Hey gang,

I'm thinking of getting the Oppo BDP-95 and I have a few questions about setup after grokking the manuals, and wanted to hear your expert opionions.

I'm planning to go from the Oppo BDP-95's 7.1 analog audio outs to the corresponding "7.1 Analog In" on the back of the 990. The 990 is then connected to 5 Outlaw m2200 amps via XLRs, and these in turn to 5 Dynaudio Focus speakers. I have a Dynaudio Sub 500 that is connected to the 990's SW XLR. I do 60% HT, 20% stereo+sub, 20% SACD.

So on with the questions.

The Oppo BDP-95 and Outlaw 990 both offer decoding for Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. How do they compare? If BDP-95 is markedly better, it makes sense to stick with the plan above and connect the two via 7.1 analog, and put the 990 in BYPASS mode. On the other hand, if the Outlaw 990 is markedly better, I would probably want to connect the two with TOSLINK fiber optic for these formats (but it would be kind of a PITA to keep track of & switch to this).

Only the Oppo BDP-95 decodes lossless audio such as DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD so clearly I will want to leverage the BDP-95 for this source material, and have it go into the 990 in over the 7.1 RCAs with the 990 in BYPASS mode. Same for DVD-Audio and SACD. Right?

When running form BDP-95 to the Outlaw 990 in BYPASS mode, I understand it's the BDP-95 that would be responsible for handling speaker size/xover and distance settings. I've read that the 990 will still do some processing with the low-frequency signal ("bass management") before pushing it out the SW output -- is this right? Exactly what does it do?

Thanks for the help!

I would bet that the OPPO clearly outperforms the Outlaw for processing. My BDP-83 was better when connected to the 990. It can't hurt to listen both ways and see which one you like best but make sure the levels are matched when doing the comparison or the louder one will win.

All your lossless/SACD/DVD-A decoding should be done by the OPPO and it is probably better at the lossy stuff too. I think you are correct that the 990 will process the LFE and apply bass management to it. You may have to tell the 990 your speakers are small to get it to properly output the LFE signal. If they are set to large the 990 assumes they should get the LFE. There is also a L+R+sub setting for a double bass type effect in which the Mains are set to large and the sub is added in also.

Ok thanks. Gee, so it sounds like the BDP-95 basically replaces almost all of the functionality of the 990, since I'll be using it in bypass mode the entire time. How times are a'changin'!

I let the Oppo do it all and run the 990 in the bypass mode and it sounds great!!!!
I still have the optical and coaxial cables connected so I can still compare the decoding between the the Oppo and the 990 and I always go back to letting the Oppo decode everything.

Yeah I am tempted to set up optical cables just so I can compare oppo vs 990, but honestly it sounds like something I'd do exactly two times and never do again. Probably not worth digging out the cables.

I learned something new reading this post.
Does the same apply to the Oppo 93? I have both the multi channel and optical connected.
I have to do a comparison.
Excuse my ignorance.

Ya, you should be able to do the same comparison between Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 on your BDP-93. Let me know how it goes!

Thanks in the testing mode tomorrow.
Just checked my e-mail and received notice that Blockbuster is suspending streaming on the OPPO.
I really enjoyed that APP but I guess given their financial situation they are more about getting out of the red.

Thanks for the information...what a difference.
Time to start listening to those cd's again from A to Z.