Has anyone heard of this Pioneer Elite integrated amp?

[gus6464]

Pioneer Elite A-35R

I was looking into the HK3485 until I found this one. What gets to me is that it's a Pio Elite yet the msrp is $200?! What gives? These are the specs:

* New Flat Design with Urushi Finish
* Direct Energy MOSFET Amplification
* 45W x 2, 20-20k @ 8 ohm 65W x 2, 20-20k @ 4 ohm
* 4 ohm Stable (Low-Impedance Driving Capacity)
* Tone Control;
* Loudness;
* Low-Noise Designs;
* "Direct" Switch;
* Phono EQ On/Of;
* Amp Mode provides seemless integration into existing A/V system

Terminals:

* Audio Inputs x 6;
* Headphone Output;
* Speaker A/B Switching Relay;
* Speaker Outputs x 2;
* SR (System Remote) Terminal;
* Complementary Capacitor Pair;

Dimensions:

* Height: 4-7/16 ins
* Width: 16-9/16 ins
* Depth: 12-1/16 ins

 

[bandphan]

Yep, its a clean unit, used them to drive zones in my last project(lady was nuts about the piano black finish in her rack) Very efficent 2 channel for casual listening

 

[gus6464]

Yep, its a clean unit, used them to drive zones in my last project(lady was nuts about the piano black finish in her rack) Very efficent 2 channel for casual listening

Thanks for the info bandphan. Would you say it would do alright driving some 4ohm speakers? Very nearfield listening so it won't be played at ear exploding levels. Also how come it's so cheap? I mean not like there is nothing wrong with that but I am not used to seeing Pioneer Elite gear that is this nice looking at such a great bargain.

 

[bandphan]

Yes 4ohm stable no problem.(the unit will run "hot" but thats normal)What speakers will you be using? As far as cheap, with no video processing and at 45wpc thats in line with most mid level intergrateds.(yamas 100wpc is like $450)

 

[Haoleb]

I particularly like the "Direct Energy MOS" badge

 

[gus6464]

Yes 4ohm stable no problem.(the unit will run "hot" but thats normal)What speakers will you be using? As far as cheap, with no video processing and at 45wpc thats in line with most mid level intergrateds.(yamas 100wpc is like $450)

Haven't decided but I am heavily leaning towards the Totem Dreamcatchers. My dealer is trying to get me to get the Rega Brio 3 but its about 3x as much and has the same power ratings. He is also a Pio Elite dealer and since he is cutting me a deal on the speakers I figured I could also get the integrated from him as well. I just don't know if the Rega is worth 3x the price.

 

[bandphan]

Haven't decided but I am heavily leaning towards the Totem Dreamcatchers. My dealer is trying to get me to get the Rega Brio 3 but its about 3x as much and has the same power ratings. He is also a Pio Elite dealer and since he is cutting me a deal on the speakers I figured I could also get the integrated from him as well. I just don't know if the Rega is worth 3x the price.

The brio has a better phono stage in my opinion, however for me i would step up to the 1k range after the elite. Im a two channel guy and listen to music more than movies, and prefer seperates. The brio is the upper end of mid for intgtds to me, and might sound a little better at lower volumes

 

[gus6464]

The brio has a better phono stage in my opinion, however for me i would step up to the 1k range after the elite. Im a two channel guy and listen to music more than movies, and prefer seperates. The brio is the upper end of mid for intgtds to me, and might sound a little better at lower volumes

Ahh ok that actually helps to know because my wife is about to get her dad's vinyl collection along with his TT (I think it is a ~20 year old Bang & Olufsen TT) that he used to use with a Vector Research integrated and Klipsch Heresy speakers. Would you suggest I try to find a way to splurge on the Brio or would you recommend something else?

 

[bandphan]

Ahh ok that actually helps to know because my wife is about to get her dad's vinyl collection along with his TT (I think it is a ~20 year old Bang & Olufsen TT) that he used to use with a Vector Research integrated and Klipsch Heresy speakers. Would you suggest I try to find a way to splurge on the Brio or would you recommend something else?

The brio sounds fine for what your looking for, you could pick up a krell or a mac in the 1k range, but at that piont i would look for tube unit

http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/nelson-image66_e.html
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0203/jolida202a.htm