Grabed it for £180, 45Watts per channel nice (LOUD, thanks to 92Db sensitivity of my Modus 8) sound; very good all rounder. Wicked for all types of music.
Remote a bit simple!
Looks are a bit bland but the amp is for listening not looking....

If I bought it for £400 I give it 4 star but for £180 I will go for 5!

Reproduces a wide variety of music in a realistic fashion.

Ultimately a little low on power & no biwiring facility.

I was unhappy with the Sony amplifier which initially formed a very good impression on me & I exchanged it for the Pioneer. I found that the Pioneer gave a more realistic representation of the music and had a far superior phono stage in comparison with the Sony. I listen mainly to classical music and apart from full orchestral pieces, where perhaps the Sony had the edge, for individual instruments and small ensembles e.g. string quartets, trios etc. the Pioneer gives a more realistic sound. It also gives a very good rendition of singing voices. When I have listened to it on pop music, vinyl & CD, I have found the result to be very pleasing indeed. I would say that over the period of time that I have had it, the Pioneer amplifier has grown on me and continues to do so, giving good presence and a very involving listen. Since I paid £250 for it, I consider that it has been a bargain. In order to use it to its best advantage, it is important that the amplifier should be listened through warmed up. In fact I never turn it on. The rest of my system consists of Tannoy Mercury M2.5 speakers, a Dual 504 turntable & a Technics SL PJ28 A CD player. The sound quality is first rate.

Similar Products Used:

Sansui AU 217 Sony TA FB920R

Openess, timing, sense of occasion

Ruthless with poor partnering equipment

This little amplifier is one of the most best kept secrets known to man and is destined to be a future classic (snap them up while you can I have seen them for a little as £200.00)Once set up with quality components and fully warmed up (always leave it on)you will be rewarded with a huge wide open sound stage and with excellent rhythem. This amplifier beats the pants off the Marantz which sound flat and lifeless by comparison. Not quite got the balls of the Nait 3 but not far off and images much better(no Din sockets either!) In the right system this amp can sound like a grands worth!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz PM44 KI Sig, Naim Nait 3

Snap,timing,speed,detail

A touch unforgiving.Useless remote.

As the heart of my Pioneer Precision system the A300R has proved to be a consistent and highly informative amp.
The fast,wide open treble can seem a bit steely when new but left to run in you find yourself with a beautifully fast and transparent amp that only hardens up when really pushed.

The amp is designed for speed and dynamics and only really hits its stride at around 9 o'clock on the volume control.This means a rather dull lifeless sound if you play a lot of music really quietly.But you wont want to play quietly the way the amp slams when needed and locks onto vocalists on the more subtle stuff.

On the downside?The remote is useless(with just volume on it)and if you want to bi-wire its hard.It is a bit unforgiving and can sound dismal with poor partnering equipment.Also absolute bass weight is slightly limited-but try stopping your feet from tapping!

Basically,try it-you might like it.Its a very exciting amp and can really pep up a dull system.