I configured the Pioneer to output in Source Direct mode (a welcome option!) and also in Auto mode, which enabled the player to recognize my 4K display. But once I was able to access the menu, setup proved easy. While other players default to a home screen with direct access to setup features, the Pioneer instead presents just a company logo against a simple black screen. I found the LX500's basic interface to be a bit frustrating at times. The keypad does provide direct access to features like picture controls and output resolution, however, and there are dedicated buttons to skip 30 seconds forward and 10 seconds back, a feature I haven't seen before on disc player remotes that proved very handy! The remote can also be programed to control basic functions of your TV or projector. My only complaints involved its dim backlighting and somewhat smallish buttons. The LX500's remote has a brushed metal façade and a nice heft. Yet another feature that the Pioneer strangely lacks is Wi-Fi for wireless DLNA streaming. At this price point, I was disappointed to see no balanced or multi-channel analog outputs. An RCA stereo analog output is provided so users can take advantage of the LX500's 32-bit/768 kHz DAC, which supports playback of 2.8 and 5.6 MHz DSD files. On the Pioneer's back panel are coaxial and optical digital outputs, LAN and RS-232C ports for third party control systems, and a USB type-A input (a second USB input is located up front). The LX500 also has a "Zero Signal" terminal that supports a ground connection between the player and Pioneer gear featuring a similar terminal. Pioneer's Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS), a feature provided in the company's A/V receivers, is used to eliminate jitter in HDMI connections. Unfortunately, the LX500 lacks an HDMI input-a distinguishing feature found on Oppo models that let you use the player's video processing and scaling with external HDMI sources. Dual HDMI outputs are provided, one supporting video and audio, and another for audio-only connections. The LX500's back panel is equally rugged and sports high- quality connectors, with plenty of room between them for plugging in thick cables. The machined front panel has an impressive look and feel, with solid buttons and a notably sturdy and solid disc tray. This is an absolute beast of a player- nothing about its build quality feels cheap, and it weighs in at over 20 pounds. The one thing you'll notice immediately about the LX500 is its sheer size and weight. At $1,099, it certainly has flagship pricing, so let's see if it measures up. As you might expect, it sports both the Pioneer Elite logo and the high-end look and build associated with that iconic badge. Pioneer's new offering, the UDP-LX500, is a universal disc player that supports playback of SACD and DVD-Audio discs. We've since seen a few companies step up to fill the high-end player void, among them Pioneer, a company that produced numerous reference-level players back in the regular Blu-ray and DVD days. Up until that point, Oppo was one of the few high- performance player options in a market concentrated on budget models packed with streaming features. It has now been a full year since Oppo Digital ceased production of its popular Ultra HD Blu-ray player lineup.
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