Surroundman, you are entitled to your opinion, just as others are, like me, to choose to spend £1000 on a piece of equipment. I have always maintained that hifi/home cinema is subjective & different people hear differently. I chose the oppo because of the quality of the 7.1 anologue outputs as I don't want to swap my much loved av9 &P1 power amps, so this was the best option for me. Others may have other reasons. My purchase was justified because that's what I wanted to do, you choose the best route you want, as you are entitled to do, the Oppo for me is noticeably better than my previous denon 3800, both on sound& picture. With all hifi/home cinema diminishing return has always been an issue & a modern £400 blu ray player may have less difference compared to the Oppo than my ageing denon, but I chose what I wanted to spend & purchase, just as you are entitled to.