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"Alex Dondysh designed both Oppo boards for us. We cancelled planned work on the ESS Sabre-fitted BDP-95 to really focus on two BDP-93 versions with their Cirrus Logic DAC. A minimal-phase analog reconstruction filter rolls off gently to minimize phase shift (these filters are different for the standard and extreme board). Supported sample rates are 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 192kHz from 16-24 bits. All eight channels are re-engineered. We use a highly regulated and filtered local linear power circuit but retain Oppo's main PSU. We bypass the muting circuitry and add high-performance op-amps, OPA 2134 for the standard board and LME47960 for the extreme. With either board the CS4382's originally differential output is run in single-ended mode to undo the stock unit's cancellation of even-order harmonics*. The standard board's sonic goal was for 12AX7-type triode characteristics without tubes. It's for the listener who favors a minimalist 300B amplifier-type system." A cynic might say that your $400 essentially just buy you differently distributed harmonic distortion.
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* This is shown in measurements published by hometheaterhifi.com here which show 3rd/5th-order components for the stock BDP-93 and only 2nd-order harmonic distortion for the BDP-93NE. In the amplitude domain they also show the very mild HF roll-off Alex Dondysh mentioned over the phone as part of his deliberate triode voicing.
NXE jitter plot
"The NXE board goes after a different more modern sound, adds extension in the frequency extremes, runs video-type time-base correction and completely bypasses the original clock. It's important to remember however that without the excellent Oppo platform we wouldn't be able to do what we do. If this were to somehow show the standard BDP-93 in a lesser light, I'd not consider it a fair comparison. Because Oppo gets too many calls from confused customers thinking they sell a Nuforce Edition we are with their blessing preparing a NuFoce logo sticker. This will cover up the Oppo logo on the top left corner to avoid confusion about who is selling what."

The NuForce modifications are far less extensive than those mentioned earlier (Jena Labs adds Cinemag transformers for balanced outputs, a bipolar DC power filter for the audio/video boards, Schottky diodes, anti-vibration footers, chassis lining, a circuit breaker and more) but the NE Milpitas mod only demands $400. The NXE becomes $899 to nearly double the stock player's cost. Why the Oppo BDP-93 is so popular with electronic body snatchers gets clear once you study its feature set and contemplate build quality. Even audiophile men don't read bum sticker wearers can see that the 'pure audio' command on the remote kills the entire display. But only a finger walk through the—very good—owner's manual confirms that it also disables all of the video circuitry. Is that a bit audiophiliac for a $499 mass-market video machine?

Stock Oppo BDP-95 board

Dan Wright explains why he likes the $999 stock Oppo BDP-95: "The ESS Sabre chip in this unit has its own dedicated clock. The linear regulated supply is good and well done. The analog stage, although op-amp based, is also very good and there are no coupling caps in the signal path. I am very impressed with the unit. The chassis is both more rigid and better shielded than previous models. As a universal player and CD-only player I think it is exceptional!" That's high praise from a finicky experienced audiophile listener who is also fêted manufacturer and hard-boiled modifier. It's further evidence why the Oppo brand has made such inroads with audio-centric suppliers. Videophiles around the globe have gone lady gaga over the player's picture. I won't comment on video performance but it's naturally a very big attraction for this multi-tasking BDP-93. There it's reportedly identical to the costlier BDP-95. My review treats the Oppo NuForce editions as $899 and $1.399 CD players in keeping with our site's focus on just audio.
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