#21
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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. Last edited by Douglas; 02-28-2016 at 07:08 AM. |
#22
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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.
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#23
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I am continually amazed about the incredible sound quality for such a modest price, simply astounding
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#24
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Got Hi-Fi?... Welcome to AA!
__________________
Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#25
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#26
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+1 on the N50.
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#27
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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. |
#28
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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.
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#29
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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. Last edited by Douglas; 04-24-2016 at 12:17 PM. |
#30
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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. |
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