Review and Measurements of Oppo UDP-205 UHD Player

[gvl]

There's (was) the Sonica DAC, it uses 9038PRO as well.

 

[n2it]

According to Wikipedia, this unit is identical to the UDP-203, but comes with more features. The 203 is much cheaper though with a MSRP of $549.
I also think it's worth mentioning Oppo is chi-fi

It may be the same in the video, but not in the audio. The UDP-205 has (dual) ES9038PRO, the UDP-203 an AKM AK4458VN (https://www.akm.com/akm/en/product/featured/audiomarketvoices/oppo/)

 

[n2it]

@amirm - how about testing another ES9038 pro - a really affordable one: https://hifimediy.com/uda38pro-usb-dac-es9038pro

 

[amirm]

@amirm - how about testing another ES9038 pro - a really affordable one: https://hifimediy.com/uda38pro-usb-dac-es9038pro

It is tempting but boy, is a cheap looking box for a $250 DAC. As I noted in another thread, is there no resellers of this anywhere? I only see their own store.

 

[duo8]

According to Wikipedia, this unit is identical to the UDP-203, but comes with more features. The 203 is much cheaper though with a MSRP of $549.
I also think it's worth mentioning Oppo is chi-fi

This Oppo is US based apparently. Doesn't have much to do with the Oppo making phones in China.

 

[mi-fu]

Doesn't have much to do with the Oppo making phones in China.

What made you saying so?

 

[Deleted member 65]

A bit odd only using one DAC chip for stereo & the other dedicated for 7.1 surround. Guessing that the Sonica is identical to the stereo portion of the 205.

 

[duo8]

What made you saying so?

Oppo digital is based in US IIRC, this is the company making BD players and audio equipments.
The other Oppo in China makes phones.
Both are under BBK.

 

[jtwrace]

Is it at all possible to test the RCA outputs too for those that might want to use it as a MCH dac? Will these work via Ethernet and Roon for MCH audio?

 

[amirm]

Here are the unbalanced RCA measurements (using same USB input as balanced).

Dashboard:

Same excellent performance as balanced output. Maybe a dB less.

IMD distortion vs level:

A bit less good at low levels.

THD vs frequency:

Here we see a clear step down in performance (but still in very good category).

Jitter and noise:

Noise level goes down actually with unbalanced but so does the output level. Eyeballing the difference, dynamic range is reduced versus balanced. And so has jitter sidebands around our main tone at 11.05 kHz.

Finally linearity:

Most excellent.

Conclusions
The unbalanced/RCA outputs of Oppo UDP-205 produces almost the same superb performance that it delivered using balanced connection. Clearly it is a well engineered unit with proper design verification for both of its outputs.

NOTE: My company is a dealer for Oppo. "Dealer" is a stretch of the term here as the discount for dealers will buy you a cup of tea and not the usual margins that exists for audio. But you should take this account in reading my review here.

 

[derp1n]

Noise/jitter graph should read "unbalanced" for red.

Impressive results again. Benchmark, see, you can have good balanced and single ended output!

 

[amirm]

Noise/jitter graph should read "unbalanced" for red.

Thanks. Corrected.

 

[amirm]

And here are headphone results. First, the really bad news: output impedance:

Yes, it really is 120 ohm output impedance. Unloaded it is over 4 volts output but drops like a rock to below 1 volt when loaded with 33 ohms.

EDIT: the owner sent the unit in to Oppo for testing and they measured the output impedance at 0.4 ohms. I am at a loss as to what went wrong but tend to trust the data from Oppo given how high my measurements were.

Here is the THD+N versus output level:

That large output impedance keeps it from clipping badly. But noise level and distortion remain very high. Probably one of the worst I have measured.

There had to be some bad news and this it. So best to use an external headphone amp with it. What is there is a "checklist" item.

 

[n2it]

It is tempting but boy, is a cheap looking box for a $250 DAC. As I noted in another thread, is there no resellers of this anywhere? I only see their own store.

It definitely is not a pretty device. They only sell in their store - that is their mode of business. The also have a US storefront, but unfortunately, this DAC isn't being sold there. I took a chance and ordered one. It should be here early next week. I'll listen to if for a few weeks and then PM you when I can send it for your review.

 

[Veri]

It definitely is not a pretty device. They only sell in their store - that is their mode of business. The also have a US storefront, but unfortunately, this DAC isn't being sold there. I took a chance and ordered one. It should be here early next week. I'll listen to if for a few weeks and then PM you when I can send it for your review.

I believe amir mentioned he bought it himself, too in another thread.

 

[n2it]

I believe amir mentioned he bought it himself, too in another thread.

Thanks for mentioning - I would have waited, but oh well.

 

[Fitzcaraldo215]

This Oppo is US based apparently. Doesn't have much to do with the Oppo making phones in China.

I don't know about the 203/205, but It is my recollection that all prior Oppos were designed and manufactured in China. Oppo USA, I believe, is a marketing, distribution and support subsidiary of the Chinese company for the North American market with no manufacturing in North America. But, I might be wrong on that.

 

[PuX]

Yes, it really is 120 ohm output impedance

wow, nwavguy once said headphone impedance should be at least 8 times the impedance if the amplifier. I don't think there are any modern headphones with 960 Ohm impedance

it would be cool to see pictures of the internals, maybe there are some clues on what makes it a competent DAC.

 

[helloworld]

Is it possible to add airplay feature to uhd 205? I know it supports dlna? If I use hdmi to connect it with my apple tv, will it increase the noise? Could you please test it?

 

[amirm]

I don't think so. The company is closing shop and is only doing bug fixes if necessary. No new features will come.

As for HDMI, I will see if I can test it.