I'm on the same page with my 990......
I just run all my HDMI cables (DIRECTV DVR, Oppo BDP-103,Seagate Home Theatre+)right from source to my Samsung Plasma...works perfect. I love the audio (Rotel CD, Analog/Bypass thru a Yaqin Tube Buffer)of the 990;
I still would like to get into a processor with HDMI; but I do not want to give up the versatility of the 990.
I also use the USB with a laptop via a Musiland Monitor 01.
I am still waiting for more reviews/user reports on the 975 before I do anything....
Your setup is similar to what I would like to go to with the OPPO and the 990. I am hoping, you can answer the following questions.
1) Have you run your DVR and Seagate Home Theater into the Oppo BDP-103 to take advantage of its video and audio processing? If so, is it an improvement?
2) Do you connect the BDP-103 via the 7.1 analog outputs or have you compared it with the digital feed?
From a WAF perspective the 103 is a lot more feasible then the 105. Especially when she sees blu-rays for $69.