OPPO BDP-103 (NON Darby)

I own an Oppo BDP-105 used as an SACD/CD player using the XLR output. I also play my Blu-ray movies and multichannel music discs through it. I only have one SACD disc (Vanessa Fernandez) so far but can clearly hear the difference. I believe you will be fine with the player. Now regarding your part about, " I’ve read that the OPPOs tend to do better with Video playback than audio. Is this true"? Of course it isn’t true! ;) Was that from actual owners that somehow were able to compare the video to the audio? How is that even accomplished? Please point me to those threads were actual owners stated that the video outperformed the audio? For that "price range" you’ll be just fine.

Looking again at your list, I put the Emotiva and Oppo sounds as aout equivalent. The Emotiva pre/pro I listened to were quieter, but kind of gutless, or soul-sucking quality. Seemed to have all the notes, but lacked the energy.

Personally I would replace your Emotiva with a Mytek Brooklyn which has a very good built-in phono stage and can act like a preamp, and keep your turntable. There’s a dealer on Agon who will give you a short trial.

For now, I would put DSD on the back burner for you. ;) Get your turntable and digital sources to sound great first, as opposed to spinning your wheels looking for a better source.

Best,

Erik

I am in agreement with Erik, take the money and upgrade your turntable. Just putting your turntable on a stable solid surface will help you with playback.

Remember please the 105 has separate "high end" outputs for stereo the 103 lacks. :)

Is it "fine?"  Yeah, it's fine.  If however you just spent $800 on a turntable and didn't like it, SACD playback probably won't sound good either. You have other issues going on.

The Emotiva amp I have is the newest Gen 3. "Gutless?" "Soul Sucking?" I guess I can see how you might say that on some level, but what are you comparing it to? Granted, it's not an Esoteric or the like! The Mayback looks interesting and I was not familiar with it before your suggestion. But, as you should be able to tell, I'm on somewhat of a budget. And the best I've heard out of my system is probably a re-mastered FLAC of Diana Krall. Some DSD (Kenny Burrell, Dave Brubeck) sound quite good also. But, with these B&W speakers I'm at a disadvantage to start.
As for "High End Outputs" I assume you are referring to the XLR connections. Do you really think they would make all that much difference? Balanced connections between my amp & pre did help so perhas a used BDP 95 would suffice and a cheaper alternative to a 105?
"Statman;" I believe I read that about better video to audio from a owners review. So of course that should be taken as it is worth. Not sure where I read it but I do not believe it was only a single review.