SillySally

Forget about reliability for the moment. The EML 274B solid plate is a much better rectifier than the EML 274B mesh. There is a fairly big sonic difference, at-least in my setup. The two biggest problems with the EML 274B mesh plate is that its slow and the bass is not right, over powering. ss

You should put 100 hours on your SE before you compare. Unless of-course you have a crappy system and use old undershirts and a coat hanger for a power cord. This kind of power cord seems popular in this forum. Also be aware of the SACD bug. Otherwise you may be playing in PCM mode. Also if you haven't upgraded your BD-83 to Main Version: BDP83-48-1224 firmware, you should do so. I doubt your buddy will get his BD-83SE upgrade back before 01/15/10 ss

You should be skeptical. Theirs a lot of high priced cables and cords out there that are junk. When I got my V1 it was $260.usd. But I guess Black Sand raised there price, because they are selling. But if you want a best bang for your buck, then the Jellyfish is a nice power cord at about $25.usd. Not as good for sound-stage and speed ect., as the V1. ss

Yes that would seem to be the case. The one thing I like about the NF mod is that NF work and has worked with Oppo on development of the sound boards for a few years. And my take, If you read back to the development stage of this new sound board for the Oppo BD-83, NF wanted Oppo to use some more expensive and/or time consuming parts and/or procedures. However because Oppo didn't think that the additional costs would be of not much impact to the audio and oppos price point would not be achieved. Of course we still need feed back from the real world to determine if there is any benefits. As of yesterday NF was sold out of the BD-83SE NFE. So they have taken down there pricing, saying check back 11/16. ss

I do however need to edit my post. I was corrected by NuForce. I guess I just misunderstood what they were telling me. This is what Nuforce posted. And this is the correction. It seems that Nuforce SE boards are reworked at Nuforce's factory production line one batch at a time to ensure quality and testing. This is a link to these posts. By me and NuForce. Official BDP-83SE Analog Audio Discussion Only Thread - Page 9 - AVS Forum ss

Cute but not true. See link below. I have been doing my homework. Official BDP-83SE Analog Audio Discussion Only Thread - AVS Forum Edit. Ooops I thought I was posting on Head-FI. Well as long as you feel that way I will take down my post. If you want you can go to head-Fi and read it.. ss

Nuforce has worked very closely with Oppo, in the development of Oppos audio boards. And the same is true for the Oppo BDP-83 SE audio board. What Oppo and Nuforce have done with the development of this new audio board is to enhance the analog audio. Particularly the 2ch analog side. The audio board has been completely redone, using the ESS Technology

You would be better off getting a WA22, if you are running a balanced source player. In my case I am not. I use my amp for mostly Blu Ray films, but I do have many SACD/CDs. So for now I am using a Oppo BDP-83 as my source player. My choices are R/L rca or optical/coaxial out. Now if you said a Woo WA5-LE with maybe the tube upgrades, may have been a better choice. But then you have a cost of over $3000. ss

In my case, personal preference. I guess you could say why did I get a pair of senn HD-800 when I already have a good pair of senn HD-650 or AKG K701s. ss

I am sure you are right, and I was just talking from personal experience and what I have read about the SP 274B that is used with the Woo WA6/SE along with other rectifiers. I also would like to apologize, if it seemed to you that I was saying that the rectifier would transform a headphone amp. However imo the right tube can help bring out the best in a headphone tube amp, even in a Woo that is built well. And I do love my Woo. So I will bow to your expertise and as you say"give it a rest". Respectfully, ss

If you are talking about the senn HD-800 headphones and the Woo WA6 with the power upgrade I can tell you its a very good match. Also you may want to check out what folks are saying about the SP 274B and the WA6. ss

How the tubes match up to my amp. things like this. Blackgate voltage filter caps, 150uf/350V Blackgate cathode caps, 220uf/100V Blackgate bypass caps, 220uf/16V Blackgate bypass caps, 22uf/350V MILLS voltage filter resistor, 3.3K/12W KIWAME load resistor, 56K/2W KIWAME resistor, 1K/2W There has been concern about the SP 274B mesh burning out to quickly when matched to the Woo WA6/SE maxxed or not. I would link to the specs of the tubes but I don't want anybody to think I am spamming. Because I am not. If there is any concern about me spamming please check me out on AVS forums. ss

Yes I have tried the Mullard 5AR4 and Sophia Princess Mesh Plate 274B rectifier. I do like the SP 274B mesh(want a be) better than the Mullard. And now that I have about 28 hours on the EML 274B mesh I like it the best of all these rectifiers. Also after doing some power/drive tube rolling I like my nos 6EW7 GE the best with the EML. The EML 274B mesh should be a drop-in replacement for the SP 274B for my Woo amp, and so far it seems to be. The EML seems to be loosening up somewhat and improving in both tone and soundstage. But still not as good as the EML 274B solid plate. Better soundstage and detail. Now here is the strange part. Jack at Woo likes the EML 5U4G-Mesh better than the EML 274B mesh. However if you look at the specs the EML 274B is a much better drop-in match for my WA6SE maxxed. However I am always open to suggestions, so please let me know what yours are. I am beginning to think that the EML mesh plate is better HQ music, and the EML solid plate is better for BD movies with there HQ audio. I use a Oppo BDP-83 as my source player for all music CD including SACD. And of course BD films. The Oppo really does a wonderful job of downmixing to stereo the 5.1, 7.1 soundtracks. I use a PS Audio - Premier Power Conditioner, Black Sand Violet V1 power cord and a pair of Audioquest - King Cobra Interconnect cables(1m). ss

Thanks for the reply. Everything I have read says the mesh plate is better than the solid plate. I was hoping that the EML 274B mesh just need time to break-in, as ware the solid plate didn't. ss

I am running a WA6SE maxxed (09 bulid) I also use Senn HD -800s. I am using a pair of rca 6ew7 big bottle and a EML 274B mesh plate. I ordered a EML 274B, but I didn't specify mesh or solid. I was sent solid plate. Used the EML 274B solid plate for one night and exchanged it for a EML 274B mesh plate. However I did really like the solid plate, great overall tone and soundstage. When I first got the EML 274B mesh I was disappointed. I now have about 26 hours on it. The 274B has improved but the soundstage is still not on a pair with the solid plate. My question is will my mesh plate improve or should I go back to the solid plate or get the EML 5U4G-Mesh? Thanks, ss