As a journalist who is a veteran of combat in the rock and roll wars, I get a perverse pleasure from writing about electronics. Partly because electronics are the media of our time and have more to do with the propagation of rock and roll than even the music itself, but mainly because I don’t have to interview any musicians to write about electronics. And after conversational contact with almost two thousand of those creative geniuses who are what’s happening, that’s a big plus. In fact, electronics writing is a pretty insular affair. I don’t have to shlep to any concerts to watch my brothers and sisters ODing around me; the only power I’m concerned with are the wattage values of amplifiers; and it is infrequent that, anyone will keep me on the phone for half an hour asking me if I’ve listened to their new turntable.

So it was with a great deal of hesitation that I accepted an invitation extended by Pioneer Electronics to attend a press party in honor of their new line of equipment. I’ve gotten gun shy of press parties because of my rock and roll experiences where such events usually come down to nothing more than a lurching contest between the members of the group and the members of the press, with the group winning because they get to play for an Jio.iir or two and, simultaneously, the bar gets closed down.

Slicking back my hair and polishing the points of my boots, I set out for the Summit Hotel in New York City for the Pioneer party. I arrived to be escorted into a room chock-full of suited gentlemen, all standing around muttering to each other. Most of the life in the room seemed to be coming from a half dozen Japanese, each with their own 35mm cameras, who were busy talking to each other and, if seemed, to the equipment as well. I had to control myself because every time I see a Japanese in the same room with a stereo amplifier I get a terrible urge to go up and congratulate them.

At one end of the room, which I got to after putting on my name badge which proudly announced, “Hello, My Name Is Richard,’' I found the new Pioneer line. Set up on a row of tables ready for my inspection. True, some of the amps were on and playing, but anypne who wanted to could turn them down, turn them off, or change the record. Just like that. I must admit that it got a bit boring after the first five minutes, but then it was so much more peaceful than the boredom I get at' a rock press party from another band chugging through the same three chords.

The equipment on display was the new Pioneer line and it was really fabulous. Pioneer is turning out an equipment series that does, indeed, deserve a press party. Of course, some of the price tags set me back a little, but then the craftsmanship that goes into creating and manufacturing some of this equipment means that you have to pay a substantial amount to own one. The trend seemed to be towards four channel amplifier-receivers such as the Pioneer QX-949 which lists for $699.95 including the walnut cabinet. The Japanese have resolved the problem of the various quad systems by incorporating the three major systems into their amps: CD-4 (being used by ElektraWarners-Atlantic and RCA), SQ (Columbia’s bid for fame and fortune in quad), and RM (standing for Regular Matrix, RM is the Jap system). In addition you can run three tape decks into the system, two turntables, and there’s still another input left-over. Plus the QX-949 is a stereo receiver and it has a built-in scope which glows green and shows you the electronic seperation of your four channel signals. Other new quad amps from Pioneer were also on display including their QX-747 ($599.95) and their QX-646 ($499.95).

Other equipment that Caught my eye included Pioneer’s new four channel tape recorder, their RT-1020L which goes for $599.95. It takes a 10 Vi” reel, will playback either two or four channel, while it will record two channel stereo. Some of the important features on this deck include bias and equalization controls for the type of recording tape you’re using; switchable meters to check both front and rear sound output; and sound on sound with the potential for mixing two sound sources together at once when recording. Very nice.

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The last item I’ll mention is Pioneer’s new direct drive turntable, their model PL-51 which goes for $249.95 including base and hinged dust cover. This is a hew kind of turntable that has been invented by the Japanese. Instead of using belts or discs to drive the turntable, the motor is connected directly to the turntable so that there is no possibility of any slippage or other irregularity (such as the belt stretching over a period of time) in the running speed of the turntable. If you don’t believe it, you can check the speed on the built-in strobe.

In all I had a real good time at the party even though the entire event was over within the half-hour. My faith in the Japanese was re-confirmed and it was fabulous to be able to turn the sound up and down at will while I was there, for what could be more realistic' ally power to the people. ^