Have your say & ask the experts

pete321:

Andrew Everard:

We don't test grey imports.

...I would call it a charcaol rather grey I think!

I guess the good news is there are numerous reviews from respected sources available on the internet including objective benchmarks. There is also in depth coverage and comparison to Denon, Pioneer etc products on forums from knowledgeable enthusiasts who own multiple products and can provide detailed feedback for the casual reader or those with a very technical interest.

Based on the usual What HiFi ? level of review I've seen I don't think there would be any real value anyway compared to the quality of info available already.

Dasp 

Yes, my mind is made up, unfortunately CRT seem to have put the date back for the multi-zone/region model, no pre-orders being taken from tomorrow now.

Got mine for £520, i'm using the hacked firmware to make it region free. This player is a joy to use, still amazing for the price despite paying much more than in the Americans do.

Looks like you can order unmodded player on crt website now?

bennyben:

Got mine for £520, i'm using the hacked firmware to make it region free. This player is a joy to use, still amazing for the price despite paying much more than in the Americans do.

Looks like you can order unmodded player on crt website now?

Doesn't the remote hack have to be re-hacked everytime there's a firmware update? That makes the hardware modded version more attractive to me.

das:

Based on the usual What HiFi ? level of review I've seen I don't think there would be any real value anyway compared to the quality of info available already.

...And it's no good trying to talk us round with flattery...

pete321:

bennyben:

Got mine for £520, i'm using the hacked firmware to make it region free. This player is a joy to use, still amazing for the price despite paying much more than in the Americans do.

Looks like you can order unmodded player on crt website now?

Doesn't the remote hack have to be re-hacked everytime there's a firmware update? That makes the hardware modded version more attractive to me.

The firmware hack is specific to each version of Oppo firmware.  Thus a new "hacked" version of each new  firmware release is required to maintain the multi-region feature using this method.  The hardware mod is unaffected by firmware version and is very quick and easy in use.

Dasp

pete321:

bennyben:

Got mine for £520, i'm using the hacked firmware to make it region free. This player is a joy to use, still amazing for the price despite paying much more than in the Americans do.

Looks like you can order unmodded player on crt website now?

Doesn't the remote hack have to be re-hacked everytime there's a firmware update? That makes the hardware modded version more attractive to me.

Yes but the player works perfectly for me on the current firmware. If it ever becomes a big problem i'll order the kit to make it region free and then keep bang up to date with the firmware updates.

Andrew Everard:

We don't test grey imports.

Can understand the reasoning as a general rule but something garnering this much hype must be relevant?  I can't believe no-one there hasn't had a sneaky check-out either...

Although if there's no-where to audition one anyway, it kinda goes against the no.1 rule of hifi buying. 

unconditional:

I can't believe no-one there hasn't had a sneaky check-out either...

No, we haven't.

I give up.

Objectivity flew away on a breeze of Sony and Denon propaganda.

Why consider What Hi-Fi to be the definitive guide, when they categorically won't test possibly the most giant killing deck to be released in years? Grey import. Who care whether it's official in the UK or not. It exists. It is far less expensive than the decks it competes with. It is a proper universal player and you won't test it unless it comes on a plate with "European Version" stamped on the box because in your eyes, if it's not readily accessible to the buying public then they're better off not knowing it exists and can continue to pay over the odds for the alternatives happy in their ignorance. I thought your job was to inform?

I do not appreciate being made to feel like the official opposition when I'm basically a fan of what you do. I just want you to actually do it!

I don't think it is fair to accuse What HIFI of anti Oppo bias. My own interest in the Oppo blu-ray was sparked when Andrew recommended the oppo DVD player (which he owns) as a DSD sacd player. However, I would add my request that the Oppo blu-ray player is tested ASAP. I am seriously considering buying the payer, and as it is not available to audition, the views of the team woulkd be extremely useful - this is the sort of thing I pay my subscription for.

And having tested it and found it to be quite astonishingly good, I'd like the rest of the world to know too, from the only mag I trust.

hammill:

I don't think it is fair to accuse What HIFI of anti Oppo bias. My own interest in the Oppo blu-ray was sparked when Andrew recommended the oppo DVD player (which he owns) as a DSD sacd player. However, I would add my request that the Oppo blu-ray player is tested ASAP. I am seriously considering buying the payer, and as it is not available to audition, the views of the team woulkd be extremely useful - this is the sort of thing I pay my subscription for.

 

No disrespect to the What HiFi ? team but there is plenty of reliable info on this product from very reputable and respected review sources already available. I appreciate that isn't what you pay your subscription for.

Another poster made a point about the ability to audition products which is a fair comment.  I tried to demo several products locally before purchase such as the Denon 3800, A1UD and LX91.  No dealers within  a reasonable driving distance had these products on demo and would only special order.  Also some premium brands force an "in store" purchase thus given my previous comment if it doesn't work in your environement you have limited options.  The Oppo selling model is different and because of this you should be covered by distance selling regulations when purchased in the UK. Thus if the product doesn't do what it says it does or doesn't work in your environment you have options.

Dasp

 

 

And you'll never find a more helpful dealer than Henry at CRT Projectors. I'm on the list for a player once he has stock in a weeks time. Instant response by e-mail. And immediate answers to queries. There are enough enthusiasts with players, that if the forums work, you can get a demo. You may have to use a forum with PM capability though to accomodate this, and I did. Great to meet fellow forum users. It is a real community out there.

Like you guys I would love to see a comparative review from one of the most trusted sources on this product.  It is one that I am very interested in purchasing as well.  However I don't think that it's beyond comprehension as to why we won't see a review until an official European product is released.  I'm sure that there are other publications that have a more flexible policy towards reviewing "grey market imports" and mod-ed products, but WHFSAV's standpoint on reviewing products that are freely available to the public in factory spec with a full manufacturer's guarantee should be respected as well.  Yes this product is available to buy in the UK, but it doesn't carry a manufacturer's warranty - it carries a twelve month warranty from the seller who is performing the modification.  I think as a consumer education publication WHF has a duty to recommend products that are fully above-board where all of the consumers' rights are legally protected in a binding contract between them and the manufacturer of the product.

It just seems a bit unfair to direct this torrent of abuse and accusations of back-handers from the competing manufacturers when reasons for WHF waiting until a proper UK product to be released seem perfectly sound.  I don't think that just because we want it to be so is reason enough to have a go.