Reference disc player...UDP 205 or Marantz?

All I can say is that the only thing greater than my anticipation of the Oppo 95 on its way to me in the mail, was the disappointment I had after all my high expectations were crushed by reality. I sold it a few months later.

And to be fair, the Oppo 95 (and also the 105 and 205 b/c of the same line of models) is a jack of all trades that does many things well, but none particularly well. I believed all the hype. What I learned is that running audio and video out of the same box for $1000 will not get me the results I had expected.

1graber2, bobheinatz,
Exactly my fears in a nutshell, and why I started this thread. I guess I should have just bought the damn thing like everyone else that was curious, and then return it when I discover the truth. Again, I’m certain its a very good sounding player, and many people will enjoy the heck out of it, but I’m looking for something more. And I need multi format compatibility.

@Jafant, "I was disappointed w/ the Oppo 105D after reading so many glowing reviews. No matter if the source was a MacBook in streaming mode or shiny silver discs. I can say that if one is looking for a one-box solution-this is it."
I dont understand, did you mean to say that "I was NOT disappointed ... "?
( IMO that would make more sense in the context)

Anyway .... Someone have mentioned this, but I would have to take back everything I said above IF THE OPPO HAD THE FULL MODWRIGHT TUBE MODS. http://www.modwright.com/index.php#

I mean, in tube-modded form and PSU, the Oppo is a Beast. I think the tube mods and external Power Supply runs $1750 for the ’95 and $2500 for the 105 and 205. I can be critical with Oppo, but they do provide a piece of audio that can act as a raw material or score to be modded and interpreted by 3rd parties ... e.g. Modwright.
So a new Oppo 205 with Modwright mods will run about $3800+ tax/ship. That would be a great, long-lasting investment.

Last, OP may want to look for a used Electrocampianet multi disc player. When I sold the Oppo and was looking for a multi disc player that could get me a level higher in my audio chain, but not at the $2500 range that I could not afford at the time. I forget the Electrocampianet model, but it is basically, if I recall correctly, almost just like the Oppo 95 but just more robust all the way around in its hardware and SQ.
[But again, to be fair to Oppo, they really have created some great break through products in terms of quality at a humble price point, and very good value with the 95/105/205 series]