Oppo, a Chinese company renowned for its high-quality Blu-ray players which emphasized audio/visual fidelity over all other features, was hailed as the market's king in years past. Following a massive boom in their smartphone sales, Oppo ultimately stepped out of the Blu-ray player market and redoubled their efforts on the former. This left a gaping hole in the industry, as they were the leaders when it came to the development of high quality, top-of-the-line Blu-ray players for audiophiles in particular. UDP-LX500 Now, Pioneer has stepped up to produce a Blu-ray player in the same vein as Oppo's. The Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 is a fantastic Blu-ray player for those who seek only the best in audio and video content. Whereas most companies in the industry continue to push streaming and other auxiliary services, Oppo (and now Pioneer) are bringing forward devices which offer only the best in audiovisual interfaces. Audio/Visual Components Pioneer truly went all-out when designing the Elite UDP-LX500. Every single aspect of the device has been constructed with only the best in mind, and the ultimate goal was clearly to produce the most fantastic audio and video on the market. They have achieved this through a few different methods. One cannot discuss the UDP-LX500's unique features without first acknowledging its Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). DACs are devices which conver digital signals to analog ones. These are standard fare for audiophiles, but those on the fringes of the hobby might be confused by the idea. Digital audio, what one typically hears from Blu-ray players or computers, is inherently 'lossy'. It has a lower bit-rate, lacking detail and dynamic components which make music have depth. DACs convert digital audio to analog, providing sound waves that are smoother and audio of a much higher quality. The UDP-LX500's DAC is arguably the cornerstone of the device and is what immediately makes it similar to those made by Oppo. Construction Pioneer's "Zero Signal Terminal" technology is present in the UDP-LX500. This is a proprietary technology which aligns the device's AV receiver and the ground level. What results is a high-quality signal between the two, reducing interference and providing much clearer sound and video. To add to this, Pioneer has introduced a unique method of construction with their Elite line. In order to keep the device sturdy and prevent vibration during playback, they have built a 1.6mm thick chassis reinforced by a 3mm steel plate. Together, they provide a real heft not found in typical Blu-ray players. Pioneer also made the decision to split the device's internal components into three "blocks". These divide the power supply, drive and digital processor, and analogue audio components. Separating these parts reduces magnetic and electrical interference between them, ultimately producing higher quality output. They have also split the internal circuit board into six layers, further reducing digital noise. Region-Free The Blu-ray player’s region-free features are phenomenal, allowing one to use it with any voltage, on any TV in the world. Blu-ray discs and DVDs from around the world function perfectly. This is great for individuals who have moved to other countries or collect foreign films. The worldwide voltage feature requires nothing more than the press of a button to shift between 120 and 220 volts, giving you the ability to use your UDP-LX500 in North America, Africa, Asia, or Europe with no need for obnoxious voltage conversion. Its internal Pal/NTSC conversion offers compatibility with nearly any television. This is a ready-to-go Blu-ray player that is equipped with everything you could possibly need out of the box. Other Features Much like Oppo's Blu-ray players, Pioneer has removed video streaming services from this device. Streaming features can lead to a large amount of electronic interference, along with taking up space that could be dedicated to hardware meant to improve A/V output. One can still play high-quality music files through a USB device, despite the lack of streaming. Some other features of the Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 are: Acoustic Damper Tray for Better Audio Detailed Disc Information On-Screen Display Jitterless Sound Transmission via Dual HDMI Output Low Latency Dolby Vision SDR/HDR Preset Modes for Optimal Display Performance Precision Quartz Lock System Two Channel Audio, Multi-Surround, Bit-Stream Plays Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, and Audio CD discs Front and Rear USB Ports for High Quality Audio Playback HDR10 Support No Radiation Holes, Reducing Sound From Internal Movement As always, the region-free version of this player is not available in retail stores. You can purchase one today from us at 220-Electronics.com, ready to play region A, B, and C Blu-ray discs. Contact our expert support team if you have any questions or concerns, or if you are making the move from Oppo and want to discuss the changes with someone before purchasing. -The 220 Electronics Team
Do you sell the Pioneer region free4k player, or has it been discontinued? Please let me know.
Thank you,
Susan Drucker