This is an addendum to my review which follows.

The "spatialize", "wide", "ambience" effect I mention is not nearly as abrupt as I think it comes across in my review. The DAC I mention I would need to accept the sound quality is not a realistic hope - I would not like to exceed $750 for the changer-audio-sound producing package.

Please note that my actual rating is *3* and *3* (which isn't that bad)
I am putting *4* and *4* here because that is closer to the current 4.17 average. Not fair that my second post should bring the average down any further. Thanks

300 Discs in one

D/A converter
Remote
12 char. titles

Connected to Pioneer Elite VSX-27 receiver via MSB Tech LinkDAC D/A converter (Cambridge Audio Pacific cable and UltraLink Platinum Digital cable) with B&W Nautilus 803 (van der Hul ClearTrack bi-wired cable). It's really strange, but JVC XL-MC 334 200 discs changer(real junk)connected via Cambridge Audio TosLink cable plays better.

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JVC XL-MC 334 200 discs changer

Holds 300 CDs, Search by Artist/Title, Keyboard Input

Not enough space for Artist/Title (12 char)

I absolutely love this changer! Pioneer makes another model almost exactly like it but it lacks a few features - one of which is the keyboard input. The keyboard input alone is worth a couple of hundred!!! It took me 1 1/2 hours to input all the artist and titles into the machine using a keyboard (and I work on computers all day and night, so I type *fast*)... I can't even begin to imagine how long it would take to input all that information using a turn wheel!!!

The sound as far as I'm concerened is excellent. I was using a JVC 5 disc changer that didn't have digital output. The difference between RCA cables and an optical cable was *incredible* - even my wife noticed the difference! Of course, I am not a serious audiophile, but I still appreciate great sound!

For the average user this is a fantastic buy. For the serious audiophile (from what I have read) you may be disappointed with the sound. It is a convenience vs. quality thing I guess... For me it is definitely worth it.

Just FYI - I am running the sound through a Denon AVR-3200 and B&W 601s with 302s as surrounds.

If you are looking for a changer with great capacity and great features - this is it! One tip: Put the title in the artist slot and vice-versa... That way when you are rotating through the discs is shows the artist instead of the title. I find that this is much easier (although you can't tell what disc it is if you have several from one artist). This is probably the only thing that could really be improved on - the LCD needs to be longer so that you can have longer artist and titles... Also, it should display *both* when you are going through the discs.

This unit also has a high wife factor - that is, my wife was able to figure it out pretty easily! It is really very simple to use...

Overall rating of 5 because this is simply the best 300 (or 200) CD changer you can buy. Value rating of 4 because it is a bit pricy. One last thing - the rosewood sides look GREAT!

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JVC 5 disc changer

Mass storage

Internal DAC

I purchased the PD-F19 on the intention of keeping all my media localized. I connected the unit to my Lexicon DC-1 with both digital and analog output. The analog output was disappointing in comparison to the Lexicons internal 20 bit DAC. However my original goal was met, all my media is now in one easy to access unit. In my opinion the PD-F19 works well as an entry-level transport.

I've bought this changer a week ago. So far it has been great. I've connected itusing Coaxial cable to my Yamaha DSP-A1. The sound is great. Over all the unit
looks and feels much better than PD-F1007, which is Pioneer's lower-end model.
I've spent several days inserting and labeling disks, but at the end it was all worth while. Now I have 300 CD’s readily available to me. I was able to connect
a computer keyboard to the unit, which made labeling a snap, but it still takes
some time to insert and label disks. The access time is great, I clocked it at
about 15-20 seconds per disk. The sound quality is very good using it as a
transport, it degrades somewhat, if you use internal DAC. One small complain
though is that on the remote, if you want to select a track, you have to press
the corresponding digit, and another button to select a track. This is done in
order to allow same keys to either select a track number, or a disk number.
Coming from a five disk changes, this seems a bit odd, since once I press the
track number, I expect the player to immediately play that track. Also switching
between tracks is a bit long, at about 1.5 seconds, even on the adjacent tracks. May be this was done in order to position the laser more precisely, giving it time to correct itself. Again this seemed to me a bit odd. But overall this is a great piece of equipment, and I am sure that in couple of weeks I will get used to all of these new ‘features’.
I am giving this player 5 stars, since it is the best mega-disk
changer I’ve seen so far.

After overcoming the initial shock of finding such a puny remote when first unpackaging the unit, it's been all uphill from then. I must say this changer sounds great and is an efficient robot, effortlessly serving up selection after selection as a good little automoton should. Of course, since the disks are packed so closely, one has to wonder about it's longevity when tolerances are so small (however, it's got two year parts and labor).
Given it's outstanding performance/price ration ($500 - $550 street), I guess Pioneer can't be faulted for the petite remote (don't leave it on the couch; it may disappear until the "maid" cleans again). However, this player could use a little more memory for titling (12 char. max) and an on-screen display. Minor nits. In short, it's the only 301 disk changer, and it has very good sound. Given that, the Sony ES was never in contention.

CD Capacity, program functions, digital outputs

Size, it s a big mother! Remote control is on the weak, and not "feature rich"

I just purchased this unit after about one month of research and proce checking on the internet. I finally decided on the Pioneer because of it features, price and beautiful finish with the rosewood sides that match my new Pioneer Elite VSX-39X receiver. Overall the player performs well and sounds great. The memory issue is perplexing but mangeable, I simply use the more feature rich remote supplied with the receiver and ditched the CD remote. Pionner used the SR remote link system and this works well also since I have my system hooked up to a whole house audio system with wired IR remote in other rooms.

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Kenwood

CD Capacity, program functions, digital outputs

Size, it s a big mother! Remote control is on the weak, and not "feature rich"

I just purchased this unit after about one month of research and proce checking on the internet. I finally decided on the Pioneer because of it features, price and beautiful finish with the rosewood sides that match my new Pioneer Elite VSX-39X receiver. Overall the player performs well and sounds great. The memory issue is perplexing but mangeable, I simply use the more feature rich remote supplied with the receiver and ditched the CD remote. Pionner used the SR remote link system and this works well also since I have my system hooked up to a whole house audio system with wired IR remote in other rooms.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood

Just researching megachangers, as I need to upgrade from my 100-disk unit. However, I saw a comment about having difficulty removing individual disks, so here's something that works on my PD-F107, and should work on bigger units:

Get a popsicle stick and cut off one end straight across about 1/4" to 5/16" from the end. Fold the cut-off end back and glue it to the long part so that it's even on the end. When the glue is dry, sand off any rough edges. When you slide it between disks, the double-thickness end will pop into the hole in the adjacent disk, and you can easily pull it out. The soft wood will not scratch the CDs.

But a question - how can the same unit get such good AND such bad reviews for sound quality? Is this a possible quality problem, or maybe just some hard to please "golden ears?" I found my PD-F107 to sound much better than the Sony ES carousel it replaced.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite PD-F107 100 disk changer

Bought this piece from sounddistributors for $500. Had it for a month and the sound quality is excellent. I just love the wood trim and the mechanics are top notch. My question to pioneer is whatz up with the remote? It just seems out of class with this CD player. But, we can't have it all can we!