Cambridge Audio CXU vs. Oppo BDP-105 on CD Sound Quality?

A recent edition of What Hi-Fi? reviewed the Cambridge Audio CXU universal disc player and gave it a very good review, particularly on the sound quality of CD playback. The CXU was also said to be slightly better on Blu-Ray/DVD playback.

I had planned to upgrade to an Oppo BDP-105, but the magazine's review noted CD's played through the CXU sounded significantly better than CD's played through the 105.

About 75% of my use will be listening to CD's and the other 25% viewing movies.

However, I want a single unit that plays both CD's and Blu-Rays and DVDs.

The 105 uses the 32 bit ESS Sabre DAC's that get high praise, whilst the CXU uses some older Wolfson 24 bit DAC's (not their most current DAC's). I'm not sure if this is important, as I've always read the configuration of a DAC, how it is used in a circuit, and its power supply are much more important than the specific DAC.

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare CD playback on both of these specific two units on CD's, and if so, can you share your opinions?

Thank you.

 

Hi,


I have an OPPO 105 and think the analog SQ is superlative.........although I do most of my listening using .WAV files via USB.

It may be a little premature asking your question as the CA CXU hasn't been out for very long yet.

There are numerous threads on here however discussing the CA 752BD and OPPO 105D comparing features and SQ.

You would expect the SQ of both CA decks to be similar which may still at least partly answer your question.

Just do a search and you will see.

Hope this helps.


Cheers

 

I would take that mag's opinions with a huge bucket of salt. They claim the music performance of the oppo is on par with a modestly priced stand-alone cd player. This flies in the face of just about every other opinion of the oppo 105, including my own.

 

Meaning you think the Oppo 105 is better than a modestly-priced stand-alone CD player, or worse?

 

Are you deliberately prodding the hornets' nest? There are many staunch Oppo advocates on this forum eager to pounce at the least provocation!

 

My last sentence clearly cancels any ambiguity there may be in the rest of the post. ☺

 

Any other opinions on the CXU? I'm considering one for my surround sound system

 

What Hi-Fi uses to be quite forgiving with UK-made audio components and quite unforgiving for non-UK made equipment, I'd take what this magazine says with a pinch of salt.

 

The CXU uses the WM8740 DACs (five of them think). The CXU only added Darbee I think, with a cosmetic design change. A number of reviews, and owners on here, prefer the Cambridge 752BD over the Oppo.

I have the 752 also. Won't be getting rid of it anytime soon. Fantastic machine.

 

What HiFi isn't the first magazine to rate the Cambridge line ahead of Oppo's. It's just that that penny hasn't fully dropped round here yet.

 

I pulled the trigger on a CXU

 

Just to answer one part of your question: the DAC chip is almost irrelevant (except in advertising). For example, one of the best DACs I have heard is the Lynx Hilo, which uses a DAC chip by Cirrus Logic -- hardly the darling of audiophiles these days. Yet it sounds great.

If I were in your situation, I'd buy one or the other from an outfit that would let you return it if not satisfied.

 

It's unlikely you will get an answer to your question from relevant experience as the CA player is new-existing Oppo owners are hardly going to be going to have that info.

The only way you can find the answer is by trying the players yourself ideally in your own system.

 

This is a bit silly-it's not the case of the penny dropping it's a case of people having made a choice probably being defensive about their player.........the mag reviews do not give universal truth. I recently dem'd a digital amp that has overwhelming great reviews-only one review touched on what I found to be my experience in that it has quite an unusual presentation albeit the reviewer liked it. In my opinion this amp-a very expensive one presents a very flawed audio picture-to read the reviews you don't get a hint of that. It's easily the most flawed high end amp I've heard. I spoke to another dealer today about another brand that specialises in digital amps and his experience of trying those had exactly the same conclusion as I had-different brand similar impact.

The point is the mags are marketing devices and by the way I enjoy reading them but you'll seldom see a bad reviews so yes that and online info help you build a picture but really you need to hear any piece of equipment in your own room with your other stuff.

 

Not "silly" at all.

The default opinion is by and large 'just buy an Oppo". My view is there's a bunch of other manufacturers out there that make products that may suit users particular needs just as well or better. This is an example.

Whether a mag gives a good review or not is almost a side issue. The blind faith in "just buy an X" in advance of anything else is the contentious point.

 

Which is silly again.

What's the difference between your opinion than anybody else's? You do exactly the same thing and have been for years on here campaigning for people to buy the same player as you have...which is fine you are sharing your experience but what's this "penny drops" stuff? It implies your knowledge is better or somehow others are missing out.

This is a very personal and unique hobby and for a variety of reasons people can't hear everything or dem everything. But we should be adults and realise if you haven't done a comparison directly on what's being discussed in the main you are in the dark. You've also got to factor in rooms, listening preferences, formats etc....the audio replay world has never been more fragmented in terms of how people listen.

You started off using reviews to back up your argument and saying penny drops now you are saying ah but reviews aren't everything.......people buy a player are not very often going to change that for something in a similar range unless it does something they feel personally gives them the advantage they want and there's a timeline to that as equipment ages or whatever. But if you are starting from scratch buying with a clear road that's a different animal.

Sharing experiences is superb but people have got to make their own evaluation on that and you can if you pay attention to what the person recommending has in their system and how they use their equipment.....hi-fi dealers are still making big bucks on trade ins from people who have went down the wrong route........you need to be able to filter your information intake.

 

Hang on...wrong again. Consistent though. Kudos!

No campaign here pal. People can choose what they want to buy, how they go about that is entirely up to them.

The point is as stated earlier. Another magazine rated the CXU audio performance ahead of the the Oppo. It's not the first to do so. One or two on here moved their Oppo out in favour of the Cambridge. Maybe they bought the Oppo on the strength of "Just buy an Oppo" and regretted it.

Thanks, but you're preaching to the choir.

"Just buy an Oppo"? Caveat emptor, moreso when "Just buy an Oppo" in the UK means £1100 for the 105D.

When I wanted to upgrade my player, I looked at what was out there. Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony, Cambridge, Oppo, etc. Richer Sounds had a killer deal on the Cambridge. Bought. Done deal. No regrets. Others might have bought Yamaha's BDA-1040. Some the Onkyo. In my case, I had no risk to my capital. None. I had a 60 day return option on the 752. I would not suggest others splash the cash on anything without a return option.

No (again).

I said (and you quoted it for pete's sake) that they're almost a side issue, which is in relation to the "just buy an Oppo" schtick. Context.

And reviews aren't everything, beyond a handy guide. Better than what you've gone on to say below for sure though.

You can no more evaluate an item remotely than you can get a mile up a road just by flapping your arms.

All what you're saying here tells you is what someone's bought. No more, no less. In relation to your own buying decision, all it might do is influence a shortlist, if you have one. Otherwise, it's pretty much irrelevant.

It's also far riskier, especially if you're inferring that this might be one way of purchasing hifi. That's bad advice IMO and especially if you can't return the goods for a refund.

 

Dennis,

Are you going to use analog or HDMI with the CXU?

 

You are just tying yourself in knots here you are a very pro Cambridge campaigner which is fine the inference from you is that the Oppo has a kudos that is not deserving. I'm not preaching to any choir I'm suggesting you are doing exactly what you accuse others of......being pro something. To repeat people need to find their own player. However you want to suggest that by moving on some Oppo owners might just have been sheep and took blind advice-you have no info to back that up. It's a very biased stance.

I'll be moving on from my Oppo at some stage-I had previously and I will again-it's not the be all and end all-it's not the only choice but there are clearly a lot of switched on people on here and elsewhere who own one and enjoy it. And when I upgrade the Oppo will either be a transport or remain because the family will lynch me if it goes......

I'm sure the Cambridge players do a very good job by the way.........

 

You've got your opinion and you're welcome to it. Have a great Sunday. Don't think I'm the one who's in knots though.

 

Loving my CXU....excellent sound

 

A universal player is a very tempting prospect, everything in one box. Neat. How does the CXU perform when streaming from NAS?

 

Unlike the Oppo 105D the CA CXU is still available from a number of online dealers. If I was still using analog in my system I'd grab one in a heartbeat to compare to the 105D.

Cambridge Audio CXU Universal 3D Blu-ray player with digital inputs and Wi-Fi® at Crutchfield.com »
Cambridge Audio - CXU Universal Blu-ray Player »

 

Bill,

Some of the places that "appear" to be still selling the OPPO 105D........(in Australia at least!!)

Oppo BDP-105D Darbee Edition Blu-Ray Player | Klapp Audio Visual »
Oppo BDP105D Blu Ray Player »
oppo 105d »
bluraymod »
Oppo BDP-105D Darbee Edition 3D Blu-ray Player $1899 | Pymble Hi Fi Sydney »
Oppo Bluray Player - BDP-105 Darbee Edition - Home Cinema at Vision Living »

A couple of other sites I checked did have this following announcement though........

As a part of our dealer agreement this product is unavailable for online sale.
Please CONTACT US for purchasing options.

Maybe it's a case of.......once each Seller's supply on hand runs out.......that's it!!!

 

John,

I was referring to buying the 105D (103/103D as well) direct from Oppo in the US. That's good that the 105D is still available in Australia .