The Magnetar brand may be largely unknown, but its first high-end disc spinner is hard to resist, says Steve May. Read our MAGNETAR UDP800 Review. As I listened to Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith play funky jazz, on a dusted down Super Audio CD, it struck me that perhaps the most compelling reason to invest in the Magnetar … Read more
Jon Thompson once wondered if he’d ever see a new universal disc-spinner – Reavon’s UBR-X200 therefore feels like a breath of fresh air, despite one or two missed tricks. Read our REAVON UBR-X200 Review. 2021 HASN’T BEEN a good year for many things but it’s been a cracker for 4K Blu-ray. A wealth of titles … Read more
Yamaha’s new-look Aventage receiver has an eye on the future, but is it ready for now? asks Steve Withers Designed for next-gen AV? Yamaha’s redesigned Aventage lineup of AV receivers raised a few eyebrows when first announced, with its smart looks and promise to deliver full-fat HDMI 2.1 support. The latter, combined with the pandemic, caused a … Read more
A compact player updated
to Dolby Vision support, the
UBP-X700 has a nondescript
design, no analogue outs
and a stubby remote. But
it’s well priced, and oers
SACD support.
Mark Craven swaps discs for digital with this 4K HDR-capable media player that looks like a premium BD spinner. Read our ZAPPITI PRO 4K HDR Review. 4K HDR compatible network media player with storage option Zappiti’s flagship 4K model Nvidia Shield TV Pro; PC/NAS setup [wpsm_toplist] FRENCH COMPANY ZAPPITI wants to inject home cinema glamour … Read more
DVD-A and SACD playback
join Dolby Vision 4K HDR and
Sony’s typically excellent
design and build quality
in this mid-range spinner.
Yet DV remains awkward
to instigate, and HDR10+
is o the menu.
Panasonic lowers the price
for Dolby Vision and HDR10+
playback with this featurelite 4K deck – there’s no
Wi-Fi or VOD apps, or the
brand’s HCX processor to
fine-tune imagery.
This update on Sony’s
previous ES-level 4K spinner
continues to dazzle with its
build quality and audio
playback, but the lack of
HDR10+ and a clunky Dolby
Vision implementation limits
its appeal.
Straight spinner LG’s UHD Blu-ray player proves a solid video performer, though it lacks some audio options available on higher-priced spinners. ContentsSUMMARYEquipmentPerformanceConclusion SUMMARY LG UBK90 + Excellent performance with quality discs + Good value for money + Good support for older AV receivers – Limited settings available The other big Korean may be exiting the Blu-ray … Read more
Lacks the audiophile features
(including XLR output) of the
UDP-LX800 but still sounds
sublime with CD and hi-res
audio. Dolby Vision playback,
with HDR10+ due via
firmware. No VOD apps.
Panasonic’s mid-ranger
delivers on both the HDR10+
and DV fronts, and introduces
multichannel analogue
outputs. As with the UB420,
the VOD portal could do with
a style makeover.
Supporting both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and incorporating
useful image adjustments, this premium player is at the leading
edge of UHD BD playback. The astonishing construction and
provision of VOD apps heighten its appeal.