What Hi-Fi? Verdict
A worthwhile upgrade from Pioneer, the BDP-LX52 stands proud at this price-point
Pros
- +
Smart styling and easy control
- +
full spec for HD AV
- +
clean, detailed and colourful images
- +
clear, punchy sound
Cons
- -
No multichannel analogue outputs
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This much we know: Pioneer has put its name to some stunning plasma TVs and Blu-ray players. As the company is no longer in the business of doing the former, it makes new examples of the latter all the more exciting.
The BDP-LX52 is the second product we've seen from Pioneer's latest trilogy of BD players, and it follows the BDP-320, which won a Supertest with ease.
Costing £150 more, the 'LX52's specification is similar. It's a Profile 2.0 BD-Live player with a 1GB internal memory and USB connection.
All HD audio formats supported
Naturally, it plays 1080p/24fps video content, while also supporting 48-bit Deep Colour and x.v.Colour.
All HD audio formats can be decoded on-board or sent via bitstream, while there remain no multi-channel analogue outputs.
What this player does offer is a DTS-HD Master Audio ‘Essential' sound profile, as well as Pioneer's PQLS technology, which now reduces ‘jitter' from multichannel audio, as well as two-channel.
All audio sent over HDMI, from any disc, will benefit from this when linked to a similarly specified amp such as the Pioneer VSX-LX52.
Small, but clear improvements
Certainly we're not going to argue with the results. The BDP-LX52 manages a cleaner, sharper rendition of the Watchmen Blu-ray compared with the BDP-320.
There are also improvements to sound, too, with effects sounding crisper, fuller and more detailed.
We were massively impressed with the £400 Pioneer BDP-320, but the BDP-LX52 is well worth the extra cash should your budget stretch.
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