I am thinking of replacing my 990 for the 975 . Size is one consideration as well as HDMI, as well as better audio.
Will the 975 and the 7700 amplifier that I have be just as good a match as the 990/7700?
Also I have read about the the 975 firmware update which concerns me b/c I do not have a laptop. I have a IMac and an iPad.
Would the 975's purchased at this time have the new update already installed?

Thanks

I would think the 975/7700 combo would be an excellent match and the 975 will come from the factory with the newest firmware installed. One drawback (if you use them) could be the inability to use the 7.1 outputs from the OPPO to input to the 975.

I'm planning to get the Oppo 105 or the 4k equivalent next year OR the Cambridge 752s 4k equivalent. I prefer to set up the calibration myself and utilize the 7.1 inputs which I use now. This is why for me the 975 won't really work. Hopefully the new processor will have those inputs but I doubt it actually will.

I asked Ben about the firmware when I purchased and was assured that any unit shipping would be fully updated. I have a geek buddy locally who offers firmware updating services to those unable to do so themselves. If you have someone local you use that may be an option.

I seem to be in the minority here at Outlaw but to me one of the benefits of the M-975 is I am able to divorce myself from the analog outs from the OPPO BDP-103 and run a single HDMI. I find the M-975 does a much better job of handling the audio chores. Other forums have gone into great detail on this with most finding the down mixing in the OPPO to be lacking.

The audio section of the BDP-105 is a completely different animal to the BDP-103 so Beyond 1000's situation is most likely different to my own.

I agree the single HDMI is a godsend as far as cable management goes. The only way to get the newer codecs to the 990 is through those analog outputs on the OPPO and they are just awesome.

Which other forums are you referring to? I would like to read them myself.

The AVS forums official OPPO BDP-103 thread went for better than 200 pages at one point. It covered everything from unpacking to networking. I tried to incorporate the TV and stereo running through the OPPO prior to the 2 channel preamp.

I ran from the Dish Network receiver HDMI out to the HDMI in on the OPPO. HDMI out of the OPPO to my Samsung and analog R & L to the Adcom pre. The down mixing from the OPPO was fair at best for TV or Movies and my experience is the M-975 does it much better. I would forget to shut everything off at night and come in to find the sync off to the point of laughable. If anything got firmware over night everything setting wise was out the window and had to start all over.

Life is much simpler now

I had not checked the AVS thread in a while. It now runs 686 pages. I am not sure how you find anything specific in a thread that long.

When using all of the analog connections it may well be awesome. When using only the R L stereo out the BDP-103 does not down mix well.

I would guess that connected fully through the RCA's that the results would be as good as now or better.

I have the BDP-83 and I think it is the best player I have ever used. I have not read a single review that has not lauded the BDP-83 and any of its successors. Every review I have read about the 103 is stellar and it is likely the next player for me. I have used the analog outputs on my 83 along with the optical with great results so I guess we will just have to agree to disagree about the OPPOs performance.