The Pioneer A-303R proved to be a refreshingexperience. Even though it may be operated from the armchair, there’s no reason why a remote control should affect sound quality and with this amp we have a case in point.Sure enough its various phono (MM only), CD, tuner, aux and two tape inputs are all routed by a handy integrated circuit, but this is common enough these days.Similarly, the volume knob is driven by an internal motor, preventing the wear and tear on your fingertips and without fouling the signal path itself. Pioneer has also included an on-board ‘Direct’ facility which side-steps the remaining bass, treble, balance, tape monitor and loudness widgets for a shortcut to and from the volume control.A control socket on the rear of the Pioneer A-303R also allows you to fire-up a compatible tuner, CD player and tape deck from this single remote handset. For ‘compatible’ read ‘matching Pioneer separates’.Sound qualityHandel’s flourishing violins retained their customary brilliance and sounded neither grating nor edgy. Our panel did complain about a hint of reediness or stridency when the amp was pushed too hard; on the whole, though, there’s an attractive sense of detail and quiet spaciousness. Just avoid up-beat rock and pop, particularly with tricky speakers.The MM input on the Pioneer A-303R fared equally well, being applauded for its suppression of obvious surface noise and generous dynamics, and only mildly admonished for a lack of weight and gumption. Then again, the circuitry used in this MM stage is duplicated in both input selection and line stages, contributing to a very consistent sound.ConclusionWhether the true bonus of this amp is its unexpected sense of poise, structure and substance, or having full remote control, will depend on your personal preference. Just stick to sensitive, easy-going speakers and you’ll not be disappointed by this pleasing blend of good features, good sound and good value.


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