Excellent response Lee! Funny that the LP12 is still around but I don't want to rub it in as you've no longer got it.
I fancy that the DV137 will be the LP12 of the future except that it can't play vinyl!
I,too , agonised long and hard over bluray or the 137. I am really glad I chose the Arcam. It still amazes me how good a well set-up system can be. I watched Prince Caspian via my Sanyo Z3 pj at the weekend only instead of using the Eco setting went for full power....what a difference. Ok, the bulb won't last as long but definition wise, it really made a big improvement to the pq. We go on and on about improving your system just by buying good quality cables. But if you have a good front end (say the 137) and pj/plasma etc to match, you shouldn't be distracted into thinking "If only I had a bluray, the pq would be soooooo much better ..."
You now have the best of both worlds, and i have a feeling that in a year or so's time, many others (inc me) will do likewise ie buy an Arcam Bluray player on special at Sainsbury's and use the 137 for ordinary dvd! Actually, it will most probably be a Sony at the supermarket!
Now there's a conundrum....we already have a 137, so do we also need an Arcam bluray player that does what a 137 does plus play a BR disc? If we do, Ebay will be awash with 137s. I think you have it spot on.
Martin