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Sony or Panasonic 4K Player vs. Magnetar or Reavon Universal Player

My aging Oppo 105 is my source for watching DVDs, Blu-Rays, and listening to multi-channel SACD and DVD-Audio discs. It does not have 4K capability. I am looking to add 4K UHD capability to my system to watch all the great 4K UHD Blu-rays that are being released. My options are to buy a dedicated Panasonic or Sony 4K UHD Player, or to go all in with a Magnetar or Reavon Universal Player. At this point, my Oppo 105 is still working, and I use it to play multi-channel DVD and Blu-ray concerts, SACDs and sometimes DVD-Audio discs. My main digital audio source is my Denon DCD A110 two channel SACD/CD player. I find this source is so good, it presents an impressive soundstage with only two channels. So, do I add a dedicated Sony or Panasonic 4K UHD player, or buy insurance for my Oppo, and add 4K UHD, while retaining the ability to play SACDs and DVD-Audio discs? Here are some of the units I am looking at for this purpose: SONY UBP-X800M2 for around $225.00. Panasonic DP-UB9000P1K Reference Class 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision Playback for about $1,000. Panasonic Streaming 4K Blu Ray Player with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ Ultra HD Premium Video Playback, Hi-Res Audio, Voice Assist - DP-UB820-K for about $450.00. Reavon X200 for about $1,750. Magnetar UDP 800 for $1,599.00. Magnetar UDP 900 for $2,999.00. The costs range from $250.00 to $2,999.00. I have the funds for the flagship Magnetar, but I don’t want to spend that much. Thanks.
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mahler123
3,318 posts
 

If you are waiting for the 105 to die it might be a long wait.  If the priority is for video I would spend a few hundred for a nifty Blu Ray player that isn’t a Universal Player.  If you play SACD/DVD-A/Blu Ray Audio continue to use the Oppo 105 until it dies.  My guess is it will outlive the BRP.  When the 105 finally goes see what Universal Players are available at that time.  The choice may be different than at present 

artizen65's avatar
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artizen65
273 posts
 

When our ES died we went with the Sony X800.  A lot of that decision was based on the needs of our screen and the BLU-RAY processor.  The hard truth is that with the rate of technology improvements it was not worth it to us to go with a Panasonic or the new ES model.  Next year there will be better processors.  My thoughts are get the Sony X800 M2 for now.  Sit on the fence and see what happens with 8K, if anything.  As for 8K until you reach a 70" screen all indications are it is irrelevant.

bstatmeister
537 posts
 

Panasonic UB820 is the sweet spot for bang for the buck. If you go over to 4kbluray subreddit this is what everyone strives to get

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drlou77 OP
109 posts
 

Thank you for your responses.  Very good information.  I’m looking at a Panasonic right now.  It’s between the UB820 and the UB9000.  I know the UB9000 may be more than I need, but there’s one for sale now at a price that’s hard to pass up.

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,836 posts
 

I've been thinking of replacing my aging OPPO-103 and was torn between the two Panasonics you mentioned, the DP-U9000 and the DP-U820 and will most likely go for the DP-U9000. 

From what I've read, both have fans and the one on the U820 can be heard on quiet scenes from a distance of about 8' and the image quality is marginally better on the U9000. The U9000 is also built like a tank, just like an OPPO. That would do it for me. Also, both Pannys automatically switch to Dolby (if available) so no need to go into the menu to select what's optimal for each disc you choose to play. 

Good luck in your decision. By the way, what is the price you found, if you can reveal it? 


All the best,
Nonoise

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