Which Oppo to get?

insert the word "supposedly" liberally below:

980 is an audio unit that happens to upconvert DVDs
981 is a video unit that happens to play SACD/DVD-A's
983 has the best of both worlds, and priced accordingly

Google the 980 unit and you'll find plenty of discussions about its audio capabilities and potentials.

I have a 981 hooked up to a DAC. Although one can play SACD via its analog output, the unit by itself without a DAC is just lacking at the top and bottom ends.

I set up a 981 with an Assemblage 2.0 modified DAC for a friend and it was very respectable. As a stand alone it is only tolerable for 2 channel. Bright, a bit thin with wandering bass. But for 2 bills, just what do you expect?

You might wait on the Blu-ray version, due out soon, to use with the TV and move you 970 back to the two-channel system. An good external DAC will likely improve greatly on the Oppo's digitalis.

Dave