Pioneer Launch New MP3 Tech
When it comes to audio technology there is usually a small dichotomy between home and car hifi. You can really benefit from some well set time alignment in a car. The only other place you’d use such a thing would be in a theatre or at a rock concert outdoors or in a stadium. Likewise, we can all use a bit of EQ, cars more than homes but apart from built-in EQ curves and lifts like THX, and those Hall/Church/Jazz type settings on lesser priced kit, there is little processing used in UK hifi. Also, it is highly unusual for a new technology wrinkle to be smoothed out in both markets at once.
However, this is exactly what Pioneer have done in releasing products with their all-new Advanced Sound Retriever into both the home and automotive markets at the same time. (In the home market it is simply called Sound Retriever) In twenty years or more, the automotive division have not had to release a year’s model range any earlier. Months and months ahead of when this would normally happen, Pioneer have revealed new products for 2008 at a special presentation at the SEMA show in Las Vegas including models with the new Advanced Sound Retriever MP3 enhancing technology.
Put simply, the process is not a classic analogue audio expander circuit but rather works deep in the digital domain. Actually calculating algorithmic extrapolation of the compressed data to restore its full dynamics, harmonics, staging and tonality.
ASR is all about putting back into the music all the stuff that is lost when encoded into a digital file.
While iPod tracks with a good bit rate and a cracking source recording can fool you into thinking it is CD, for normal downloads and for all but the maddest-end equipment, you really can benefit from this new process. Not just stretching what you have but actually feeding your Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) with better food. It’s important stuff and one great leap closer to audiophilia in compressed audio.
Seen here, the DEH-2000MP, here’s the full SP but no retail price as yet
MP3 /WMA /WAV CD Playback
ID3 Tag Text + Scroll
Front Aux-in (3.5mm Jack plug) for any MP3 player
Asymmetric Rotary design
Mosfet 4x 50w,
EEQ
D4Q RDS tuner with 18 presets,
White LCD display
Red illumination.
Wired remote ready
Cellular mute
Removable trim (DIN D),
Sound Level Adjustment,
Loudness control
Bass, Mid & Treble controls
Balance & Fader
Green Model option ( DEH-2020MP)
Blue Model option (DEH-2000MPB )