Exclusive First Review!AIRPULSE Model 1 by Phil JonesRibbon-Tweeter, Two-Way Speaker"A Nearly Perfect Small Speaker"

Brevis...

Price: $995/pair (stands $200)

Likes: balanced sound, I/O 

Dislikes: no black finish, no Wi-Fi

Wow Factor:  future of Hi-Fi speakers

Buying  info: AIRPULSE by Phil Jones

by John Gatski

  I like it when I find a great hi-fi product that handles my Hi-Res music and does not cost an arm and a leg. Essence For Hi Res Audio recently sent over a pair of the Phil Jones-designed AIRPULSE Model 1, powered ribbon speakers, and the duo easily fit my great/price performance criteria for small-to-medium listening rooms.

  The speakers were so impressive that I doubled up my review efforts of AIRPULSE — Hi-Fi and as monitors for my music recording suite — mastering, dubbing and raw track listening.

  I have known Phil Jones for almost 20 years and have reviewed various designs he has made through such companies as Boston Acoustics, Platinum, and AAD. Mr. Jones‘ philosophy, these days, is to make a great-sounding, well-made speaker that you don’t have to take a loan out to buy.

Features

  With built-in bi-amp Class D amplification, a digital 24-bit A/D-D/A for Bluetooth or SPDIF connection up to 24/192, built-in EQ and a fantastic build quality, this $995 per pair system is a serious audiophile speaker that needs nothing but a source. Plug in your hi-res player digitally or analog or stream from your phone. Heck, plug in your turntable preamp and sit down and listen.

If you want accuracy, flexible signal routing and speakers that slide into the smallest listening spaces, AIRPULSE Model One is a prime contender. The sound is so detailed and well balanced that it was easy to give the AIRPULSE an Everything Audio Network Stellar Sound Award.

  I worked with Phil Jones in the early 2000’s on a review for a high-end speaker that was incredibly transparent. Of course, it cost a lot more than AIRPULSE, but it highlighted the quality pedigree that he extols on his products. Nothing is low end about his products. Even the speaker stands are A+.

  Spec-wise, the AIRPULSE claims to reproduce 30 Hz to 20 kHz. The top end is handled by a horn-loaded ribbon, while bass is transmitted through a Phil Jones-designed neodymium magnet alloy woofer. The rear-ported cabinet is amazingly inert and stiff for such a well-priced, all-in-one speaker/electronics package.

Custom designed drivers
  The 5.5" woofer in Model 1 is a signature Phil Jones driver with a hyper-rigid, cast magnesium alloy frame. It uses a neodymium motor to provide a high magnetic flux to cover the entire voice coil of the loudspeaker. According to Jones, this degree of magnetic flux is rarely done with speaker construction in this category because of the cost.

Horn ribbon offers smooth top end

 Jones explained that the majority of loudspeakers use a voice-coil that’s mostly overhung outside the magnetic field. By using a much larger magnetic field in the Model 1 woofer, “we considerably reduce harmonic and inter-modulation distortion, giving the speaker a far-more musical and natural sound.”

  Additionally, the proprietary “hard anodized” Aluminum Alloy Cone (AAC) was designed from analysis of all types of cone geometry and materials — using a Klippel Laser Doppler Interferometer, which is a precision measurement instrument that analyzes cone behavior in 3D.

  Jones pointed out that the voice coil in Model 1 woofer is larger than most 5.5" loudspeakers. “Larger voice coils have less power compression because they run at a cooler operating temperature,” he said. Sonically, Jones noted, the larger voice coil results in a more realistic, dynamic extension of the sound.

  Other design features include the use of a single-layer, edge-wound, copper clad aluminum ribbon voice-coil instead of a typical round wire. Ribbon voice-coil wire is said to increase the electrical conduction in the magnet gap, thus increasing efficiency, power handling and lowering of overall distortion.

Phil Jones is proud of his state-of-the art woofer

  Jones is, no doubt, proud of his woofer advances, but the co-key to this speaker’s superbit sound is the use of a horn-loaded, 3” ribbon tweeter made of precision cut, very thin aluminum. The ribbon tweeter utilizes neodymium magnets and an advanced transformer said to enhance high-frequency extension, yet keep it all clean. Though the vertical dispersion is typical of horn ribbons, the horizontal sweet spot is pretty wide.

One stiff speaker
  The cabinet construction, for such a small speaker of modest cost, is outstanding. The rigidly braced, 1” thick HDF cabinet uses real cherrywood veneer, and the inside gets a 35mm extra coating of sound absorption material to further dampen internal vibration.

  Dimension-wise, each AIRPULSE is 14-inches tall by 9-inches wide and 12-inches deep. Weight is about 21 pounds each. The bass, treble and volume are located on the back of the right speaker, as are connections for the analog and digital inputs, plus the power cord. Input switching and master volume are also controllable via the included remote.

 Upon first play in the audiophile room, I could hear that Phil Jones precision emanating from the AIRPULSE. Even though it is a modestly priced, all-in-one system, the balance on this modestly powered, set of speakers was excellent. 

  The 70w-woofer/20w-tweeter bi-amp section is courtesy of Texas Instruments Class D amp modules. All audio, analog and digital, is routed through a TI 24 bit/192K A/D converter, including the balanced and unbalanced analog connections. The audio is ultimately transmitted to the 24/192K internal DAC and Class D amp.

  Input options include RCA and balanced XLR analog stereo, Optical and Coaxial SPDIF digital connections. The balanced input allows easy connection to pro gear from the analog side and the SPDIF connections get you connected to a digital output from a computer or other type of player.

  The back panel also includes a Transparent umbilical cord port to link the right speaker with the left speaker, in order to get the signal and power to the left speaker

  The AIRPULSE Model 1 has a subtle, but effective EQ control, located on the back. It is DSP-based digital EQ, designed to gently increase or decrease, plus or minus 3 dB, in the bass and treble to compensate for room boundary bass effects and tone-smoothing treble loss in heavily decorated rooms or excessive brightness in sparsely filled, hard-surfaced rooms.

Wireless option

  Via Bluetooth, you can stream music from your phone music app to the AIRPULSE. It is not Hi-Res but it can sound good with many recordings. I would like to see a Wi-Fi option, which is available on many wireless speakers these days. That way you could natively play wireless Hi-Res music, such as 24/192K PCM.

The set up

  I installed the AIRPULSE and optional stands  in three different scenarios: in my audiophile room in the sub-basement, an upstairs living room and as nearfield recording/editing monitors in my home studio music suite with an Apple Macbook Pro.

  In the audiophile room, the AIRPULSE were linked to a Benchmark DAC3 HGC D/A converter, a Rogue Audio RP-5 tube preamplifier, and Coda high-current solid preamplifier. The Oppo UDP-205 universal player fed the preamps via analog, and it also was used as a direct player, straight from its digital coax out into the SPDIF coaxial input of the AIRPULSE. All analog and digital interconnects were from Wireworld. Essential Sound Products Essence Pro II power cords and power strip linked the components to the AC.

The anatomy of a horn ribbon tweeter

  In the upstairs living room, I simply plugged  a Hi-Res-capable iBasso DX80 portable player into the RCA inputs via an included 1/8th-inch adapter to-RCA adapter. Gee, Phil thought of everything

  In the pro rig, I ran the optical cable from the Macbook Pro directly to the AIRPULSE, which allowed me to monitor up to 24/192K via Audacity and Reaper64 recording/DAW software. The speakers sat on either side of the MB Pro on a glass-shelf work stand.

The audition

  Upon first play in the audiophile room, I could hear that Phil Jones precision emanating from the AIRPULSE. Even though it is a modestly priced, all-in-one system, the balance on this modestly powered, set of speakers was excellent. The ribbon tweeter exhibited a smooth, airy, detailed image across the 7.5 foot speaker plane, while the bass was tight, but played with ample velocity for the kind of music I was listening too.

  Warren Bernhardt’s "So Real," a jazz track from the So Real DMP SACD (converted to 24/192K in my DAW) was transmitted through the AIRPULSE with all the track’s transient cues intact (piano upper register, snare rim shots, cymbal splashes). They sounded quite good with a good horizontal spread of energy in the imaging; the speakers were toed in just a few degrees.

  I added +2 dB of bass EQ when I placed the speakers further into the middle of the room to keep it all in balance. I like the subtle EQ control. No over-the-top, pronounced tone changes with a big swipe of the control. When used, EQ should be gentle.

  The Phil Jones speakers reminded me of the 1990s, horn-ribbon Centaur Apogee stand speakers that I used to own, though the AIRPULSEs are a bit smaller. An ear-friendly smoothness, coupled with ample bass, made for good listening experiences with numerous Hi-Res albums. The speakers’ accuracy definitely draws you in.

 Using the Oppo UDP-205 analog outputs into Model 1, I played the 1979 recording of Sir Colin Davis’ 1812 Overture, Boston Symphony, now on a Pentatone SACD. The playback showcased how good a little Classical Music speaker these powered AIRPULSE speakers are.
  The Janos Starker Bach Cello Suites (Mercury Living Presence) also was beautifully rendered via AIRPULSE, though some of the low-end chug was missing compared to my big tower speakers. But for 5.5-inch woofers, they have good bass. I saw about 40 Hz at minus 2 dB on my RTA in the middle of the room. This is pretty good for a small box with under 6-inch drivers. (Phil Jones said there is 35-Hz bass  when measuring at the port and in front of the speaker.)

  Most musical bass is quite strong through the Model 1, but the clean midbass may give it a ”lean” impression, if you are used to speakers  that overhype at 60 Hz to 250 kHz.

Remote gives you the basic functions

  Recordings that showcased the bass of the Model 1 included Pop gems Daft Punk — Random Access Memories and The Allman Brothers Band — Live At Fillmore East, and a PCM-dub of the SACD re-release of Flim and The BB’s — Tricycle, which has a lot of kick drum energy.

  The AIRPULSE Model 1’s, as most accurate speakers do, sound good with any kind of music. Other than lacking strong sub 35-Hz bass, the tonal balance fits any kind of music one is apt to play.

  In the upstairs living room, AIRPULSE really sounded nice with an extra 1.5 feet of speaker spread and just the iBasso player. The room was a lot brighter sounding, so I tweaked the EQ back -2 dB to achieve the optimum  balance that I liked.

Studio dynamite

  The AIRPULSE fit right into my digital audio editing suite. I recorded some acoustic guitar tracks with Audio-Technica AT-4041 instrument mics at 24-bit/192K PCM, using a True Systems stereo mic preamp and a Mytek Digital Brooklyn A/D, straight to the computer recording software. I then used the AIRPULSE pair to check the quality of the recording. The speakers revealed the low treble sheen of the ‘4041 mics without washing out the transient speed the mic’s are capable of.

AIRPULSE makes a fine tool for music production

  And the speakers’ three-foot distance (from my listening perch) gave a direct connection to the raw music — as I edited the sample songs into full tracks. As a music editing tool, this is one very good, small, nearfield monitor pair. I would put it up against equally sized, pure pro monitors — at twice the price.

 The AIRPULSE internal amps are not quite as powerful as other pro speakers I have auditioned, but for direct nearfield workstation duties in my studio, there was plenty of level.

  My only niggles with the AIRPULSE are the cherry-only finish and no Wi-Fi for hi-res streaming directly to the speaker. I think music pro guys would prefer a black finish to the cherry. (Two pros I showed the AIRPULSE said they would like black). Streaming full Hi-Res via Wi-Fi would just be icing on the cake. I love my Oppo Sonica and MartinLogan Crescendo’s Wi-Fi ability to play 24/192K HDtracks downloads from my smart phone.

  The optional speaker stands are a nice touch and they are perfect sized for the AIRPULSE duo. They are plenty sturdy, look good and have wire routes recessed in the stand and can accommodate the included spikes. But AIRPULSE worked well with other stands. Thus, you can save yourself a couple of hundred dollars — if you already have stands. I mounted the duo on my made-in-England Apollo stands, and they fit well.

The verdict

  Overall, the Phil Jones-designed analog/digital input, Class-D powered speaker system, coupled with outstanding drivers, nets a sonically accurate little duo that can fit anywhere. If you want accuracy, flexible signal routing and speakers that slide into the smallest listening spaces, AIRPULSE Model One is a prime contender.

  The sound is so accurate and well balanced that it was easy to give the AIRPULSE an Everything Audio Network Stellar Sound Award. The other features are just gravy. Remember, just make mine in black. 
  (For more information about Phil Jones and the AIRPULSE, Click Here! To purchase the speaker, visit the Essence For Hi-Res Audio online store.)

   John Gatski has been evaluating consumer, audiophile, home cinema and professional audio gear since 1988. In 1995, he created Pro Audio Review, and he has written for Audio, Laserviews, Enjoy The Music, The Audiophile Voice, High Performance Review, Radio World and TV Technology. Everything Audio Network is based in Kensington, Md. Articles on this site are the copyright of the ©Everything Audio Network. Any unauthorized use, via print or Internet, without written permission is prohibited. John Gatski can be reached via email: everything.audio@verizon.net

Audiophile Review!Oppo Flagship UDP-205May Be The Only PlayerThat You Will Ever Need

Brevis...

Price $1,299

Likes: best sounding Oppo UDP ever

Dislikes: does not play SACD ISO rips

Wow Factor: still the universal king!
More info: Oppo UDP-205

by John Gatski

  Oppo released three new products this year: the Oppo UDP-203, the entry level universal player upgrade; the stand-alone Sonica DAC and the much-awaited update of its flagship universal player, the new UDP-205.

  They are all home runs in terms of performance price and features in their respective niches, but I consider the UDP-205, the most impressive of the three. With the addition of a new 4K video decoder for video, and the new ESS Pro DAC chip for the audio, the new top-of-the-line player serves up increased audio refinement and accuracy, better video, while keeping its versatility intact: including analog multi-channel, unbalanced stereo/balanced stereo output structure.

Features

 Priced at $1,299 the UDP-205 is a bargain considering all its audiophile capabilities. Equipped with dual-ESS ES9038 Pro 32-bit chips, one for the multi-channel music and movie soundtracks, and one for the dedicated stereo outputs. The UDP-205’s  stereo audio output, through the dedicated ES9038PRO DAC chip,  also incorporates a specially designed analog buffer and driver stages.

  The ESS Pro DAC chips (ES9028 and ES9038) are impressive performing D/A circuits that reveal a more linear, accurate dynamic sound stage and detail over previous ESS chips, such as the widely used ES9018 that was used in the BDP-105.

ES9038 D/A chip: increased sonic articulation

  The '205’s stereo output offers both XLR balanced and RCA single-ended connectors. Oppo’s balanced output features a true differential signal path all the way from the DAC to the XLR. By transmitting a pair of differential signals, the balanced output provides better common-mode noise rejection and improves measured signal quality.

  Likes its predecessor, the Oppo UDP-205 can play almost anything through its internal DAC. From its USB input, an external software player from a computer or smart device enables the '205 to decode and play PCM up to 32 bit/768 kHz sample rate, and DSD to 11.2 MHz sampling.

  With the addition of a new 4K video decoder for video, and the new ESS Pro DAC chip for the audio, the new top-of-the-line player serves up increased audio refinement and accuracy, better video, while keeping its versatility intact: including a set of analog RCA multi-channel, unbalanced RCA stereo/balanced XLR stereo output structure.

  Via tracks loaded onto a USB drive, the 205 can play up to 24/192 PCM and 5.6 MHz DSD, plus  it handles any SACD, DVD-Audio Dual-Discs, Blu-ray, CD, etc. The only audiophile format it does not play is SACD ISO rips. For most serious stereo music listeners, however, the BDP-205 is all you would ever need. You get an excellent DAC and a player that will play almost any kind of format all in one box.

Need more connections? I doubt it.

  On the audio-for-video side, Oppo is still one of the few players with full analog 7.1 outputs. And since it has built-in set up DSP and a multichannel 32-bit volume control, the Oppo players can be used as a standalone video player/preamp, if you are just using it as the solo source. Output the HDMI video to a screen and hook up the 7.1 RCA’s to a multi-channel amp and a sub.

  Oppo also improved the headphone amp in the UDP-205 with more gain and a more direct path from the stereo ESS DAC. The HP amp was pretty good in the BDP-105, but it sounds even better, thanks to the new chip.

  For the video fan, the BDP-205 supports discrete 4K Ultra HD Video Blu-ray playback, as well as upscaling from 1080 to 4K. The UDP-205 is also capable of playing 4K media files and user-generated content. Support for decoding the HEVC, H.264, VP9 4K, and Hi10P video codecs provides increased compatibility with user generated media.

High Dynamic Range Video

  The UDP-205 also supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut used in today's better TVs. The HDR’s showcases enhanced resolution, refined contrast, greater brightness, and expanded color produce stunning video with unparalleled clarity and detail.

 You can play DSD to 5.6 MHz or up to 24/192 PCM  via tracks on a USB stick inserted into the front USB port. Simply insert the drive, navigate your LCD via the remote and push play, The UDP really becomes a hyper Hi-Res player as a USB DAC via computer. It is spec’d to play up to 32 bit linear/768 kHz sample rate PCM and 11.2 MHz DSD! 

  In addition to supporting the HDR10 format on discs and video files, the 205 is also capable of providing an accurate conversion of HDR to SDR for older displays, as well as conversion between various color spaces such as BT.2020, BT.709, and BT.601.

  With its latest firmware, UDP-205 is the first Ultra HD Blu-ray player to support. Dolby Vision, which require Dolby Vision-encoded discs and a Dolby Vision-enabled television to utilize it.

  According to Oppo, the '205 also received an internal parts upgrade over the 105; the capacitors, resistors and power supply have all been improved in the new player. The UDP-205 has separate power supplies for digital and analog circuitry, said to eliminate virtually all harmful interference. The analog audio circuit is powered by a larger toroidal power transformer, which provides a very clean and robust power source to the audio components.

  To enhance its reputation as high-end optical disc player, both the UDP 205 and little brother UDP-203 received a disc transport/loader upgrade. It is faster, quieter and less prone to loading glitches and lockups. My old 105, on more than one occasion, locked up after disc load-in.

The set up

  I set up the UDP-205 in two playback scenarios: as a standalone player/DAC and as Blu-ray/multichannel hi-res audio player in my A/V room.

  The audiophile components used in the review included Rogue Audio RP-5 tube preamp, Benchmark DAC-3 DX DAC, Prism Callia DAC/preamp, Mytek Brooklyn DAC/preamp and Coda high current preamp.

  Amplifiers included the MOSFET output Pass Labs Integrated 60 and Benchmark AHB-1 bipolar output unit, linked to a pair of MartinLogan Impressions, and at different points in the review, the wonderful, airy sounding  KEF 300 bookshelf speakers.

  All cables were Wireworld Eclipse, including USB, digital optical/coaxial, analog line (balanced and unbalanced), and speaker. Per usual, I connected the Oppo and the other associated gear through the UL-approved Essential Sound Products Essence Reference II power cords and power strip.

The audition

  Operating the UDP-205 in my audiophile set up was a piece of cake since the GUI, remote and onboard controls are essentially the same as the previous two generations of Oppo’s. In fact, I love the big remotes the company supplies. Durable, and easy to see each button, which have a tactile feel.

  First up was the my perennial jazz trio favorite, The Anthony Wilson Trio - Our Gang SACD (Groove Note). The album feature Mr. Wilson’s Gibson Birdland hollow-body guitar and melodic lead runs accompanied by a Hammond organ and drums. It is a rich, warm, live-to-two-track DSD recording that needs accuracy from its playback chain to keep it from going over to the extra-warm side.

Mega powerful video chip co-developed by Oppo

  Unlike the BDP-105 with the ESS 9018 D/A chip, the UDP-205’s ESS Pro ES9038 DAC circuit presented the Our Gang SACD with a more refined sound stage and revealed a much more balanced portrayal of this recording. It is similar to the sonic flavor from the much-heralded, Benchmark DAC3 Series, which uses the ES9028. (I have the ISO tracks of this SACD that I play through the computer and into various USB DACs, including the DAC3-DX).

  Through the '205, the organ’s prominent midbass tone, the tube guitar amp hues and the shimmery cymbals are aligned perfectly in terms of balance  — with that wide image presentation that I love from this recording. The Previous ‘95 and ‘105 Oppo UDP models, sounded overly warm on this recording, especially the cut Britta’s Blue.

  In long-term comparisons with the UDP-205, the Benchmark achieves a slightly more present image impressions (and of course, the Benchmark has one of the best onboard headphone of any DAC made), but tonally they are very similar. That is high praise for a all-in-one universal player.

  Switching to Classical, I popped in the 2005 Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto In D by Joshua Bell SACD. This live recording (how did they keep the audience so quiet?) is simply one of my favorite s for the violin in hi-res. Dynamic, full violin harmonics with orchestral accompaniment, the SACD gives a  hi-fi system a work out. The better the system the more real it sounds. Again, the UDP-205 did a fantastic job.

  Through the Rogue RP-5 preamp and the Merrill Audio Veritas Class D mono blocks, driving the MartinLogan Impressions, the violin signature was starkly vivid and a full dimensionality across the speaker plane. It does not sound like a single track mixed into a recording, but with a space impression like you are in the hall — way up front. Just incredible how good it sounded from a $1,299, all-in-one A/V player.

 All the sonic accolades I have bestowed on the UDP-205 as an audiophile player is ditto as a video player. On numerous Blu-ray discs, the ESS Pro chipped ‘205 sounds more dynamic than the BDP105 — if you let it decode and pass its multichannel audio output to a pre/pro analog ins. It is one of the few players left with multi-channel analog output.

  Moving on to Pop/Rock, I played a number of DVD-As, CD’s and Blu-rays and HDtracks downloads, and found the UDP-205 to be just as capable on the better recordings. Steely Dan —  Gaucho in DSD, played from a USB stick, was simply gorgeous with its vast space in between the instruments and backing vocals. Like listening to the studio master.

  Speaking of USB sticks, the UDP-205’s ability to play virtually any hi-res files from either the front USB port as a player, or using as a USB DAC from a computer, makes it one of the best Hi-Res players out there.

  You can play DSD to 5.6 MHz or up to 24/192 PCM  via tracks on a USB stick inserted into the front USB port. Simply insert the drive, navigate your LCD via the remote and push play,

  The UDP really becomes a hi-res player as a USB DAC via computer. It is spec’d to play up to 32 bit linear/768 kHz sample rate PCM and 11.2 MHz DSD from computer players, such as JRiver, Audirvana. The Android app USB Audio Player Pro, operated from a tablet, also made an ideal handheld, ultra high-res player in the bit perfect mode.

  To prove its ultimate hi-res compatibility, I played some experimental 32-bit music tracks (integer not floating point) that I had made with the Mytek Brooklyn 32-bit A/D. They played just fine. I also played some 11.2 MHz DSD tracks from Bluecoast. They also played without a hitch. (As to whether you can gear a difference between 2.8 MHz vs. 11.2 MHz DSD or 32 bit vs 24 bit, that  is another story).

  To add to the UDP-205's list of accomplishments, I sampled the headphone amp and I found it pretty impressive, Utilizing a 32-bit digital volume control from the ESS chip, it is not an afterthought. It is pretty neutral in its audio delivery, which I liked through my Sennheiser 650s, Shure SRH-1840’s and AKG K702 HPs, which take a bit more gain to make louder. The '205 had no problem driving them. The HP amp lacks some of the aural nuance of the Benchmark DAC 3 HP amp (and other standalone high-end HP amps I have sampled), but it is certainly no throwaway HP port. After all, it is delivering the signal from the mighty ESS Pro chip.

In the home theater

  All the sonic accolades I have bestowed on the UDP-205 as an audiophile player is ditto as a video player. On numerous Blu-ray discs, the ESS Pro chipped ‘205 sounded more dynamic than the BDP105 — if you let it decode and pass its multi-channel audio output to a pre/pro analog ins. It is one of the few players left with multi-channel analog output and with the quality of the D/A, analog circuit and dedicated power supply. It takes a $3,000+ pre/pro to match or better the sonics of the Oppo.

  Heck, if you just have a Blu-ray player as your only home theater source, you can use the UDP-205 as the player and the preamp. The option to enable the 32-bit multichannel volume control and all the necessary setup DSP are all on the player; you don’t have to have a pre/pro. Just route the multichannel outputs to your favorite amplifier set up.

UDP-205: tidy and clean with quality parts selection

  I tested the ‘205 through a Marantz 8802 pre/pro via HDMI, which means Marantz’s DAC was decoding the audio. However, I also set up the ‘205 as a standalone player/preamp, running audio straight to Parasound Halo three- and two-channel amplifiers.

 With the '205 as the pre/pro, I viewed several Blu-ray movies including the animated fantasy adventure Bolt, The Fifth Element and the 24/48 PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack of the animated Meet The Robinson’s.

  The multi-channel delivery through my Westlake Audio professional cinema speakers (three in the front), NHT Ones in the rear and a Paradigm Pro 15 subwoofer was as good, maybe better, than some of the high-end pre/pros. The multichannel soundstage separation and dynamic range impressed me the most. The digital volume is not quite as smooth as the best multichannel preamp analog volume circuits, such as the Bryston SP3 pre/pro, but it is no slouch. It blows away low-end receivers in spades.

  The video features can be used with a pre/pro as well (via the pass-through mode to the TV). Including the 4K upsampling and discrete playback to a 4K TV, plus the HDR (high dynamic range), which I believe is more impressive than just 4K.  The deeper colors make the picture much more dimensional.

  No matter how you use the ‘205 in an A/V system, you can’t top this player. The Oppo UDP-203 is a lot less money and its AKM DAC chip and similar video features get it close to the ‘205, but ultimately, the '205’s audio circuit wins out in my book, especially for the multi-channel.

  Overall, I had not one single problem with the UDP-205. It played everything I threw at it, and never glitches, locked up or skipped a note. I had a few glitches on the old 105 along the way.

 In the ever-shrinking standalone universal player niche, the UDP-205 stands alone at the top. There are a number of us out there, who appreciate the versatility of a quality standalone multi-format player. You don’t need to use a separate computer or smart phone, or a separate CD player. The UDP-205 does it all — right in your rack

  The fan-less system means it operates quietly (remember how loud the fan-equipped BDP-95 was), and it does not run that hot. If you have any problems, as rare as that might be, Oppo has great support staff to walk you through it, and they do software patches to fix media incompatibilities when they discover a problem.

  The only criticism i could dig up on the '205 is that it does not play SACD ISO rips that are easy to make with a certain Sony Playstation. In reality, however, you are not supposed to be playing those anyway, but if the '205 did, it would be perfect

The verdict

  The UDP-205 is now the king of high-end universal players, as was the BDP-105. With its expansive capability to play almost any kind of audio files (stereo or multichannel) and great-sounding onboard ESS DAC. The UDP-205 is,  indeed, all that many audiophiles will ever need to play their music. Videophiles will appreciate the video quality, 4K, HDR compatibility and its prowess as a standalone multi-channel player for HQ movie and multi-channel music soundtracks.

  In the ever shrinking standalone universal player niche, the UDP-205 stands alone at the top. There are a number of us out there, who appreciate the versatility of a quality standalone multi-format player. You don’t need to use a separate computer or smart phone, or a separate CD player. The UDP-205 does it all. Plus, it looks way better in your rack than a laptop. A great big EAN Stellar Sound Award and a EAN Digital Payer of the Year nomination for the UDP-205.

   John Gatski has been evaluating consumer, audiophile, home cinema and professional audio gear since 1988. In 1995, he created Pro Audio Review, and he has written for Audio, Laserviews, Enjoy The Music, The Audiophile Voice, High Performance Review, Radio World and TV Technology. Everything Audio Network is based in Kensington, Md. Articles on this site are the copyright of the ©Everything Audio Network. Any unauthorized use, via print or Internet, without written permission is prohibited. John Gatski can be reached via email: everything.audio@verizon.net