Thanks @Charliehatch. I'm not at all concerned (now) about the phase inversion. I know what it's for and the concept, but knowing whether or not a recording is out-of-phase, let alone whether or not the entire audio chain is in phase is a bit over my head so I just let the chips fall where they may and ignore using the button. The sound is so incredible any way I hear it, so I'm good!. I miss the Yggy already. Since this is a Golden Ear forum I don't want to take much text here. I regularly update my thread on audiogon with the latest data. M Moffat posted a statement yesterday on head-fi and I copy/paste the data to my thread.

Because this is an Oppo thread, I'll throw out a tip for Oppo owners. Some rather educated folks in the digital space (i.e. a few people with rather impressive understanding of all things digital) have advised me that in the case of Oppo, while the filter preferences are merely "apodizing", the theoretical best one to chose is linear phase slow. This is in comparison to the default min phase fast.

Anyone else been on the Oppo web page lately?

BIG front page lead, "Farewell"!

They're phasing out of the digital player business, will continue to make some models for awhile, and will offer on going technical and warranty support, and firmware updates as needed. But no long term manufacturing plans, no new product development. Bummer!!!

Rick

Yes, I saw the notice. Too bad, really. A lot of people have like those units. I'm still running my 105, firmware awkwardness not withstanding.

I wonder why the decision. Maybe streaming is taking over? Or maybe the owner has personal reasons. I don't see how long they can continue supporting with sales going to zero.

Charlie

I'll stick with my 105 also as long as I can. Great player! Also wonder why, when their players are so widely liked, get great reviews....

Is streaming that big a wave of the future? I don't know. I stream 2 channel stuff (and upmix it), but I don't see it replacing Blu-ray, surround, SACD, high res, etc. I don't know if they saw a big technology change wave coming, or just couldn't find a way to make a good profit. or like you say, want to move on.

Rick

I think streaming IS the wave of the future, and it's here right now.

YouTube has a lot of 4k UHD streaming content now, and it looks good. Compressed, I'm sure, but they're doing a good job of it. Amazon is now streaming UHD shows, and they look good.

So that leaves the audiophiles who want something better than mp3. Will there be enough audiophile demand to support disc formats? I have my doubts, especially when the internet bandwidth catches up. I see no reason why you can't have multi-channel streaming -- eventually.

Maybe Meridian will come up with 12 bit MQA that inflates to 16/44.

You may be right on, Charlie. The entire way media is being brought to households is evolving rapidly. Cable providers are being challenged by Amazon, Google, Roku streamer USB plug ins, land phone lines are being phased out by wireless options, on and on. Changes are a comin'.

Rick