Pioneer BDP-LX91 - any point if not using the analogue outs?

[admin_exported]

I currently have the SC-LX90 Susano flagship amp and a KRP-600M Kuro monitor and am looking to buy a dedicated BluRay player (I'm using my Panasonic DMW-BW500 BluRay Recorder/PVR right now) but am wondering if its worth paying the dough for the LX91 seeing as I wont be using the analogue circuits at all? Any opinions and if against, can someone suggest what I should be looking at to make the most of my amp/screen.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

The LX91 is a very good player, superb sound ( even with the HDMI connection ) and an excellent picture. I thnk the Sony BDPS5000es out performs it but with the LX90 it is probably a better visual match to have the Pioneer - same remote as well.

 

[Chewy]

Don't the higher end Pioneer amps have proprietary anti-jitter circuitry for HDMI connections when twinned with a Pioneer blu-ray player? PQLS or something... to give superior sound quality on CD's and blu-ray discs?

I have no idea if it works or not, or if the difference is noticable, but if you're looking for a reason to change your player, there's one for the list...

 

[professorhat]

If you're going by the belief from some that, if you're using HDMI to output video and sound digitally, then there is no difference between different Blu-Ray players, then I would say from my experience, clear differences can be seen and heard between different Blu-Ray players when using HDMI (as shown in this month's Savvy Shopper article I particpated in). On the other hand, a few issues back, people involved in the Big Question article couldn't perceive any differences in different Blu-Ray players.

So it would seem the answer is again, have a look and judge for yourself!

 

[Anonymous]

@ gdavies09031977: I think the Pioneer blu-ray player only at PQLS for two channel, not multi-channel.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Damien Buckley:I currently have the SC-LX90 Susano flagship amp and a KRP-600M Kuro monitor and am looking to buy a dedicated BluRay player (I'm using my Panasonic DMW-BW500 BluRay Recorder/PVR right now) but am wondering if its worth paying the dough for the LX91 seeing as I wont be using the analogue circuits at all? Any opinions and if against, can someone suggest what I should be looking at to make the most of my amp/screen.

I have seen your blu ray player on your 60inch tv and it was the best picture i have seen

the depth and detail was amazing, if my stand would take the weight i would have one myself now.

With regards to the sound over hdmi i have definetely heard differences between blu ray players and the sound.

 

[Anonymous]

professorhat:

If you're going by the belief from some that, if you're using HDMI to output video and sound digitally, then there is no difference between different Blu-Ray players, then I would say from my experience, clear differences can be seen and heard between different Blu-Ray players when using HDMI (as shown in this month's Savvy Shopper article I particpated in). On the other hand, a few issues back, people involved in the Big Question article couldn't perceive any differences in different Blu-Ray players.

So it would seem the answer is again, have a look and judge for yourself!

didnt you demo different players in different places prof ? id say it would be difficult to remember any potential differences between picture and sound unless you have the various players to hand to compare on the same screen ? as they did in the big question ..

edit.. ah i see you took your old sony along to test against each newcomer

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

PQLS is not an option on either the 90 or the 91. It started in 2ch then moved to multi ch PCM (decoding in the player ) we now have the option on the Bitstream as well but only in the LX83. It makes a difference adding size to the sound.

 

[Anonymous]

PQLS over HDMI isnt possible on the LX90 (even though it is on some of the newer but lower-end models - go figure.) but you can use it over Pioneer's iLink for 2ch apparently.

The big problem is that I can't find anyone local with an LX91 for me to view : ( Everything I've read says it is amazing and pretty much the top of the tree - particularly when partnered with Pioneer displays etc. Obviously its an expensive player and there's a LOT of expensive analogue kit/outputs in there which in my system will never be used.

Another question maybe for the Home Cinema Centre is how the LX91 may compare to my Cambridge Audio Azur 740C CD player? Other than the upsampling, there's not much in it technically. I use the CD over analogue mostly with the LX90 in Pure Direct mode and it sounds sublime. Just wondering how the two may compare as I'm pushed for space in my unit.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Damien,

Great to 'see' you around, mate.

I unfortunately have not seen a BDP-LX91 in operation. I have seen one in the flesh and it is certainly a very imposing and impressive looking Blu-ray Disc Player.

If you are not interested in 3D, and if you can get a good deal on a BDP-LX91, then it is perhaps worthy of consideration.

I have been extremely happy with my Sony BDP-S5000ES, which has been discontinued for several months now. While there have been so many new models of Blu-ray Disc Players released, I have held off purchasing something new because none seems to have the build quality that my Sony has (or the Pioneer BDP-LX91 or even the much cheaper discontinued transport-only Denon DVD2500BT).

Dan.