Never mind - I saw that I could compare all three models on Oppo website.
What is DSD native output?
Eddie
DSD is the format of the digital information on an SACD. Many SACD players convert DSD to PCM (another digital format, or, rather, group of formats) for output via HDMI, or even for internal processing (e.g., bass management, etc.). Most likely, you will never hear the difference (not to mention the fact that a lot of SACDs have been processed in PCM anyway, because it is easier to mix in PCM than DSD). But other than ease of managing the signal, there is no benefit to converting DSD to PCM, and "purists" want as little conversion as possible, and therefore prefer to have a player that outputs DSD. All else being equal, I would rather have a player that outputs DSD, but I would not buy a lessor player to get it.
With the Oppo players, if you have a receiver that can handle DSD via HDMI, and if you were only wanting the player for SACD playback, I would go with the DV-980H. But if I were also going to use it for DVD playback, I would go with a better model for that.