Missed that Pioneer sound

[kotofei]

Some time ago I was lucky to get the Pioneer SA-9800 amp locally with hum, scratchy sound and half-rotten case for a song. I took me longer that usual to get it in shape since I aimed for a full re-cap including big filter 'lytics, re-pot and re-transistor as suggested by MTF, few rounds of cleaning and getting a new wood case. And it paid off.

After a month or so in a system, the SA-9800 rewarded me with the clear and crisp sound with slightly elevated upper midrange and highs, tight and balanced bass, soundstage with 3-D depth and correct instrument tonality.

Soundwise, it was the best amp I have listened to; if it would have a remote control, I would keep it. Since it didn't I released it to a fellow AKer and keep Nakamichi separates.

Listened tonight to my all-Nakamichi system I realized that I missed that Pioneer sound. I don't know if elevated midrange and highs is signature sound of a Pioneer gear and I don't care if this sound is inaccurate because I liked it this way. Not to mention the tonality and the 3-D soundstage.

It would be interesting to know if such sound is characteristic, or "signature" to high-end Pioneer gear restored and tuned to specs?

 

[Yamaki]

I'm not sure about the Pioneer gear but I get the same pleasing sound characteristic from vintage Yamaha amps.

 

[larryderouin]

From my own personal experience, I find that the PIONEER Receivers I have are voiced as you describe. I like the expanded Mid's, and highs. I compared my FISHER 500-TX and 800-C to the SX-939 and find they sound surprisingly similar except for one thing. The FISHER's tend to starting a roll off of the highs @ about 12kHz. Other than that they sound pretty much the same TO ME.

That might explain why 99% of my gear is PIONEER and FISHER.

 

[Daunia 70]

Some time ago I was lucky to get the Pioneer SA-9800 amp locally with hum, scratchy sound and half-rotten case for a song. I took me longer that usual to get it in shape since I aimed for a full re-cap including big filter 'lytics, re-pot and re-transistor as suggested by MTF, few rounds of cleaning and getting a new wood case. And it paid off.

After a month or so in a system, the SA-9800 rewarded me with the clear and crisp sound with slightly elevated upper midrange and highs, tight and balanced bass, soundstage with 3-D depth and correct instrument tonality.

Soundwise, it was the best amp I have listened to; if it would have a remote control, I would keep it. Since it didn't I released it to a fellow AKer and keep Nakamichi separates.

Listened tonight to my all-Nakamichi system I realized that I missed that Pioneer sound. I don't know if elevated midrange and highs is signature sound of a Pioneer gear and I don't care if this sound is inaccurate because I liked it this way. Not to mention the tonality and the 3-D soundstage.

It would be interesting to know if such sound is characteristic, or "signature" to high-end Pioneer gear restored and tuned to specs?

Excellent description of the SA-9800's sound quality,I know exactly where you're coming from as I have a Pioneer SA-9800.The SA-8800 sounds very similar and so does the Pioneer A-91D integrated,the latter perhaps a little more detailed.It too has no remote control though.

 

[larryderouin]

Who needs remotes when you have kids. Get them to make the changes.

 

[hertzdonut]

Who needs remotes when you have kids. Get them to make the changes.

Yeah, very funny. It wasn't until my kids were in their 20's when they admitted to having "races" with my tuning knob on my SX-850 when they were little. Races, as in "who could spin the knob the hardest to make the pointer go the farthest".

Remarkably, that tuner still works perfectly. I bought that 850 new in 1979, and have never had to repair or replace the cord, knob or anything. Thank you Pioneer!

 

[Zonian]

Who needs remotes when you have kids. Get them to make the changes.

That's how I was raised and that's how I raised my boys...

...you can't feel the music the same way with a remote...

...what do you think all those lovely knobs and switches are there for anyway?

 

[kotofei]

Who needs remotes when you have kids. Get them to make the changes.

Using a kid as remote controller is fine; however, what if you listen either if your kid watching TV or playing in another room or sleeps?

Going back to the original question: if vintage Pioneers sound that way, what's about not-so-vintage or just new gear? Such as, Pioneer Elite C- 90/91 remote-controlled preamps or Pioneer A-A7/A9 modern integrated.