
So who should consider this player?
With Blu Ray players available for
under $100, if all you want is a BR player for playback of BR discs on a small
flatscreen, you won’t need to spend this much on the 101, or the 103 / 105 for
that matter.
But if you want a transport, that can
playback all your disc formats, and also do it via the USB, and have no need
for it to act as a DAC, nor other network functions, this is the player for
you.
It has a very solid feel, and for those who hate to have to bring things to the repair (ala the old Oppo 83 with it’s power supply issues), this player will last for quite a while.
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I have no financial interest or
other interests in any of the items / events I write about.
I don't see a price anywhere in this review. Did I miss it?
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