No, not at all! Oh well, I guess you'll just have to buy the whole set...
, that thought did cross my mind to be honest, the sacd/cd player got a 5 star rating from our main hi-fi magazine here in the UK (what-hifi) , the A-A6-J variation of the matching Amp also got 5 stars.
Us Yanks are supposed to get 2 different *receiver* versions of that integrated amp as per a Pioneer press release, but checked their site again last week & still no dedicated page for it yet.
You'll note that the integrated, at 70wpc & ~25 lbs., is very similar to those offered by such UK companies as Arcam, Rega, Creek, etc. Seems to be targeted at the Euro market, where smaller, light-weight, moderate power integrated amps sell well. Denon, Marantz, Yamaha and Pioneer have all come out with considerably heavier/higher power integrated amps, as well. The Marantz(s) is(are) in NA now and the others are to be introduced at the CES next week (so my Yamaha dealer tells me). All have matching 2-channel CDPs, as well. Do hope they hold to their schedule, as I've placed an order for the 2-channel, only, Yamaha CD-S2000 SACD player.
Read with interest that thread with the posts about the Mac 201 having problems & needing firmware updates. This is just me, but I think a player at that level (price, build quality etc) should work PERFECTLY from the minute it is removed from its shipping box. The operating standards for playing sacds and CDs are out there for any manufacturer to peruse waaaaaay before any actual manufacturing begins, so such a player should not need any updates, software or otherwise, for the customer to deal with.
Another once-proud company sliding down the toilet while the shareholders count their $$..........
