I've been extremely impressed with the Oppo 980 DVD-A and SACD audio playback. I extended that enjoyment to using the "6 Channel Direct" analog input on the 950 from the Oppo for my stereo CD listening. Oppo takes a stereo recording (SACD or CD) and distributes the sound to the other channels for a nice full sound. The Oppo decoded playback is reduced to 5.1 listening because of the 950's limited 5.1 analog input capabilities.

By accident I took this one step further and have been listening to Oppo Dolby Digital and DTS movie playback through the same 950 analog inputs. After testing the sound against the expected superior optical input with 950 decoding I found the Oppo decoding to be a much "warmer" and "fuller" sound then the 950 decoding. Does it make sense that the Oppo 980H DAC decoding is higher quality then the 950 DAC decoding?

I'm tempted to buy a 990 just to get the 7.1 direct capabilities since the Oppo provides full 7.1 analog output. The 990 is a little expensive (even on sale) just to provide analog pass through.

I experienced similar results with a run-of-the-mill Panasonic DVD changer circa: 2001. While playing back CDs in stereo bypass, analog pass-through sounded much "warmer" and "fuller" than the same exact material through optical.