Solid-made, visually appealing Klangwunder

The sound of the Pioneer A-30-k is very clear, airy, transparent and finely resolved across the entire spectrum. He is solid manufactured (aluminum knob), rushes and not buzzing. In a new Onkyo I had a test basis, humming (or vibrated) of mains transformer.

Visually, I find the Pioneer also very well done. I have the black version. I like, among others, that can be the blue LEDs on the remote control (also made of metal) "dim" in three stages.

The Pioneer A-30-k replaced a Denon PMA 925-R, which I had previously used for 15 years. The Denon 925-R at that time was the top class (price $ 1000 in the late 1990s) and was used by hi-dealers as a reference device for presenting expensive boxes. Sonically me of Pioneer A-30-k like even a bit better - especially the bass response: double bass in jazz tunes sound now "percussive plucked" and less boomy.

As boxes I use advance as afterwards, a pair of "Magnat monitor Supreme 200" as well - connected in parallel to the second pair of terminals - two older English bass reflex speakers "Mission 707" which have achieved cult status among connoisseurs. The Mission 707 I had after 20 years to replace the bass speaker because were "rotted" / decompose at the old, the beads. As a replacement, which turned out to be equivalent, I have two Visaton Woofer WS20E / 8 used (see my Amazon review it).

The Pioneer A-30-K and the old Denon 925-R, I compared some time in parallel, because the Denon I found very good in itself, and I wanted to degrade sound under any circumstances. After extensive comparison test I have the Pioneer then found better and the old Denon sold second hand.

An important reason for the sale of the - still fully functional - Denon 925-R was its high power consumption, which was already "silent" at 45 watts. Reason: The Denon is an A / B amplifier (used to be considered the "holy grail" of hi-fi equipment), and these devices are known for their high current thirst. 15 years ago, energy efficiency was also no knock-out criterion.

The Pioneer A-30-K, however, used "quiet" / idle only 16 watts (measured by the same tester). In addition, it automatically switches after 30 minutes without an input signal on standby. Unfortunately, I had previously found in any Amazon review for Pioneer A-30-k statements about the power consumption, the only - hope-giving - Note that it remains fairly cool during operation. That this is actually a "idle" power depending of only 16 Watt (increases at high volumes clearly have to) accompanied, I can now confirm by measurement.

Conclusion: In terms of sound, technically and optically top.