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Jim L · 07-07-2010, 11:33 AM

Well, well, well. You're in luck because I just happen to have tested both.

I have gone through 7 new blu-ray players in the last month or so (4 different models):

Oppo BD-83 (x2)
Sony BDP-S570 (x3)
Sony BDP-S1000ES
Sony BDP-S370

This was to replace my old Panny DMP-BD55 and Sony 5-disc CD/SACD changer.

I was planning on keeping the Oppo because I wanted the best picture & sound quality and I really needed SACD playback.

I was attracted to the Sony BDP-S570 because of its feature set (wifi, Gracenote and SACD) for such a cheap price ($200) compared to the Oppo ($500). The Oppo puts out excellent quality audio and video and plays all disc types, but is fatally flawed by poor control software that freezes on some movies and SACDS, inaccurate time display, and clipping of audio tracks on CDs. That's totally unacceptable for $500, so I just sent back the second of 2 units this week.

I critically compared the Oppo to the Sony BDP-S570 and there was no denying it that the Oppo had the edge over the Sony in blu-ray playback. It was very subtle, but contrast and detail was ever slightly so much better. I was disappointed with the Oppo however because of its bugs.

Recently I had read so many rave reviews of the Sony BDP-S1000ES that I felt I had to check it out. For the price ($200) the S1000ES does definitely match the Oppo in blu-ray picture quality (which definitely beats the Sony BDP-S570 in PQ). The S1000ES has that extra depth, contrast and detail of the Oppo that I was missing on the cheaper Sony BDP-S570. The Sony BDP-S370 is the same as the S570, with a couple of features removed (wifi and 3D).

Long story short, I ended up with both of the Sonys for about $350 and had 2 dedicated players to meet all my needs:

The Sony BDP-S1000ES: for blu-ray and DVD playback. It has wifi which I use for firmware updates. And best of all -- it has a 5 year warranty!
The Sony BDP-S370: for CD playback (with the great GraceNote feature) and SACD playback. It has inferior PQ, but I don't care. However, it is always available as a backup BD player.

07-07-2010, 11:33 AM	#2
Jim L Special Member Top contributor Member since:Apr 2006 Location:Myrtle Beach, SC Blu-ray reviews: 12 Trading Score:20	In short, YES there is a difference in PQ between these 2 players! Well, well, well. You're in luck because I just happen to have tested both. I have gone through 7 new blu-ray players in the last month or so (4 different models): Oppo BD-83 (x2) Sony BDP-S570 (x3) Sony BDP-S1000ES Sony BDP-S370 This was to replace my old Panny DMP-BD55 and Sony 5-disc CD/SACD changer. I was planning on keeping the Oppo because I wanted the best picture & sound quality and I really needed SACD playback. I was attracted to the Sony BDP-S570 because of its feature set (wifi, Gracenote and SACD) for such a cheap price ($200) compared to the Oppo ($500). The Oppo puts out excellent quality audio and video and plays all disc types, but is fatally flawed by poor control software that freezes on some movies and SACDS, inaccurate time display, and clipping of audio tracks on CDs. That's totally unacceptable for $500, so I just sent back the second of 2 units this week. I critically compared the Oppo to the Sony BDP-S570 and there was no denying it that the Oppo had the edge over the Sony in blu-ray playback. It was very subtle, but contrast and detail was ever slightly so much better. I was disappointed with the Oppo however because of its bugs. Recently I had read so many rave reviews of the Sony BDP-S1000ES that I felt I had to check it out. For the price ($200) the S1000ES does definitely match the Oppo in blu-ray picture quality (which definitely beats the Sony BDP-S570 in PQ). The S1000ES has that extra depth, contrast and detail of the Oppo that I was missing on the cheaper Sony BDP-S570. The Sony BDP-S370 is the same as the S570, with a couple of features removed (wifi and 3D). Long story short, I ended up with both of the Sonys for about $350 and had 2 dedicated players to meet all my needs: The Sony BDP-S1000ES: for blu-ray and DVD playback. It has wifi which I use for firmware updates. And best of all -- it has a 5 year warranty! The Sony BDP-S370: for CD playback (with the great GraceNote feature) and SACD playback. It has inferior PQ, but I don't care. However, it is always available as a backup BD player.