Pioneer Launches Its New XDP-30R DAP and SE-CH5BL Earbuds, Perfect for Hi-Res Audio

Pioneer Launches Its New XDP-30R DAP and SE-CH5BL Earbuds​

Pioneer Home Electronics(May 4, 2017) Pioneer has launched two new products aimed directly at enthusiasts seeking portable Hi-Res audio access. The New XDP-30R Digital Audio Player (MSRP $399 US/$599 CAD) and SE-CH5BL Earbuds ($89.99 US) represent tempting new options with appealing price points.

The XDP-30R Digital Audio Player (DAP) sports a compact size (2.5”W x 3.7”H x 0.6”D) that’s small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. It’s exterior is milled out of a single block of aluminum, housing a 2.4” capacitive touch screen, side buttons for Play/Pause and Skip/Scan, a large knurled volume control roller, and two headphone connections (3.5mm unbalanced and 2.5mm four-pole balanced).

Internally, the XDP-30R features twin ESS SABRE ES9018C2M DACs and twin SABRE 9601K headphone amps, both are symmetrically positioned on the circuit board and separated from the power supply to minimize interference. Pioneer has also included a powerful 32-bit DSP. Users can customize sound output with a ten band EQ that has six built-in presets and three user settings, three different digital sound filters, a five-step bass enhancer, and an adjustable gain (low/normal/high) to accommodate different styles of headphones.

The XDP-30R carries 16GB of storage that can be expanded to 528GB via two 256GB micro SD card slots. Audio file support includes DSD (2.8MHz/5.6MHz), DSD-IFF, MP3, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, and AAC (max 192kHz/32-bit). MQA support will be unlocked with a future firmware update.

Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are included, allowing for streaming from TIDAL and TuneIn. Owners can also use these features to connect to a wide variety of peripherals.

The XDP-30R is available in two colors: Black and Silver.

Pioneer Home ElectronicsThe SE-CH5BL Earbuds is designed to be a perfect mate for the XDP-30R, starting with a 2.5mm four-pole balanced connector. Pioneer says these buds are capable of playing down to 8Hz, largely due to the inclusion of a proprietary Airflow Control Port that adjusts low frequency sound pressure to achieve tight bass and clear mid to high frequencies.

The SE-CH5HBL features a tangle-resistant cable with discrete connections for the left and right channels. A secure fit is achieved with an over-the-ear design, where the cable loops over top of the ear; small, medium, and large ribbed silicon tips are also included. The tips have a wide nozzle opening that allows for sound to be directed at the eardrum, eliminating issues with short wavelengths of higher frequencies canceling each other out.

Both the XDP-30R DAP and SE-CH5BL Earbuds are available for purchase now. Click here for more information.


XDP-30R Key Specifications

• Weight: 0.26 lbs
• Dimensions: 2.5”W x 3.7”H x 0.6”D
• Power Output: 75 mW + 75 mW (Unbalanced, 32 Ohms); 150 mW + 150 mW (BTL Mode, 32 Ohms)
• Supported Headphone Impedance: 16–300 Ohms (Unbalanced); 
32–600 Ohms (BTL Mode)
• Frequency Response: Frequency Response: 20 Hz–80,000 Hz 

• Connections: 3.5 mm (1/8 ̋) 3-pole Headphone Output with Line Output Function; 2.5 mm (3/32 ̋) 4-pole Balanced Headphone Output with Balanced 
Line Output Function 

• DAC: Twin Premium-grade SABRE (ES9018C2M) 

• Storage: 16GB internal; 528 GB (Micro SD)
• Music File Playback: DSD (5.6 MHz/2.8 MHz), DSD-IFF, MP3, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, and AAC (Maximum 192 kHz/32-bit); MQA with future firmware update
• Streaming Services: Tidal, TuneIn
• Wireless: Built-in Dual-band 5 GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi® (802.11); Bluetooth® Wireless Audio Streaming (Pro le: A2DP/AVRCP, 
Codec: SBC)

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[JBrax]

Well isn't that right in line with the earlier MQA discussion. I'm curious why MQA compatibility isn't available at launch? Are they trying to get these on the market before somebody else's release? I think if I were interested I might wait a bit to see what else is coming out.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Last year I reviewed Onkyo's DPX-1... it's a DAP that sized around the size of a standard cell phone (but thicker). Performance was amazingly good (in fact, excellent). It was basically an iteration of a product previously released by Pioneer.

The XDP-30R looks to be an evolutionary step forward in terms of its portable nature (which has huge advantages over larger DAPs).

I have a request in for a review sample, so stay tuned!

 

[JBrax]

Nice! Staying tuned.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Fingers crossed ;-)

 

[Todd Anderson]

In answer to your MQA question... it obviously is shipping with the necessary hardware. Beyond that, the firmware must not be finalized yet. I'll ask and see if I can get a firm answer.

 

[Tonto]

I still say they are missing the boat not following the cell phone model. Tech gets better too quickly (1 year and better than the Onkyo). Tidal should be offering this DAP for $100 with a 2 year subscription. In 2 years, renew & get another, better DAP. I truely don't understand why Streaming Services aren't all over this model!

Imagine what Tidal could buy them for directly from Pioneer if the bought 500,000 or a 1,000,000 at a time. Would be a win for Tidal/Pioneer/& the consumer. How many of us get our new phone when we renew our cell phone contract?

 

[JBrax]

I still say they are missing the boat not following the cell phone model. Tech get better too quickly (1 year and better than the Onkyo). Tidal should be offering this DAP for $100 with a 2 year subscription. In 2 years, renew & get another, better DAP. I truely don't understand why Streaming Services aren't all over this model!

That's a pretty good idea!

 

[Todd Anderson]

It is a good idea... I had similar thoughts during my review of the Onkyo. I'm guessing the typical cell phone buyer wouldn't want to pay the extra $150-$200 for a phone with specialized DACs. And manufacturers like to manufacture on large scale.

There's definitely some credence to TIDAL offering this player with a subscription... or perhaps a site like HD Tracks offering it as some sort of incentive to customers that buy a certain number of songs over a defined period of time.

Ultimately, the question is demand. This there large demand? Or is this a niche product? My gut tells me niche...but the fact that they're rolling out new models says there must be some money to be made in the segment.

 

[Peter Loeser]

Ultimately, the question is demand. This there large demand? Or is this a niche product? My gut tells me niche...but the fact that they're rolling out new models says there must be some money to be made in the segment.

My thoughts exactly. I would expect their target consumer group to be pretty small but I may be underestimating it.

 

[Todd Anderson]

The size of this new device is certain enticing... for someone commuting to work, it would be easy to carry in a bag on the subway. I like that!

 

[Tonto]

Tidal already has their nich population. What they need is a way to expand/grow it. I think this would be perfect because of what it can bring to the party. You have high res audio files with you wherever you go. You get in your car, it connects & plays through its stereo system. You get home, it connects to your system (unless your AVR has its own access). You go to a friends, you connect to their system. And when you are looking at new equipment. You have all your favorite music to play right there in the store. Be it speakers, avr's, amps, you name it. I'd bite!

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

I have a request in for a review sample, so stay tuned!

Confounded snail-mail! Let's get a move-on already!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Request is in... now we wait to see if review stock is available. :-)