I decided the time to purchase this class D technology from Pioneer was this year. The design was built from the ground up with Air Studios and has been further refined over several years. This is welcome as I've never been a fan of ICE class D technology. Most importantly the cost benefits of reduced parts count has finally resulted in reasonable prices, at least for the model SC-61.
Pioneer SC-61
The sound signature of class D3 amplifiers should be similar to Pioneers previous efforts. Two of the best reviews are:
http://www.hometheater.com/content/pioneer-elite-sc-57-av-receiver
http://www.whathifi.com/review/sclx75
My reference is the Samsung C700 which omits the traditional line-level D/A converter. Instead it keeps the signal in the digital domain by using an innovative built-in PCM to PWM circuit. The HW-C700B is controversial, misunderstood discontinued receiver which offers superior technology and sound quality. That is for those who system setup allowed for it. Samsung’s class D technology has become a three-ring-circus this year, as they added tubes to make the sound “warmer”. Their thrashing around detour is not their first, but it is always profitable. If not the technology is abandoned…
Another welcome advance in technology is the HRT HeadStreamer II which takes 96KHz/24 bits through a USB port and generates a pristine two-channel analog signal. Notably the Samsung class D all-digital receiver cannot optimally accept an analog signal, but the Pioneer class D3 can.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/high-resolution-technologies-headstreamer
So I will analyze and evaluate the Pioneers digital upsampled processing and analog conversion compared to the Headstreamer and Adam Audio Artist3 desktop speaker combination. Then overall against the Samsung C700 all-digital receiver.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57429868-47/a-new-high-in-desktop-speaker-sound-quality
The objective is to document these true advances in technology (better, cheaper, convenient and more reliable) as compared to the expensive never-ending wild-goose chases the industry commonly leads the consumers on. The fact is, 31 years after the introduction of CD technology, its fun and richly rewarding chasing this great sounding, close to perfect digital technology.
I will post my findings over the next few weeks and months.
Pioneer SC-61
The sound signature of class D3 amplifiers should be similar to Pioneers previous efforts. Two of the best reviews are:
http://www.hometheater.com/content/pioneer-elite-sc-57-av-receiver
http://www.whathifi.com/review/sclx75
My reference is the Samsung C700 which omits the traditional line-level D/A converter. Instead it keeps the signal in the digital domain by using an innovative built-in PCM to PWM circuit. The HW-C700B is controversial, misunderstood discontinued receiver which offers superior technology and sound quality. That is for those who system setup allowed for it. Samsung’s class D technology has become a three-ring-circus this year, as they added tubes to make the sound “warmer”. Their thrashing around detour is not their first, but it is always profitable. If not the technology is abandoned…
Another welcome advance in technology is the HRT HeadStreamer II which takes 96KHz/24 bits through a USB port and generates a pristine two-channel analog signal. Notably the Samsung class D all-digital receiver cannot optimally accept an analog signal, but the Pioneer class D3 can.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/high-resolution-technologies-headstreamer
So I will analyze and evaluate the Pioneers digital upsampled processing and analog conversion compared to the Headstreamer and Adam Audio Artist3 desktop speaker combination. Then overall against the Samsung C700 all-digital receiver.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57429868-47/a-new-high-in-desktop-speaker-sound-quality
The objective is to document these true advances in technology (better, cheaper, convenient and more reliable) as compared to the expensive never-ending wild-goose chases the industry commonly leads the consumers on. The fact is, 31 years after the introduction of CD technology, its fun and richly rewarding chasing this great sounding, close to perfect digital technology.
I will post my findings over the next few weeks and months.