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Looking for a new Pioneer BDR-S13U-X. Preferably brand new/unmodified.

Thanks!

DJX995 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 24, 2026 12:01 am

Looking for a new Pioneer BDR-S13U-X. Preferably brand new/unmodified.

Thanks!

LOL, Good luck!! They went out of production about 1.5 years ago!! And out of stock everywhere almost 12 months ago!!

You can buy the Pioneer BDR-S13J-X and install that into a external 5.25 case with USB3 connection.

But that drive will cost you a lot of money, at this moment (2026-02-24) there are seven units for sale, starting at 1200 GBP and then you have to add shipping. I wonder if any of these units will sell, crazy price if you ask me.

I was happy I got my BDR-XD08 unit for a resonable 450 euros. Only twice the original price when the units was selling new from factory.

Your only option for Pioneer is new (scalper with high price) or a used unit. Don't focus on buying a specific version, you will have to buy what you can find. Most Pioneer units (genuine new or used) are in the territory of 400-1000 GBP and then add to that shipping, tax etc. New unused items will become harder to find and eventually there will only be used units left.

Not really worried about price. Just can't find any for sale.

DJX995 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 27, 2026 7:21 pm

Not really worried about price. Just can't find any for sale.

Right - because it hasn't been manufactured in almost 1.5 years, and *was* in high demand. Now they are all but gone.

There is one BDR-S13U-X for sale, asking price is about 670 gbp, shipping is 25 gbp, USPS First Class Package.

It is not possible to buy any Pioneer drives new from retail shops, computer shops etc. There is no inventory left and it was probably replaced by Asus external USB3 drive, Verbatim slim-drives and LG slim drives. These are you options if you want to buy brand new from retail shop, or online.

If you want Pioneer you have to buy used, second hand, or if you can find someone who is selling old stock (new, unused) but there is a premium price for these drives now. I missed out on grabbing a external Pioneer BDR X13 USB3 drive that someone was selling for 200 gbp. But with any luck I will find a s11, s12 or s13 in the 5.25 size.

Where do you see a BDR-S13U-X for sale? Is it new or used?

Someone on Ebay has it posted. I think it was new, unopened box. He is located in Taiwan and operating as a business, he does whip to Europe.

I order a XD-08 drive a while back from Japan, the only issue was paying the tax etc. That was not fun, not the tax is self but it was problematic because of the payment systems etc. Other than that shipping with DHL was nice, about two weeks and a few days and it was here. But yeah, it set me back a total of 430 euros. And when I bought the drive the seller was only asking 230 gbp.

I would say Ebay is your best bet now. If you don't want to use that perhaps you know a friend who can help you with ebay.

I don't think there is any shop that has any pioneer drives left anywhere, they stopped production about two years ago. What is left is either old stock (often bought by scalpers) or drive here and there that someone got hold of and then sell it on ebay for profit. I would not buy from China some sellers are pushing fake drives.

The one on ebay is BDR-S13C-X, not BDR-S13U-X.
Do you know what the difference is?
Will there be any issues using it in the US?

DJX995 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 27, 2026 11:06 pm

The one on ebay is BDR-S13C-X, not BDR-S13U-X.
Do you know what the difference is?
Will there be any issues using it in the US?

For ripping/use with MakeMKV, drives are "global" - work anywhere.

Thanks,
Frank

How about for other use?
What's the difference between the two models?

DJX995 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 27, 2026 11:25 pm

How about for other use?
What's the difference between the two models?

I'm not familiar with either model - Google is your friend.

If you're shopping for a drive here & willing to pay a premium, it's assumed you are interested in ripping/backing up discs. Most drives sold here have the firmware modified for LibreDrive & optimal use with MakeMKV.

Watching movies (not possible today on modern PC's), burning discs, etc., generally aren't considered.

For attempting to play back/watch a retail/sold movie/series disc, drives & media are usually region locked & only work with drives/media of the same region. For ripping/backup, region lock does not apply.

For burning media, firmware modification may affect this (depends on the drive Mfg, model, firmware, etc.) Not that it necessarily does, or doesn't - it is not a consideration for a drive sold, modified for ripping/backing up media.

Thanks,
Frank

DJX995 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 27, 2026 11:25 pm

How about for other use?
What's the difference between the two models?

they are the same
but beware they were likely unofficial production and have no warranty outside of china
ux is usa
ex is europe
jx is japan
cx is china

it is very strange they were all made feb 2023 just before the 12/22 update went to the factory