I have noticed that the Oppo has the following features.

1. Bass management
2. Calibration of individual channels by dB and distance
3. decodes every format imaginable
4. has its own volume control

could I not plug the player directly into an amp, and with the volume control, not require a pre/pro at all?

what about plugging in your satellite TV? xbox 360? PS3? DVR? just to name a few

That's an interesting question. I had always thought about the 7.1 analog outputs as being used for SACD / DVD-A only and using digital for the rest (which would require a pre-pro) but I guess there's no reason why the analog outputs could not be used for all the formats.

Are you sure it has a volume control ?

There is the known nasty bass management problem where DVDs take the LFE track down 10 dB or so relative to everything else in order to get enough headroom to keep pace with 5 or 7 other speakers -- but SACDs do not, or something like that. Might be a pain.

Your signature makes me cry, John.

I know it wouldn't be possible to plug in any other sources to the speakers, but for straight player to speaker, I really wonder if this would do the job.

It definitely has a volume control. I have tried it. I played music through the 7.1 inputs of my pre/pro, and then using the Oppo I was able to adjust the volume control.

I'm kind of scared to try it, in case I break something!

Careful with the channel calibration. If you are using the analog outputs, the Oppo time delay algorithm can only support surround speakers that are installed closer or equal to the listener than the fronts.

Since we're on the topic, I was really not thrilled with Oppo's response on this issue (see below):

Me: Hello, a few weeks ago I cancelled my > order for the 971H. I cancelled the order because your time delay algorithm can only support surround speakers that are installed closer or equal to the listener than the fronts. When do you plan on
changing the algorithm? I feel like I am being penalized for
installing my surrounds further from me than the fronts.

Oppo: The algorithm for the delay is based on the Dolby Digital specifications. For this reason, we have no plans on changing the delay functionality of our players. For most applications you will not be using the channel delay functions on the DVD player, as you will be using these functions on your receiver.

Me: I have used three different integrated receivers and they all support surround speakers that are further away from the listener than the fronts. So I very much doubt that your implementation is a limitation of the DD standard but rather an over-sight on your part. I don't have HDMI on my current receiver. I therefore have to use the analog inputs for 5.1 surround to enjoy SACDs. My receiver, as with the majority of receivers on the market now, cannot apply time delays to analog inputs. I am very disappointed that you would not even consider this request for future corrective action.

Oppo: Our engineers worked closely with Dolby Labs on the design of the channel delay circuitry. The way it is integrated into the system is based on their recommendations. We have no plans on altering this implementation as our engineers are not familiar with the algorithms used by receiver manufacturers to add delays in the positive direction.
Our engineer team is quite small, and we do not have the resources to train an engineer specifically for this function.

Needless to say, Oppo is not on my list of A/V vendors any longer.

>>as our engineers are not familiar with the algorithms used by receiver manufacturers to add delays in the positive direction

Look on the bright side. If they ever figure out a circuit that can introduce a negative delay into a single channel they'll be so rich they can hire lots of engineers to fix your problem.

Yeah John, talk about a "fast" amp!

Mojo,

it's unfortunate to hear that you no longer consider Oppo to be on your list of vendors.

It is my belief that a DVD player doesn't need to have all the bells and whistles of a receiver or pre/pro. The Oppo does that I need it to do: decode video at the highest quality possible, and support all formats I want (dvd-a, sacd, hdcd, etc...).

I also like the fact that they were honest with you and told you flat out "we're not going to develop this in the future" rather than throw you some BS like "it is a feature that remains within the realm of possibility in the foreseeable future".

When it comes to DVD players, I can't think of a better value. Their customer service is also excellent. I know two people who've dealt with having to return units, and their service was 5 star.

just my $.02