TEST INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
*Direct Energy Construction, 2x76W/4Ω
*ELNA/Pioneer custom electrolytics
*DAC 24bit/192KHz Wolfson WM8718
THE SUCCESSOR OF THE A-30 IS NEAR THE GATE. WITH A MORE CLASSIC AND DYNAMIC APPEARANCE AND AN EXCELLENT DAC SECTION, THE A-40AE FURTHER BUILDS THE PROFILE OF AN AFFORDABLE, AUDIOPHILE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER. THE JAPANESE PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AND THE RESULT JUSTIFIES THEM
Pioneer celebrated its 80th anniversary this year and of course continues unswervingly on the path of innovation with new models that redefine the concept of good hi-fi. The Japanese company has put a lot into the new generation of integrated amplifiers and digital sources, starting from €200 and extending just over €2,000, for the top proposals.
The new Pioneers end in "AE" and succeed the very successful Pure Audio generation of 2012, which gave us the A-30 amplifier and the N-50 network player, with the promise of even better performance.
Of course, there are also the high-end proposals of amplifiers, in class D (A-70 and A-50 models), which have changed from last year to the "DA" versions with Saber DAC, for the most demanding.
But people's interest naturally focuses on the category under €500. Pioneer's line up in the hi-fi categories will complement the range of Onkyo, which bought Pioneer's AV division a few years ago.
Thus, we will have similar devices from the two companies with small price differences and with Pioneer qualifying as the premium solutions per category against Onkyo, with the differences, however, being found in the details.
The A-40AE that arrived "fresh" at the magazine's offices, without a doubt gave us many reasons to appreciate it. The successor of the A-30 has taken several steps in the right direction and now stands as a top audiophile solution in the category.
Now we have a DAC section with traditional inputs (not USB), a small increase in power that remains in class AB and a new appearance with a dynamic design of the sliders, which even gives a more classic tone to its consumer aesthetics.
But the main differences are internal, where it seems that the machine is completely new in terms of design and materials, with attention to details that give new life to its sound as they remind of care in high end machines.
Pioneer went even further for simplicity with the A-40AE, shortening the power supply paths for the output stage, using auxiliary boards that drastically reduce cable lengths.
This expanded her well-known technique, now described as Direct Energy Construction. Combined with the new, custom capacitors developed in collaboration with the Japanese ELNA, the new amplifier clearly stands out for its sophisticated power supply, which promises even better quietness and immediacy.
FACE LIFT
The visual differences are limited to a subtle redesign of the facades, with the row of LEDs for the inputs being vertical instead of horizontal and the four small buttons (speakers A, B, loudness, direct, p.amp direct) being grouped on the left part of the amplifier.
The most noticeable difference is the new rotary knobs, which have larger faces and almost non-existent bezels, while their circumferences "bulge" from curves, thus making handling more ergonomic and giving the amplifier a less technocratic look.
The back of the A-40AE is also redesigned, with better grouping of the plugs. There is now a set of classic digital inputs, supported by a Wolfson DAC that reaches 24bit/192KHz. The implementation is done on a small board and the signals are received by the Burr-Brown PCM9211.
The line output has been isolated from the tape loop and the speaker plugs are improved, with better quality, transparent plastic and a more distinctive look than the black/red ones of the outgoing model. Finally, the IEC socket is still not connected to the socket ground.
The amplifier follows the Clean Ground technique on the grounds to reduce interference and includes independent windings on the power transformer for pre-amplification, post-amplification and control functions.
Especially for the direct mode, there is not just a bypass of the sliders but another driver circuit of the final stage (source direct driver) is activated. The level is regulated by the motorized black Alps.
The two supply capacitors, at 10,000µF each, have a special construction-geometry inside them that prevents standing waves from forming inside the cylinder, which, according to the manufacturers (ELNA/Pioneer), allows high-resolution formats to unfold all their capabilities.
The output stage is based on the complementary pair of bipolar transistors D2390/B2560. Now, these are mounted on a large, common heatsink (versus the A-30's two), with the rectifier bridge between them and the large capacitors a breath away.
The main board of the amplifier is also new, with few discrete components on top and quite a few SMTs underneath. The general internal image of the A-40AE is undoubtedly completely different from the A-30 and before us we now have a "pure-blooded" machine that reminds, like a hobby, of the legendary Japanese integrators of the 70s.
Back to the roots of good sound, then, in the company of vinyl and hi-res files - what could be more fitting for our times!
MUSIC
The A-40AE naturally retains all the positive characteristics of its predecessor, such as tonal neutrality, high clarity, regular staging and penetrating resolution, elements for which Pioneer has stood out for many years and which have clearly given it its reputation accuracy. But this amplifier does much more.
Many of them, in fact, seem paradoxical: it has a more powerful and deep bass than its power suggests (with insensitive speakers) and the analysis of the microdynamics indicates an extremely low noise floor but nothing "dry" in harmonic information.
Instead, here we have from the edge of silence a surprisingly dense 3D reminiscent of triodes, with an internal clarity-shine of the harmonics, i.e. transparency, which we have come to expect from more exotic low-power amplifiers.
The new Pioneer satisfies the mind but does not stop there, as it "opens" the listener emotionally and touches his soul. The immediacy is top-notch but not euphonic, nor does it deify speed at the expense of the calmness of the flow.
It's just 'the sound it is' - nothing less and nothing more - and you'll be happy to switch between sources, whether analogue or digital, and understand exactly their character. It is clearly the best AV we have heard from Pioneer in many years and easily claims the title of the most audiophile amplifier in the low end.
A reference point for future comparisons or a future classic if you will, delineating the era where good sound finally returns to its roots and to the masses of music lovers. Well done Pioneer!
specifications
TYPE: Integrated Amplifier- DAC
POWER: 2x45W/8Ω/0.5%THD (76W/4Ω) (measurement)
PLAYS: PCM24bit/192KHz
INPUTS: 5xline, coaxial, toslink, phono MM
OUTPUTS: Line out, speakers A and B, headphones
EXTRAS: control in/out for connecting to NP and handling via app
DIMENSIONS (WxDxH): 43.5x32x12.8 cm.
WEIGHT: 8 kg
Content source: https://hxosplus.gr/reviews/pioneer-a-40ae-review/