Anyone Have any Experiance with this Pioneer Elite Amp (SX-A9)?

[Operandi]

I'm looking to pickup a integrated amp (new or used) to go along with my HTPC and DIY speaker creations and randomly came across a Pioneer Elite 2 channel receiver that I've heard anything about before.

Pioneer's page
Canada Hi-Fi Review

Looks like an interesting amp that also will also double as what seems like a pretty nice DAC (via USB) with my HTPC. Downside is its only 55 watts into 8 ohm and 65 into 4ohm, far short of the Adcom GFA-545 it would be replacing. Also I can't seem to find much of an opinion on it which either means its not particularly great or Pioneer's marketing of this thing is a fail.

[LouC]

I had the A-35R Integrated amp for several years. Found very serviceable, handled just about any speaker load I threw at it. A bit on the dark/warm side tone wise but otherwise not too picky. Last I heard, it was still cranking out tunes 10 years after I bought it.

[Operandi]

Nice, maybe I'll give it a shot then (still contemplating some others on Audiogon). If the A-35R good enough for you then it should do fine by me , I'm sure Pioneer wouldn't back step in qulaity. Worst case scenario it should function as a good pre and DAC.

As a side note a I bought A-35R off of E-bay a couple of years ago but sadly never got the chance to try it as it was DOA. It seemed like a pretty well designed unit though (to my non expert eye) when I popped the cover.

[jerryanderson]

I purchased a new A35R off E-bay for just under $200.00! Quickly shipped and nicely packed! Pretty nice little unit! Have run 4 and 8 ohm speakers with no problems and no running overly warm! Nice remote, but no on & off! Volume knob is motorized, so that is a nice little feature! I found it to be just a smidge forward, but not to the point of irritating! It's a keeper!!

[Operandi]

Alright then, I think I might go for the SX-A9-J.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Operandi]

I've been running this amp for awhile now and I'm pretty impressed.

Its been awhile since I had the Adcom hooked up to compare but there is/was a noticeable improvement. It dose have a slightly more forward presentation and it dose seem to be a bit more revealing of details, the two characteristics are probably related.

Also what really surprised me is how much more defined and full bass is through this amp, and its evident on just about everything that has it.

This all through my TriTrix MTs so it should get more interesting when I get around to building some better speakers. Something with some low distortion drivers and increased power capabilities.