Old Pioneer v Older Pioneer and rose tinted glasses

[Paul-H]

Hi all

I have always fancied one of the old big Pioneer SA-9000 series amps, ether the 9800 or 9900 and now find myself in a position to get one, even though prices are very high at the moment with 9900 often attracting an asking price of nearly a grand UK£ so now is the time to ask, are they as good as everyone used to say they were or is it a touch of rose tinted specks syndrome.

My current Amp, I have had for over 30 years is a Pioneer A-70 and if I was honest still has a fantastic sound to it.

So would a good SA-9900 sound better than the A-70.

I am also after updating my Turntable which is only a Pioneer PL-112D so well overdue for an update, should I change the amp or just put all the money into a much better Turntable, I could just about afford a Linn LP12 if I kept the A-70.

Its been 30 years since I last looked into Hi-Fi so don't know any of the current brands, would something newer be a better option.

Thanks for any help with this

Paul

[struth]

Ditch the lp12 You can do better for the money. I certainly wouldn,t pay anything like a grand on an amp like that. Good as they were, they aint worth it imo. I would be inclined to improve your tt and phono stage/cart first. More improvements to be had there i would think.

[Paul-H]

Thanks for the reply

I must admit after running it all day, I suspect my Amp is as good as I need already so might forget the 9900, unless I find a real bargain

Regarding Turntable and Cartridge, do you have any recommendations.

Thanks

Paul

[Firebottle]

If you don't want to spend a lot of money get yourself a well sorted Lenco GL75.

Look up the deck on here and you will find a lot of satisfied owners, me included.

[Beobloke]

I've not heard your A-70 but I have owned a Pioneer SA-9800. It had superb build quality, was a pleasure to own and use and was certainly very nice to listen to but not exactly the last word in ultimate sonics.

Personally, I'd stick with the A-70 if you like it and upgrade your turntable. A Pioneer of a similar vintage to the amplifier would be a fine choice.

[Arkless Electronics]

There's a 70's Japanese gear nostalgia thing going on at the moment which means certain amps you couldn't give away 15 years ago are now fetching big money... it doesn't mean they sound anything special

[Floyddroid]

If you don't want to spend a lot of money get yourself a well sorted Lenco GL75.

Look up the deck on here and you will find a lot of satisfied owners, me included.

I would have to agree. I sold my Lenco and bitterly regretted it. Much better than my present 401.

[Floyddroid]

There's a 70's Japanese gear nostalgia thing going on at the moment which means certain amps you couldn't give away 15 years ago are now fetching big money... it doesn't mean they sound anything special

Agreed. However, i still think one of the best second hand bargains of all time is the Inca Tech Claymore. Wonderful for the money. Not as pretty as the big Pioneers, Trio, Yamaha or Rotel amps but there again you won't be paying silly money for one.

[Martyn Miles]

Thanks for the reply

I must admit after running it all day, I suspect my Amp is as good as I need already so might forget the 9900, unless I find a real bargain

Regarding Turntable and Cartridge, do you have any recommendations.

Thanks

Paul

The AR XA is an underrated turntable.
The arm is a lot better then it looks.
I run a Denon DL110 MC cartridge in my XA.

The only problem ( if it is a problem...) is that the XAs are rising in price.
The good news is there's lots of info. & backup on the Internet.

Ed. Villchur knew what he was about, both with loudspeakers and turntables.
Oh how I wish I'd bought an XA, AR amp and a pair of AR3as in the 1970s...

Martyn.

[danilo]

Many of us did Too many were buying Japanese Junk though.
I'd spend on the Amp First.
One can get significant improvements in that direction.
Vinyl playback is limited by: the TT, the Cart , the Phono AND the pesky LP itself
Gotta 'Fix' .. ALL... of that to make a worthwhile upgrade.
Piecemeal efforts are dissapointing