파이오니아 네트워크 플레이어 N-30 / N-50

Pioneer debuts N-30 and N-50 networked audio players: AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 and smartphone apps on tap

By Donald Melanson  posted Jan 4th 2012 9:24PM

Willing to spare no expense to meet your streaming music demands? Then you now have two more fairly high-end systems from Pioneer to consider. The company has just released its new N-30 and N-50 networked audio players, which each boast support for AirPlay and DLNA 1.5, as well as the ability to handle top-end digital audio like 192kHz/24-Bit FLAC and WAV files. You'll also get a 2.5-inch LCD up front and control apps for both iOS and Android devices, although you'll have to shell out a bit more for some optional adapters if you want WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity. The N-50 model (pictured above) also steps things up with gold-plated RCA jacks and an "armored chassis" designed to reduce noise, plus support for additional audio features like Advanced Sound Retriever and Sound Retriever AIR (which promise to enhance compressed audio files). Look for it to set you back $699, with the lower-end N-30 model running $499. Some additional details can be found in the press release after the break.

Show full PR text

Pioneer's New Networked Audio Players Expand Audiophile Listening Options

Two New Models Improve Audio Quality of High-Resolution Streamed Digital Music

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today expanded its family of networking devices with the release of two new Elite® branded networked audio players. Both the N-30 ($499) and N-50 ($699) are equipped with AirPlay® and DLNA® 1.5 wireless technologies, offering music lovers access to their music stored in a variety of different sources. With the growing popularity of high-resolution audio available for Internet download, Pioneer's networked audio players are designed to handle and expertly reproduce high-resolution digital music. In addition to AirPlay and DLNA 1.5, the networked audio players feature vTuner™ Internet radio, iPhone® and Android control apps and a 2.5-inch full-color LCD display.

"Utilizing Pioneer's audio heritage, we wanted to create a networked audio player that can handle a wide range of music formats, including high-resolution audio that enthusiasts and music lovers are now asking for," said Chris Walker, director of AV marketing and product planning for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "These new networked players enhance any digital music so even audiophiles, who love listening to every detail of their music, will find these networked audio players a must-add to their existing high end system. Both models are the ideal complement to any existing home audio/video system that's missing networked audio capabilities."

Built with a focus on quick and easy access to digital music files, the N-30 and N-50 systems share a number of today's popular network-enabled music programs. Both players are AirPlay-compatible, enabling consumers to listen to music saved in their iTunes library as well as access to music available on AirPlay-enabled apps like PANDORA® Internet radio, iHeartRadio® and other music streaming services. The N-30 and N-50 are both "Made for iPad, iPhone and iPod" for music playback¹ and charging. Their DLNA 1.5 Certification enables consumers to stream music from a computer or other DLNA 1.5 server via a home network.

To connect either system to a wireless network when a direct Ethernet connection is not available, Pioneer offers the AS-WL300 optional wireless LAN converter (sold separately). The networked audio players also feature wireless Bluetooth® (optional Bluetooth adapter AS-BT200 required) transfer of audio content from any A2DP Bluetooth wireless enabled mobile device or personal computer. When users want an alternative from their own music library, both systems are equipped with vTuner Internet radio to access the more than 16,000 Internet radio stations around the world. Users can choose from different genres, station locations or have the ability to simply search for specific stations.

These systems enable playback of standard compressed audio formats including MP3, WMA and AAC. Through DLNA 1.5, both units feature high-resolution audio playback which can support 192kHz/24-Bit FLAC and WAV files that are now available from a number of Internet sites. AirPlay functionality provides Apple's Lossless audio with no degradation in sound quality when listening to music encoded in its native high-resolution format. A full-color 2.5" LCD screen built into both systems provides a convenient way to display the album art and song information of currently playing music. For added convenience, consumers can control their music via ControlApp, a free app that is available for the iPod touch®, iPhone and iPad® as well as select Android devices.

In the upper model N-50, Pioneer included an armored chassis to resist noise and gold RCA jacks for better audio connections. The N-50 also comes with additional audio features including Advanced Sound Retriever and Sound Retriever AIR that enhance the audio quality of compressed audio files, delivering near-CD quality from portable media players, Internet radio and Bluetooth audio transmissions.

For higher quality audio output, the N-50 features twin EL transformers to reduce interference and a Hi-Bit 32-Bit conversion processor for an elevated audio experience. Consumers with electronics devices with older or inefficient DACs can take advantage of the N-50's DAC Only Mode.

The Elite audiophile networked audio players are now available. For more information, check out www.pioneerelectronics.com.

It all began with a passion for music that Pioneer founder Nozomu Matsumoto hoped to share with the world. He started Pioneer in 1938 as a specialty speaker company, building products out of his garage. Today, Pioneer's Home Entertainment and Business Solutions Group continues Matsumoto's enthusiasm, developing award-winning audio and video home theater products including A/V receivers, Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD players, and speakers. Long-standing partnerships and collaborations with the creative community have provided Pioneer unique insight in its quest to capture the purity of a movie or musical artist's original vision into its broad range of home entertainment products. The company's brands include Pioneer® and Elite®. More details can be found at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

¹ USB cable not included with Elite Networked Audio Players.

PIONEER, the PIONEER logo and the ELITE logo are registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation.
AirPlay, iPod, iPod touch, iPhone and iTunes are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. The AirPlay logo is a trademark of Apple, Inc.
"Made for iPod" and "Made for iPhone" mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod or iPhone, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod or iPhone may affect wireless performance.
DLNA, the DLNA Logo and DLNA CERTIFIED® are trademarks, service marks, or certification marks of the Digital Living Network Alliance.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
vTuner is a registered trademark of Nothing Else Matters Software, Ltd.

 Real-time updating is enabled.

 

michael smith 1 month ago

To be honest I would go for a Linn Sneaky DS, gapless playback, 192/24 FLAC, Airplay plus a 20 Watt amp.

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Emperius 2 months ago

I was excited for a moment. I was already thinking an Elite receiver with network support tied with this but at this price, doesn't seem legit. Far better to spend $500-$800 with included ethernet features than this but whatever.

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HiPoo 2 months ago

Yay, another piece of two channel Pioneer sh*t I will have to sell!  "High-End' my ASS, if it faults like any of the other 'silver components' then they can go build a leaning tower of poo in their back yard.  Listen Pioneer, stick with your DJ gear and Home Theatre range, leave the two channel arena to the experts.

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Dennis Mutsaers 2 months ago

I've read somewhere it doesn't support gapless playback. That would be really bad.

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Engagus 2 months ago

"also steps things up with gold-plated RCA jacks and an 'armored chassis'"

How pathetically pointless.  It's not only that these devices will be serving up audio files that are lossy as hell.  It's that any music you're getting from a streaming source was likely mastered in the last 15 years, which means it has been destroyed by the record companies with dynamic compression to make it "louder."

Once upon a time there was a reason to buy good equipment to listen to music.  Those days are long over, unless you're listening only to pressings from 15 or more years ago.  It's sad; it's infuriating; and it reflects the craven stupidity of record-company executives.  They destroy their own product, along with our entire musical heritage as they systematically ruin their back catalogs with "remastering."

And to cap that off, they work further to ensure their own extinction by suing the only sources we have for finding new music, like lyrics sites.

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Fred Maxwell 1 week ago in reply to Engagus

Why don't you actually read something before spouting off.  This device will stream lossless audio with 24bit/192khz D/A.  That is, for all intents and purposes, perfect reproduction.

Maybe if you weren't listening to crap music recorded for angst-filled teens, you'd find that there are many very high-quality releases.

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JoeKing12 2 months ago

If its fanless you can have my money...wait a minute..what do you mean wi-fi isn't built-in!!

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Andrew Wood 2 months ago

This isn't high-end - it's a pretty low-cost streamer.  Look at the price of Cyrus x-stream; even that has been described as 'entry level' - the higher end ones are several £000.

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Tin Hoang 2 months ago in reply to Andrew Wood

Its hi-fi but not high end.  It does need to have wifi built in though.

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Andrew Wood 1 month ago in reply to Tin Hoang

My point was, they're described as 'fairly high-end' in the blurb, but they're really not - there are few streamers that cost LESS than these.

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MNGuy183 2 months ago

Are they nuts? AppleTV comes with wifi and is $99.....

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Tin Hoang 2 months ago in reply to MNGuy183

AppleTV is ok for your MP3s, but "high-end" users will have their libraries in .flac.

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Andrew Wood 2 months ago in reply to MNGuy183

...and does not have an audiophile-grade DAC, a screen, or half the capability of this.

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Engagus 2 months ago in reply to Andrew Wood

What are you going to listen to on audiophile DACs today?  Just curious.  Because any popular-music recording mastered since the late '90s has been turned into a wall of noise with dynamic compression.

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QuarterSwede 2 months ago in reply to Andrew Wood

That's what dedicated DAC's are for. The AppleTV can pass audio digitally to them. This thing is useless.

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Fred Maxwell 1 week ago in reply to QuarterSwede

No, it's not useless.  I don't want to stare at a 61" DLP TV, complete with fan, just to listen to music.  

Dedicated, high-end DACs cost about as much as this device -- sometimes far more.  Sure, if you want to put some piece of fecal matter Chinese DAC you find on ebay into your system, go for it.  But many of us prefer quality.

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Lnds500 2 months ago

I know it's Pioneer and it's gonna do whatever it is supposed to do best, but 699 for a device that STREAMS music and doesn't have wi-Fi built in??? Are they stupid?

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gadgety 2 months ago

I'll get another Squeezebox Touch, thank you very much.

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Michael Woo 2 months ago

The first thing I thought when I saw the image was: "Woah it's Audirvana for Mac!" Then I read the headline and I was like: "Oh....well it still looks pretty awesome!"

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Mitchell Wenke 2 months ago

For that price not including WiFi is an insult.

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DiamondDNice 2 months ago in reply to Mitchell Wenke

compared to what truly high end audio components cost this thing costs very little. my father has cable that costs a couple hundred bucks let alone his cd player. then again he's nuts. i'm good with mp3s and don't even own a cd player anymore. and many high end components do away with modern conveniences.

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QuarterSwede 2 months ago in reply to DiamondDNice

If the cable is digital then he got majorly ripped off.

If the cable is analog then he still got ripped off as its the gauge of wire for how long the run is that matters. On the rare chance that you have some non FCC approved device or an EDGE device then you might need some shielding other than that it's all marketing BS.

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denyingjoker 2 months ago in reply to DiamondDNice

HAHAHA your father bought a monster HDMI cable.

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redsyrup 2 months ago

I'm sick of Pioneer's 'Elite' branding. After Occupy Wall-street how can Pioneer not realize their brand is out of step with popular opinion? Don't they know they're hurting sales? Their EU products look much better without the pretentious branding.

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Rolf Hawkins 2 months ago in reply to redsyrup

The Elite branding started as a sales program for select dealers who had the trained sales staff and dedicated showrooms to properly demonstrate and sell Pioneer's upper end products. Eventually it became a line in the US market to differentiate itself from more generic offerings at chain stores, and is also currently not found online. The Elite-badged products are exactly the same as their European counterparts, and always have been, aside from model number changes. It is no more pretentious than the Integra line is for Onkyo, which used to be Onkyo and Onkyo Integra, As far as sales are concerned, Elite-badged products are selling in greater numbers now than ever before, and outselling lower-end Pioneer-only branded models.

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redsyrup 2 months ago in reply to Rolf Hawkins

The word integra has no meaning. Same for aventage. 'Elite' on the other hand implies you're an ignorant snob. And that's exactly what people are going to think of you when they see Pioneer products sitting on your shelf.

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Engagus 2 months ago in reply to redsyrup

No it doesn't.  You have some real insecurity issues.

You can see your mentality reflected in reviews of high-end hotels, too.  You'll see people who don't have any specific complaint in their reviews, but who say they felt that the staff was "looking down on them."  Read a little further, and it becomes obvious that these people don't feel they belong in such a place; it's not that anyone else expressed that opinion.

It's called PROJECTION.  Look it up.  Meanwhile, try to have a little self respect.

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redsyrup 2 months ago in reply to Engagus

I have the intelligence and the security to speak my opinion. My opinion. If you want to slap 'ELITE' stickers on all your earthly possessions and wear a t-shirt that has 'ELITE' printed on it, by all means, knock yourself out. I'm sure you're that special.

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boe_d 2 months ago in reply to redsyrup

Come now, do you think people will stop buying BMW or Mercedes because some people sat around in a public place?   Both brands also say high end but I doubt people will say - let's buy a used Yugo instead, I don't want people to know I worked hard and became sucessful so I could buy a nice product to reward my efforts.

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redsyrup 2 months ago in reply to boe_d

I like BMWs too but I wouldn't drive one with a big 'Elite' logo on the back. How f#$%@ pretentious. Also Pioneer is good but they're not prosumer level. I think the word elite should apply to products that cost much more than theirs.

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xmondo 2 months ago in reply to boe_d

redsyrup either has a guilt complex for being successful, or has a guilt complex that someone else is.  Either way, redsyrup...  you need to realize that if someone wants to indulge themselves, they can.  I shouldn't have to worry about getting shot by some OWS zealot because I have something he doesn't.  After all, I thought this was an issue taken up to fight corporate welfare... not personal indulgences.

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redsyrup 2 months ago in reply to xmondo

Anyone who thinks they're 'elite' or identifies with the word is a chicken.

(Edited by author 2 months ago)

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Engagus 2 months ago in reply to redsyrup

This from the guy who's so insecure that he's threatened by the name of a stereo.

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redsyrup 2 months ago in reply to Engagus

Way to go snob. You're a hero.

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truename 2 months ago

"

Consumers with electronics devices with older or inefficient DACs can take advantage of the N-50's DAC Only Mode."

And, what DAC does this thing employ exactly? 

*crickets*

Riiiight.... Waste of money!

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niuguy 2 months ago

I'm super happy with my Logitech Squeezebox which, btw, plays FLAC and is well established.  I see no need to suggest this over the Logitech.

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Tin Hoang 2 months ago in reply to niuguy

Does your Squeezebox actually do 192kHz/24-Bit?  I haven't been able to confirm that.

(Edited by author 2 months ago)

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niuguy 2 months ago in reply to Tin Hoang

I dont actually know. Thing is, sooo few non bluray music sources come in that resolution...and, personally, i question most peoples ability to tell the difference.

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Tin Hoang 2 months ago in reply to niuguy

You can hear the difference, but that depends on the fidelity range of your equipment.  For the general public and general consumer level gear, I don't think you will hear the difference either. 

The squeezebox is best bang for the buck.  I haven't pulled the trigger on it because it looks so funky. 

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Engagus 2 months ago in reply to Tin Hoang

What are you listening to on this equipment?  If it's popular music mastered since the mid '90s, then this debate is asinine because it has all been destroyed before being released.

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Tin Hoang 2 months ago in reply to Engagus

Mostly jazz and classical.  Some of it digitized from vinyl.  Still experimenting with digital sound source versus analog.  Just wondering what the upper limits and buying well below that.

And a little Bieber when no one's looking.

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niuguy 2 months ago in reply to Tin Hoang

True. I happen to think it looks pretty cool. The small black box that goes to the receiver is inconspicuous and the remote looks like another cool boy toy. :)

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Jürgen Zimmer 2 months ago in reply to niuguy

Yeah, Squeezebox Touch is great and has a bigger screen. 2.5''? People won't be able to read anything from their sofa. One could argue that the Squeezebox can only play 96/24 though. But oh well I'm not that High-End and couldn't hear the difference to 192/24 anyway.

(Edited by author 2 months ago)

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rotunda2 2 months ago in reply to Jürgen Zimmer

nt

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rotunda2 2 months ago in reply to Jürgen Zimmer

Seeing a screen from the sofa? My Squeezebox is in a closed closet with the rest of my audio gear. Thankfully I have the awesome (apart from battery life) Squeezebox controller with the 2.5" screen in hand, and the iPhone app & iPeng, so I can see what is playing, to be played, etc.. from anywhere in the house/backyard. Now if I could tell the difference between high end and average audio quality, and had money to burn, and didn't rip all my cd's to MP3's, etc....

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QuarterSwede 2 months ago in reply to Jürgen Zimmer

Most people can't either. At the "audiophile" level it's /mostly/ psychological.

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QuarterSwede 2 months ago

The AppleTV and Airport Express are all digital already. Why do I need this? Another piece of overpriced, useless "hifi" gear.

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Tin Hoang 2 months ago in reply to QuarterSwede

Actually, this thing is well priced.  But sounds like, as other suggested below, a DAC would work out well for you.  I think Peachtree has a decent one for about $1000

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Marko Nesovic 2 months ago in reply to QuarterSwede

because your amplifier and your speakers are not digital!!! (and no, if it has digital inputs, the preamplifier and amplifier stages are still analogue, and there is DAC somewhere in there)

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QuarterSwede 2 months ago in reply to Marko Nesovic

Exactly, a dedicated DAC is more useful and would be better quality for the price.

Amit Singh 2 months ago in reply to QuarterSwede

Hi QuarterSwede  ,

I would love to know how you configured the setup .I already have airport express but i feel that i can only hookup a 2.1 Channel Speaker into it.(which is a set of bose desktop speakers) . Do you think that a NAS fed Apple TV+Airport Express+with 5.1 (instead of 2.1) is possible ? 

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QuarterSwede 2 months ago in reply to Amit Singh

Sorry man, I only rock a 2.1 setup to my receiver from an airport express. If I'm listening to 5.1+ then it's either SACD or DVD-A from my BluRay player. I'm not an audiophile. I mostly listen to music in my car (the worst environment for listening really).

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boe_d 2 months ago

PLEASE Pioneer - get back into the plasma business.  4 years later Panasonics Plasmas aren't nearly as good as your long since discontinued models!

I think enough people in the HT world regret the loss of the best TV manufacturer that your reputation has improved even further since you've left as nothing has filled the void left.    Panasonic and Sharp TVs aren't bad but they still haven't surpassed your last Kuros.  

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chipped 2 months ago

Waste of money.

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Marko Nesovic 2 months ago in reply to chipped

no - good sound costs money - we shall see once the reviews come in whether it's worth it

(Edited by author 2 months ago)

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chipped 2 months ago in reply to Marko Nesovic

Putting that $500-$700 towards better speakers/amp will improve sound more than this thing. Lol.

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Andrew Wood 2 months ago in reply to chipped

Depending on what speakers and amp you already have.

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Danzig75 2 months ago

Always loved the idea of a full size component to match the rest of my kit. But I already have a squeeze box duet that streams from my Thecus NAS.  It has a wifi remote and the Thecus with 4 x 1.5tb plus SBD wouldn't have cost much more than the $699 model.

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rotunda2 2 months ago in reply to Danzig75

My setup: Duet - Thecus N4100PRO - Denon AVR2300 - Niles SI1230 - various speakers = 4 rooms & 1 backyard of "music to my ears"!

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Rom_the_Spacenight 2 months ago

What a gross remote. And that 'elite' logo needs to go. How seventies.

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Anonimu Anonimi 2 months ago

more airplay fun!

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David Ely 2 months ago

Too expensive for what you get.  They should have included at least a two channel amp, so it could be used as a stand-alone unit.

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DiamondDNice 2 months ago in reply to David Ely

an amp? Yeah if you want an amp for high end audio add another $2000

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niuguy 2 months ago in reply to David Ely

Audiophiles (who its geared towards) would never buy it then.  I won't disagree that its too expensive but I, as a budget audiophile, don't own $5,000+ pairs of speakers. 

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Guest 2 months ago in reply to David Ely

Nothing is cheap when you get into the Hi-Fi audio market.