$170 CDP - Pioneer PD-10AE

Just came across the Pioneer PD-10AE CD player on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Player-Home-Black-PD-10AE/dp/B01M5DV119/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1508867906&sr=8-3

Specs:
AKM-DAC 4482VT DAC
›
S/N: 107 dB
›
THD: 0.0029 %
›
Dynamic Range: 100 dB
›
Frequency Response: 4 Hz-20 kHz
Looks like a no-frills player, with basic features - no digital output even.
Interestingly, the power transformer is stamped "Onkyo", and it has a very similar internal layout to the Onkyo C-7030.
Pioneer:

Onkyo:

Possibly made by the same OEM? The Onkyo is $30 less on Amazon.
Thoughts? I wonder how this budget Pioneer player would sound.

Specs:
AKM-DAC 4482VT DAC
›
S/N: 107 dB
›
THD: 0.0029 %
›
Dynamic Range: 100 dB
›
Frequency Response: 4 Hz-20 kHz
Looks like a no-frills player, with basic features - no digital output even.
Interestingly, the power transformer is stamped "Onkyo", and it has a very similar internal layout to the Onkyo C-7030.
Pioneer:

Onkyo:

Possibly made by the same OEM? The Onkyo is $30 less on Amazon.
Thoughts? I wonder how this budget Pioneer player would sound.
- "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
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Comments
IIRC, Onkyo and Pioneer and one in the same now...
Samsung PN50B860 50" Plasma : XBOX One : Roku Ultra : Oppo UDP-203 : Pioneer Elite SC-87 : APC H15 : Focal 806V mains : Focal 806V Surrounds : SVS SB2000 : SVS SB12-NSD
2Ch:
Sonus Faber Venere S : Parasound HCA 1500A : Oppo UDP-205 : Furman Elite 15 DM i : Sony XBR 55X810C Monitor :
That is correct. Pioneer sold that part of their business a while back.
So -- in 2017, who the heck is the target audience for a player like this "Pioneer"? I mean, you can pick up a $29 DVD player at the drug store that will play CDs and provide digital output if one prefers to use an external DAC(!).
I am truly puzzled by this one.
While on the one hand, I agree with you; not too many people at this price point looking for a quality disk spinner (most audiophile disk spinners have their sights set higher). On the other hand, surely this will sound better (without factoring in the external DAC) than the Walmart DVD player. Less vibration (a LOT less), less noise from the power supply, smoother mechanism, etc. But when you factor in a $150-200 DAC, it probably a wash.
But yes, I would b every curious to see the US sales numbers on the pioneer and onkyo. Can't expect them to be very high...
Denon AVR-X4200w; Peachtree Audio NovaPre; B&K TX4430; Bryson BPD-1; Mains: Dynaudio Emit 10; Center - Polk cs400i; Heights, Center Surround - Klipsch KHC - 6 In-Ceiling; Surrounds - Monoprice in-ceiling; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5; LG UP870 4K BDP; NVidia ShieldTV
;
Master Bedroom
Marantz SR-5007; Parasound HCA-1000A, PSB Imagine B, NHT Super One CI surrounds, Martin Logan Dynamo (original), Squeezebox Touch
Do you think any components in it actually are any better (than the 29 dollar throwaways)? I am skeptical.
Denon AVR-X4200w; Peachtree Audio NovaPre; B&K TX4430; Bryson BPD-1; Mains: Dynaudio Emit 10; Center - Polk cs400i; Heights, Center Surround - Klipsch KHC - 6 In-Ceiling; Surrounds - Monoprice in-ceiling; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5; LG UP870 4K BDP; NVidia ShieldTV
;
Master Bedroom
Marantz SR-5007; Parasound HCA-1000A, PSB Imagine B, NHT Super One CI surrounds, Martin Logan Dynamo (original), Squeezebox Touch
Heck, I use a dump-find, cheap-jack Denon DVD player as my CD transport upstairs. It was taste-tested against other decks and sounds darned good to me.
I actually don't mean to be argumentative
Maybe I should look it up & see what Onkyo/Pioneer has to say about it, eh?
I'm on it like a bonnet -- because I truly am curious!
EDIT: Maybe they figure the DAC they put in it is future-proof enough to justify a 170 expenditure(?).
https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/2-Channel+Components/PD-10AE
But yes, I would buy something like my Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai which retailed for 1200 in 2004, which I got on ebay for I think $70 shipped, over this unit any day...
Denon AVR-X4200w; Peachtree Audio NovaPre; B&K TX4430; Bryson BPD-1; Mains: Dynaudio Emit 10; Center - Polk cs400i; Heights, Center Surround - Klipsch KHC - 6 In-Ceiling; Surrounds - Monoprice in-ceiling; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5; LG UP870 4K BDP; NVidia ShieldTV
;
Master Bedroom
Marantz SR-5007; Parasound HCA-1000A, PSB Imagine B, NHT Super One CI surrounds, Martin Logan Dynamo (original), Squeezebox Touch
heh -- I also see that, ex-US, this thing's available in "silver"
That'd be nice, eh?
http://www.pioneer-audiovisual.eu/uk/def/products/pd-10ae
Heh, heh...He said, "titular"....Heh, heh...
I too think that it not having any digital outputs would be a deal breaker. How good can the internal DAC be on this thing?