Oppo 103 Blu-ray Player Gets 3 Stars!

Can't see the Oppo 105 getting anywhere near 5 stars if it produces the same budget Blu-ray picture as the Oppo 103 at double the money which David says it does, then we could be looking at 2 stars!  Like you say though the sound should be better quality on the more expensive one.  Guess we will have to wait and see.  

The only difference between Oppo 105 & Oppo 103 is enhanced audio quality. Picture quality is exactly the same (same as with CA 651 BD / 751BD).

So you trust Oppo 103's review, but don't trust CA 751's review!

http://www.whathifi.com/review/cambridge-audio-azur-751bd

Not what WHF's and TrustedReview's reviews have suggested on the CA 651 BD / 751BD. Although the video specs seem to be exact in both players on paper, both reviews suggested somehow they thought the more expensive player had better overall picture quality.

NEW:

In any event I would not be surprised if cheaper players like the new Pioneer surpass the 751BD in picture terms.

At $500 the Oppo 103 seems excellent value, and most rags are giving it rave reviews - like PCMag - their reviews carry no truck and are not shy to give low ratings to consumer electronics besides the obvious computer. They've rated it especially high on video performance.

I guess we have to wait for the other UK rags like HiFi News etc - then again IMO these rags review quality/emphasis is high on audio, mediocre/thin on video.

A player like that needs testing sound 3 ways

Bitsream, PCM and Analgue using its internal processing levels etc  and then each should be reported on individually as its thats 3 key features of the player.  The CD playback should be commented on under each section

I think to just generalise and say the sound is.... is not enough a review for a product like this - we need a bit more to help us.  Apologies that its more work

I think all players should be reported on the same, it doesnt have to be loads of words just commented on in its various forms - hope that makes sense

bigboss wrote:

gel wrote:

duaplex wrote:

Not necessarily, not all products are excellent out of the box and some calibration is needed to bring the best out them.  I believe this the point David is making.When you compare the Oppo 103 to say the Pioneer 450 on a 50 inch TV you wil struggle to see the difference, its there but you have to look hard. Now switch over to a projector and the difference is very clear. The 103 has the best picture quality around. right up there with the 715BD if not better. This was my experience when I had a recent demo and yes I adjusted the settings to get there.

The review is harsh, I would have gone with 4 stars and awarded the 105 the 5, purely because it's better on Music.

 

My personal opinion of the 751bd picture quality is poor, so if this Oppo is like the 751 bd the review is spot on!  I do like the sound on the 751bd though, dont know about the  Oppo sound  but trust the review.

So you trust Oppo 103's review, but don't trust CA 751's review! http://www.whathifi.com/review/cambridge-audio-azur-751bd

I trust it but just didn't like it, there is a difference.  I personally like the picture on my Pioneer as I have stated.  I don't like the picture on Denon's either but know that other people do.  I can safely say I have never bought a 3 star product and never will.  Yamaha amps get 5 stars but I like Pioneer amps and currently have a 4 star amp.

For example because I trusted the Cambridge Audio review I went and had a demo but just didn't like it.  Would I now go and demo this Oppo and drive an hour away to do so based on that review, no I don't think I would, because I trust there is something in the poor review.  We all make decisions like this when buying equipment.

So BB you don't agree with the Oppo review I guess, but I guess you still trust the reviews don't you?  

I trust my eyes & ears more than reviews. 

I seem to remember Andy Clough owning a 3-star rated TV. 

Fair enough.  

But then, you found the picture of the 751 to be grainy, whereas WHF review says it's sharp. On what basis are you debating the findings of members who have personally demoed the Oppo & you haven't?

I trust the WHF review hence why I bought my Philips TV based on it and hence why I bought my Pioneer amp sc-lx81 amp for £1500 on it, I have never bought a product based on a members view and never will.  I guess you haven't then?

Well, nobody is asking you buy an Oppo. 

Thank god.    It would take a lot of research for me to buy that now.  Testing both the picture and sound quality thoroughly and then some.