Oppo’s website has a page soliciting email addresses of potential purchasers. I entered mine weeks ago on the site and later received an email from Oppo asking me to confirm my address and interest, which I promptly did. Currently the site says they expect units to be available in August 2018. Sign up if you’re interested and help create some momentum!
The reviews of the Sony UBP-x1000ES on Amazon.com are scaring me away from it. Several reports of Blu Ray discs not playing, or malfunctioning. I'd sworn off Sony years ago. Aside from decent Walkman/Discman portable players, my prior experiences with their receivers, CD players, DVD players, and headphones have all been disappointments. I guess in an ironic way, a "mid-fi" Sony A/V receiver I bought in the early 90s, foolishly first selling a Denon stereo receiver to fund the Sony receiver purchase, was so horrible that I returned the Sony after a few months, and ended up spending even more money for a Denon receiver. That was my first experience that really demonstrated to me how crappy audio equipment could sound. So it's taking extraordinary struggle in my brain to convince me that this Sony might be worthwhile. I really only require a universal player with HDMI for my current needs (damn, wish I'd not been so slow making up my mind that I missed out on the Oppo 203!). But reliability is key. My Sony disc players have generally not lasted very long. And I think that flip-down front panel gimmick is stupid (my old Sony DVD player, now relegated to the garage for playing CDs, also has that "feature"). Craig.
If this is all you want, you might consider a far less expensive unit such as the Sony BDP-S590. I bought a used one on eBay for $30 shipped. It has a few quirks to the ripping process, but once you figure out the steps, it's pretty easy. See this for more info.
Below is a link to AVS where a member is selling a brand new Oppo 203 for $585 plus shipping. I have no affiliation to this AVS member. Just thought I'd post the listing as it's a fair price looking at the eBay prices lately. For Sale: Oppo UDP-203 New in Box - AVS Forum | Home Theater Discussions And Reviews
One of the new Pioneer 4K players has been announced. No word yet if it’s a universal player. There’s a translate function at the link. パイオニアがUHD BDプレーヤーをOTOTENに参考出品。「UHD BD時代、真の幕開け。」
Google should give you the option to translate the page into English. It’s a really terrible translation, though: Pioneer prototype to OTOTEN the UHD BD player. "UHD BD era, true of the beginning." Kentaro Yamazaki June 13, 2018 13:15 Onkyo and Pioneer, reference June 16, in will be held at the Tokyo International Forum "OTOTEN AUDIO · VISUAL FESTIVAL 2018" (OTOTEN 2018) on the 17th, the universal disc players that support Ultra HD Blu-ray Pioneer brand exhibition to. Model number "UDP-LX500". Booth glass building G504 (5F). Universal disc players that support Ultra HD Blu-ray, which is a reference exhibit "UDP-LX500" UHD BD standard since the formulation of the 2015, has been released as a reference BD player "BDP-LX58", that had continued to study and development of the next generation of players following the "BDP-LX88". The basic design is complete, start the prospects of commercialization, that was able to prototype a prototype to OTOTEN2018. However, undetermined, such as release date and specifications. That "we are ready to announce soon." It should be noted that, in the Pioneer brand Web site from April 24, teaser site is open of new products, "dawn (consternation: the sky of dawn)," but had been written, also the site on June 13 update. "Development", "Ultra HD Blu-ray era, true of the beginning." Says, and photos of the "UDP-LX500", such as its player of the history of the past have been introduced.
Below is a link to an Oppo 203 for sale over at Audio Circle for $600 shipped. I have no affiliation to this seller just thought I'd pass it along . Oppo UDP - 203 Player (PRICE DROP #2)
It’ll be interesting to see the price on the new batch, given the new tariffs they may have to increase the rrp?
I guess one never knows unless they directly compare the Oppo 105 to the Sony UBP-x1000ES. I've read some posts that state the SQ of the UBP-x1000ES's stereo analog output is very good. The UBP-x1000ES is on sale from Crutchfield for $499. That's a great price for anyone that is looking for a universal player that missed out on the 203 or 205. Sony ES UBP-X1000ES
I was disappointed with the analog outs on the X1000ES. My 10+ year old Rotel is a much better CDP. I found the Sony unlistenable even trying to watch movies and I returned it. I hope that the 105 and 205 are a lot better.
