Coming to the US: Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 Hi-Res Disc Player with stereo analog outputs $999.00*

Unplug the HDMI cable?

 

Sound & Vision's review of the Pioneer UDP-LX500

Pioneer UDP-LX500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player Review

 

Still hoping for the UDP-LX800 to be exported to the U.S.

It is now listed on the Pioneer EU website, so apparently it is (or will be) sold outside of Japan and Taiwan:

UDP-LX800 | Pioneer

 

Hong Kong too....

UDP-LX800 | Blu-ray Disc Players/DVD Players | Products | Pioneer

 

As well as Australia and New Zealand.

Pioneer UDP-LX800 Universal Disc Player Review

 

But still, I wonder why the choice in a TOTL player of ESS ES9026 DACs instead of ES9038 or even ES9028?

 

That review really annoyed me as it’s all waffle and no substance for the found quality which is the reason one might buy it!

 

I ignore just about all online A/V publication reviews. I'd rather read reviews from trusted members here and on a few other A/V sites. I'm more interested in reading reviews of the Pioneer LX-500/800 from those that have owned the Oppo 105/205. The overall sound quality impressions are of course important. But what I focus in on is the feature set and daily usability. I've become used to Oppo players and their feature set and daily ease of use.

I bought a mint Sony XA5400ES from a trusted member here awhile back. The 5400 was an excellent sounding player (analog) with CDs and SACDs. Better sounding than the 105 I owned at the time. The differences were subtle but there none the less. But the lack of a few basic features the biggest being playback resume after stopping a disc was a deal breaker. What I've read about the LX-500 over at AVS from former or current Oppo owners is that it has some quirks. Maybe not deal breakers for some but at $999 they would be for me. The LX-800 if it's sold in the US would probably have a price of $2k or higher. Too rich for me.

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/149-...p-lx-500-800-owners-thread-no-price-talk.html

 

Review from Frobes magazine:

Take Pioneer's Universal Disk Player For A Spin And Play Everything From CDs To 4K HDR Blu-Ray

 

It's clear from the review that the LX500 doesn't output DSD natively via HDMI, what is unclear is if it also converts it to PCM for internal D/A conversion.

 

Just ordered a Modwright UDP-LX500

 

Does anyone know if it supports MQA-CD?

 

Congrats! I think you'll enjoy it. I've had mine for a few weeks now and its very smooth and detailed. Nice job by Dan, again!

 

Page 42 of the owner's manual says otherwise.

Operating Instructions

 

Just curious - what does it do that the stock player can't or what does it improve on in your estimation? Does it improve picture quality too?

And I just looked on the Modwright site, it says "Price: $1500 (Modification Only)' --- does that mean the mod is $500, where you get the $999 player and mods for $1500? Or you buy a $999 player and $1500 for the mods for $2500 total?

 

It means the mod is $1500.

 

My LX-500 is strictly used for audio playback but Dan's mods do not impact picture quality afaik - its strictly an audio upgrade. I only had this for about a week or two before getting it to Dan for mods, but he's done what he did for my Sony SACD player years ago - given me more smoothness in the mids.

The $1500 price is for the mods only. You have to supply the player and have it shipped to him. With my Sony I had it shipped directly to him from the dealer. He wasn't doing the LX-500 mods yet when I bought it, so shipped it out to him myself after having it in my system for a little while.

 

Is this mod tube based?

 

Yes it is a tube based mod.

ModWright Instruments | Pioneer UHD LX-500 Modification

 

Used a LX500 for a few weeks now as my Oppo broke down twice & audio is excellent with cd/sacd
Main use is for movies & picture with UHD blurays on my Sony 4k project is truly outstanding

 

MultiZone + MultiRegion Modification for Pioneer UDP-LX500 DIY Kit

I'm not endorsing it just passing it on

JVB Digital, Codefree Pioneer UDP-LX500 DVD modification kit

 

It now looks like that page has been changed and they now *don't* sell a DIY mod to make LX500 multi-region.
Apparently too many people couldn't install the mod correctly and did damage to their players.
It would seem logical that if you aren't familiar with soldering or doing any electronic work you would take it to someone who does

 

I ordered an LX500 yesterday to replace an inexpensive Sony BDP-S770 from several years back. This is mainly to upgrade Blu-Ray audio. Are there any other options for Blu-Ray universal players in the U.S. now?

 

McIntosh makes a real nice one. $$$$

 

Yes, Sony's UBP X-1100 ES, but I don't like how Sony UHD BD players looks,their chroma upsampling and overall picture quality pales in comparison with Panasonic's UHD BD players.
If you're not going to play SACD's I suggest you to have a look at Panasonic catalogue and have a look at his UHD BD players range.