Pioneer A-A6-J Amplifier
Pioneer revives its hi-fi line of equipment. It is represented only by two but so good amplifiers and two players. The older "ninth" amplifier is the undisputed winner of any tests. That's why many put high hopes on A-A6-J too. It looks racy and not every device of higher class can boast by the similar design: on the faceplate, made of metal, there are LCD display and only several control elements (selector and volume control). And although the display has rather a decorative function (its readings are not read with a meter distance), but it noticeably simplifies the use of the amplifier.
There are no USB and output from the pre-section in this device like in A-A9-J and the simple transformer is used instead of toroidal. As for the rest the "six" repeats the flagship's design. Very powerful anti-vibration chassis is equipped with additional partitions. Final stages work in AB class; power supply system has a galvanic separation and is differed by high operating speed. Signal path is built by the advanced broadband circuit technique in the ideology of "double mono". An electronic equalizer is also included in the path - the setting of its parameters is carried out with a flat remote control. If you don't need the correction, you can pass it by enabling the Direct mode. Also there is a phono amplifier. So, A-A6-J may upset only those users, who make higher demands on the functionality. You can't, for example, connect an additional recorder or a pair of speaker systems for the second zone to this amplifier - there are no corresponding selectors.
Does A-A6-J sound as A-A9-J? In general, the character is similar and recognizable. The younger model has a good musical balance, and if not to take a bass band into account (about it below), the linearity should be admitted to be sample. The middle is clear and very detailed. The playback pleases by naturalness - all voice formants like all harmonic components of musical instruments are formed into live, clear images. You also can't make claims to a top band - everything is balanced, detailed, subtly and without aggression. The device transferred this range without coloring, neutrally. Overall impression is - the sound is free, clear and fresh. But there is a problem area - bass. Both structure and attack seem to be good, but sometimes basses simply don't have enough strength. In this sense the older "nine" model looks much better. Control is also slightly weakened - upper bass proms to booming.
An absolute dynamics impresses only in comparison with other "budget" amplifiers. At high volume levels clipping appears in midrange quite sharply and suddenly. Overloading in bass happens quite softer. Sound stage is also a bit worse than in flagship model: the sources are not focused ideally, corporality of musical images with low register leaves much to be desired. But even despite of this A-A6-J is the best choice in its price category.
