Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player

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eichlerera1

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Has anyone tried to insert an RCA Cable from a Pioneer's "Zero Signal Terminal" to Pre Amp's input connector?

If so, did you plug the RCA plug into the Pre Amp's positive or negative input?

Any positive impact?

I'm too chicken to try it.....

Audiosaurusrex

Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #1 on: 25 Sep 2020, 02:58 pm »
Has anyone tried to insert an RCA Cable from a Pioneer's "Zero Signal Terminal" to Pre Amp's input connector?

If so, did you plug the RCA plug into the Pre Amp's positive or negative input?

Any positive impact?

I'm too chicken to try it.....
I have the Modwright Pioneer and have it plugged in to the positive input on my preamp. I did not really hear a difference either way but I attribute it to the modded I had done. The noise floor is non existent on mine and just sounds amazing. Amazing performance from the mod.
No worries to try it either way but always power off and turn the volume down first :wink:

eichlerera1

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Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #2 on: 26 Sep 2020, 02:52 am »
Thanks for being a Guinea Pig.
I guess I can hazard a try.
Especially since I have the same ModWright Mod. (and a few tweaks on my part)

Audiosaurusrex

Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #3 on: 26 Sep 2020, 02:46 pm »
Yes I always meant to reach out to Dan to see what his thoughts were so maybe I’ll do that

eichlerera1

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Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #4 on: 26 Sep 2020, 06:00 pm »
Hooked up the cable from the Pioneer's "Zero Signal Terminal" to a spare negative input connector on my ModWright Pre Amp.

I noticed a reduction in tube hiss when I put my ear right on the tweeter. (actually, very little to begin with)
I was quite surprised to find an improvement to the highs and a bit more precise imaging.
Therefore, I enthusiastically recommend everybody gives this a try!

Audiosaurusrex

Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #5 on: 26 Sep 2020, 06:06 pm »
Hooked up the cable from the Pioneer's "Zero Signal Terminal" to a spare negative input connector on my ModWright Pre Amp.

I noticed a reduction in tube hiss when I put my ear right on the tweeter. (actually, very little to begin with)
I was quite surprised to find an improvement to the highs and a bit more precise imaging.
Therefore, I enthusiastically recommend everybody gives this a try!
That’s great I will have to do some more critical listening to see if the positive or negative inputs make any difference. Thanks Paul  :D

eichlerera1

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Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #6 on: 27 Sep 2020, 03:32 pm »
That’s great I will have to do some more critical listening to see if the positive or negative inputs make any difference. Thanks Paul  :D

I believe there is no connection on the positive pins of the RCA plug.
Only the outer negative portion of the CD Player and Pre Amp are common.
There is no difference electrically between the Pre Amp's right or left input's negative outer portion of the female RCA connector.
When I measure the continuity between the negative right & left Channel, there is a connection.
Therefore, it doesn't matter whether you connect to right or left. I connected to the left channel.

eichlerera1

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Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #7 on: 28 Sep 2020, 04:27 am »
I had this gnawing feeling that I didn't do enough investigation.

So on my Pre Amp, I determined there was continuity between the outer portions (-) of ALL the Right & Left Input RCA Connectors.
So they all share a common ground. This was logical and expected.

I did the same thing to the Pioneer CD Player.
I determined there was continuity between the outer portions (-) of both the Right & Left Output AND the "Zero Signal" RCA Connectors.
So they all share a common ground. I actually expected the "Zero Signal" to be isolated.
This means that all six of the involved female box mount RCA plug's negatives are common to each other.

I measured this with both units off and both units on with the same results.

If that is the case, why do you need the "Zero Signal" hookup???
It's just another, repetitive grounding path between the two units.

The only possible explanation I can think of is that there is some active internal circuit associated with the "Zero Signal" function within the Pioneer.

I am very curious as to what is going on here and intend to contact Pioneer Tech Support and grill them on this matter.
Hopefully I can find a good phone number...


eichlerera1

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Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #8 on: 3 Oct 2020, 04:36 am »
Called Pioneer Customer Service and asked to speak with the Tech Support Team.
The Rep said they did not have a Tech Support Team.
I asked if there was a way to speak to somebody familiar with the Pioneer's internal circuits.
The Rep said no, there's no way to get in touch with the designers.
I asked the Rep whether he could provide me any info on how the "Zero Signal" circuit operates.
He stated that he could only provide info that is within the Service Manual provided with each unit.

I let him know Pioneer's Customer Service was seriously lacking.
He said he would ask around and get back to me.

I'm not holding my breath....

eichlerera1

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Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #9 on: 5 Oct 2020, 03:21 am »
Since it's obvious that the Pioneer Organization is clueless, I decided to waste 1-1/2 hours of my life looking up reviews of the Pioneer player to see what I could glean.
The following are the best examples:

Audioholics
The player also features a Zero Signal Terminal connection, which connects to any unused audio or video RCA input jack on an AV receiver or processor. The Zero Signal connection aligns the reference ground level between the devices, providing “precise and high-quality signal transmission,” according to Pioneer.

Home Cinema Magazine
The Zero Signal Terminal is a simple cinch connection that connects you to an unused cinch input on your AV receiver. This allows the player to align the reference level (the ground (GND)) of both devices. This avoids any potential differences and guarantees the player the best possible transmission. We tried this with our Onkyo AVR and a music file that contains silence. However, when we connected the ZST there was a very soft hum in the speakers, a deterioration rather than an improvement. For that we had to set the amplifier very loud, so in practice the impact seems very limited. Anyone who doubts leaves the ZST connection away, the player also delivers fantastic sound.

Top New Review
There’s an Ethernet jack (no wi-fi) for network playback and BD- Live functionality, a RS232 port for remote control, the aforementioned two-channel analogue audio output (no analogue video outputs) and a grounding terminal referred to as ‘zero signal’. This ‘barrel-only’ (the centre-pin is unconnected) socket would be connected via a phono- to-phono cable to a spare input or output on the rear panel of your audio gear, bringing the LX500 to the latter’s ground potential; I note that although the LX500 has an IEC mains socket, it lacks an earth pin and so it’s ‘floating’.

AudioT
If you want the ultimate in audiophile sound quality from this player then the Zero Signal Terminal is something that owners of any connected amplifier can take advantage of. The Zero Signal Terminal is a Pioneer-original feature dedicated to tuning audio and video quality without signal transmission. By connecting the Zero Signal Terminal with the audio/video input terminal of an AV receiver etc, the reference level (GND) of the audio/video signals is aligned between the two devices, and the potential difference is suppressed, allowing a precise and high-quality signal transmission.

I don't know the source of their additional new information, but it wasn't from "Customer Service".
BTW, their explanations really are superficial as they don't explain how the grounds are equalized from a circuit POV.

Audiosaurusrex

Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #10 on: 5 Oct 2020, 01:40 pm »
Since it's obvious that the Pioneer Organization is clueless, I decided to waste 1-1/2 hours of my life looking up reviews of the Pioneer player to see what I could glean.
The following are the best examples:

Audioholics
The player also features a Zero Signal Terminal connection, which connects to any unused audio or video RCA input jack on an AV receiver or processor. The Zero Signal connection aligns the reference ground level between the devices, providing “precise and high-quality signal transmission,” according to Pioneer.

Home Cinema Magazine
The Zero Signal Terminal is a simple cinch connection that connects you to an unused cinch input on your AV receiver. This allows the player to align the reference level (the ground (GND)) of both devices. This avoids any potential differences and guarantees the player the best possible transmission. We tried this with our Onkyo AVR and a music file that contains silence. However, when we connected the ZST there was a very soft hum in the speakers, a deterioration rather than an improvement. For that we had to set the amplifier very loud, so in practice the impact seems very limited. Anyone who doubts leaves the ZST connection away, the player also delivers fantastic sound.

Top New Review
There’s an Ethernet jack (no wi-fi) for network playback and BD- Live functionality, a RS232 port for remote control, the aforementioned two-channel analogue audio output (no analogue video outputs) and a grounding terminal referred to as ‘zero signal’. This ‘barrel-only’ (the centre-pin is unconnected) socket would be connected via a phono- to-phono cable to a spare input or output on the rear panel of your audio gear, bringing the LX500 to the latter’s ground potential; I note that although the LX500 has an IEC mains socket, it lacks an earth pin and so it’s ‘floating’.

AudioT
If you want the ultimate in audiophile sound quality from this player then the Zero Signal Terminal is something that owners of any connected amplifier can take advantage of. The Zero Signal Terminal is a Pioneer-original feature dedicated to tuning audio and video quality without signal transmission. By connecting the Zero Signal Terminal with the audio/video input terminal of an AV receiver etc, the reference level (GND) of the audio/video signals is aligned between the two devices, and the potential difference is suppressed, allowing a precise and high-quality signal transmission.

I don't know the source of their additional new information, but it wasn't from "Customer Service".
BTW, their explanations really are superficial as they don't explain how the grounds are equalized from a circuit POV.
Hi Paul,
Yes It's hard to get any info out of Pioneer. When I first got my Pioneer I reached out to them with a question about the menu and display as I only use it as an audio player. I contacted:
Michael Mangerpan Technical Specialist Onkyo USA Corp. 18 Park WayUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458 pioneeradmin@pioneerhomeusa.com
He was somewhat helpful until I mentioned the mod I had done and then he basically shut me down saying the mod voided the warranty and would no longer be able to help me. I did email him again so we'll see if he even responds but you might have better luck. I wonder if Dan from Modwright might provide a better understanding of this.

eichlerera1

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Re: Question for owners of the Pioneer UDP-LX500 Blu-Ray Player
« Reply #11 on: 16 Nov 2020, 04:16 am »
I wrote Pioneer a detailed explanation of the measurements I made and the questions I had. After a month and a half, Pioneer finally got back to me stating they had relayed my email to their "Designers" and the response was the only info they would be able to provide me was that detailed in the Equipment Manual that came with the unit.

Apparently, there has been a change in ownership and the new Pioneer Team has crapped the bed as far as tech support goes. Caveat Emptor....