Oppo 103 Blu-ray Player Gets 3 Stars!

[jjbomber]

This Reviewer is in the wrong job and hasn't a clue.

It's all of them in their £1million listening room isn't it? Are they all in the wrong job? Anyway, it's not as bad as giving the Galaxy SIII mini a 3 star write up. Now that is a joke. On the other hand, look how the rotten fruit gets 5 stars every time. The ipad3 was pulled after 6 months it was so bad, but still got 5 stars.

All the reviews are just opinions, it's as simple as that. Your views will be different. If we all thought the same, there would only be one manufacturer.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

My understanding regarding blu ray players is plain & simple. If looking for blu ray picture quality, a budget blu ray player is as good as a high end one. Then I won't bother spending on an expensive player. If I'm looking for DVD upscaling, Oppo is the best, followed by Denon & Marantz. If I'm looking for a universal player or a player with twin HDMI outs without considering DVD upscaling, I'll look for cheaper options like Pioneer / Sony / Panasonic (depending on the feature I want). If I'm after superior audio via analogue, I'll look at Oppo 105 / CA 751 / Denon 2012 / Marantz equivalent.

It states the Pioneer DVD upscaling is just as good as the Oppo though. And it states the Oppo is no better at DVD upscaling than budget Blu-ray players.

 

[The_Lhc]

rant-rant-ranty-rant

Yes, but so what? It makes no difference to you, unless you're on commission?

Gel's position is just as silly, he's now dismissing it solely on the basis of this one review, despite the other good reviews, the answer's the same as it is for everything else, demo it for yourself and then decide.

 

[Frank Harvey]

ian 986 and any other doubters.Go audition them!

The offers there. You will not be disapointed. With the right partnering equipment, against anything else around, no touching oppo. They are simply fantastic.

Me thinks David will be very busy for a while.

Nice system sogophonio...

 

[Frank Harvey]

Yes, I have the 103 and find it a fantastic player,

.....Extremely annoyed.

May I ask what the problem is then? You find it a fantastic player, so does a 3 star review (or 2 or 1 for that matter) alter your enjoyment in any way?

Don't be annoyed, just enjoy your movies and music.....

Agreed.

I'v'e just watched Prometheus (first viewing after seeing it at the cinema), and if this is what a 3 star player can do, I'm all ears as to what a 5 star one can do! Perhaps WHF can point me in the right direction?

 

[whoam1]

Awful review.

Every other publication gives it 4/5 stars. HCC has listed the 103 as their reference player. Industry experts sing its praises, yet What Hi-Fi give it 3 stars?

This Reviewer is in the wrong job and hasn't a clue.

Yes, I have the 103 and find it a fantastic player, an improvement on my old 93. PQ especially DVD upscaling is excellent, superior to my old 93 and my secondary Panasonic 220 player. WHF review just states the basics of the player. No in-depth detail, doesn't mention any of the key features in any depth. Upscaling capabities, hdmi inputs etc. Speed of the player. Review is a bad joke.

Extremely annoyed.

I thought it was quite a comprehensive review, if the picture and sound quality aren't up to snuff, what's is there left to say? I definitely will not be buying this product.

It's hard to tell whether you are being serious or sarcastic.

:quest:

 

[Deleted member 2457]

rant-rant-ranty-rant

Yes, but so what? It makes no difference to you, unless you're on commission?

Gel's position is just as silly, he's now dismissing it solely on the basis of this one review, despite the other good reviews, the answer's the same as it is for everything else, demo it for yourself and then decide.

I don't see why my stance is silly, I have used What HiFi as a buying guide for about 11 years. Not all of us can demo so your stance is just as silly. As regard to other reviews what has that got to do with this one? Perhaps I don't want to read other ones.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Awful review.

Every other publication gives it 4/5 stars. HCC has listed the 103 as their reference player. Industry experts sing its praises, yet What Hi-Fi give it 3 stars?

This Reviewer is in the wrong job and hasn't a clue.

Yes, I have the 103 and find it a fantastic player, an improvement on my old 93. PQ especially DVD upscaling is excellent, superior to my old 93 and my secondary Panasonic 220 player. WHF review just states the basics of the player. No in-depth detail, doesn't mention any of the key features in any depth. Upscaling capabities, hdmi inputs etc. Speed of the player. Review is a bad joke.

Extremely annoyed.

I thought it was quite a comprehensive review, if the picture and sound quality aren't up to snuff, what's is there left to say? I definitely will not be buying this product.

It's hard to tell whether you are being serious or sarcastic.

:quest:

Quite serious.

 

[The_Lhc]

rant-rant-ranty-rant

Yes, but so what? It makes no difference to you, unless you're on commission?

Gel's position is just as silly, he's now dismissing it solely on the basis of this one review, despite the other good reviews, the answer's the same as it is for everything else, demo it for yourself and then decide.

I don't see why my stance is silly, I have used What HiFi as a buying guide for about 11 years. Not all of us can demo so your stance is just as silly. As regard to other reviews what has that got to do with this one? Perhaps I don't want to read other ones.

"Yep, read the HCC review too, and do use them as a buying guide too."

You already have read another one. One of them says it's not that great the other the complete opposite, so how do you make a decision based on that? If that's your only evidence then neither decision is sound. Therefore trying it for yourself is the only answer. And I meant "silly" in an affection way, of course!

 

[Deleted member 2457]

rant-rant-ranty-rant

Yes, but so what? It makes no difference to you, unless you're on commission?

Gel's position is just as silly, he's now dismissing it solely on the basis of this one review, despite the other good reviews, the answer's the same as it is for everything else, demo it for yourself and then decide.

I don't see why my stance is silly, I have used What HiFi as a buying guide for about 11 years. Not all of us can demo so your stance is just as silly. As regard to other reviews what has that got to do with this one? Perhaps I don't want to read other ones.

"Yep, read the HCC review too, and do use them as a buying guide too."

You already have read another one. One of them says it's not that great the other the complete opposite, so how do you make a decision based on that? If that's your only evidence then neither decision is sound. Therefore trying it for yourself is the only answer. And I meant "silly" in an affection way, of course!

Over the years I have learnt what to go by and what not to go by, and on this one I have trust in WHF, I use the other ones as back up more than anything. Don't think there is anything wrong in that.

 

[bigboss]

My understanding regarding blu ray players is plain & simple. If looking for blu ray picture quality, a budget blu ray player is as good as a high end one. Then I won't bother spending on an expensive player. If I'm looking for DVD upscaling, Oppo is the best, followed by Denon & Marantz. If I'm looking for a universal player or a player with twin HDMI outs without considering DVD upscaling, I'll look for cheaper options like Pioneer / Sony / Panasonic (depending on the feature I want). If I'm after superior audio via analogue, I'll look at Oppo 105 / CA 751 / Denon 2012 / Marantz equivalent.

It states the Pioneer DVD upscaling is just as good as the Oppo though. And it states the Oppo is no better at DVD upscaling than budget Blu-ray players.

Not to my eyes.

 

[bigboss]

rant-rant-ranty-rant

Yes, but so what? It makes no difference to you, unless you're on commission?

Gel's position is just as silly, he's now dismissing it solely on the basis of this one review, despite the other good reviews, the answer's the same as it is for everything else, demo it for yourself and then decide.

I don't see why my stance is silly, I have used What HiFi as a buying guide for about 11 years. Not all of us can demo so your stance is just as silly. As regard to other reviews what has that got to do with this one? Perhaps I don't want to read other ones.

"Yep, read the HCC review too, and do use them as a buying guide too."

You already have read another one. One of them says it's not that great the other the complete opposite, so how do you make a decision based on that? If that's your only evidence then neither decision is sound. Therefore trying it for yourself is the only answer. And I meant "silly" in an affection way, of course!

Over the years I have learnt what to go by and what not to go by, and on this one I have trust in WHF, I use the other ones as back up more than anything. Don't think there is anything wrong in that.

I do remember how you weren't happy with WHF reviews when they rated Pioneer down, about 3 years ago!

 

[Anonymous]

It got 3 stars because Oppo's a Chinese company that doesn't advertise in WHF, who are essentially saying by giving 3 stars, pay up like the rest of them or take the poor reviews on the chin.

 

[BenLaw]

Another very comprehensive and very favourable review:

http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Oppo-BDP-103-EU-3D-Blu-ray-Player-Review_430/Review.html

 

[Deleted member 2457]

My understanding regarding blu ray players is plain & simple. If looking for blu ray picture quality, a budget blu ray player is as good as a high end one. Then I won't bother spending on an expensive player. If I'm looking for DVD upscaling, Oppo is the best, followed by Denon & Marantz. If I'm looking for a universal player or a player with twin HDMI outs without considering DVD upscaling, I'll look for cheaper options like Pioneer / Sony / Panasonic (depending on the feature I want). If I'm after superior audio via analogue, I'll look at Oppo 105 / CA 751 / Denon 2012 / Marantz equivalent.

It states the Pioneer DVD upscaling is just as good as the Oppo though. And it states the Oppo is no better at DVD upscaling than budget Blu-ray players.

Not to my eyes.

In the review or your experience with the Oppo?

 

[BenLaw]

It got 3 stars because Oppo's a Chinese company that doesn't advertise in WHF, who are essentially saying by giving 3 stars, pay up like the rest of them or take the poor reviews on the chin.

Max?

 

[Deleted member 2457]

rant-rant-ranty-rant

Yes, but so what? It makes no difference to you, unless you're on commission?

Gel's position is just as silly, he's now dismissing it solely on the basis of this one review, despite the other good reviews, the answer's the same as it is for everything else, demo it for yourself and then decide.

I don't see why my stance is silly, I have used What HiFi as a buying guide for about 11 years. Not all of us can demo so your stance is just as silly. As regard to other reviews what has that got to do with this one? Perhaps I don't want to read other ones.

"Yep, read the HCC review too, and do use them as a buying guide too."

You already have read another one. One of them says it's not that great the other the complete opposite, so how do you make a decision based on that? If that's your only evidence then neither decision is sound. Therefore trying it for yourself is the only answer. And I meant "silly" in an affection way, of course!

Over the years I have learnt what to go by and what not to go by, and on this one I have trust in WHF, I use the other ones as back up more than anything. Don't think there is anything wrong in that.

I do remember how you weren't happy with WHF reviews when they rated Pioneer down, about 3 years ago!

I don't see the relevance? If I didn't think a product should have been marked down that was up to me. Does not mean I don't trust the reviews.

 

[Anonymous]

It got 3 stars because Oppo's a Chinese company that doesn't advertise in WHF, who are essentially saying by giving 3 stars, pay up like the rest of them or take the poor reviews on the chin.

Max?

Hi Ben. I'm right aren't I? What other reson is there?

 

[Anonymous]

It got 3 stars because Oppo's a Chinese company that doesn't advertise in WHF, who are essentially saying by giving 3 stars, pay up like the rest of them or take the poor reviews on the chin.

Max?

Hi Ben. I'm right aren't I? What other reson is there?

You're definitely right about kef I don't know with oppo, WHF have always consistently marked them down compared to other reviews, but I've never used them myself. I don't really trust WHF on all things blu ray and hdmi as my views are the same as big boss's. I would trust the extremely comprehensive avforums reviews for blu ray players. As for motivation, I'm really not sure.

I also share those views, IMO there's no difference between BDP's in terms of pure, 1080p playback, and the upscaling thing is overplayed too, so I can't see how - considering the Oppo's feature packed - it could have got it's 3 stars by way of having any limitations, or because of price in relation to players in it's class (some which get 5 stars despite being more expensive).

 

[BenLaw]

It got 3 stars because Oppo's a Chinese company that doesn't advertise in WHF, who are essentially saying by giving 3 stars, pay up like the rest of them or take the poor reviews on the chin.

Max?

Hi Ben. I'm right aren't I? What other reson is there?

You're definitely right about kef I don't know with oppo, WHF have always consistently marked them down compared to other reviews, but I've never used them myself. I don't really trust WHF on all things blu ray and hdmi as my views are the same as big boss's. I would trust the extremely comprehensive avforums reviews for blu ray players. As for motivation, I'm really not sure.

Edit: to give possible alternative reasons: on PQ WHF would be right to say hd performance is similar (identical) to cheaper players. Not that this is a reason to mark them down. For SQ I suspect the oppo may be pretty neutral, which doesn't suit WHF's listening room and reviewer tastes, so any screechier BDPs (Cambridge has a rep for being bright) may get marked better.

 

[BenLaw]

It got 3 stars because Oppo's a Chinese company that doesn't advertise in WHF, who are essentially saying by giving 3 stars, pay up like the rest of them or take the poor reviews on the chin.

Max?

Hi Ben. I'm right aren't I? What other reson is there?

You're definitely right about kef I don't know with oppo, WHF have always consistently marked them down compared to other reviews, but I've never used them myself. I don't really trust WHF on all things blu ray and hdmi as my views are the same as big boss's. I would trust the extremely comprehensive avforums reviews for blu ray players. As for motivation, I'm really not sure.

I also share those views, IMO there's no difference between BDP's in terms of pure, 1080p playback, and the upscaling thing is overplayed too, so I can't see how - considering the Oppo's feature packed - it could have got it's 3 stars by way of having any limitations, or because of price in relation to players in it's class (some which get 5 stars despite being more expensive).

I agree. I'd have loved to have pulled the trigger on a 93 or a 103 but instead use a cheapo Sony bdp, I think I paid £80. I can't justify £500 when I would be getting slightly better upscaling and a nicer chassis. If I had integrated hifi and av the 105 would be very tempting, but I never play CDs through my av system.

Like some others, I've tired generally of subjective reviews. I actually think WHF is right a large proportion of the time. Inevitably though with such subjectivity they will sometimes over mark and sometimes under mark products. It's not worth owners getting upset about either way.

 

[Anonymous]

Good point re the listening rooms though, I believe they're heavily damped which may explain WHFs apparent liking for bright speakers - like KEFs - though I doubt the different DACs employed would exhibit audible differences.

 

[BenLaw]

Good point re the listening rooms though, I believe they're heavily damped which may explain WHFs apparent liking for bright speakers - like KEFs - though I doubt the different DACs employed would exhibit audible differences.

Indeed. It can be seen from the pics / videos that they are heavily damped. I'm aware of manufacturers complaining of this but also saying products have been voiced to be bright in order to get a five star WHF review, it's that important. This presumably explains Cyrus and kef's popularity, amongst others. I don't particular buy into the advertising conspiracy theory, although I'm confident there is more of a symbiotic relationship than WHF lets on about. I have no problem with that, I think it would do WHF a favour in the long run if they were open about this.

 

[Anonymous]

Good point re the listening rooms though, I believe they're heavily damped which may explain WHFs apparent liking for bright speakers - like KEFs - though I doubt the different DACs employed would exhibit audible differences.

Indeed. It can be seen from the pics / videos that they are heavily damped. I'm aware of manufacturers complaining of this but also saying products have been voiced to be bright in order to get a five star WHF review, it's that important. This presumably explains Cyrus and kef's popularity, amongst others. I don't particular buy into the advertising conspiracy theory, although I'm confident there is more of a symbiotic relationship than WHF lets on about. I have no problem with that, I think it would do WHF a favour in the long run if they were open about this.

Yup, makes sense to me, though I suppose there's no way they can say so, in their position. It's not really a problem for the punters that can read between the lines I guess, but for those that can't and the manufacturers who don't enjoy such a relationship....

 

[The_Lhc]

More instructions from HDD forum Max? Do you even realise how much of their lapdog you are?