@tomcarr,
I got the Oppo UDP-205 last month and really like what I am hearing. Is it the ultimate for CD playback? Nope. I am sure an outboard DAC or a stand-alone CDP can do better. But the idea is to get upgraded sound compared to my previous player and get a outboard DAC in a couple of years. I should say though, the SACD playback is phenomenal! Not tried DVD-A, since I don't have any. This player is really flexible and I was able to play some downloaded files using a USB stick. Have yet to try streaming through a computer or a HDD attached to the router.
My reasons for going with the Oppo was price and flexibility. If I was not upgrading my loudspeakers (on order), I would have (probably) looked at the Marantz SA-10 or an Esoteric. If the Marantz SA-10 would have been priced like the SA-11S3, I would not have considered the Oppo or the Esoteric, even if I upgraded the loudspeakers.
I got the Oppo UDP-205 last month and really like what I am hearing. Is it the ultimate for CD playback? Nope. I am sure an outboard DAC or a stand-alone CDP can do better. But the idea is to get upgraded sound compared to my previous player and get a outboard DAC in a couple of years. I should say though, the SACD playback is phenomenal! Not tried DVD-A, since I don't have any. This player is really flexible and I was able to play some downloaded files using a USB stick. Have yet to try streaming through a computer or a HDD attached to the router.
My reasons for going with the Oppo was price and flexibility. If I was not upgrading my loudspeakers (on order), I would have (probably) looked at the Marantz SA-10 or an Esoteric. If the Marantz SA-10 would have been priced like the SA-11S3, I would not have considered the Oppo or the Esoteric, even if I upgraded the loudspeakers.