Marantz $6K UD9004 Blu-ray player now shipping
posted Jul 31st 2009 9:11PM
MARANTZ EXPANDS ITS LINE OF AWARD WINNING BLU-RAY PLAYERS, DEBUTS HIGHLY
ANTICIPATED FLAGSHIP UD9004 UNIVERSAL PLAYER
-- Flagship Model Incorporates Audio Technology from Award-Winning SA-7S1 --
MAHWAH, NJ – July 31, 2009 – Marantzâ America, a world leader in advanced home entertainment solutions, is expanding its line of advanced Blu-ray players to include four Profile 2.0 models, all with Ethernet connectivity and features to increase flexibility in both playback and installation. Leading the new lineup is the company's highly anticipated flagship player, the ultimate-quality UD9004 (MSRP: $5,999.99), joined by the high-end universal UD8004 (MSRP: $2,199.99) and two high-value, high-performance players, the BD7004 (MSRP: $799.99) and BD5004 (MSRP: $549.99).
Noted Kevin Zarow, Vice President, Marketing and Product Development, Marantz America, Inc: "Marantz engineered every detail of our new Blu-ray players with both audio and video purists in mind. Whether a customer is looking to add to an existing Marantz home theater system or just looking for an ultimate-quality single-source component, Marantz now offers best-in-class performance at several price levels. With these introductions, we have clearly established our leadership in the growing Blu-ray arena. In fact, we are confident that the superior construction and circuitry of the UD9004 will quickly earn it the reputation as one of the world's most sought-after Blu-ray players by home entertainment aficionados."
UD9004: The Pinnacle of Home Entertainment Performance
The Marantz flagship UD9004 represents the pinnacle of home entertainment audio and video reproduction – a single source component that features true universal compatibility and world-class performance from virtually all of today's most advanced video and audio formats. Built using the highest quality materials and craftsmanship to virtually eliminate mechanical distortion, the UD9004's extensively braced chassis features a thick bottom plate with machine milled copper feet, sustaining mechanical stability and therefore sound quality.
The Profile 2.0 UD9004 will play virtually any 12cm digital audio or digital video disc ever created, including CD, SACD, DVD Audio and of course Blu-ray. The unit's dedicated audio section, which is based on the award-winning Marantz SA-7S1 SACD player, ensures superior audio playback at all times and from all sources. Notably, two Sharc Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are included for the ultimate in HD Audio decoding, and SACD playback is enhanced through the use of Marantz's HDAM technology, Hyper Dynamic Amp module. Audiophiles will also appreciate the 32-bit floating point type Analog Devices DSP for the purest audio imaginable, with four separate circuit boards and a pure direct mode that even shuts down the video playing elements to deliver exceptional, focused audio output when desired.
Dual HDMI outputs add to the UD9004's perfectionist-level performance capabilities, and are user selectable for the purest audio and video signal transmission via separate HDMI connections. For unsurpassed picture quality, the UD9004 incorporates 36-bit Deep Color and a leading-edge 10-bit Silicon Optix Realta chipset, with a 297MHz/14-bit Video DAC.
Other leading-edge features include internal decoding of Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio, 7.1 analog outputs including Balanced Outputs for the left and right channels, a copper-encased Toroidal Power Transformer, short signal paths and extensive shielding. For maximum flexibility in convenience and installation, the unit also features an SD card reader, an RS232C interface and an Ethernet connection for BD-Live content and future software updates.
A New Level of Realism in "Home Cinema"
The UD9004 offers several features that will appeal particularly to home theater aficionados who want to re-create the cinema experience. Owners of Marantz' advanced video projectors and other ultimate-quality high-definition display devices, for instance, will appreciate the performance and flexibility afforded by the Vertical Stretch feature when playing back titles with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Vertical Stretch eliminates the black bars at the top and bottom of the image without adding distortion, or artifacts, for HD displays, but it's most beneficial for those users of Cinema Scope screens and projectors with anamorphic lenses, as the processing is done in the digital domain. And for the ultimate in user-friendly setup and use, the UD9004 features Marantz' newly designed Easy Operation User Interface.
Many of the UD9004's outstanding performance features are also included in the new Model UD8004 Universal BD player, including HDAMs, a dedicated audio board, 7.1 Analog Outputs, High Quality Scaling, Internal HD Audio Decoding and the Easy Operation User Interface.
Two New High-Value, High-Performance Models
With their sleek new aluminum/reinforced resin front panels, center-mount drawers and SD/SDHC Card readers for WMA, MP3, JPEG files (also compatible miniSD or microSD with adapters), Marantz's BD7004 and BD5004 Blu-ray models are true multimedia players that bring a superior video and audio experience within reach of more consumers. Both feature HDMI 1.3a supporting 36-bit Deep color for richly detailed images and vibrant color production and HD Audio bit stream outputs, and both feature Anchor Bay VRS Technology Video Scalers, with 1080p scaling from SD DVDs for additional viewing enhancement.
In addition to reading Blu-ray (both commercial releases and recordable discs), DVDs (movies and DVD-R/RWs), as well as standard and recordable CDs, both players also include SD and SDHC memory card capability, as well as mini-and microSD. In addition, the BD7004 handles DivX and AVCHD files. The unit also features internal decoding for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and video scaling by Anchor Bay. Both also handle disc-based DivXâ files in addition to AVCHD (high definition video format for Camcorder) contained on discs or solid-state memory devices. IR flasher inputs and outputs on both players add to their system-wide control capabilities, while their Ethernet ports allow users to update the firmware to take full advantage of future developments.
The UD9004 is scheduled for availability in August, and the UD8004 is scheduled to be available in October. Both the BD7004 and BD5004 are currently available..
Twelve Oppo BDP-83's, baby! 12!
You could Mod an Oppo BDP -83(at places that do that kind of thing) and make it super High End and still come out $4500
ahead.
Wow 6000 for a blu-ray player. In this economy, I don't see selling a lot of those. Heck a PS3 is cheaper and you can even game on it, surf the web and play other media files.
It plays Audi's though!
"the all in one CD, SACD, DVD Audi and Blu-ray playing beast"
Are they selling for celebrities or for consumer .
Monster, meet Marantz. Marantz, this pretty girl's Monster. I'll leave you two alone, now. You have a lot in common, and I'm sure you'd like to get to know each other better.
What have you done?
I don't even want to think about the overpriced electronics companies they'll reproduce. We have enough already.
I own some moderately priced Marantz equipment. It's bang for the buck can be much better than the more popular brands like Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc.
I don't know what's up with this $6K player. It's likely a flagship player that they don't really expect to sell much of. Don't write off their other stuff because of an overpriced flagship item.
Maybe they are donating $5k+ of it to a charity of your choosing?
I dont know why you guys even comment on high end gear when it is clearly something you dont understand. Its very high priced for sure, but saying its overpriced means nothing if you havent used the product. The best of the best always costs alot of money, maybe this is overpriced and isnt very good, I havent played with it. But I can say that the Marantz Reference SACD player I heard was one of the nicest cd players I have ever heard. Sure way more money then I could afford, but I could certainly here a difference and if I had lots of money I would have no problem buying one. Just because we cant afford one doesnt mean we need to hate on these guys.
I agree. People bash on equipment just because they think it's too expensive, without ever considering any of the reasons why a consumer might choose it. I personally will be buying an Oppo, because it's in my price range, but I will continue to dream of this Marantz. It would be a nice addition to my collection of vintage Marantz receivers, amps, and speakers.
Many audio enthusiasts have good relationships with their dealer. I know when I buy something, that my dealer will happily buy it back from me a few years down the road. That store credit, coupled with a little more cash from me, means I can move up to a better piece of equipment. Everyone wins. My dealer has a good second-hand equipment selection to entice budding audiophiles with small budgets, and is continuing to move me up the audio ladder, keeping his distributors happy by selling more expensive stuff on a regular basis. It's all I can do to get out of there without him trying to get me to take something home to audition at no charge - he knows the best way to sell is to let the customer try it out in their own home.
Most people certainly will be happy with the BPC that is sold in most chain stores. Of course, this Marantz isn't marketed to those people. This will be sold through specialist dealers who know how to keep their customers coming back through the door...
As one of another reader already replied, was any of the audition where some of you claim you heard the difference between super expensive and cheaper devices performed with controlled, objective double blind testing...? Many studies show that while many devices do have measurable differences as tested by testing equipment, but then under scientific, double blind testings, where influences of psychological expectation and limitations of human auditory memory are taken out of the equation, human ears can only detect certain quantifiable, measurable differences in certain parameters, but cannot detect any differences if the measured difference is small, and sometimes, not at all even if the differences are significant in some parameters. And this is not just talk, this is supported by countless evidence based studies, not just subjective impressions that can be biased by many parameters such as psychological expectation, acoustic memory... Are you guys claiming that your subjective impression is more valid than scientific studies? And before anyone bash science, remember that audio engineering is a science, products are measured to be "better" or "worse" based on scientific measurements, and manufacturers charge more for their products based on these machine measured differences that they can print on paper. No manufacturer will justify charging a lot of money for a certain product if the product does not have a good measurable performance under scientific methods, and just advertise their products without these objective specifications, but rather by:"Our human, golden ear panel's subjective, none double blind listening tests show our products are worth $6K"... The question is, can the human ear and brain (not dogs or bats or elephants) actually detect the measured differences that they are so easily and willing to pay lots of $ for??
c
"Are you guys claiming that your subjective impression is more valid than scientific studies?"
Yes, I am. As an independent thinking adult, I believe that I can choose to buy what ever equipment I want, based on my subjective impression.
Why do people get so offended by this concept? People buy cars based on subjective impressions: "This car is cooler than that one", they buy homes based on subjective impressions: "Old houses have more character", and they even buy food based on subjective impressions: "Health food is for rabbits, gimme a bacon cheeseburger with fries".
Scientific measurements get you to a certain point, and higher-end gear without a doubt is scientifically measured to be better in almost every case. But can science tell me what user-interface is more pleasing to use, or what the history of the company adds to the appeal? There is also certainly a point where you get diminishing returns for higher prices, but there will always be those of us who simply love to listen to music, and we will always be willing to try out another piece of gear to compare it with what we already have.
That's called progress. If audiophiles didn't demand better and better equipment, everyone would still be listening to scratchy wax cylinders played through cygnet horn speakers. So, instead of whinging about what other people buy with their own money, why don't you thank them for keeping the audio manufacturers working to produce better equipment at lower prices?
As for your statement:
"No manufacturer will justify charging a lot of money for a certain product if the product does not have a good measurable performance under scientific methods, and just advertise their products without these objective specifications, but rather by:"Our human, golden ear panel's subjective, none double blind listening tests show our products are worth $6K""
I know you have to be referring to BOSE. They are famous for not publishing the specs for their equipment, and relying predominately on marketing to push their crappy products. Why do you think audiophile universally despise them - we know that it's not all about marketing, the product has to deliver on its claims.
@C
Who cares if I can double blind test it and detect the difference? If I get more pleasure from a $6000 player, then it is better. Last time I checked, I was able to see the equipment in my listening room, and you know what? I think what I have sounds better than what I used to listen to. If the only reason that I feel that way is because I can see which is which, so be it.
Why do I want it? Because I can afford it, and its what I like to spend my money on. You may say I get ripped when I buy "overpriced" gear. I say you got ripped off when you bought that Vizio/Funai/Sanyo/(insert other POS brands).
For that money it should play HD-DVD and that stupid Chinese format, too. Not to mention LP's.
Don't forget laser disc!
CED, RCA Selectavision, or *forget it*!!
Quoting the Press Release:
"The Profile 2.0 UD9004 will play virtually any 12cm digital audio or digital video disc ever created, including CD, SACD, DVD Audio and of course Blu-ray."
Virtually any 12cm disc huh? How about HD DVD?
That is between you and Toshiba...Toshiba pulled the plug on making the parts and the availability of the software/licensing. Stop blaming others for what TOSHIBA (the company that did HD-DVD) did.
High end audio electronics (dvd/cd players, receivers, interconnects) are no better than their cheap counterparts at their primary purpose - delivering good sound. You are paying for the name, the looks and the extra features they add.
The reason I know this is because in every single blind test, all the audiophiles are utterly unable to distinguish between their gear and the el cheapo version. I'd be willing to bet any money that this 6k monstrosity would produce the exact same picture as any other player like the PS3.
Great. You keep on buying that BPC, and don't worry about what the rest of us buy.
You know if they threw in VHS, BetaMax, MiniDisk, Laserdisc, HD-DVD, and China-Blu into that thing, I would definitely pick one up.
What audio-videophile would pay that for a over priced Denon when you can get a American made Krell for half that price??? I dont have that kind of money so I'll stick with my PS3 1st gen thats still going strong.
You are a 100% correct, I had Krell on my mind because I am looking at the Krell KID and PaPa Dock to run a pair of Paradigm sig4s in my bedroom. The blue-ray player I meant to say was the Lexicon, that's my first pick. I think I bought a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic from your company through Amazon 3 months ago, anyway, its good to see somebody on here that knows their stuff, Thanks.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/07/24/lexicon-prepping-bd-30-blu-ray-deck-for-cedia/
The player that Lexicon has announced is a clone of the Oppo. Take a look at the rear panels - the layouts are identical. The front panel layouts are the same too - Lexicon just uses slightly different switches and a different faceplate. Lexicon ~might~ be tweaking the guts a bit, but not likely $3000 worth.
Interesting. Two of my comments were deleted, I suppose because of links to other audio sites. Fair enough... I pointed out, and Brian conceded, that Krell does not currently offer a universal BD/SACD player, and if they did, it'd likely cost in the $20,000 range based on their other products.
I also mentioned that I am planning on purchasing the Oppo BD player, primarily because of it have variable analogue outputs that can be controlled from the remote. That means instead of having to buy an expensive (and quickly obsoleted) AVR, I can continue to use the same discrete power amps that I already own - an instance where buying a more expensive BD player can actually save a substantial amount of money by negating the need for extra equipment.
Sorry if the links were seen as spam, I was merely trying to support my comments with factual evidence, something we audiophiles are often accused of not doing.
Yeah, I love the DAC Magic, I have my laptop, PS3, and cable box running through it to a Anthem Integrated 225 using balance XLRs and then running a pair of Paradigm Studio 100s v.4. There are many great stereos out there you can buy but for for the money this one cost it was the greatest bang for the buck I could come up with. I did have the biggest Onkyo amp running bi-amped to the 100s but it just couldn't push the 100s well, got so hot, and had HDMI issues so I sent it back to Crutchfield and went with the Anthem, DAC Magic combo for the same price. I did give up surround but as crazy as it sounds, I'm over surround! I just wanted two bad ass 3 way speakers that could rock and sound natural!
Lots of people are beginning to realize that while multi-channel is great for movies, it generally sucks for music. I'd be careful talking about balanced XLR connections, someone might think you're being snooty - after all they probably think RCA cables are just as good at delivering audio signals...
I bought one of these today. Good price! I also purchased one for my next door neighbor because he has a television too.
You guys don't understand. When you spend $6000 for a bluray player, BD LIVE will actually be usable.
No, you inferior people don't understand. I have super ultra ears, carved from angel's frozen crystal tears. I noticed a gigantic leap from .001% distortion to .00001% distortion. Why the heck would I want to participate in a double blind test? That would require me to actually back up my insane placebo effect induced ramblings!
I can't believe letstakeawalk compared this to cars. The Car equivalent is spending 200,000 on a car with a body kit and a gold plated engine and refusing to race the regular version of the car since tests are just lies. He felt it was faster, and that's proof enough for him lol.
In all seriousness, we don't care if you spend 200k on a blu ray player, we just smirk since you're so delusional. Quit pulling this, "stop trying to tell me what to buy." We don't care what you buy, we just are laughing that some people drink this much coolaid. I bet you buy HDMI cables from monster. The world is moving to digital. 100% digital accuracy negates the use of high end blu ray players. Period.
My point is clear: beyond a certain price range, scientific testing shows the differences between items are very small as to be inconsequential. As you point out, it is almost impossible to discern a difference from "....001% distortion to .00001% distortion..." Therefore, it is logical to allow a individual's subjective choice to differentiate between what you consider two otherwise identical items.
The car argument works more like this: That guy bought a Ferrari. Sure, it has a race-bred pedigree, and is known for stellar performance. There are enthusiasts all around the world with whom he can discuss and compare his experiences with. But, since he can't drive at top speed on a legal road, he must be a douche with a small peener. He should have bought
a Mustang or Camaro instead, because that's what I can afford.
Nobody is spending 200K on a BD player. Quit exaggerating, oh, wait, "That would require me to actually back up my insane [strawman argument] induced ramblings!"
You shouldn't laugh at people, didn't your momma teach you any manners?
I'm still buying and using basic cables bought from Radio Shack, and sometimes even Big Lots. $3.99 for an 6' HDMI isn't too splurgy, is it?
"The world is moving to digital. 100% digital accuracy negates the use of high end blu ray players. Period."
Interesting. Your final sentence is exactly the reason why we ARE buying the best equipment we can afford. It's all about being as close to accurate (or our personal, subjective idea of what "perfect" is) as possible. That's why I don't get people who bash on the SACD format - it's closer to perfect reproduction than any other format out there...