Featuring original technologies for pickup control and ‘Quiet Drive’, the player incorporates dual ESS DAC chips, XLR terminals with fully balanced circuitry and discrete analogue/digital power supplies
From digital to analogue conversion to analogue signal output, the whole analogue process is routed via a full-balanced circuit featuring independent left and right channels.
In addition to being a SACD/CD player, the PD-70AE also functions as a standalone DAC based on dual ESS DAC chips.
The PD-70AE is designed with the short power supply stages as well as audio signal path.
Custom electrolytic capacitors have been selected through repeated trials while listening to SACD and CD sound. The analogue balanced output (XLR) terminals feature machined and gold-plated RCA terminals.
The Lock Range Adjust Function allows you to make fine adjustments in the DAC’s lock range to reduce jitter in the input signal. Adjustments can be made in six steps, with the default set at Range 6. Ranges 1 to 3 are intended for fine-tuning by “expert users”.
The digital filter lets you fine-tune the sonic characteristics of the DAC – ‘Slow’ for soft and warm, ‘Sharp’ for solid and tight and ‘Short’ for a quick and forward sound.
The PD-70AE uses Pioneer’s trademark Rigid Under Base, while the CD drive is housed in a shielded case with a honeycomb-imprinted top cover and anti-vibration paint.
The drive base is securely fixed to an aluminum-alloy frame and placed within a damped, floating structure. The disc tray is made of die-cast aluminium. The Anti-Standing Wave Insulator Feet have been developed through repeated listening tests, featuring a special physical form – with no parallel sides inside – to prevent cavity resonance.
Price is £2,000 and is available in either black or silver, from November 2017.
To learn more click www.pioneer-audiovisual.eu
16 Comments
Tomasz
30th October 2017 at 4:39 amHi Paul,
You mentioned the PD 70AE should be available in both colour options.
The Pioneer’s PD 70AE site went live (http://www.pioneer-audiovisual.eu/eu/productmanual/15597).
However, I can not see the black option.
Can you perhaps confirm if Pioneer is planning to add the black variant? (perhaps at later stage)
Many thanks in advance.
Regards
Tomasz
Paul Rigby
30th October 2017 at 9:57 amBoth colour options were announced on the company’s press release for the product and I would assume that both would appear. I would assume that the information you’ve seen is almost a pre-sale info page detailing important techie info because the unit shouldn’t be on sale until November (not sure what day exactly). One tip will be to look at the pages of online retailers. They should provide available colour options.
Tomasz
31st October 2017 at 1:30 amActually, I can confirm.
Just spoke with the regional sales rep here in NSW Australia.
And AU will get the black version of PD – 70AE
Paul Rigby
31st October 2017 at 8:03 amGood news Tomasz. Thanks for the note.
Jiri
16th January 2018 at 8:21 pmHello, I am sorry but still no black version for sale :-/
Paul Rigby
17th January 2018 at 10:40 amHi Jiri – I would contact your local Yamaha office and ask them for an update for your own territory. There may be a simple reason for the delay.
Zorq
9th February 2018 at 10:33 amThis level of execution and the reported sound quality belonged to a much higher price category until now. Well done Pioneer.
Paul Rigby
9th February 2018 at 10:35 amThanks for your comments Zorq.
yusrie
5th July 2018 at 6:34 amUp until now, the factory in Malaysia never produce the black color for PD70AE.
Paul Rigby
5th July 2018 at 12:12 pmThanks for the update, yusrie.
Joseph S
14th April 2019 at 7:07 pmNice unit but not made for the American market
Joseph S
14th April 2019 at 7:09 pmDo not censor my comment – people here are buying products not noting the voltage and it is causing safety problems!
The review could have – should have noted that fact!
Paul Rigby
15th April 2019 at 10:39 amHi Joseph – it isn’t a review. It’s a news item, as is stated at the top of the piece.
Joseph S
20th April 2019 at 7:31 amSet one up with 120 volts [U.S. voltage] – I’ll press an ‘BUY’ button !
Joseph S
20th April 2019 at 7:52 amI see there is an ‘Buyers Guide’ noted on this web site – I assume to ‘guide’ us as to ‘WHAT to BUY’.
It would be real nice IF the buying guide would also guide customers where to buy. And what Countries the item is designed.
Must note – some manufacturers have an ‘Where to Buy’ radio button on their web page, this is my experience:
1 – We do not stock that manufacturer though we are an Authorized dealer
2 – Steered to something else
3 – Web site up for sale
Tried to buy without success: Pioneer Elite PD-D9 CD/SACD player – searched the Earth and called every phone number on Earth related to Pioneer electronics [app one year of effort]. Xindak [CD player] – also refuse to build an export version.
You need not recommend Marantz SACD players…..I already have two [reference] – still desire/now desire the item in this ‘NEWS’ article.
You need not post this – too lazy to find your contact information
Paul Rigby
21st April 2019 at 4:56 pmHello Joseph – you’re obviously a very frustrated potential buyer. I can see the clues in your missive 🙂 When you reach a certain point in searching for any one product, the best bet is to contact the company direct. Not too sure where you’re calling from, so here’s a few options via the Pioneer’s customer support office page. When you see the office for you, please give it a call: https://www.pioneer-audiovisual.eu/eu/customer-support-form