What's the best Blu-Ray player for 300.-350.

Just to add, I am NOT saying do not invest in Blu Ray now. It is an awesome format. It is here now and for $300 bucks you will get your monies worth. Enjoy!

Save up a few more hunderd bucks and wait for the Oppo BDP-983 Blu Ray player with SACD and DVD-Audio. It also has bulit in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master audio decoders with 7.1 analog outputs. If it follows Oppo's track record, it will be a giant killer. Only time will tell.

Not wanting to start an SACD thread. Just saying that if he has never heard SACD it would be a great OPPOrtunity for him to check it out. Will SACD replace CD? Probably not. IMO SACD it is the best digital format at this time and can be a lot of fun making comparisons. At this point you can search through almost 6,000 SACD titles and find some really good deals, on line of course. Also Blue Note and MoFi are coming out with several new releases on SACD. SACD might not survive simply because not enough people care about that type of sound quality, but it will be a niche market for some time to come (vinyl?).

In regards to Sony not including SACD on the lasest Blu Ray player, I believe it was strictly a cost decision. Sony needed to stay around the $300 price range during these tough economic times. It's all about sales. Sony's lastest SACD player was the SCD-XA5400ES. It was just released a few months ago. Two differnt machines.

Having said that, if SACD means nothing to you then by all means look into the S550. But if you think you might enjoy a wonderful fulfilling digital format called SACD, then I would wait for the Oppo and then make your decision.

Why thank you Uncle J!

Agreed Undertow. Just saying that if one has never heard SACD and does not care about having it within their Blu Ray player now would be a great time to check it out. I still can't believe so many people have never even listened to SACD. Good luck Kalle.

Not to sound like a S550 basher but after doing a little research this morning about the S350, which is very similar in video performance to the S550 according to Undertow and several others. If this is accurate, according to a few reviews standard dvd upconversion on the S350 is only fair. The Oppo players wiil exceed the standard dvd upconversion process of the S350 Or S550. So if you plan to use this player for standard dvd, be careful! If to be utilized for Blu Ray only, I say give it a shot. Awaiting input Undertow...

Undertow
Very good point made about the HDMI cables. Cables DO make a difference, even with ones and zeros. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link. I knew you would have something interesting to add.

Yep, I see your point EXACTLY. I'm having deja vu....SACD vs CD. Hope Blu Ray makes it!

Don't be so sure of Blu Ray making it in the world of internet downloading, VOD services, etc. It is not about HD, it is about the way the HD enters our home. But I do like your enthusiasm, it reminds me of how I used to try and get people to love SACD.

One last comment..SACD is also here now and I'm enjoying every second I get a chance to listen to it. There will always be something better, enjoy what you have now until the upgrade bug bites again. Ha! Remember Sony's sales pitch about CD- "Perfect Sound Forever" Yea, right and I was going to be with my 8th grade girlfriend "forever". Have fun!