Top end Blu Ray player - Need great picture and great stereo

[Tim Smith]

So, looking to replace my aging Arcam DV79. I bought that player quite a few years ago now as I wanted good picture quality and good stereo. Looking to upgrade to BluRay now but as well as great picture quality, I need to retain the great stereo I get from the DV79.

The Arcam BluRay players (BDP 100 & 300) seem to get pretty poor reviews so also considering the CA Azur 751BD and Marantz 7007. Any views on how these players compare for picture and stereo? Any others I should be looking at?

Thanks for the help!

 

[bigboss]

Add Oppo 105 to the list.

http://www.oppo-bluray.co.uk/ecommerce/blu-ray-players/oppo-bdp-105eu.aspx

 

[CnoEvil]

You should also consider this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005VCYKSU/

I also have a DV79, and for the occasional blu-ray, borrow my kids Playstation.

I haven't seen or heard any of these top players.

 

[bigboss]

You should also consider this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005VCYKSU/

Yes, the Oppo95 is the previous generation of the 105, so you should be able to find one cheap, like here:

http://www.ideal-av.co.uk/ItemPages/oppo-95.htm

Check the difference in their features:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=6521012&postcount=155

 

[CnoEvil]

Add Oppo 105 to the list.

http://www.oppo-bluray.co.uk/ecommerce/blu-ray-players/oppo-bdp-105eu.aspx

Now that looks the one to go for.....it's hard to keep up to date.

 

[CnoEvil]

You should also consider this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005VCYKSU/

Yes, the Oppo95 is the previous generation of the 105, so you should be able to find one cheap, like here: http://www.ideal-av.co.uk/ItemPages/oppo-95.htm Check the difference in their features: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=6521012&postcount=155

It's the obvious choice, unless you can get the 95 at a very knocked down price.

 

[AnotherJoe]

I'd happily recommend the Denon 3313 Universal Transport.

Dual HDMI the usual SACD/Ethernet

 

[bigboss]

I'd happily recommend the Denon 3313 Universal Transport.

Dual HDMI the usual SACD/Ethernet

Yup, good option. Although transport only means the audio quality will depend on the receiver that's going to decode it.

 

[John Duncan]

(ahem)

 

[Anonymous]

[EDITED BY MODS - house rules]

 

[clinton333]

Hi... the BD players you mentioned and all the others suggested are all worthy of a demo I am sure...

I have the Oppo BDP 105 and find it's a real step up in features and usability; with flawless blu ray playback and

awesome in stereo using the analogue output... although, i feel it may be different in presentation to your existing DV79...

what amp/speakers are you using? I only ask as some of the other guys will be able to suggest better with more information...

 

[manicm]

The responses here have been largely predictable, if not off-course. But if you're equally serious about picture and sound quality ignore the top-end Marantzes and Denons at your peril.

 

[unfocused]

I replaced an Arcam DV137 with The CA 650BD and really did not get on with it at all. I then bought a mid range Marantz UD5005 thinking it would be a stop gap, but I find DVD and music replay are an improvment over the Arcam (and the CA) in all respects.

 

[sonicboom]

My reply to another post about bluray players and sonics is hopefully equally relevant to this poster

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/blu-ray-players/arcam-bdp100-v-bdp300

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Plus 1 for the Oppos, although I have only demoed them on YouTube! Lol.

But it was an extensive demo, and they do look good.

 

[Tim Smith]

Thanks all for your views and recomendations. I borrowed a Marantz 7007 and managed to get my hands on an Oppo 105 for a day and I have to say, the Oppo was amazing!

Picture quality from both machines on my plasma was excellent and TBH I couldn't tell the two apart. 5.1 movie sound from both machines was also excellent but the massive difference kicked in when listening to stereo. The dedicated stereo output from the Oppo 105 Sabre32 DACs sound amazing! The sound was very different from my Arcam DV79 which until now I have been really happy with. But the Oppo sound was so much broader!

So, thanks everyone for the input. I have told Mrs Smith what Santa needs to bring me next month!

 

[ReValveiT]

The Sony stuff is not to be underestimated. They perform extremely well across the board (yes stereo is fine too) for very little money.

I'm pretty shocked at just how good they are.

 

[Hamied]

Tim Smith, since you compare Marantz 7007, how the sound when playing movies comparing to Arcam ? Is Marantz 7007 sound better ?

I'm also having Arcam 137 and very much happy with the sound, but i need to upgrade to blu ray player and i need good one . I'm thinking about Marantz 7007 .