New Oppo Bluray player: BDP-80

[broncsrule21]

So, if you were using the XMC-1 for instance, to do the processing, this would be a good choice?

[briank]

Spending the extra on the BDP-83 does seem like a waste if, like me, you plan to just use the HDMI connection. The audio and video processing in the UMC-1 is excellent from what I've seen, so I plan to let my "future" processor do all my audio and video processing. I just wish that the BDP-80 had the nicer aluminum front panel instead of the plastic.

[mariof16]

I bought the 83 right before they announced the 80 and by the time I got the 83 in my system, the 80 was going to be available in 2 weeks, so I had to decide what to do. I don't listen to SACD or DVD audio so I was just looking for a good BluRay and CD player. The 83 is great but I felt that it was a waste for the price tag in my system. I compared it to my Pioneer 51 and it was way faster but the PQ was too close to call in my system. I would have been happy with the Pioneer but I lived with the super slow machine for over a year and it was time to get something faster. So, I returned the 83 and ordered the 80. I used my PS3 in the time I was waiting and I must say, the Pioneer and both Oppos are a definite upgrade over the PS3. I run the 80 source direct to my Onkyo pre/pro with the Reon chip and it looks great. My lovely wife bought me an ERC-1 to handle my CD listening and I got that hooked up with Monoprice balanced connections. It sounds awesome. The 80 does everything I need it to do and I don't miss the 83 at all. If you have a pre/pro or receiver with good video conversion and are just looking for a good Blu-Ray/DVD player, I think the 80 is the way to go.