Marantz Releases High-end Blu-ray cum SACD Player UD9004
Marantz has just announced the launch of its high-end Blu-ray player, the Marantz UD9004, coming right after Denon’s DVD-A1UD and OPPO’s BDP-83. It will support DVD, BD and SACD. Unveiled as a prototype over in Munich, the Marantz UD9004 is just one format shy of being a complete “universal” Blu-ray player. It does not play DVD-Audio. Most consumers will not sweat it though as it is a format that will eventually go the way of the dinosaur.
Marantz UD9004 Universal Player
The UD9004, said to built upon the SA-7S1 SACD player, will feature a 10-bit Silicon Optix REALTA video processor, 14-bit video DAC, an SD card reader, RS-232 control interface, and support for BD-Live. According to Marantz, high precision mechanical modules were developed for the UD9004 with new robust materials that are less susceptible to external vibrations with excellent damping thus ensuring reading accuracy. To improve the bottom plate is a 3.2mm steel to add rigidity and a low center of gravity for stability of tray mechanism.
At the heart of the video engine is the latest Silicon Optix “REALTA” chip providing high-precision 10bit operation and scaling. In order to reproduce the image of the source film it provides 1080/24p capability output. The Hybrid HDAM (R) analog audio output circuit board comes with four pieces of module board. High-speed voltage amplification module further ensures low-distortion and low noise.
“Dolby True HD”, “DTS-HD Master Audio” lossless audio, “Dolby Digital Plus” and “DTS-HD High Resolution Audio” are all supported. In addition, audio upsampling options to 192kHz/24bit Linear PCM 6ch output are also supported. It is possible to output HDMI bitstream. Other features include BD-Live (Profile2.0), BonusView and DivX playback support.
Audiophiles will rejoice that it has 2 channels of analog outputs with balanced XLR connectors.
It will initially be released in Japan for around 550,000 Yen or just under $6,000. Scheduled launch date is July 2009.