Which new OPPO DVD player is the one to get?

The format wars are over....

I purchased a 980 a week ago to use as a transport into a Bel Canto DAC2. So far so good. I haven't used the audio outs from the unit nor have I used dvd.
The 980 also has a USB connection but I haven't used that either and don't know it's purpose. This weekend I'll hook up the audio out and try a few cds and some of the few SACDs I own.

Anyone know approximately when OPPO will release their next DVD player to replace the 980 and 981?

The 983 will not replace the 980/981. Probably see it by late March. Lots more talk over at AVSForum.

My report will appear in the May Stereophile.

Kal

I bought my Oppo DV-980H primarily for audio use, based on Oppo's own summaries of their product offerings. This little $169 wonder thoroughly trumps the Philips 963SA it replaces, plus it plays DVD-A, which the Philips could not. It is also a stalwart DVD upconverter via HDMI, about as good as my Toshiba HD-D2, which is very good at that.

Just last night I was listening to some surround DVD-As on the Oppo and enjoying every minute. It also does SACD and HDCD CDs beyond my expectations--nice detail, nice perspective, surprisingly organic sounding. I've been on a steady diet of vinyl for 11 mos. and am not easily pleased by digital any more. I'm very pleased with the Oppo.