SONY UBP-X1100ES Region Free Player review

Sony is one of the few major players left in the game still making 4k and Blu Ray players. They had the X700 to cover the lower end and also the X800, which is now in the MK II iteration.
I have owned both of them before, my previous review on the original X800, which uses a similar chassis:
https://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2017/12/sony-ubp-x800-4k-blu-ray-player-review.html

So is there are any virtue in owning the ES series flagship?

Firstly, what does the "ES" stand for?
Well I got some info off this site:
http://northcoastaudio.com/sonyes.html#:~:text=ES%20stands%20for%20Elevated%20Standard,Superior%20product%20with%20superior%20service

"What is SONY ES?

ES stands for Elevated Standard. Sony's top of the line product that emphasizes the highest build quality and refinements to deliver an unmatched audio and video experience."

So let's see if it really make a difference to pay almost twice the price of the X800MK II for this model.

The official website from Sony:
https://www.sony.com/electronics/blu-ray-disc-players/ubp-x1100es


I must add at this point that I opted to get a region free version of this, so this baby will play Blu-ray Discs and DVDs from all zones/regions! The process of changing zones is super simple. Out of the box it already plays all available DVD regions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) DVD region selection is automatic.

Blu-ray region changing with the original remote control is simply a matter of two buttons presses and you are in business. Any firmware updates from Sony will not affect this feature. You can get the region free version from Amazon or other online vendors. Typically they will supply an adaptor and a free HDMI cable (have not used that yet). 






So what are the differences between this and the X800 MKII?

They can be summarised as:

• Front Display 
• Analog Audio 2ch Output(s): 1 (Rear) with a nice AKM DAC 4458
• Digital outputs: 1 Optical Audio and one Coaxial
• RS-232C port for automated control systems
• Additional functions for custom installers, who can have IP control over CAT-5 cable or Wi-Fi network. Compatible with Ihiji, a cloud-based remote maintenance system for installer
• Detachable power cord
• Better power supply 
• Better isolation feet

The X800 / 1100ES has always had a better build than the average player, with only the Panasonic 9000 and the Oppo 205 having a better build. The chassis is built to decrease vibrations and enhance playback quality.



Spot The Difference! 


Well here's a picture of the innards of the X800:



I got this off the BluRay forum
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=316336&page=9





So apart from the extra digital input and the detachable power cord, the main addition is the analogue section. Some sleuthing by folks from AVS and the bluray forum has determined that this is a AKM 4458 stereo DAC, similar to the one used in the 203.
(https://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2016/12/oppo-udp-203-review.html) This is a pretty decent DAC, perhaps not as polished as the better ones used in the 205, but good enough to use in a HT based system where the user wants to listen to some stereo music too.

Operation is quiet and the interface is basic but very responsive. The tray feels smoother than the X800 and is far better than the more basic X700. Having a detachable power cord allowed me to use one of my Furukawa power cords and I also used my Wireworld RCA cables as well as some Mogami coaxial cables. 



Video performance was tip top. I had both the X800 and X700 and it's as good as they were, but without a direct head to head comparison, I cannot comment on how it performs against the Panasonic 820 and 9000. The addition features found on these players will be useful, but only in certain circumstances. If you have a diet of 4k UHD discs, Blu Ray discs and rely mainly on a superior video processor in your TV, as I do with my Sony Z9D, then this is moot. 

But no review is complete with the mention of the Dolby Vision issue with all Sony players. Essentially, there is no auto detect switch, and you need to first check if the disc has DV, then go into the settings to switch it on, then switch it off if you are watching another disc without DV. A hassle and don't hold your breath on Sony issuing any fix. They have said that this is a technical issue and without new hardware, it is not something they can fix.

On the other hand, picture quality for DV is solid and you will not be unhappy with the Sony's performance.

I had previously done a professional calibration using my X800 and the Z9D and dropping the X1100ES into my system showed that all that work was worth it. DV does take the picture to a higher level, especially if you have done some work to calibrate. 

As for sound, when you are using HDMI, it passes the digital signal to the amp to process and honestly, there is really nothing to complain about. It's difficult to comment on whether it's the Sony bringing things to a higher level, but the surround experience is fine.

However if your needs are limited to using the HDMI, doing video playback for discs and some Netflix, you should stop here and get the X800 MK II, because that player does everything mentioned so far, and has the same issues with DV.

However if you are keen to try a spot of critical listening, and use the internal DAC of the Sony to playback some SACD or redbook discs, then you will want the 1100ES. When hooked up to a decent amp that has some musical prowess, then the Sony will hold it's own, against the Panasonic 820. It will also please many who feel spending money on a dedicated music player or forking out twice more for the Pioneer or Panasonic is too much of a stretch. There is good separation of instruments, and a decent soundstage, but when I pitted it against a good DAC and hooked it up via the digital outputs to my Marantz NA 11S1 in my stereo system, it showed that there was still a significant gap. The better DAC painted a wider and deeper soundscape. But the Sony was an excellent transport and can step up to double up as a good music transport if you have a decent stereo system integrated into your HT den too.

So is it worth the outlay over the X800 MK II? In my opinion, the value for money player is the X800 MKII, but if the extra $300 is not too much to pay, you get a player that won't make your CD collection sound bad, and that's not a bad thing. And Sony is a popular player for region free options, so with a little extra cash, you can get a region free, musical player that will play any disc you have, and also more via the USB input.

As a by the way thing, it also does Netflix, but that won't playback in Atmos so it's best considered as an icing on the cake. 

There is also Bluetooth and I actually find it very useful since I often use my Sennheiser headphones to do some quiet listening. 

So if you need a basic player, there are many players which will do disc playback. Sony makes very good players with good video quality. But if you want playback of a variety of other formats, you are now left with much less choice. The Pioneer is one choice, but that costs a lot more. The Panasonics do a lot and are very popular, but some of us still have SACDs and DVD-audio discs. 
So for a more modest outlay, the two Sonys, X800 and X1100 come into play. And for a bit more you get very decent music playback.

Pros:
- solid build 
- analogue outputs and a good musicality 
- does DV
- responsive IU

Cons:
- odd DV implementation
- meagre menu of apps and it does not do Atmos
- not as value for money as the X800MKII
- no HDR 10+





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 I have no financial interest or other interests in any of the items / events I write about.