Pioneer PD-70AE-S CD player, silver

CD AND SACD REFERENCE PLAYER – ALSO AS A WORLD CLASS D/A CONVERTER.

The Pioneer development team left nothing to chance with the PD-70AE, consistently pursuing its overriding objective: optimum stereo playback of CDs and SACDs. This consistency is apparent the first time one encounters the player, which weighs a solid 18kg and receives discs in a massive aluminium drawer. The construction of the housing with double floor, three interior assemblies and encapsulated aluminium drive block serves as the perfect, vibration-free mechanical foundation. Separate power supplies for the digital and analogue switching ranges guarantee spotlessly clean supply voltages. From reading data with Pioneer’s own drive software to the powerful output amplifiers, all ranges are state of the art and were carefully coordinated with each other during months of listening sessions with European and Japanese teams. Not one but two units of the premium ESS9026PRO – considered one of the most accurate, low-distortion DAC chips on the market – in double-mono operation serve as the D/A converter. The analogue section has a fully symmetrical layout and delivers the music signal either via symmetrical XLR connections or switchable RCA jacks that support even heavy cables thanks to the massive design. An optical and a coaxial digital input are also provided for additional digital sources (such as a satellite receiver or streamer) – so that even more music can benefit from the ultimate D/A conversion of the PD-70AE.

WORKS AS A PREMIUM D/A CONVERTER WITH DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS

In addition to being a SACD/CD player, the PD-70AE also functions as a D/A converter for delivering superb sound. The carefully designed build-quality brings out the full potential of the high-performance ESS DAC, letting you enjoy solid sound full of rich details from the connected component.

ANALOGUE/DIGITAL DISCRETE POWER SUPPLY CIRCUITRY

The digital and analogue circuitries each have discrete power supply. The PD-70AE is designed with the shortest and the most optimal power supply stage as well as audio signal path, to provide pure and rich sound reproduction.

SHIELDED CD DRIVE CASE WITH ANTI-VIBRATION PAINT

The CD drive is housed in a shielded case with honeycomb mechanism cover and anti-vibration paint. The drive base is securely fixed by an aluminium frame, and placed through a floating structure using damping pulp material. This helps to minimise vibration within and outside the drive.

FULL BALANCED CIRCUITRY

From D/A conversion to signal output, the whole analogue process is constructed with a full-balanced circuitry featuring independent left and right channels. This allows high-grade audio transmission by cutting out the interference from disturbance noise. When connected to an amplifier with balanced output, the common impedance in transmission can be minimised, resulting in enhanced channel separation. The on/off switching function for RCA output is also available, offering high signal to noise ratio and high separation for XLR output.

CUSTOM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS FOR HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO

A custom electrolytic capacitor for high-grade audio has been selected through repeated trials in listening to SACD and CD sound. The capacitor brings out the best from audio discs, letting you enjoy stable performance of powerful and dynamic sound.

RIGID UNDER BASE CONSTRUCTION

The PD-70AE adopts the Rigid Under Base, Pioneer’s high-quality sound technology for 2-channel components, which works to eliminate external vibrations, providing steady bass reproduction.