Yes, I know the dps 10.5 is 2.5k...thus 500.00 more list, but a lot more than that in reality for a new one as compared to a new sp 1000.
That one listing is for a used player and I am reffering to new players from factory authorized dealers.
To me, the external upscaler is useless as I haven't watched a vhs tape in years, have hd tv, and my kids x box already does 720p/1080i on over half the games he owns when I let him use the projector.
Basically , I have no external sources I want upconverted.
Some people may have a vhs,laser disc or sd cable they want to upscale
If you have a use for extenal upconversion, it may be worth it to you.
I have not heard the 9500, and have only read one German reveiw were the sp 1000 was the winner over the Denon 5900/Marantz 9500 and Pioneer 59avi for both video and audio.
The reveiw said the 9500 was slightly more musical I beleive, but that the sp 1000 was the best of the three for audio.
The only actual owner comparisons for audio I have seen besides the Denon,Pioneer ect universals are two people preffering the sp 1000 over the Sony 777,one person preffering it to his Marantz sa 14, and one person saying it was close to an Estoric dv-50.
Remember, this is a fairly new player and most audiophools, including myself don't usually think of Onkyo...at least I never have.
As far as the upcoming universal for 4k, it is an Integra Research and not the Integra that I had mentioned.
Greg