I have the P9 combo. I started off my current install with a Mac MX-406, then got to try a Kenwood KCD-01 while I was waiting for my P9 combo to arrive. System was a Butler TDB-475 amp driving Dynaudio speakers.
Is it easy to tune? Well yes and no. Features like time alignment is very easy. The equalizer is a real ***** because it requires way too many button presses. You tune the left and right channel seperately. Press an arrow to get to the band. Since it's a 31 channel equalizer, that means 31 clicks to get from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. And once you are in the right band, more clicks to adjust the level. Then another click to switch to the other channel, then even more clicks to adjust the level. Thankfully, it's got a 6 setting memory and you don't have to make the adjustments often!
The sound quality is something else though. It beats the Mac for dead, and that's not just my opinion. Quite a few of my audiophile friends have had a listen, and we think the Pioneer P9 combo is better.
The Mac pulls more detail from the recording - you can hear little subtleties like the singer breathing before a note, or someone turning the pages for the pianist - but at the same time it sounds thinner and less sweet. The P9 combo gives you more bass and a much more satisfying midrange. Voices sound fuller, instruments have a more satisfying timbre.
The Kenwood KCD-01 had a warmer sound than both the Mac and the P9 combo, but was lacking in detail. It is a very good unit, but coming from the Mac it sounded almost muddy.
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