Source: Press Release, Last Accessed: 2014/09/03

Pioneer recently announced the N-70A and N-50A streaming network players. According to the relevant press relesase, both players are designed to achieve the very best performance from both hi-res and standard resolution audio files, with or without network connection.
The N-70A/N-50A offer access to a wealth of musical sources. The units can be connected to a wired or a wireless network (using an optional adapter), and stream music from a PC, Mac or NAS (Network Attached Storage). It’s also possible to receive internet radio stations using vTuner and to listen to the popular Spotify Connect music service. Streaming music from an iPhone, an iPod touch using AirPlay technology is also possible.
Both units might as well be used without a network. The USB ports on the front and the back allow to connect a hard disc, from which music can be played directly. In the same way, an iPod or an iPhone can be connected. It’s also possible to connect a laptop or a desktop pc or Mac to the N-70A/N-50A, using the dedicated B-type USB port at the back. This way, the N-70A/N-50A will be deployed as a high-end asynchronous USB DAC, which accepts DSD signals (2.8 MHz/5.6 MHz) and PCM signals up to 384 kHz. The N-50A plays DSD signals up to 5.6 MHz and PCM signals up to 192 kHz.
The N-70A has a full aluminium body with a rigid, 3 mm bottom plate that is resistant to vibrations. Inside, the unit is divided into three separated chambers, minimizing the chance of interference that might degrade the audio signal. Furthermore, the unit is equipped with separated, individually shielded transformers for the analogue and the digital circuits. The N-70A accepts hi-res audio signals up to 384 kHz/32 bit, including DSD signals (2.8/5.6 MHz). The device can also upsample digital or analogue signals to 384 kHz/32 bit. Last but not least, our unique Hi-Bit 32-bit extension technology ensures that the original musical content is perfectly preserved.
The N-50A is finished with an attractive aluminium front panel. The 1.6 mm bottom plate helps to neutralise unwanted vibrations. Inside the unit, two separated transformers are used for the analogue and digital circuits. The N-50A is able to cope with high-resolution audio signals up to 192 kHz/32 bit and handles DSD signals (2.8 MHz/5.6 MHz) as well.
Furthermore, both analogue and digital signals can be upsampled to a resolution of 192 kHz. Inside the N-70A, two Sabre32 ESS9016 chips are deployed to take care of the D/A conversion process. Each chip uses no less then eight D/A-conversion circuits, making sure the conversion is extremely precise. The N-50A uses two Sabre32 ESS9011 chips for D/A conversion, with two D/A-conversion circuits on each chip. This way, the result of the digital/analogue conversion is much more similar to the original musical signal as with conventional D/A converters. The same Hi-Bit 32 bit extension technology as used in the N-70A, is integrated in the N-50A.
Both the N-70A and the N-50A feature a high-end DAC section that can also be used to improve the sound quality of external digital sources, by simply connecting these sources to the coaxial and optical inputs of the N-70A/N-50A. The N-70A/N-50A also have coaxial and optical digital outputs, as well as unbalanced and balanced (N-70A only) analogue outputs. Both units are equipped with a USB type A port, to connect a hard disc or a similar device, as well as USB type B port, which can be used to set-up a direct connection with a pc or a Mac. The N-70A also has a headphone output on the front panel, which is driven by a dedicated high performance headphone amplifier.
The streamers are compatible with FLAC, ALAC, MP3, AIFF and WAV files, up to a resolution of 384 kHz/32 bits (192 kHz/32 bits on the N-50A). DSD files (2.8/5.6 MHz) can be read as well. And whatever the file type, the N-70A/N-50A will play it perfectly gapless.
Thanks to the easy readable 3.5” colour LCD screen on the front panel and the user friendly ControlApp, both the N-70A and the N-50A are a breeze to use. The acclaimed Pioneer ControlApp, which also shows cover art, is available at no charge for iPhone and iPod touch from the App Store. An Android version is available free of charge in the Google Play store.
The N-70A and N-50A will be available from November 2014.

For more information: http://www.pioneer.eu/

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