? Modded Oppo 983 ?

First off the so so performance on the 970, is not nearly as good or even the same on the newer units... So don't be afraid, The 980 and 983 are far better just stock with red book CD if you have not heard them, and yes superior to all in the price for video as well... I don't think modding them is worth it, not only re-sale but more performance can be had simply using them as a good transport and adding a much more outboard external DAC, this also allows for you to choose not only on using the transport, but possibly if you have a DAC with USB you can take advantage of all the newer ideas and formats from the PC based audio in the future as well...

Undertow,
I've thought about adding a DAC to the 970 to improve its sound for now. Then wait until Oppo reveals its BluRay player and use the DAC with it. Then I have the best of both worlds. What do you think?

Sounds good, but actually we might get very lucky and oppo corrects their current USB input on the units in the next generation allowing them to work as a standalone dac with any other transport or PC format and the internal optical drive…Along with blu ray, this is nothing new, many units from Wadia, and like Quad cd players have Digital inputs as well as outputs.

So then you got the best all in one for good price playing all formats including the SACD, Red book, DVD-A, HDCD, Blu ray etc… Along with any ipod or pc you want to hook into it simply still using the same dac inside the unit feeding your one pair of Left and Right analog RCA's to the preamp.

That’s kinda what I am waiting on, if it does not happen, than I will be adding a good priced USB dac myself and use the oppo as a transport, and as for blu ray add a cheap machine if necessary, but I think OPPO will kill several birds with one stone in the next 2 years for under 500 bucks. They seem to listen to the consumer very closely on this and have come thru for the most part in the digital wars so far.

Oh and if oppo is reading maybe a headphone jack would be nice too :-)

I added a PS Audio DAC to my Oppo 980 and it makes great music. It was very good before, now even better. I advise you to get a 980 or 983, depending on your display connections, and then later get a DAC for even better 2 channel. The PSA unit, like the famous Benchmark, has Toslink, RCA digital, and USB inputs. There are other even less expensive DACS that do the same thing. My point is, get one of the new Oppos and be happy!

There is a review of the modded Oppo here in audiogon. I owned the Reference Audio Mod Oppo 980 (full mod verison) and made my comment therein. Feel free to email me if it could be of help.