Pioneer N-70A Network Music Player Review

[Douglas]

Comparing Settings / Filters on the N70


I decided to play a bit with various options and settings on the Pioneer to establish whether I could get better sound quality. The YG’s are so revealing of upstream components and I could hear that the Pioneer was a bit smooth for my liking.

The Pioneer has 3 basic settings, HI-BIT 32 which essentially converts to 32 bits, Up Sampling or Direct. The Direct setting bypasses DSP.

Furthermore a SLOW, FAST and SHORT digital filter is available separately for both DSD and PCM.

If that is not enough there are 7 DAC lock range settings, 7 being the safest in terms of jitter rejection, but at the expense of sound quality.

The Pioneers default setting is Direct + Slow filter + level 7 on DAC lock range.

Filter comparison

Slow provided the fattest Bass, with a lot more overhang than the other filters, but very smooth in the midrange and tops. This is the setting that I have been using since I bought the Pioneer

Fast had a very thin, anaemic and dull balance, and sounded worse in every way than the slow filter

Short provided very tight, punchy and rhythmic bass, and completely opened up the midrange with a far more upfront and transparent sound. The soundstage grew in all directions and especially in terms of depth perspective. Micro details were more apparent as well. This put a huge grin on my face as my system on this setting performed at an entirely new level and solved the overly smooth balance that prompted me to start dreaming of upgrading to a Lumin S1.

DAC Lock Range

I immediately went for the most extreme setting, which is setting 1. Pioneer labelled setting 1 to 3 “expert" settings. The very first song started to skip. I found the magic on setting 2, which has been playing for 2 days without skipping a beat.

Comparing HI-BIT 32 vs. Up Sampling vs. Direct

My default setting has been HI-BIT 32.

I simply did not like music Up Sampled on the Pioneer as it did not sound natural.

Comparing Direct to HI-BIT 32; The Direct setting had better-defined bass than H-BIT 32 and a much wider soundstage. The tonal balance was also slightly more open and transparent.

Final settings

DIRECT + SHORT FILTER + LEVEL 2 on DAC lock range.

My system now performs at an entirely new level and the issues that I had were addressed by finding the correct settings for my system. I am afraid I will be hanging on to the Pioneer for some time still!

This is also a testament to the incredible accuracy and transparency of YG speakers. It was very easy to hear differences between the different options.

[Got Hi-Fi?]

I run a Pioneer N-50, and I must say, everything you have said about the N-70 also applies to the N-50. Amazing machines.

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by Got Hi-Fi?

I run a Pioneer N-50, and I must say, everything you have said about the N-70 also applies to the N-50. Amazing machines.

I am continually amazed about the incredible sound quality for such a modest price, simply astounding

[Masterlu]

Got Hi-Fi?... Welcome to AA!

[Got Hi-Fi?]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Got Hi-Fi?... Welcome to AA!

Thanks!

[519audionut]

Originally Posted by Got Hi-Fi?

I run a Pioneer N-50, and I must say, everything you have said about the N-70 also applies to the N-50. Amazing machines.

+1 on the N50.

[Douglas]

This weekend I will know exactly how good the Pioneer is relative to something much higher up the audio scale. I will have the opportunity to compare it in my system to an MSB signature universal V transport and Analog DAC, both with upgraded optional power supplies.

lets's see how the $1400 Pioneer compare to a $26000 setup. I will report back.

[Anatta]

Do try the Analog DAC connected to the SPDIF output of the N-70A also. Would be interesting comparing the Pioneer to some other more expensive Delta Sigma DACs like the Esoteric D-02 (good synergy with your Esoteric preamp probably), Berkeley Alpha Reference, Bricasti M1, Chord Dave etc beside the R2R MSB.

[Douglas]

Anatta...The analog DAC was not specified with an SPDIF input, so we could not connect it to the Pioneer.

The test only happened today as unforeseen circumstances got in the way last week.

The 4 box MSB is a step up from the N-70 as one would expect, considering the difference in price. I would say the Pioneer got to about 80% of the MSB, which is no mean feat. The MSB stack projected a much bigger, more powerful and visceral sound. It actually sounded like I had bigger speakers, and / or a much more powerful amp. Bass had a lot more impact and the presentation was way more energetic. The MSB is a high-octane player, and majors on energy and impact.

In comparison, the Pioneer sounded smaller in scale, but more intimate and relaxing, which does add charm to the system. The intimate nature of the Pioneer makes a listening session very involving, but is perhaps a bit too restraint and smooth. Voices, in particular, sounded more forward and in your face on the MSB , with a lot more clarity and projection. Voices sounded like it was spotlit on the MSB. On the Pioneer voices are slightly dark and withdrawn in comparison, but with a more romantic nature.

In conclusion, the MSB won by a fairly large margin and has an unbelievably bold, big, and energetic sound. I don't know how MSB achieves that. I suspect the upgraded power supplies play's a major role.

At the price, however, the Pioneer deserves classic status, what it achieves for a mere $1400 is mind-boggling.

A big thank you to ALFA who made his wonderful MSB player available for this comparison.

[Jean-Marc jmajma]

I compared a few years ago with 3 friends the MSB to my MCD/MDA1000: The Macintosh was the clear winner for all.

GOOD NEWS:
I have good news for the N70A owners: the last ARCAM App on iPhone works perfectly and can even stream from my LogitechMediaServer running on my NAS SYNOLOGY.
The second App I use instead of the crappy Pioneer App is DS Audio.

I didn't yet connect my N70A to my MDA1000, but I'm satisfied for now with direct XLR connection to my preamp.