Goodbye Sony X-800, HELLO Panasonic DP-UB820!

[Marco]

Great picture, spoilt by an archaic UI, lack of apps and support from Panasonic. Here's my opinion: https://theartofsound.net/forum/show...43#post1225243

Good, honest and informative review, Darren. As I've said though, apps are a non-issue for me, as they're rarely used, if ever, as I get all the streamed/On Demand movie content I need from Sky and Virgin Movies (via my Virgin subscription), plus also Google play, so the Panny will be used solely to play discs, both music and movie related.

One of its primary functions, therefore, will also be to act as a CD transport for my Beresford DAC, and to play my SACD discs. In that respect, I note that it has a Toslink, not coaxial, connection to facilitate that, so will be investing in a decent optical cable for that purpose.

The only thing that would concern me is the noise. Is it really *THAT* bad? I've not seen it mentioned on any other online reviews, so that's strange considering how intrusive you've said it is...

Granty, how noisy is yours - and can you hear the fan in a notably annoying way?

Marco.

[DarrenHW]

No, it's not really that noisy hence the sarcmark, but it's far from silent.

I didn't think it had SACD support, I thought you had to triple the price for that (and apparently decent build quality) to the UB9000?

EDIT: It doesn't SACD or DVD-A.

[Marco]

Soz, my boob - I thought I read somewhere it did. Not to worry, I don't have that many such discs anyway!

Glad to hear that the noise isn't that bad. I'll let you know what I think. Hopefully the music or movie sound effects will drown it out

Superb build quality, whilst normally important to me, isn't a big issue at this price level. As long as it's adequately built and reliable, that's fine. Clearly, build quality is where costs have been cut, and also perhaps in terms of the UI, with most of the budget having been spent on optimising the audio and visual side.

I'd rather it that way round than the other... Let's face it, if it were built as well as the OPPO and had a top-notch UI, along with its existing areas of high performance, it wouldn't be selling for £299!

Marco.

[DarrenHW]

Granted, I'll stop banging on about it.

I just wish there was a middle ground. I also only have a handful of SACD/DVD-A's and no desire to analogue out so there was no justification for me to go for the UB9000 and when you compare it with Oppo's offerings and price point I don't think it justifies it's price tag. I suppose I really just have to get over the fact the Oppo's no longer in the market

Either way, I'm very impressed with the picture it sends to my projector, I'm sure you'll be happy with it in your system too. Just don't look at it, touch it, or get too close to it's whilst it's playing without ear protection.

Oh yeah, the remote's bloody horrible too.

I'll get my coat...

[Marco]

And I bet it doesn't even give a decent blowjob?

Nah... You know the set-up in my lounge, it'll tucked away in a dark corner of my rack, out of sight and out of mind, just doin' its bad-ass thang.

Marco.

[DarrenHW]

And I bet it doesn't even give a decent blowjob?

I'll get back to you...

[DarrenHW]

Sub-par and now it's not bloody working! Is this what happened to your Sony?

[Marco]

I don't think it liked what I tried to slip into its drawer

Marco.

[Gazjam]

Happy your happy Amigo.
Enjoy

[Marco]

Lol - I was forced into this move, mate, simply because the Sony packed in. I wasn't planning on buying a new Bluray player this year! But... It may turn out to be a pleasantly unexpected upgrade

Marco.