Marantz vs. Oppo or Theta

I own a Theta Casablanca V. In my opinion, it is an outstanding AV preamp/processor/DAC in flexibility and sound quality (insofar as what it does, which is everything except SACD decoding and MQA decoding). It also has built-Dirac Live.  I use mine to both watch movies and listen to music. My criticisms are two: its video switching is subpar in terms of its syncing consistency (not a problem for me because I use an external AVpro video switch); and it is very, very expensive. 
 

It doesn’t make sense to compare a Casablanca with any other “comparable” AV unit because there aren’t any. The Casablanca is custom in the way an Aston Martin Valkyrie is.

@erik_squires   You did not offend me. I was just pointing out that the Theta Digital  Casablanca V ("CB5") is a unique preamp/processor -- and extraordinarily flexible, too. I also happen to own an OPPO 203, but it is not anywhere like the OPPO 205 because its analog output is only two-channel. I send multi-channel, whether audio or Blu-ray/4K, to the CB5 for DAC processing.

Based on my experience with OPPO (I have owned every model since the original, I think, 83), I can say with confidence that their products are well-engineered and well-built. I also know ESS Technology's SABRE DAC line well, too. Their 9038s are exceptional DAC chips. Combining them with OPPO's overall engineering and build prowess, and the result should be one terrific universal "shiny disc" player with seven audio channel analog output. However, it does not offer parametric equalization. Frankly, that is better left to your pre-amp.