"Best" multichannel universal player right now?

Using HDMI for video. Currently would use the analog outs to a highly modified EAD multichannel controller.

Thanks Kal. Would you consider the Pioneer to be better than the Marantz DV9600?

Johnny, I haven't heard the BDP-83, I think it is, but I've had friends bring two other Oppo players over to my house in the past year. Amazing quality for the price, but I thought the audio quality was only okay.

Thanks again Kal. Which of the two (Pioneer, Marantz) would you say has better sound across all three formats from the analog outs?

Yikes! I would hope so for that price, Tvad. I might consider that beyond the "knee" of the curve. :-0

Audiolui, yes everybody seems to love the BDP-83. Like I said the earlier models I'd seen were truly a great bang for the buck. If you've heard the 83 I'd like to know if you were able to get a sense of its sound compared to other mainstream or upper end alternatives.

Pretty much. In this case best performance for what might be called "high end" at a price which is just at the point of rapidly diminishing returns if exceeded.