Home > Consumer Reviews > Pioneer PD-F1009 301-Disc CD-File Changer

I've looked at a lot of changers and none of them have as many well-implemented features for such a great price.

The main feature I like which puts this above Sony is the ability to search and store data on CDs not only by Title, but also by Artist. Although it is a huge pain to go through and create all the artist/title information - it's easier to find the CD you want in the end. I create CD Text duplicates of all my CDs and load them into this changer (the originals stay in their cases so they can be taken on trips, etc.). I then have the ability to see every song, artist, and album title. CDText is a Godsend!

The only thing bad about this product is the un-ergonomic and un-usable completely black remote control brick. You can solve this problem by using a Universal Remote which I assume most serious audiophiles will want to use anyway. I still give the changer 5 stars because I don't believe the bad remote is that big of a deal for most people.

I use the optical digital output and I'm impressed with the sound. The Changer itself is quiet and quick. I purchased a 5 year warranty because I don't trust mechanical devices, but after 18 months I've had not one problem.

Let me start by saying that I am using the PD-F1007, which has the headphone jack that the Amazon review notes as missing from the 1009. I don't know why Amazon carries the 1009 and not the 1007, given that this appears to be the only difference, but all else seems to be in order.

As an audiophile who used to work in radio, I've amassed quite a collection of CDs, so being able to have a few hundred of them in the player at a time is great. You can also specify groups of CDs by categories; I found this handy this past Christmas when we loaded up our collection of holiday CDs and grouped them. Then, if we felt like listening to holiday music, we'd play that group on "random"; and if we were tired of the holiday cheer, we'd choose another group from which to play songs at random.

The machine is easy enough to learn how to use, and the sound quality is fine. The mechanism itself is quieter than the typical 6-CD cartridge-based changes that Pioneer and JVC make (I've never used the Sony 300 disc player), and I've found it quite suitable for playing soft background music at parties we've hosted, even with the constant CD shuffling that random play requires.

I've always been happy with the quality of Pioneer's CD-players, my previous one (a 6-changer) offering 8 years of excellent service. For the price, I don't see how you can go wrong with this player. Highly recommended.

... ... It'll take you one full evening to get 301 CD's into it. But this isthe machine for me as I have close to 800 CD's now. The 6 discchangers just weren't cutting it. I did notice a diference in thesound quality but I think you can overcome that with digital optical cable or using a good monster cable. The big advantage with the player is the Random feature. Hey man, with 300 CD's this is DAYS worth music. We're talking not hearing the same tune twice in a week or weekend. The hell with commercial radio! I've got my own station with this player. It also has some good programming functions and I like the CD Text. My only concer is that the unit can stand up to consistent use. The last CD jukebox I bought was Sony 25CD which was in 1991. It never worked out of the box and I've been with 6Cd Onkyo since then. But alas, my collection has grown far beyond the capabilities of 6 gun changer. If you're looking for something that can handle a chunk of your large collection then this is the PD-f1009 is for you.

10/06/04:
I was going over some of my old reviews and found this one. I mentioned in the original review above I was concerned about this player's consistent usage. Well I am happy to report I have had absolutely no problems with this CD player! I would in fact buy another and daisy chain it with this one were I not using Windows XP's media features to "rip" my CD collection to a hard drive. Still I'm extremely happy with this product and commend Pioneer for its price and durability.

Ignoring the obviously non-objective reviews, some of which seem to have been written by people who have absolutely no experience with this unit, I chose the Pioneer over the Sony for two reasons: My four current Pioneer audio components have operated for 13 years without any failure whatsoever; and the Sony reviews, even after discounting the questionable ones, point to the possibility of complications and equipment failure.
I've waited 3 months after purchase to write this review so I could present it with some authority, and I couldn't be happier with my changer. The Pioneer is easy to use and load, changes quickly, smoothly and quietly, and has some nice program options. I find the remote to be just the right size for the job, and while it would be nice if it was lighted, I only have trouble reading it in very low light.
Having this changer has put the fun back into CD listening. The 6-disc magazine was state-of-the-art when it came out, but the years went by and I got lazy. I play CDs a lot more now that I can lie on my sofa, push a button or two, and listen to any disc in my entire collection. And all of the jewel cases are now in boxes in the attic, making lots of room for other stuff.
This is a great machine, and I suggest you not be scared off of buying one by "reviews" that barely make sense.

Unlike the last reviewer, I have had good luck with this changer; so far it has been trouble-free. So much so in fact that I purchased a second. The sound quality is quite good if you use the digital output and a receiver with a good A/D converter (mine is a Denon). I have an older NEC single player I still use that was top of the line a few years back (the thing weighs 35lbs and has separate digital and analog section power supplies - it is not a cheapy) and it was difficult to distinguish a difference with the Pioneer's sound quality using the optical digital outputs. Access time is quick, usually less than 8 or 10 seconds and the changer is relatively quiet and reliable. There is an Elite version of this changer that costs twice as much - it apparently has a better A/D converter. Save the money and buy this if you have a digital input on a good receiver; you won't notice a significant improvement in sound quality. A couple minor drawbacks: The remote is small and has no illuminated buttons and there is no keyboard data entry ability as on the higher-priced Sony units (which cost about a hundred dollars more). If you plan on using a slave unit, there is no digital input to the master - you have to use the analog outputs from the slave into the master, with poorer sound resulting. All in all, a good value.