Blu-ray-player reference level from Pioneer, we have not seen for several years. More specifically, seven years. Now we finally get to know the heir of a five-star 2008 model, BDP-LX91 – BDP-LX88.

This versatile player plays not only Blu-ray-discs, DVD- and CD, but also SACD and DVD-Audio.

Equipped with Pioneer generally inferior to Oppo BDP-105D. It has two HDMI-output. Namely, coaxial and optical outputs, stereo analog (balanced and RCA) and two USB-ports. But no headphone jack and other digital inputs in addition to USB. And it’s a shame because the built-in DAC is very good – it’s the same ESS Sabre 32 ES9018 DAC, that of the Oppo.

Features of the Pioneer BDP-LX88

The list of built-in network services is limited to Picasa for photos and YouTube for movies. Neither Netflix, BBC iPlayer or not provided. They will certainly find your AV-receiver or TV. Yet their absence is sad.

Pioneer BDP-LX88 supports all popular music formats. And as DSD 2,8 MHz and PCM up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.

As you would expect in this price range, it reproduces 3D converter and includes Ultra HD 4K for upsampling content.

Strong and high-quality housing and a stylish front panel makes a good impression. Simple on-screen menus are clear and easy to use. Remote control somewhat overwhelmed, but the backlight allows you to see all the right buttons in the dark.

The quality of the picture on the Pioneer BDP-LX88

Playback quality Blu-ray-Disc also excellent. The contours are clearly drawn, texture detailed, color and natural skin tones. But although a little cooler neutral. The motion passed with confidence, very little noise.

DVD playback is not less than pleased. In the movie “RoboCop” in 2014, we noted sharp contours. The natural color palette and high enough detail. One of us even suggested that we watch Blu-ray-drive.

In the Player Pioneer BDP-LX88 is very accurate and detailed sound. And the scene – a little more modest in size than the Oppo BDP-105D, but more focused. The impression of the action scenes enhanced elasticity and detailed bass. Explosions hearty and powerfully, by Oppo they seem to be somewhat more sluggish.

The sound of the Pioneer BDP-LX88

Unfortunately, the sound quality of music in stereo disappointing. Despite the decent detail, it is not so high as to abandon the specialized CD-player. “Moonlight” by Debussy performed extremely tough and bright. And Pastime Paradise Stevie Wonder lack the necessary sophistication and meticulousness in exploring the dynamics.

If we talk about movies, the choice between the Oppo and Pioneer depends on personal taste. It is not enough high-quality stereo sound makes us lower assessment Pioneer BDP-LX88. Since the Oppo BDP-105D more even quality and a complete equipment.

Rating: 4

Pros: Clear and detailed picture; workmanship; application; accurate sound in the movies; tight elastic bass

Cons: Small stream functions; sound little bit poor; quality stereo to low

Conclusion of the Pioneer BDP-LX88

Player Pioneer BDP-LX88 is very good for movies, but CD playback does not hold.

Source: Pioneer

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With Blu-ray-player Cambridge Audio, we first met two years ago, but recently this player has undergone significant modernization. Now, in addition to the disc Blu-ray, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD and CD unit was able to play on a network or connected via USB hard drive a lot of video formats, including “rips» Blu-ray in BDMV format and even ISO-image that previously only able media players Korean and Chinese companies. Of course, these talents Cambridge Audio 752BD (along with multi-zone) are not advertised, so as not to incur the wrath of the various licensing bodies, so the official specification capabilities of the player we do not provide, however, as the company said distributor, the player is capable of anything.

Well, check whether this is so, and at the same time to find out whether the owners Cambridge Audio 752BD can do without additional boxes that give access to the world of “shareware” content.

Of course, unlike the latter Cambridge can not independently download music and audio with Torrent resources, it only reproduces the content that you offer him, by connecting a hard drive or connect it to your home network.

The first option is the easiest and given support NTFS and speed provided by USB2.0, the least problematic: we were able to play HD-video, not only in containers MKV, but also a full (with menus and all the features of this disc) “rip» Blu-ray “Grand Hotel Budapest” format BDMV (with the folder structure of the disc and videos m2ts) and “Prometheus” in the form of ISO-image (both had a weight of about 50 GB). No problems and broadcasting of such monsters on a wired network: to download the video machine took a few seconds – no more than a real disk. No switching chapters, or during rewind unwanted pauses or failures do not occur, while working player never freezes, requiring a restart.

With the wireless network, you have to be limited to “pinched” HD-video in MKV containers or MP4. You lose a disc menu, but the division into chapters, choice of audio and subtitles while watching you are – given an order of magnitude smaller file sizes, the most common and acceptable option today. We will not say that with less “heavy” video in AVI and such player also works. In all cases, the image is displayed Cambridge Audio 752BD as possible, taking into account the quality of the original content, clarity, it is stable and smooth.

Connecting to the network – Cambridge Audio 752BD

Connecting to the network by means of a wire or the supplied Wi-Fi-dongle that can be connected to one of the USB-connectors on the rear panel (the other is designed to connect an external drive). You can install an adapter and a special database with meter USB-cable to improve the quality of communication. In addition, if you are going to use Wi-Fi, we recommend allocating BD752 single access point – this will save you problems with simultaneous operation of multiple computers. Entering the network settings, switching between wired and wireless options are menu.

But what, in our opinion, makes it especially important to use instead of Cambridge Asian counterparts – sound. In the series, BBC «Sherlock» (720p, H.264, MKV) it is much more multi-dimensional, detailed and vibrant. Even for playing music 752BD is very good.

Jacques Loussier jazz interpretations of the baroque theme, Eric Clapton blues sound collected, rhythmic and expressive. Complex choral cantatas Bach also transmitted reliably and only for large symphonic compositions records you definitely need a dedicated audio player.

DLNA or SMB?

Of course, in addition to access to a network folder using SMB, you can use 752BD as a network client architecture UPnP / DLNA. After all, despite the high-speed navigation using the remote control, be controlled by the application much easier. On the other hand, it will require not only network storage but sufficiently powerful server that would provide high-speed processing of video, supports various formats and codecs and steadily worked. And if the task of broadcasting music, many programs handle good, then for movies seems a preferable option with direct access to network shares. And if Cambridge Audio has released an app for the iPad, replacing the remote control Cambridge Audio 752BD, is quite remarkable.

Price: $ 1430

Pros: Fast and stable operation; Support all popular video formats, including BDMV and ISO; excellent, compared with sound – you can listen to music

Cons: Specialized application for this unit would be superfluous

Verdict: With the new firmware Cambridge Audio 752BD claims to be the only media player, allowing you to cancel the purchase of additional video players Asian manufacturers

Source: CambridgeAudio

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