Any thoughts/experience on Pioneer Elite A35-R ?

AndyGwis

Hey guys,

I just committed to buying one of these suckers. Anyone own one, heard one, seen one?!? There's hardly any info/reviews online, and very little from our forum (although, my search skills are less than stellar).

I'll just be using it to run a couple of 8 ohm bookshelf speakers in the bedroom setup. The girlfriend really did not care for the vintage Kenwood stuff I had in there. It sounded great, but for some reason the volume control when using a remote was super sensitive. Would go from quiet to pretty loud with a tap of the button or two.

Also, the Kenwood pre & amp was not the most attractive gear for a bedroom setup and has a number of lights, meters, etc. (which I find cool) but can be distracting in a bedroom / TV / Movie system.

Would it be best to run a sub using the sub's speaker input/outputs, or the second speaker outputs from the integrated, or something else? I haven't seen any rear views of this component so I have no idea what hook-up capabilities it has.

If someone can provide a pick of the rear, that would be great.

DollarDave

There's not much on the Pioneer site -

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/support/details/0,,2076_310070382_33977,00.html

Looks like you can signup and download the manual.

AndyGwis

Thanks, Dave. I checked out the Pioneer site, not too much info even there. Can't believe they don't have but the one picture of it, nothing of it's rear.

I couldn't download the manual for that product.

DollarDave

I downloaded it because I was already a registered user - do you want me to e-mail it to you?

I looked and the unit does have pre-outs. I suspect that all of the Elite series do.

shack

Dave what you linked to was an AVR (VSX-35TX). He is buying the A-35R two channel integrated amp.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069801_35186_tab=B,00.html?compName=PNA_V3_ProductDetailsComponent

I have heard that little integrated on a couple of occasions. I almost bought it. I ended up with a NAD C320BEE instead. The NAD is obviously a step up from the Pioneer but the A-35R was a killer integrated for the price (around $139 as I recall).

DollarDave

Damn, I missed that. For what it's worth, the VSX-35TX looks like a pretty nice receiver.

shack

Here is a small picture of the back. Sorry for the size. A/B speaker outs but no pre-outs that I can see. I hope this helps.

AndyGwis

Great. Mainly just wanted to see where the Speaker and RCA jacks were located and if the speaker jacks were the good 5-way or crappy spring loaders.

Making sure my naners would work.

mark g. nelson

What luck I just ordered one of these from sound pros and I was looking for the same info . Thanks

AndyGwis

So, does it have a preout of something I can run directly to the sub? How would you knowledgeable gentleman hook up a sub to this integrated, since it looks like it does not have a subwoofer out, per se.

I think I could run speaker wire to the subs speaker level inputs, could I do that with the B speakers without drawing anything from the amp if I'm using a powered sub?

Thanks for the input!

shack

You can run speaker wire directly to the sub and then from the sub to the speakers. Most powered subs have an internal crossover to limit what frequencies are sent to the speakers (usually 60hz - 80hz and above) and some have a passthrough to send the entire signal to the speakers.

I don't know if this unit will allow a signal to be sent to the A and B speakers simultaneously. And if it does, does the volume control work them both at the same time.

AndyGwis

Good point.

At the expense of more time and wiring, I will just go with the integrated to sub speaker level inputs - sub speaker level outputs to speakers.

Danny Tse

Go to head-fi.org and do a search there. The A-35R is a favorite there.

While the A-35R doesn't have pre-outs, it can function as a power amp. Just think....a tube pre-amp. The MSRP of the A-35R has been lowered from $250.00 to $200.00, making it that much better of a deal.

AndyGwis

Thanks, Danny. This is a step up from what I had in my bedroom, so I'm gonna try it out on its own for a bit. . . but adding a small tube pre does sound interesting.

I take it that if it's well thought of on headfi that the headphone output works pretty well on this unit? May need to get some headphones for XMas.

I bought a slightly used one, so I paid slightly under retail. But, even at $200, this would be a good deal for someone needing a compact integrated to power efficient bookshelf speakers.

sucks2beme

AndyGwis wrote:

Thanks, Danny. This is a step up from what I had in my bedroom, so I'm gonna try it out on its own for a bit. . . but adding a small tube pre does sound interesting.

I take it that if it's well thought of on headfi that the headphone output works pretty well on this unit? May need to get some headphones for XMas.

I bought a slightly used one, so I paid slightly under retail. But, even at $200, this would be a good deal for someone needing a compact integrated to power efficient bookshelf speakers.

The headphone jack is pretty decent. I wouldn't run Senns off it, but it seems to run Grado and 70 ohm Beyers just fine. My son is using mine.
Not a bad unit for what a paid for it($60).

AndyGwis

Dang, where did you find it for $60? All these North Texas steals, can't I find something on the cheap around here? First, the guy that found a classic Pioneer receiver for $10, then carver gear and Monitor 10's for $20?!?

Now, Pioneer Elite Integrateds for $60. . .

Danny Tse

AndyGwis wrote:

Now, Pioneer Elite Integrateds for $60. . .

Really, I would like one for $60.00 too :eek:

The "problem" with the A-35R is that Pioneer chose to market this integrated amp as an amp for "Zone 2 applications", so many budget audiophiles aren't even aware of this unit. By all accounts on head-fi.org, the amp also features a decent phono pre-amp, if you're into vinyl. And the power cord is detachable, allowing for an aftermarket power cord upgrade.

AndyGwis

Yeah, all in all, it seems like a nice unit. It seems to have a good design, very presentable, and, most importantly, saying "integrated amp" is way cooler than saying "stereo receiver."

Honestly, it was between the A-35R and some HK stereo receivers for me, and I got this one that boasts less power, probably less functionality as well, based on looks, size, and fact it's an integrated amp.

AndyGwis

Got it yesterday. Looks great! Sounds good too, but I only had a couple minutes to listen.

Only question is, can you turn it on and off with the remote? The remote seems to really only be able to switch components and volume. Doesn't seem to be able to turn it on and off.

billbillw

Usually, if you have a hard wired power button (one that actually clicks in and out), it will won't have a standby/power on from the remote. All of my Sony ES equipment is like this.

AndyGwis

That's what I thought. Just making sure, the remote says "Stand-By" at the top near the CD, Tuner, and Phono buttons.