Pioneer Elite M90 and C90

[ddlittle]

I have an Elite M90 and C90 - from the days when "Elite" really was "Elite" and not just relabeled entry level stuff - and it just sits in a spare room, unplugged. I thought I'd sell it, but googling turned up exactly zero units for sale, which can mean two things; either it's completely worthless and I should throw it away, or the people that have them love them and don't want to get rid of them.

I bought them new in probably 1988 or so - along with a long-gone NEC 48" projection TV and a Pioneer LaserDisc - but neither one have been plugged in in probably 5 or 6 years. I don't think anybody makes a solid state amp with the clarity you could get from that old M90, but I don't know.

Google also turned up this site and reading some of the posts made me think that some of you would have some ideas, suggestions, or comments. Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts...

- David Little
- Houston, Texas

 

[SoCal Sam]

Keep them. You will not be able to replace with comparable new gear for what you can sell them for.

 

[PacificStereo]

Both great pieces. The C-90 will need to have all of the relays replaced. One of the big differences between the 90 and the 91 is that the 91 has sealed relays, the 90 does not.

Sonically, I was always lukewarm about the M-90, but I am really critical when it comes to amplifiers. It's a solid unit, and it is beautiful. I'd keep both pieces, and fix the C-90.

 

[jojo0416]

I'd also say keep it. I saw one M90 in a second hand shop in one of my travels and regretted of not buying it.

My current priorities restricts me from acquiring these awesome gears....but someday I will. :yes:

 

[MAXZ28]

+1 on keeping them. If I came across the C90 and M90, I wouldn't hesitate to pick them up if I could afford the asking price.

 

[DENNYDOG]

If your C90 works fine I wouldn't worry about the relays. I have a C90 and M90 powering a pair of DSS-9's and I haven't had a single problem with either. I'm not saying you won't but they are still new enough compared to a lot of the popular 60's and 70's gear that are getting to the age where it's a very good idea to have them gone through.

 

[Bigears]

I recently acquired a C90/M90 system and the C90 had issues, traced back to the relays. I cleaned them up and got it working, but ultimately they will need to be replaced. Poor relay design as PacificStereo points out.

Worthy of keeping if you don't have anything that really floats your boat...but not Pioneer's best IMHO.

 

[packrat]

If you want to know a $ value, ask over in dollars and sense.

....Worthy of keeping if you don't have anything that really floats your boat...but not Pioneer's best IMHO.

They were the best Pioneer made at the time - the amp is full dual mono, 200 wpc, with a copper plated chassis. No, it's not built like a Spec-2 or 4, but that's a hard act to follow!