Gonk,

I have a similar question. What does the channel level need to be? Currently, my secondary DVD player, a Pioneer DV-45a used for DVD-A and SACD, is set to 4.0dB, with everything else set as you mentioned above. The channel level range is 0.0 - 6.0dB.

I'd start out with the channel levels all set to 0dB at the player since the 990 applies channel trim settings to the 7.1 Direct input. If DVD-A and SACD sound like they might be off, you could use a calibration disc to make sure there's nothing odd going on in the player that requires some additional adjustment, but ideally there shouldn't be a need to do so.

Thanks dude!!!

That's interesting. I've just compared the test tones from the 990, with the Avia test tones through the Oppo (using SPL meter). The mains are the same level, but the center and surrounds are 4 to 6 dB louder with the Oppo/Avia disk. I'm guessing this is because I left the speaker setup as large for center and surrounds on the Oppo. Will adjust tomorrow and re-check, but this might also be useful info for others as well...

I'd be curious to know how the AVIA levels compared when using the OPPO's digital output and when using the multichannel analog output.

FINALLY, Amazon has notified me the Oppo 981 is shipping... *whew*

So, I just wanted to ask Gonk again about the connections...

HDMI -> DVI (990 or straight to TV) for video
coax or optical out for DVD and CD?
multichannel analog out for SACD and DVD-A?

Is that how you're doing it?

I know I saw a post from you somewhere about what connections out from the 981 you have connected to what inputs for the 990, but I'm not finding it at the moment.

Thanks as always for sharing your expertise.

That's exactly how I'm doing it. HDMI to DVI for video (to DVI1 on the 990 in my case), coaxial out to the 990 for DVD and CD audio (to coax1 in my case), and multichannel analog out to the 990 for DVD-A and SACD. The 7.1 Direct input is set to use DVI1 as the video source.

Wow.

The Oppo DV-981HD arrived today, and what a phenomenal picture compared to my old DVD player! Better colors and extremely sharp details! I'm using a 1080p display and have the output from the 981 set accordingly. The picture frequently rivals true HD material. Just fantastic.

Thanks, Gonk, for your review. Indispensable for me with getting it set up.

I'm running the HDMI straight to the display, digital optical to the DVD input of the 990, multichannel audio to the 7.1 input for SACD and DVD-Audio. Works like a charm.

I won't sleep much tonight. I'll be up playing around with this wonderful system... :-)

- Have fun!

Thanks to gonk my future looks so bright when my Oppo DV-981HD arrives Friday.
All I have to do is follow his setup directions and I'm good to go.
Gonk, where do you find the time to do all this research and then put it in writing? Do you ever sleep?
If I'm ever in your neck of the woods I'll buy ya dinner. If you have time to eat...