The PD-F1009 excels in other areas, however. In addition to its standard features (play, repeat, program, etc.), the PD-F1009 has a few that are more unusual and, it turns out, perfect for a CD jukebox. The Best Play feature lets you commit any 20 tracks to the PD-F1009's memory. Just hit the Best button (on the remote only) while a track is playing, and the player will automatically store that track in memory. Later, when you hit Best Play, the unit plays back up to 20 tracks in sequence. (Curiously, Best Play plays tracks back in reverse order.)

Another cool feature is Previous Scan, which simply plays (likewise in reverse order) the opening 10 seconds of the last 20 discs played. The PD-F1009 also lets you create up to five custom files, or groups, with no limit to the number of CDs in each file. This is a terrific way to file discs by genre or artist.

In addition, the PD-F1009 is one of the few players we know of (megachanger or otherwise) that is compatible with both CD-Rs and CD-RWs--most only play CD-Rs. The PD-F1009's CD Text feature scans and displays disc and song titles, but only if a CD is encoded with this information (most new ones are).

Finally, the PD-F1009 has an optical digital output for use with outboard digital processors, minidisc, and CD recorders, as well as the capability for CD-recorder synchronization with other Pioneer equipment.

Where the PD-F1009 falls short is in its musical presentation. Through the analog outputs, everything sounds a little dull. From an audiophile standpoint, the midrange lacks openness, the top end lacks extension and sparkle, and the bass is sluggish and overly soft. If you have a surround receiver with an optical digital input, we highly recommend listening through the PD-F1009's digital output, which sounds just fine.

We like the PD-F1009's features, which Pioneer has executed nicely and at an attractive price. We strongly recommend the PD-F1009 for background music; serious listeners will want to reach for an optical cable to take advantage of the changer's digital output. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Huge disc-storage capacity
• CD-R and CD-RW compatible
• Excellent array of features
• Digital output

Cons:

• Sound from analog outputs is dull
• No headphone jack

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.


A great device for the price   February 26, 2001
 71 out of 72 found this review helpful

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.


More reliable than some might think.   April 12, 2000
 63 out of 64 found this review helpful

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.


Excellent Product in the 300 CD Changer Class   April 27, 2000
 59 out of 61 found this review helpful

I have seen/used the Sony 300 CD Changer and I have used the Pioneer 300 CD Changer and the Sony does not come close.

The Pioneer changes discs fast , user-friendly remote/jog dial and good sound quality when played through the Digital output.

I would definitely recommend the Pioneer PDF1009 for anyone considering a 300 CD Player.