Pretty much all the big box type Blu-Rays have some drawbacks. Oppo has it all. If all you want to do is play Blu-Ray and bitstream the new HD audio formats to a receiver, a lot of the main stream players will work fine. The Oppo is typically better at upscaling DVD, at playing SACD, DVD-A, etc. One feature I love is the ability to zoom by 1.1 or 1.2, which allows you to fill more of the screen with little loss of detail on good Blu Ray. Pretty much everything in the $100 to $500 range that is not an Oppo is a compromise. But if you do not need the flexibility of the Oppo, then a lot of the big one ones will be the basics. Kia versus BMW, but with a small price difference rather than the big one for the BMW. If you are really serious about video and audio, wait the week for delivery of the real deal. You are not going to get a cheapo Blu Ray and a separate CD/SACD/DVD-A for $500 that compares to the Oppo, unless you go deep into the use market.
Is there any real alternative to Oppo??
I'm looking for a new Universal player, and love Oppo but they are hard to find other than new, and want to buy something local if possible also. Are there any other good players out there that can be bought at a local chain store that are as good?? Yamaha...Denon...Onkyo...Marantz...ect??
Any?? Sure does not seem like it.
Any?? Sure does not seem like it.