XA2 as top quality CD player.

[Fat Tony]

I'm more a Hi-Fi fan than home theatre fan, so I just thought I'd let those know who aren't aware, that the XA2/XE1 is not only a fine HD DVD/DVD player, but if you enjoy quality music, a first class CD player as well.
When the 2 channel stereo analogue outs (not 5.1) are connected from the XA2 to your amp, the XA2 is than using the on board Wolfson WM8740 hi performance stereo DAC for audio processing, which is the DAC of choice for many a high quality & expensive CD player such as Cambridge Audio and Rotel. What this means is, you will get superb stereo reproduction and outstanding quality CD sound.

So if your thinking about ditching your XA2, just remember, it would cost a small fortune to replace this unit with just a CD player of similar spec.
Cheers

[Fat Tony]

Hope some of you try this and enjoy your music.

[The Limey]

Originally Posted by Fat Tony

I'm more a Hi-Fi fan than home theatre fan, so I just thought I'd let those know who aren't aware, that the XA2/XE1 is not only a fine HD DVD/DVD player, but if you enjoy quality music, a first class CD player as well.
When the 2 channel stereo analogue outs (not 5.1) are connected from the XA2 to your amp, the XA2 is than using the on board Wolfson WM8740 hi performance stereo DAC for audio processing, which is the DAC of choice for many a high quality & expensive CD player such as Cambridge Audio and Rotel. What this means is, you will get superb stereo reproduction and outstanding quality CD sound.

So if your thinking about ditching your XA2, just remember, it would cost a small fortune to replace this unit with just a CD player of similar spec.
Cheers

Tony,

Thank you very much for that piece of information. I own both the XE1 and Onkyo 805 players and am pleased to see that the CD DAC is of such high quality....

[chris gerhard]

I own the HD-XA2 and think it is a very nice HD DVD/DVD/CD player but it would hardly cost a fortune to improve audio playback for a high fidelity fan. The Oppo BDP-83 plays CD/HDCD/SACD/DVD-A and all at a very high quality level over analog or HDMI so my HD-XA2 is hardly of any use for audio. The BDP-83 doesn't play HD DVD and that is the one area where the HD-XA2 beats it. The HD-XA2 couldn't root my $170 Oppo DV-980H out of a secondary system for audio over analog purposes.

Chris

[Rich86]

I still run a high-end (older) Denon CD player - and stream the digital to my high-end receiver and let it decode. The resulting audio quality is excellent.
I don't use DVD, HD-DVD or Blu-Ray players for listening to CDs.

[Actionable Mango]

I don't have an XA2 myself, but it always fascinates me to learn about the little hidden gem features like this. Thanks for sharing!

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by chris gerhard

I own the HD-XA2 and think it is a very nice HD DVD/DVD/CD player but it would hardly cost a fortune to improve audio playback for a high fidelity fan. The Oppo BDP-83 plays CD/HDCD/SACD/DVD-A and all at a very high quality level over analog or HDMI so my HD-XA2 is hardly of any use for audio. The BDP-83 doesn't play HD DVD and that is the one area where the HD-XA2 beats it. The HD-XA2 couldn't root my $170 Oppo DV-980H out of a secondary system for audio over analog purposes.

Chris

You have totally missed the point of my post Chris.

My post was to encourage those who may have the need or want for improved CD play back via there XA2/XE1 if they so desire. It was not intended to start a "I think My Oppo or whatever, might be better than your XA2" debate, or any other product for that matter.
I don't know what DAC your Oppo is using for CD, but I'm sure it's top quality though, but I do know what the XA2 is using, and the result is only gained via 2 channel analogue out. Have you ever tried it?

If you have an XA2 and you want improved CD playback via your XA2, you can get an excellent result if you so wish.
If you don't want to, good for you.
If you are all ready using another quality product, good for you.
Enjoy your Oppo, and most of all, enjoy the music.

[Fiffy]

It may have excellent components, but unless you can lock it away somewhere or only listen using closed headphones, the fan noise is unacceptable for many types of music (especially quiet classical Adagios and the like).

[chris gerhard]

Originally Posted by Fat Tony

You have totally missed the point of my post Chris.

My post was to encourage those who may have the need or want for improved CD play back via there XA2/XE1 if they so desire. It was not intended to start a "I think My Oppo or whatever, might be better than your XA2" debate, or any other product for that matter.
I don't know what DAC your Oppo is using for CD, but I'm sure it's top quality though, but I do know what the XA2 is using, and the result is only gained via 2 channel analogue out. Have you ever tried it?

If you have an XA2 and you want improved CD playback via your XA2, you can get an excellent result if you so wish.
If you don't want to, good for you.
If you are all ready using another quality product, good for you.
Enjoy your Oppo, and most of all, enjoy the music.

My point was in response to your comment that it would cost a fortune to replace the CD performance of the HD-XA2. My thought is selling the HD-XA2 and acquiring the Oppo BDP-83 adds a lot and only gives up HD DVD, including replacing the CD and DVD-V performance and in my opinion improving on both. Therefore it doesn't cost a fortune at all, in fact would cost very little relatively speaking. I am not disagreeing with your point that it is a very good CD player in addition to being an excellent HD DVD player and excellent DVD-V player, only disagreeing with an opinion that the player provides much in the way of value as a CD player to someone that doesn't want the HD DVD playback. Of course if continued HD DVD playback is the primary use, it provides great value.

Chris

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by chris gerhard

My point was in response to your comment that it would cost a fortune to replace the CD performance of the HD-XA2. My thought is selling the HD-XA2 and acquiring the Oppo BDP-83 adds a lot and only gives up HD DVD, including replacing the CD and DVD-V performance and in my opinion improving on both. Therefore it doesn't cost a fortune at all, in fact would cost very little relatively speaking. I am not disagreeing with your point that it is a very good CD player in addition to being an excellent HD DVD player and excellent DVD-V player, only disagreeing with an opinion that the player provides much in the way of value as a CD player to someone that doesn't want the HD DVD playback. Of course if continued HD DVD playback is the primary use, it provides great value.

Chris

As a stand alone CD player, to this level of spec for a Hi Fi enthusiast, it would cost a small fortune. You need to be in the Arcam, CA, Rotel level of CD player to get this level of quality, specifically the 192kHz/24-bit Wolfson WM8740 DAC.
There are lots of other great alternatives that will still give you great sound, but if you all ready have one of these players, there is nothing cheaper!
I don't use mine for movies, it is used as a dedicated CD player, hence my original comment. That's why I stated at the start, I am more into Hi-Fi than home theatre. My situation, is not going to apply to many on this site, neither yours, but it's a simple and cost free upgrade that will give you superb results IF you have the need or desire, and as such, offers outstanding value.

On the home theatre front, if and when my BD35 dies, I will buy the Oppo for movies, from all accounts, a brilliant unit also.

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

It may have excellent components, but unless you can lock it away somewhere or only listen using closed headphones, the fan noise is unacceptable for many types of music (especially quiet classical Adagios and the like).

Fiffy, there may be something wrong with yours if the noise is that loud.
I can only her mine when standing right beside it, as soon as I am a few feet away, I cannot hear it.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by Fat Tony

Fiffy, there may be something wrong with yours if the noise is that loud.
I can only her mine when standing right beside it, as soon as I am a few feet away, I cannot hear it.

Maybe, but I don't think so. I have seen several of these players and could easily hear all of them from more than 10ft away. The same goes for most other HD-DVD/BD players with a fan that I have seen. Noise is obviously subjective. I think a top quality music player should be absolutely silent (i.e. not have a fan).

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Maybe, but I don't think so. I have seen several of these players and could easily hear all of them from more than 10ft away. The same goes for most other HD-DVD/BD players with a fan that I have seen. Noise is obviously subjective. I think a top quality music player should be absolutely silent (i.e. not have a fan).

You are absolutely right about that.
I have a simple solution though, turn the music up loud!

[kdigit0l]

I can't agree more. Those are excellent DACs. I didn't realize they were used in the XA2. It's worth mentioning that the 5.1 analog outs on the XA2 are also pretty sweet: Burr-Brown PCM1755. The same Burr-Brown's were used in the A1 and XA1. I have an A1 and love listening to to CDs on it (I recommend others try it). I wish I had an XA2!

[Fat Tony]

Originally Posted by kdigit0l

I can't agree more. Those are excellent DACs. I didn't realize they were used in the XA2. It's worth mentioning that the 5.1 analog outs on the XA2 are also pretty sweet: Burr-Brown PCM1755. The same Burr-Brown's were used in the A1 and XA1. I have an A1 and love listening to to CDs on it (I recommend others try it). I wish I had an XA2!

Yes, you are correct, the 5.1 uses an excellent DAC also.
Cheers.