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JDM 100 volt silver face Pioneer M73, C73, F73 / curious question about the tuner

triple20

triple20

71 Cutlass S / Hurst wheels
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I have had this set for quite some time and have always been curious about the tuner.
M 73 power amp , C 73 pre amp , F 73 tuner.
All 3 are 100 volt units. Yes I use a step down transformer.
Everything I read tells me FM dials in Japan range from 76 - 90. We all know US FM dials range from 88 - 108.
All the pictures I see on line of the F 73 tuners show a dial of 76 - 90.
All the pictures I see on line of the F 73 tuners show signal strength meters with a black background.

My F 73 tuner is 100 volt,has a dial ranging from 88 - 108 and has signal strength meters with a white background.

So,since this is 100 volt as used in Japan and not 120 volt for the US market, why does it have a US numbered dial? Shouldn't it have a Japan numbered dial?
If it was meant for Europe,it would be a 230 volt unit,correct?

In all my searching and reading I have seen many sets like this but this is the only F 73 I have seen set up like this one. Japan volts,US dial and white meters.
Any info is appreciated.



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triple20 said:
I have had this set for quite some time and have always been curious about the tuner.
M 73 power amp , C 73 pre amp , F 73 tuner.
All 3 are 100 volt units. Yes I use a step down transformer.
Everything I read tells me FM dials in Japan range from 76 - 90. We all know US FM dials range from 88 - 108.
All the pictures I see on line of the F 73 tuners show a dial of 76 - 90.
All the pictures I see on line of the F 73 tuners show signal strength meters with a black background.

My F 73 tuner is 100 volt,has a dial ranging from 88 - 108 and has signal strength meters with a white background.

So,since this is 100 volt as used in Japan and not 120 volt for the US market, why does it have a US numbered dial? Shouldn't it have a Japan numbered dial?
If it was meant for Europe,it would be a 230 volt unit,correct?

In all my searching and reading I have seen many sets like this but this is the only F 73 I have seen set up like this one. Japan volts,US dial and white meters.
Any info is appreciated.



View attachment 3833672
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Was it a military purchase? It may have been originally purchased at a PX or something and brought back from overseas by someone in the military.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Could this F series Pioneer stack have been bought by a US military member (and the tuner be a USA FM band model ordered).
Click to expand...
I wouldn't think so because this unit is just 100 volt,not dual voltage that would be needed once it arrived in the US.
You did have a good idea though and it gave me the thought to google search the idea to see what google says.
 
jobrewer1983 said:
Was it a military purchase? It may have been originally purchased at a PX or something and brought back from overseas by someone in the military.
Click to expand...
I don't think so because it is 100 volt and not dual voltage that would be needed when it arrived in the US.
That is good thinking though,these thoughts made google the idea.
 
gadget73 said:
I'd expect one ordered through a PX to be a multi-voltage unit, not a 100v one. A lot of Pioneer stuff had voltage selectors right on the back. The voltage / frequency combo is a strange one for sure.
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I agree,I would think if it was possible the unit was going to be used in both Japan and the US it would be dual voltage instead of just 100 volt.
It is a strange one!
 
I know google can't always be trusted and info taken as the truth and accurate but I did google the PX idea and google says...
The 73 series was designed just for the Japanese market and no dual voltage or US dial versions were factory made. They didn't need to have those available because they had the SPEC gear and TX series tuners available for the US and Europe.
Google says there were cases where this type of gear was imported here then aftermarket audio technicians would perform professional type custom modifications that would include dual voltage or adding a US dial then re calibrating and aligning the tuner.
I'm not sure why a tech would go through the trouble of adding the US dial and not adding dual voltage.
I have no idea how accurate google's info is but that what it says.

Thank you to everyone for your comments.
 
gadget73 said:
may be a case of the transformer isn't capable of dual voltage, so they modified the tuner using US-spec parts and left the power supply alone. If the transformer doesn't have the extra tap(s) replacing it would be the only option.

still a bit of an odd choice however you slice it.
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That makes sense. This is plausible.
 
gadget73 said:
may be a case of the transformer isn't capable of dual voltage, so they modified the tuner using US-spec parts and left the power supply alone. If the transformer doesn't have the extra tap(s) replacing it would be the only option.

still a bit of an odd choice however you slice it.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a definite possibility.
Yes,the oddness is what makes me so curious to know it's story.
thank you
 
gadget73 said:
may be a case of the transformer isn't capable of dual voltage, so they modified the tuner using US-spec parts and left the power supply alone. If the transformer doesn't have the extra tap(s) replacing it would be the only option.

still a bit of an odd choice however you slice it.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think so...

The tuner section has been converted from the Japanese FM band to the US FM band (including the US market faceplate).

But the power transformer was not converted. I would be sure the transformer is rated for 50/60 Hz, and you can use a 100-120 VAC converter, no sweat.

In general — and this is a big "general" — many transformers rated for 50 Hz can run on a 60 Hz power supply (as long as the voltage is correct). BUT not vice versa. Don't run 60Hz power transformers on a 50 Hz power supply!

I'd check with the specific manufacturer and model type first — just to be sure. ;)


:thumbsup:
 
nj pheonix said:
I'm not familiar with the gear but it is a pretty rack set up.
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Yes,a very good looking set and fantastic performance also.
85 watts per channel power amp and the pre amp is a 100 volt version of Pioneers SPEC 3,has a fantastic phono section with cartridge load switching and resistance controls.
So much with the looks checks boxes on my list of wants,separates,rack handles,silver face,pioneer warm amber dial light,fluted knobs,meters.
 
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