Oppo 205 4K UHD Player

[baconbrain]

A while back I was changing some stuff around in my hifi rack and tried connecting my Pioneer BDP-450 Blu Ray (Universal) player via the Mutec MC3+USB.  I figured that via the Mutec it's performance should be very similar to mR into the Mutec.  Just 1's and 0's etc.  I was very wrong, playing identical 16/44.1 material streamed via the mR versus played via CD on the Pioneer the difference was substantial, with the Pioneer showing SQ deficits in all areas.

I must admit I like the look of the Oppo 205, I did think about buying one until I remembered that it would be a bit pointless as I do not have a 4K TV!  (I have a 'last of the good ones' 2013 Panasonic Plasma that I do not want to replace)

Anyway, it would be interesting to get an idea of how the Oppo performs via the Mutec vs the mR just with redbook material, if you ever have the time or inclination to try that is.  One point to add, with SACD the Pioneer outputs at 24/88.2, so it's a shame the SQ isn't better.  The Pioneer is about four levels down in terms of price and quality versus the Oppo though, so expecting top notch SQ from the Pioneer was a bit optimistic.

Hi Confused,

So I have done a bit more testing and had the following results:

Material: Artist Holly Cole singing Jearsy Girl via Normal CD and Redbook rip. (44,1/16)

Listening Methods in order of SQ (Best to Last)

1) Redbook Rip via Mutec, mR, Roon, and HQPlayer via NAA - upsampling to 192/24, Poly Sin shrt mp filter, and NS4 dithering

2) Redbook Rip via Mutec, mR, Roon, and HQPlayer via NAA - no upsampling, filter, or dither

3) Normal CD via Oppo XLR Analog

4) Normal CD via Oppo Spdif out to Mutec

Conclusion - 1st method clearly delivered the best SQ with my system. Surprisly the SQ differences between methods 2, 3 and 4 were noticeable but not that significant. All of them were enjoyable and in no way fatiguing.