Hello Mr. Marshall,
I am looking for a single player for movies and music and your review of the Oppo BDP-93 makes a strong argument for that model. Please allow me to ask a few questions.
Did you find the front-panel controls easy to see and operate? That is one reason I am considering the Cambridge Audio Azur 651BD, which I think uses the same video processor as the BDP-93. Someone at Oppo told me the controls on the 93 front panel are not backlit, and ease of use is important to me.
Were you satisfied with the disc loading time of the 93? Some reviewers have praised how quickly the picture appears after the drawer closes on the 651BD, and I hope the same is true for the Oppo.
Have you found the Oppo BDP-95 to be quiet in operation? My main concern about that model is the use of a fan for cooling (and trying to figure out if the audio performance of the 95 is worth twice the US retail price of the 93).
I may simply take the plunge and buy an Oppo; their customer service is so good I know they would help me resolve any concerns or problems.
Regards,
Mark Lombardi
Please call me Wes. Both of the Oppo players are fantastic options and I can’t imagine either being a disappointment. That being said, the one place I often wish for a change is Oppo’s tiny, flat buttons on a totally dark, black fascia. Its loading time is just fine and it is quite inaudible. The 95’s sound, on the other hand, is an unknown. I’ve never used one nor have I requested a review sample, mainly because I have no need of the analog outs of the Oppo (the 95’s main calling card). Because I like to use the Audyssey system, which requires digital processing, I use a digital connection and see no reason to add a step of digital conversion.
If it were any other company but Oppo, I would never say this, but I think you could ask them the question about the fan noise and they would be honest about it. Finally, always trust behavior more than words! Here’s mine: I own the BDP-93. . . . Wes Marshall
