UDP-LX800 - Introducing a flagship Universal Disc Player, for Reference-grade 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback

Onkyo & Pioneer (Tokyo, Japan) is pleased to introduce the “UDP-LX800”, a flagship Universal Disc Player, purpose-engineered to provide a new state-of-the- art benchmark for 4K UHD Blu-ray and SACD playback.

Boasting the highest possible audio and video quality, the UDP-LX800 (the step-up model from the UDP-LX500) is a truly Reference-grade product from a manufacturer with nearly 40 years of experience in optical disc technology. Every single aspect of the player, both electrical and mechanical, has been measured, analysed and optimised to deliver a level of performance that will fully satisfy both videophile and audiophile needs. Compromise does not enter the equation...

Highly robust mechanical construction

With the arrival of UHD Blu-ray Disc, players now need to be able to handle high-speed rotation speeds of up to 5,000 rpm. The UDP-LX800 delivers supremely stable high-speed rotation of discs by virtue of its remarkably rigid construction, as well as a lower centre of gravity. Both of these attributes help suppress vibration transmission occurring inside the player, minimizing any potential resonances generated and so improving disc playback.

Three-Block Internal Layout (Power Supply, Drive/Digital Processing, Analogue Audio)

By separating and segregating the internal layout of the player into three distinct physical ‘blocks’ (comprising power supply, drive/digital processing and analogue audio), electromagnetic interference between each block is hugely reduced. Furthermore, the insertion of a rigid frame structure inside the player, to contain and hold each ‘block’, takes structural integrity to a new level.

Solid steel plate top panel & aluminum side panels

A solid 1mm thick steel plate is used for the top panel while aluminum – which offers excellent vibration damping performance – is employed for the side panels. This player has been designed, from the outset, to operate without the need for ventilation holes in the top and side panels, a common source of internal noise leakage from transport mechanisms. When this player is in use, it will be your disc’s content that you hear, not the player.

4.6mm double-layer composite chassis

Adding a 3mm steel plate to the 1.6mm thick steel-sheet chassis delivers incredibly high rigidity, as well as enabling a very low centre of gravity. Our single-minded focus on construction results in a player that weighs 13.8kg (the UDP-LX500 weighs 10.3kg) and provides an ideal foundation for getting the very best playback quality from a 4K UHD Blu-ray rotating at high speed.

UHD BD Drive housed in a rigid, honeycomb-stamped case, coated with anti-vibration paint

Spring-damped tray - effectively seals and isolates the disc, preventing rotational noise from being transmitted from the drive to the outside world via the front panel.

Meticulously evaluated parts and materials

The UDP-LX800 employs parts and materials that have been painstakingly selected after repeated testing, prototyping and viewing/listening trials, in order to determine their defining characteristics. Thanks to this exhaustive process, we are confident we have created a player offering remarkable levels of electrical and signal purity, all the way from the power supply to the circuit paths taken by video and audio signals. By paying careful attention to every detail, the UDP-LX800 delivers an unmatched level of playback quality.

Large capacity power transformer with excellent instantaneous current supply capability

The analogue audio circuit has its own dedicated high-capacity, quick-response power transformer. Combined with carefully selected, custom-made capacitors, it creates a power-supply circuit with a high, instantaneous current supply capability. Undesirable stray electromagnetic waves generated by the transformer are successfully kept in check by a heavily-shielded case. This is formed from copper-plated steel, finished off with an anti-vibration damping coating, to eliminate any possible adverse effects on the video/audio circuit. To break up and eliminate standing waves, the casework of the transformer even features a ‘pressed out’ musical character (a similar shielded cover also sits over the power supply circuit board).

Main board design configured to achieve a high S/N ratio

On the main printed circuit board, digital noise has been further reduced in order to do full justice to the high speed signal transmission capability of UHD Blu-ray Disc. By adopting a six-layer IVH (interstitial via hole) construction technique for the main board, Pioneer has been able to fully optimize the routing of digital signal wiring and minimize ground impedance, by dramatically improving S/N (Signal to Noise ratio) during the processing of video and audio. This also improves the precision of the high capacity transmission speed of 18Gbps which this latest HDMI standard now makes possible.

Audio circuit board dedicated to high-quality sound reproduction

The design of the analogue audio section of the UDP-LX800 is directly derived from our flagship PD-70AE SACD/CD player. Both Left and Right signal paths on the PCB are designed with an identical layout, not to mention placement of parts. Much attention has been paid to maintaining an accurate channel balance, an effort that has resulted in excellent separation. Additionally, to make the reference ground level more stable, a copper bus bar is used between the Left and Right channels. The UDP-LX800 employs the same pair of 32-bit, 8-channel Parallel Drive ESS Sabre Digital-to-analogue converters (DACs) used in the PD-70AE, namely the ES9026 PRO.

Anti-Standing Wave Insulators

Functions to fine-tune high quality video and audio playback

The UDP-LX800 has a comprehensive range of functions which allow users to further refine video and audio quality according to taste.

Transport Function for Superb HDMI Output

Activating the “Transport function” completely cuts the power supply to the analogue audio transformer circuit when connecting with HDMI, only keeping the digital circuitry powered up. This enables a further improvement in the HDMI signal-to-noise ratio, delivering even higher quality video and audio playback.

Direct Function for Pure Analogue Audio Output

The UDP-LX800 is equipped with a "Direct function" which turns off the digital audio and video circuits. This allows listeners to enjoy high resolution sound sources and CDs with enhanced purity.

Video and Audio separated output via 2 HDMI Outputs ’PQLS’ Jitter-free Sound Transmission with Pioneer AV receivers

Zero Signal Terminal for audio/video tuning

SDR/HDR Preset Mode for optimal performance for the display

Media/HDR Information On-Screen Display

Dolby Vision (Low Latency Compatible)

Balanced/Unbalanced Analogue Audio Outputs

Self-Illuminating Remote Control

•PIONEER and the logos are registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation, and are used under license.
•”AVCHD” is trademark of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
•Dolby, Dolby Vision, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
•Blu-ray Disc™, Blu-ray™, Ultra HD Blu-ray™ word marks and logos are trademarks of the Blu-ray Disc Association.

Article by Pioneer Europe.