Birddogthecat

OPPO UDP-205 & TIDAL Does the 205 stream Tidal? I have the OPPO Sonic DAC & it streams Tidal. I would like to add the 205 for spinning discs but I have read that there are no built in APPs as is the case with the 105/105D (I wish I had not sold my 105D). So, if anybody knows what is going on with streaming via the 205 please let me know. Is there a firmware update planned to include any APPs?

I have no opinion as to the advantage(s) of the Beta Firmware. I have not installed it and probably will not get around to it. It's just fun to know it's out there.

Yes. Sonica Beta

Here it is. I do not what the mystery is. Please download and install the current beta firmware http://download.oppodigital.com/sonica-dac/Sonica-33-0505B/Sonica.bin using the upgrade instructions at: http://oppodigital.com/sonica-dac/sonica-firmware-33-0422.aspx Enjoy

OPP0 UDP-205 [I own and have posted here regarding the Sonica DAC] Is there a thread for the OPPO UPD-205? I received an email a couple of weeks ago that I could per-order from OPPO. Does anybody know: 1) Is the 205 only available in Black (105/105D was available Black & Silver) ? 2) Are there no embedded APPs (as is the case with the 105)? 3) Is it TIDAL or/or Pandora ready? If I posted this in the wrong place send me to the proper thread.

I contacted OPPO a month or two ago and asked them about ROON and Pandora. The response was that my suggestion would be forwarded to the Tech Dept.

We do not sell Lamipzator, but when you are ready PM me and I will put you in contact with someone who can help you significantly on cost - USA sales only.

The Sonica is virtually totally controlled via APP. I suppose there are functions you can use/setup at the the unit but I doubt anyone does that. I miss the 105D remote ease and the HDMI out to a monitor. I am also hoping for ROON and Pandora to be added via FW update to the Sonica DAC. The 105D has Pandora but the Sonica DAC only offers Spotify & TIDAL. I do have a subscription to TIDAL (love it!) but not Spotify. I have a Pandora One subscription - we use it during beach parties as a jukebox. Soon, Pandora One will be offering High-Rez. I wrote OPPO asking for the 2 updates. Apparently there have been many such requests.

1) I am no great fan of the Vega/Aries. 4 years ago they rocked the audio world. Other than FW updates they both remain unchanged. We sell mainly to Beach 2nd homeowners who are looking for a simple system + whole home streaming via Open Home. 2) The VEGA is not a player - you cannot play directly from a HDD. Maybe the MINI is a player but we do not sell that - no room for profit. 3) As to SQ of the HAP - I'm not getting into to that endless, circular argument. If you like it then great. We ordered a HAP as an accommodation for a client who insisted. We loaded and setup the unit in his beach house only to get a call a week later to come get it. We were fortunate to sell it soon thereafter. 4) Finally, this thread is loaded with complaints as to the ridiculous music library load times to the point that several of posters suggest various work-rounds.

I guess I am missing something. What is the advantage of using the HAP-Z1es as a storage unit? As Auralic dealers we are well aware that the Vega requires the Aries for USB HDD storage. I guess if you already own the HAP you may as well use it for storage - but why? Just sell the thing and load up an HDD-ExFAT or whatever you choose and you are off to the races. The VEGA is an excellent DAC/Preamp. When it first came out the media went nuts. Pair the Vega with the Aries/Bridge you have the basis of an excellent audio system. As I have posted several times, my chief complaint about the HAP was that it took 5-6 days to load a 6TB (heavy DSD population) library and another 3-4 days for the HAP to register the files [CAT7 latest Dell XPS PC]. Once all of that is accomplished, we felt that the HAP had a soft (mid-bloated) SQ.

So, the only advantage to using the HAP-Z1es into the OPPO Sonica is gapless playback? My Sonica arrived Wednesday and I just plugged a HDD Dual 8TB [ExFAT] music library into the USB Host (back of unit) and I was up and running within 5 -10 minutes. The Sonica (at the moment) may not be gapless but it is pretty damn fast. My issues with the Sonica are: 1) It is not currently ROON ready and, 2) OPPO replaced Pandora with Spotify. My 105D has Pandora so I do not know what the reasoning here is. Pandora will soon be streaming in High Rez. I now listen to TIDAL Premium but I miss my Pandora Premium Jukebox. As far as SQ - The Sonica outperforms the HAP by a wide margin. It is especially strong rendering DSD files. The new owner of my HAP seems very happy.

You have to pre-order that option.

The PS Audio DS: Strongest capability is PCM files - excellent OPPO Sonica: Strength is DSD files - tightly controlled bass + transcending highs. All this is partially dependent on speakers. I use latest run Martin Logan Summit X's. We are Auralic Dealers and the OPPO Sonica DAC clearly out performs the much more expensive Vega/Aries combination. [Cape Fear Cable Company] I suck at describing sound. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

The Cocktail X40 arrived last week with both the CD player & video screen DOA. Already sent back the X40 and now have the OPPO Sonica DAC. Love the Sonica!!!