Pioneer PD-D6-J ?

[robdeszan]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a new source for my ATHW5000 + Solo. Any experience with this player?

Regards,
Patryk

[mrarroyo]

No experience, but it sure looks nice. Have you considered the Cambridge Azur 740C?

[robdeszan]

Hi,
It's true, the design is original. It does look nice.

Actually, the other "contender" is nad c542.
I have read about Cambridge Azur 740c (which is a bit more expensive) also Marantz 6002 (a bit cheaper) but eventually it's either the Pioneer or NAD.
The Pioneer reviews on the web and are mostly positive and (considering the price) the general conclusion is that it's a "good buy". "HI-FI Choice" UK recently did a comparison of 250 - 600 GBP CD players - how fortunate! - including the PioneerPDD6J, Marantz CD6002 and Cambridge Audio 740C. They came up with rather middle-of-the-road, but still positive, conclusions for all of them; so another positive for the Pioneer in the price range I am looking at (well maybe up to 400 GBP). But as I said, for now, it's a choice between the NAD or the Pioneer anyway.
With PDD6J, the SACD feature is obviously a nice addition but not absolute necessity. I have pretty much made up my mind, but I thought I might get yet another opinion on this forum.

[mrarroyo]

I had a 542C ($500) and it has a very nice warm sound. I exchanged it for an Arcam DiVA CD73 ($750), IMO it is not $250 better.

[jeremyrose77]

hello, i have this exact combo (ATHW5000 + Solo + Pioneer PD-D6), all of the components are new so all are burning/bedding in. all i can say is the sound is very clear and neutral to me, i don't have a comparison to anything else as i am newish and only got into headphones about six months ago, i do have some hd650's with moon audio silver dragon but i prefer the w5000's better. if you haven't purchased this player yet the price at forumhifi is good.

snipurl.com/1vvvi

[leo]

Just having a browse for this unit, I found the schematic, nice and ripe for modding ;D

images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.passion-tube.fr/sacd-passion/pieces-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.passion-tube.fr/sacd-passion/modifications.htm&h=498&w=700&sz=149&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=uPmgZo_sQNvWqM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPD-D6-J%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

[leo]

Sorry the posted link does not seem to work

I'll try this one www.passion-tube.fr/sacd-passion/avant-propos-sacd-fr.htm

Tell you what guys if you was confident with a soldering iron the Pioneer could be made into a nice unit

[XTRProf]

Oh, a hot favourite in the Brit Hifi mags for the budget minded. Have heard it together with the A9 at the recent Hifi show in Nov 2007 in Singapore and it's very nice sounding. Much better than the A400, IMVHO.