Pioneer M90, Onkyo M-504/M-508, Accuphase Or Something Else?

[HD Goofnut]

Evening guys.

I’m in the market for an amplifier and would like to pick up something from the 80’s or very early 90’s. A UV meter would be a nice addition as to me it’s part of that 80’s feel.

I’m interested in the ones listed above but wondered what else is out there that I should consider from this era.

I’ll only be playing CD’s via this amp using a Nakamichi MB-1.

Thanks for reading.

[HD Goofnut]

Nearly 40 views and not a single reply :confused:

[p147]

I think this should be in the 'Private Exhibition ' section, But if you are interested I have just put my Pioneer Reference C-73 ipre-amp on E-bay , No meters but beautifully finished, you will however still require a power amp to connect your speakers.

[HD Goofnut]

Thanks for the heads up, I reported the thread after you posted but it hasn’t been moved so I guess it’s where it is supposed to be...

I’m only looking for an amp but thanks for the offer :)

[struth]

moved it to PE, and see if it helps

[HD Goofnut]

Thanks very much Grant but I was hoping for more of a discussion on the subject rather than any offers to sell me something.

[Barry]

I've moved it to Blank Canvas which is the best place for a discussion.

[HD Goofnut]

Thanks Barry, hopefully with 190 views feedback might now be forthcoming...

[Macca]

If you know where there's a Pioneer M90 going then get it!

That might be the main problem, availability of high end 80s power amps just isn't great. And when they do come up sellers want silly money.

You could consider a Phillips 380 'Black Tulip', has the VU meters, good sound quality. You'd probably want to replace the speaker connections for something that will take a decent gauge of wire but they can be had for a reasonable price.

Don't know what your budget is but there are some tasty amplifiers by Accuphase from around that period. I think the Technics amps are a bit over-rated myself.

[Macca]

I always fancied a P300L. Never heard one but how good does it look?

https://i.imgur.com/lQ2cRrO.jpg

[HD Goofnut]

If you know where there's a Pioneer M90 going then get it!

That might be the main problem, availability of high end 80s power amps just isn't great. And when they do come up sellers want silly money.

I do, original owner too but he can’t decide if he wants to sell. What would be a good price for a buyer and seller?


You could consider a Phillips 380 'Black Tulip', has the VU meters, good sound quality. You'd probably want to replace the speaker connections for something that will take a decent gauge of wire but they can be had for a reasonable price.

Thank you, any idea on the SQ? I’ll take a look now.


Don't know what your budget is but there are some tasty amplifiers by Accuphase from around that period. I think the Technics amps are a bit over-rated myself.

Healthy for the right amp, I feel that about the Technics too but wondered if the larger A class amps would be any better. They look clean but prices being asked for them certainly isn’t.

[HD Goofnut]

I always fancied a P300L. Never heard one but how good does it look?

https://i.imgur.com/lQ2cRrO.jpg

Now that looks tasty!

[Macca]

I do, original owner too but he can’t decide if he wants to sell. What would be a good price for a buyer and seller?



Thank you, any idea on the SQ? I’ll take a look now.



Healthy for the right amp, I feel that about the Technics too but wondered if the larger A class amps would be any better. They look clean but prices being asked for them certainly isn’t.

Price on M90? I really don't know. Not like you can go on ebay and get an average for the sold listings. I would say it if is cosmetically mint and serviced then you've got to be looking at around the 2 grand mark. They are pretty rare and sought after. I've paid £900 for a Krell KSA50S and £1800 for a Krell KSA100Mk2 in the past 2 years if that gives you any idea. I wouldn't go over 2 grand for an old power amp though, not even that Accuphase.

Phillips 380 - I have one, sound quality is good, a cut above. But I don't get that same 'monstrous power on tap' feeling from it. I don't think you'd get the same satisfaction of ownership from it compared to what you would with the M90 or similar. The VU meters are very pretty though.

[Macca]

Oh re the Technics - I have only heard two of their 80s power amps( no idea of model numbers), and not in familiar systems but they didn't impress me. Maybe there are others that are good. the problem with Technics is that every mug punter has heard of them so that itself inflates the prices.

[HD Goofnut]

Price on M90? I really don't know. Not like you can go on ebay and get an average for the sold listings. I would say it if is cosmetically mint and serviced then you've got to be looking at around the 2 grand mark. They are pretty rare and sought after. I've paid £900 for a Krell KSA50S and £1800 for a Krell KSA100Mk2 in the past 2 years if that gives you any idea. I wouldn't go over 2 grand for an old power amp though, not even that Accuphase.

Phillips 380 - I have one, sound quality is good, a cut above. But I don't get that same 'monstrous power on tap' feeling from it. I don't think you'd get the same satisfaction of ownership from it compared to what you would with the M90 or similar. The VU meters are very pretty though.

The M90 is mint, original owner, 100% working condition but never serviced.

Shame about the price but look at this beast - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Accuphase-P-500-Stereo-Power-Amplifier-Excellent-Condition/164180383458?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[HD Goofnut]

Oh re the Technics - I have only heard two of their 80s power amps( no idea of model numbers), and not in familiar systems but they didn't impress me. Maybe there are others that are good. the problem with Technics is that every mug punter has heard of them so that itself inflates the prices.

Makes sense, I’ll forget about the Technics :)

[Macca]

The M90 is mint, original owner, 100% working condition but never serviced.

Shame about the price but look at this beast - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Accuphase-P-500-Stereo-Power-Amplifier-Excellent-Condition/164180383458?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Very tasty. But you need to use a step down transformer with it, I've read that can compromise sound quality. Don't know if it's true but always puts me off.

[HD Goofnut]

Very tasty. But you need to use a step down transformer with it, I've read that can compromise sound quality. Don't know if it's true but always puts me off.

Maybe the M90 for less hassle?

I believe there is a possibility the transformer can be fiddled with but I would have no way of knowing for sure until I had it in hand which could work out an expensive lesson if I couldn’t modify it.

[dicy]

7

[HD Goofnut]

7

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[HD Goofnut]

Just picking back up on this, I have been looking around on http://www.thevintageknob.org/ and wondered if anyone any experience with either the Onkyo M-504 or M-508? I still haven’t ruled out the Accuphase but trying to add a few more to the list before deciding.

[HD Goofnut]

:confused:

[macspur]

Take a look on HiFi for sale for either Accuphase or even Luxman
Mac

[HD Goofnut]

Thanks, i’ll look into the Luxman.

For anyone reading is there anything out there that has that classic, quintessential, electronic 80’s look? Anything with a multi coloured digital vu meter?

[HD Goofnut]

Yamaha M-85?

[HD Goofnut]

Nearly 750 views and apart from Macca (which is greatly appreciated) I must say the input and conversation has been astonishing :zzz:

[Macca]

Nearly 750 views and apart from Macca (which is greatly appreciated) I must say the input and conversation has been astonishing :zzz:

Not many members here have experience with these classic Jap amps and I think even less are interested. Which is a shame. Plus some are very rare and even rarer in the UK.

If I were you I'd just buy a vintage Krell and have done with it. Not as pretty as the Jap stuff admittedly but they've got it where it counts.