$200 to improve source.

[Scottyyy]

Hey everyone.

I've just purchased some headphones that are hopefully nice for watching movies (AD700's) so I thought I'd upgrade my source seeing as I heard these headphones are rather source-dependent.

I believe my computer source is fine (just an M-Audio Revolution 5.1 sound card which I like), but I need upgrade my movie watching source. Right now I just use an Xbox 360 (pretty bad picture/audio quality) and the headphone jack on my TV (21" CRT). Which is the most basic source ever, but oh well. Obviously, movies sound better when played loud but I can't really listen to them loud because the TV produces lots of noise at high volumes.

So, maybe what I need is a new DVD player and a new way of connecting my headphones to my TV, without buying a new TV.

Any recommendations for a DVD player and an alternative to the TV's headphone jack?

Thanks.

PS - sorry for being a noob heh.

 

[mdarnton]

Oppo DV-980H. Just got mine yesterday: love it. Has a good reputation for audio quality in its price range. One nice thing for phones is that the remote has a volume control, so you can hook your headphone amp up next to it, and not have to get up to change the volume. You will need a headphone amp of some kind, though, if you want to skip the TV.

http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/default.asp
Do some searching around, and you'll see that people think it's predecessor, the 970, was a great machine for the money for CD audio, and Oppo promises that this one has improved on the previous version.

 

[Scottyyy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdarnton /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oppo DV-980H. Just got mine yesterday: love it. Has a good reputation for audio quality in its price range. One nice thing for phones is that the remote has a volume control, so you can hook your headphone amp up next to it, and not have to get up to change the volume. You will need a headphone amp of some kind, though, if you want to skip the TV. http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/default.asp Do some searching around, and you'll see that people think it's predecessor, the 970, was a great machine for the money for CD audio, and Oppo promises that this one has improved on the previous version.

Seems like a very nice DVD player indeed.

I can't find any stores (only a quick google search though) that sell it though (I'm in the UK). There's one, but it costs £180/$360. Which is ridiculous because it retails at $170.

I only have a PA2v2 headphone amp. I don't really like the sound of it with movies (with my Sennheiser HD212 Pro) but it does reduce the noise quite a lot when I use it. I've read some people prefer their AD700's unamped though, so I'm not sure how I'm going to get around that.

Also - what would be the best way to hook an amp up to a DVD player? I'll be using composite mostly likely.

Thanks for the reply, by the way.

 

[epaludo]

The Oppo must be an excellent multi-player. You get SADC and DVD-Audio with it.

The PAV2V2 isn't the best option for sure, but for the price it's very good IMHO. Of course a RSA Hornet is a LOT better.

You can just use the stereo audio output of the player and connect it to the headphone amp. You'll need a RCA-mini cable if using a PAV2V2 or any other headphone amp with mini input ...

 

[Scottyyy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Oppo must be an excellent multi-player. You get SADC and DVD-Audio with it. The PAV2V2 isn't the best option for sure, but for the price it's very good IMHO. Of course a RSA Hornet is a LOT better. You can just use the stereo audio output of the player and connect it to the headphone amp. You'll need a RCA-mini cable if using a PAV2V2 or any other headphone amp with mini input ...

Yeah that's how I'm connecting my PA2v2 to my 360. I thought there might have been a better way which is why I asked.

Oh and looking at the images of the Oppo, I can't see any composite video/audio inputs. Only component, which my TV does not support. Unless I'm missing something. : /

 

[mdarnton]

You're looking for the yellow/red/white RCA plugs, right? The yellow one is right above the s-video connector here:
http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/do...-980H-Back.jpg,
and the white and red audio connections are labeled front/mixed. There's an on-screen menu item for mixing the 7.1 into 2-channel stereo to those plugs. It's a pretty complex machine, and I think they've got everything covered, in multiple directions. They warn you to read the instructions, and it's a good idea--there's stuff you'll never know you have if you don't.

 

[Scottyyy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdarnton /img/forum/go_quote.gif You're looking for the yellow/red/white RCA plugs, right? The yellow one is right above the s-video connector here: http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/do...-980H-Back.jpg, and the white and red audio connections are labeled front/mixed. There's an on-screen menu item for mixing the 7.1 into 2-channel stereo to those plugs. It's a pretty complex machine, and I think they've got everything covered, in multiple directions. They warn you to read the instructions, and it's a good idea--there's stuff you'll never know you have if you don't.

Ha, I thought that was it. It just didn't look yellow to me so I wasn't sure. (being colour blind doesn't help)

And yeah I think I'll use the rest of the money to start saving up for a decent amp. The PA2v2 sounds nice with music, but there's something about it with movies. If I was experienced with all the terms audiophiles used I could probably explain it, but it makes the voices in movies sound strange. Harder to understand, sort of. I can't really explain it. Hopefully a better amp wouldn't be like that though.

Now, where to find one of these awesome looking DVD players heh.

Thanks again.

 

[mdarnton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottyyy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can't find any stores (only a quick google search though) that sell it though (I'm in the UK). There's one, but it costs £180/$360. Which is ridiculous because it retails at $170.

The FAQ on the Oppo website says they ship internationally.
http://oppodigital.com/InternationalOrders.html

 

[Scottyyy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdarnton /img/forum/go_quote.gif The FAQ on the Oppo website says they ship internationally. http://oppodigital.com/InternationalOrders.html

That's pretty expensive. Brings it over my budget. : /

I'll just have to have a look for one in sale in the UK then I suppose.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Oppo only sells direct from their website. You could call and ask for refurb units that will cost less and still have the original factory warranty (a little known tip about Oppo players). The Oppo 971 is also a cheaper alternative to what's been recommended here.

If it was me I would suggest putting the money in getting the Oppo player now (you'll really notice the difference in the picture quality), this will not help with the hiss problem, however, so you'd need an amp to solve that problem, although any 'ol $30 cmoy will do the job just fine.

 

[bhjazz]

Also selling the Oppo:
www.musicdirect.com
and
Amazon

 

[Bootleg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdarnton /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oppo DV-980H. Just got mine yesterday: love it. Has a good reputation for audio quality in its price range. One nice thing for phones is that the remote has a volume control, so you can hook your headphone amp up next to it, and not have to get up to change the volume. You will need a headphone amp of some kind, though, if you want to skip the TV. http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/default.asp Do some searching around, and you'll see that people think it's predecessor, the 970, was a great machine for the money for CD audio, and Oppo promises that this one has improved on the previous version.

X2!!!

(mine is on order from amazon right now...free shipping to hawaii)