" The sizeof the units is different"
The BD-30 is taller, but we already knew that Lexicon made a new faceplate. Frankly, the extra height could be explained by having to accommodate setting the 83's chassis inside their box and by having bigger feet on the bottom.

" the buttons are completely redone"
Actually, the buttons appear to line up *perfectly* with the placement of the controls on the BDP-83. Sure, the navigation pad on the BDP-83 is replaced with a cluster of five separate buttons, but each button location matches up with a contact behind the 83's pad.

"and the drive and outputs have been completely reworked to Lexicon's spec."
They may have asked the drive maker to make some changes, as you noted that the drive was quieter. You also described the 83's drive as being louder than I've found it to be. Do you have any measurements of the output changes? For that matter, did you compare the sound quality of the analog outputs? The reason that I ask has to do with your next statement:

"Why do you think I BOUGHT an Oppo BD-83 SE for comparison????? "
This is where I've *really* curious. First, the BDP-83SE uses a different power supply and analog section than the stock BDP-83. As you'll see in Audioholics' write-up, the BD-30 appears to be using the same power supply and analog board as the *stock* BDP-83. Thus the BD-30 and BDP-83SE may look different inside, but that would be because OPPO produced an upgraded model and Lexicon used their base model. It is not indicative of any improvements made by Lexicon - worse, it is indicative that OPPO made the sort of changes that Lexicon *should have made* and still charge $2,600 less for their player.