Well, talking about the upgraded devices, the Oppo it still be the best all in one player (all models), at their time. The performances Oppo it still provide (again it is about upgraded devices), it is very good, but more and more it get surpassed technologically, by the new devices on marked.
I mean here first about the digital section, processor and software.
We have now available Panasonic and Pioneer, which it benefit somehow of new, better components. The issue with these models, is not that "all in one" approach which we have benefit from Oppo. Each new model it have something good, but some not so good as well (I refer to the upgraded devices). Both Panasonic and Pioneer, it have better digital performances, especially better picture than Oppo. Panasonic UB9000 it have a well elaborated sound section for both digital and analogue sections. In revers, the main processor performances I appreciate it as enough poor. And worst of all is their firmware and the lack of interest from Panasonic to support/improve further the player firmware. Panasonic digital processing is slower, and the firmware many issues was never addressed. However, with the LPS inside as the rest of the upgrades for digital section, the picture quality is very good (better than Oppo). The sound section it have dedicated DAC chips for stereo and multi-channel, many local linear small regulators in the power system, for different internal audio circuits, as an elaborated analog final stage for both stereo RCA/XLR and multichannel (RCA). After upgrades, the sound section it perform excellent indeed. This is the big plus of the UB9000 player.
I have to say that Pioneer (upgraded) it deliver indeed the best picture so far. The digital processing is superior than in Panasonic, very fast processor, as the whole digital processing. A much better firmware (I was not confronted here with annoying issues as in Panasonic). The sound section (analogue) is instead a cheaper stereo solution in LX500 (stock device), which it can be improved quite much after upgrades. No multi-channel analogue outputs. LX800 is indeed a higher end class device, but for this device I have not yet any upgrade so far (I may need an device for LPS developing and researches for upgrades). However, I appreciate the LX800 as very good candidate for the highest end quality level after upgrades. The LX800 is in similar class as Oppo 205, but much better performances. LX500 upgraded it is actually the best compromise price/high quality, with an amazing good picture.
My LPS for both all Oppo models, Panasonic UB9000, and LX500 it are available. I hope finishing also one day, the LPS for LX800 (and further upgrade approaches) as soon as I will be able to have this device on my bench (big discount in such case)...
