If You need to control the volume from the player, make sure that its done in the analog realm. Digital volume control 'strips bits' degrading the signal.
I've just done a lot of research (but, alas not much side by side auditioning) and concluded that Oppo was the best opportunity for me. However, my budget was much lower than yours.
I selected the BDP-95. It has analog volume control (from analog outputs only; not HDMI, coax or optical) and converts DSD directly to analog without a PCM step, if you choose. It also plays HDCD and DVD-A, which the Marantz won't. I can almost guarantee that you have some HDCDs hidden in your redbook collection. Mine were Mark Knopfler and Joni Mitchell, to name a few.
I believe the 105 has all these features. We'll see about the new audiophile model (not the 203).
I've just done a lot of research (but, alas not much side by side auditioning) and concluded that Oppo was the best opportunity for me. However, my budget was much lower than yours.
I selected the BDP-95. It has analog volume control (from analog outputs only; not HDMI, coax or optical) and converts DSD directly to analog without a PCM step, if you choose. It also plays HDCD and DVD-A, which the Marantz won't. I can almost guarantee that you have some HDCDs hidden in your redbook collection. Mine were Mark Knopfler and Joni Mitchell, to name a few.
I believe the 105 has all these features. We'll see about the new audiophile model (not the 203).