Universal Blu-Ray Player which will be used for Music

[Kali157]

Hello everyone

I am looking for a quiet blu-ray player which I will also be using to listen to music. I plan to connect ONLY via HDMI (no analog). I am also planning to use my Marantz SR5005 receiver to act as a DAC for music and movies b/c, Marantz as a pretty reputable DAC and I actually like its sound.

Things I care about:
-I want a QUIET player... using a PS3 (fat) and it's fan is a bit too loud. Also want the Marantz to decode audio esp for CDs.
-Price. I am willing to pay if I will hear and see a difference.

Things I do NOT care about:
-DVD video up conversion... b/c it is DVD
-SACD playback... would be nice but will not break the bank to achieve it
-Don't care about streaming content. We use discs.

I know many will suggest Oppo esp. for music, but I have yet to be convinced I will hear a difference. Again, I am using this player essentially as a transport with the audio decoding done on the Marantz and plan to connect only via HDMI. I tested the Sony blu player we have in the bedroom using the Marantz's DAC for music in our HT, and I liked it better than having the PS3 decode music.

I was hoping to stay under $150, but, again, am willing to spend up to $500 (ie Oppo 93) if I would benefit with my use. I just feel that HT technology changes often. Throwing down $500 for a player that will be obsolete within a few years may not be wise especially since I want the receiver to decode via HDMI.

Then again, I maybe missing something.

Thanks everyone.

[BIslander]

You can get just about any player. CDs only have PCM, so there's no decoding being done in the player or the receiver. For Blu-rays and DVDs, most players are quieter than a PS3 and will serve as a transport to send encoded audio to your receiver.

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by BIslander

You can get just about any player. CDs only have PCM, so there's no decoding being done in the player or the receiver. For Blu-rays and DVDs, most players are quieter than a PS3 and will serve as a transport to send encoded audio to your receiver.

Oh I guess I am confused. I thought players have a DAC. I thought you have two options. One, player decodes (through its DAC) and AVR sends to the speakers (either direct or some sort of surround feature). Second, the player just sends raw data to the AVR and the AVR decodes (DAC) and sends to the speakers (again either direct or surround mix). Is this incorrect?

Any recommendations on specific players? I thought of the Panasonic BDT210, but I read some reviews that it was noisy. I am also thinking about the Sony BDP-S580, but I have not read anything about player noise. As for the Oppo, I read the 93 is pretty quiet... but I don't know if I will take advantage of anything else I am paying for from that player. Any other models I should be looking at?

Thanks.

EDIT:

Nevermind, I am confusing myself. If I am using only HDMI, then no analog will be passed from player to AVR... EVER. So the only way to use the Cirrus CS4382A DAC on the Oppo 93 is through the analog outputs. So with HDMI only, that part of Oppo is a waste.

But I am now more confused as to why Oppo is worth the price for blu rays or music? Is its DAC better than the one found in my Marantz?

[BIslander]

Yes, you are confusing yourself. If you are using HDMI, the only DACs involved are in the receiver. It's unlikely you are going to hear much difference between DACs. Other factors such as room correction are more important.

btw, the term "decode" normally refers to unpacking compression codecs such as DD 5.1 and DTS, not other processes such as bass management, room correction, and digital-analog conversion.