Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J Stereo CD-SACD Player

The Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J is a two-channel CD/SACD player, a new addition to Pioneer's lineup of two-channel components. The front panel of the PD-D6 is a brushed-silver or slate grey finish and features a bright, easy to read LCD display. I tested the PD-D6 in my reference system and found that the PD-D6-J is an affordable CD/SACD player with strong audio performance.

Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J Features

The Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J is a two-channel player and is compatible with stereo CDs, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA compressed audio files. It will also play two-channel SACD discs, but is not equipped to play multichannel SACD programs. It’s equipped with Burr-Brown 192 kHz / 24-bit DACs (digital to analog converters), which offer better dynamic range, greater detail and improved low-level signal resolution and detail. It also employs Pioneer’s proprietary Hi-Bit Legato Link Conversion that extends high-frequency response out to 40kHz by restoring low-level signals that are lost in the analog to digital conversion process when the CD is recorded and mastered, also known as quantization. The PD-D6-J features a low-jitter digital clock or oscillator to reduce unwanted signal variations in the digital circuits. With the audio purist in mind, the player includes a Pure Audio mode, which shuts off the front panel display and disables the digital outputs of the player for better, cleaner audio reproduction when listening to an analog audio source. The player has one coaxial digital output, one optical digital output and one pair of stereo RCA analog outputs. The PD-D6 can be linked for remote control with other Pioneer components, such as the Pioneer SX-A9 stereo receiver using a mini-jack connection on the back panel.

Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J Audio Performance

The benefits of the technology features mentioned above are evident when listening to the PD-D6-J. The duet featuring Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins in “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” from their Neck and Neck album (CD Columbia) best illustrated the adept imaging and soundstage characteristics of the PD-D6-J player. Each voice and guitar was distinct and easy to visualize in the soundstage and the vocals were easy to separate from the guitars and percussion. Vocal clarity was even better in Anjani’s “No One After You” from her Blue Alert disc (CD Columbia Records). The subtle details and nuances in her delicate voice were excellent. SACD playback also revealed a deep, layered soundstage with exceptional resolution of subtle details and excellent midrange clarity. The effects of the Hi-Bit Legato Link Conversion Mode and Pure Direct Mode were evident though subtle, and the player sounded good even without them.

Summary

Consider the Pioneer Elite PD-D6-J player a good choice as the primary source component for a moderately priced two-channel system. You’ll appreciate its clean, detailed sound quality and simplicity of design and it’s a great match with the Pioneer Elite SX-A9 stereo receiver (review coming soon).