Pioneer Progression IV System 1985

[mwadden]

Guess I should have posted it in this section instead...sorry if you've already seen this...

Just received this mini-component Pioneer from my family...I grew up with it and always thought it was one of the better sounding systems out there. It's mid-80's design reminds me of the Dashboard on a DeLorean from "Back to the Future".
Circa: 1985
Amplifier A-X900 75W/Ch, .07% THD
CD: P-DX700
Tuner:F-X700
Tape: CT-X700W
Equalizer: SG-X700
Turntable: PL-X300
Speakers: S-700X 6.3Ohm, 90 watt "Max Musical Power", (I don't really understand the extra set of wires going to the woofer...see picture below)


Pretty great sound for such a small amplifier. I'm new to the forum and am trying to educate myself as much as possible about this system. I welcome any information you have about this system or related systems. (i.e. sales brochures, design, etc.) Anyone have any idea what the Electronic Bass Drive System is/how it works?

Thanks!

Manuals:
https://files.me.com/mpwadden/6gmxf6

Pictures:

 

[1973BuickGS]

That is so cool! This is one of the very few times I've seen a mini system and actually wanted it.

 

[Pioneer24]

Cool Retro Look

That is really retro - nice system & thanks for sharing!

 

[mrfoxboy]

Awesome setup! I have the cassette unit, and it doesn't sound too bad. Cool how you have the whole lineup *wants!*

 

[mnt1985]

when I saw your system, I realized that I want it badly! after few months, I got a whole set up, except equalizer.

 

[slow_jazz]

Super cool. Loved the turntable on the bottom...

Congrat's.

 

[Daunia 70]

Very nice.. I likes it a lot!

 

[stevepaige]

Guess I should have posted it in this section instead...sorry if you've already seen this...

Just received this mini-component Pioneer from my family...I grew up with it and always thought it was one of the better sounding systems out there. It's mid-80's design reminds me of the Dashboard on a DeLorean from "Back to the Future".
Circa: 1985
Amplifier A-X900 75W/Ch, .07% THD
CD: P-DX700
Tuner:F-X700
Tape: CT-X700W
Equalizer: SG-X700
Turntable: PL-X300
Speakers: S-700X 6.3Ohm, 90 watt "Max Musical Power", (I don't really understand the extra set of wires going to the woofer...see picture below)


Pretty great sound for such a small amplifier. I'm new to the forum and am trying to educate myself as much as possible about this system. I welcome any information you have about this system or related systems. (i.e. sales brochures, design, etc.) Anyone have any idea what the Electronic Bass Drive System is/how it works?

Thanks!

Manuals:
https://files.me.com/mpwadden/6gmxf6

Pictures:

I know that I am WAY late to this thread...but I was just looking up my first "real" audio system to see if it had ever had the privilege of being noticed by AKers.

Like I said, this was my 1st "real" system. Mine was a tad different in that the amp was rated for 50 watts RMS, the speakers were 2 way units and the EQ and CD player were not included. I bought it from the Navy Exchange at the Recruit Training Center in San Diego back in 1986. Came in two boxes, 1 for the speakers and another containing the components each in their own sub boxes. The barracks company commander called me back to his office after I walked by his office with the two big boxes strapped to a luggage carrier. He told me, "One time!! I only want to hear it ONE time!". He wasn't there all day. And since his taste in music was similar to his...he wasn't as particular about whether it was audible from down the hall.

It was a great little system; not bad sounding. The speakers weren't the best but I weren't bad for ZZ, AC/DC/, BOC and the like. I have connected it to other makes and was pleasantly surprised. It would be perfect for a garage or college system. I would replace the turntable though just to keep the vinyl safe. I had it for many years and should have kept it or given it away to someone who would have appreciated it.

Brings back the memories.

 

[0Hz]

I know that I am WAY late to this thread...but I was just looking up my first "real" audio system to see if it had ever had the privilege of being noticed by AKers.

Like I said, this was my 1st "real" system. Mine was a tad different in that the amp was rated for 50 watts RMS, the speakers were 2 way units and the EQ and CD player were not included. I bought it from the Navy Exchange at the Recruit Training Center in San Diego back in 1986. Came in two boxes, 1 for the speakers and another containing the components each in their own sub boxes. The barracks company commander called me back to his office after I walked by his office with the two big boxes strapped to a luggage carrier. He told me, "One time!! I only want to hear it ONE time!". He wasn't there all day. And since his taste in music was similar to his...he wasn't as particular about whether it was audible from down the hall.

It was a great little system; not bad sounding. The speakers weren't the best but I weren't bad for ZZ, AC/DC/, BOC and the like. I have connected it to other makes and was pleasantly surprised. It would be perfect for a garage or college system. I would replace the turntable though just to keep the vinyl safe. I had it for many years and should have kept it or given it away to someone who would have appreciated it.

Brings back the memories.

maaaaaaaaaaan I wish I could own one of these, even if it sounded like garbage I wouldn't care. It screams "COOL". I actually stumbled across this while doing a random search on the web for any ebay auctions on other S-500X speaker sets, since I have a damaged cabinet and I'm lazy... Then I found out about these S-700X speakers and thought "I need a pair of these".... they seem to truly be rare to find

 

[Koren55]

I bought a progression IV stereo back around 1984 at a local Lafayette electronics store on Long Island. It consisted of the AX-700 amp, the Tuner, Cassette deck, and Phono PLX-5. When I purchased it I paired it with a pair of Dynaphase speakers, and later Yamaha 636 bookshelf speakers. Over the years the tuner electrics went bad as well as the cassette player. The phono needs new belts, something I’ll be working on shortly. I’m finishing up on a three season sunroom and that’s where I’ll place this once fixed.

I was recently fortunate to pick up a refurbished Cassette Deck and Tuner, to replace my bad ones. I’ll have an extra amplifier though.. since this newer one was refurbished, I’ll use it and put the old one in storage. I was fortunate that I kept my old vinyl records. Everything from the mid sixties through the early 80s. I also have 12 inch Disco recordings. I had heard that people had problems with playing them (sensing 12 inch and automatically setting the speed as 33 rpm instead of 45 rpm, but I never did. I don’t remember my phono automatically sensing the speed. I always ensured the 45 rpm button was depressed when playing 12 inch disco @ 45 and since in records @45 too.

 

[Patchwork]

I just bought one set of what I think are components of the Pioneer Progression IV series.
They differ somewhat from the list presented here.

• Linear turntable: PL-X100
• Single tape deck: CT-x300
• Tuner: F-X500L
• Stereo amplifier: A-X700
• Metal stand for supporting the regular size turntable.

I have clean them on the inside (mainly dust, they were well treated) and outside and made a superficial assessment of what needs to be done.
I noticed the link provided by mwadden is no longer available.
I do need the tape and turntable service manual the most, as these are the components more susceptible to decay.
If anyone has these files, it would be cool to share them here.

 

[Patchwork]

Great news everyone!

I just got a different set of devices from this 19854/5 Pioneer set.
This time I got the '700' model of the tape deck. uh-uh!
So far, I've seen several tiers of equipment level.
Starting with the budget '100', '300', '500', '700', all the way to the top-of-the-range '900'.
In the Pioneer chronology, I've found the mention of the release of these sets.

Aug. 1984 - Releases the Private CD9W (BK), CD7W (BK), CD5W (BK), CD5S (BK), and CD3W (BK) mini component stereo systems and the P-DX-700 (BK) CD player.

1980 to 1989 | History of Pioneer Corporation | History | Pioneer (global.pioneer)
https://global.pioneer/en/corp/info/history/chronology/1980/

These Pioneer devices are top-notch, super high quality.
I love the way the transistors are snap-in to the PCB, while screwed to the aluminium heatsink.
Great quality, all-round!

 

[Patchwork]

Just wanted to add some photos of the interior, as well as three interesting links I found while researching this series.

Pioneer F-X700 튜너와 A-X700 인티앰프 (1), Progression VI 시리즈 - 빈티지 오디오 콘텐츠와 판매, 오디오퍼브 (audiopub.co.kr)
Pioneer F-X700 튜너와 A-X700 인티앰프 (2), Progression VI 시리즈 - 빈티지 오디오 콘텐츠와 판매, 오디오퍼브 (audiopub.co.kr)
Pioneer F-X700 튜너와 A-X700 인티앰프 (3), 튠업 등 - 빈티지 오디오 콘텐츠와 판매, 오디오퍼브 (audiopub.co.kr)

View media item 24714
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View media item 24719
View media item 24720

 

[stevepaige]

I just bought one set of what I think are components of the Pioneer Progression IV series.
They differ somewhat from the list presented here.

• Linear turntable: PL-X100
• Single tape deck: CT-x300
• Tuner: F-X500L
• Stereo amplifier: A-X700
• Metal stand for supporting the regular size turntable.

I have clean them on the inside (mainly dust, they were well treated) and outside and made a superficial assessment of what needs to be done.
I noticed the link provided by mwadden is no longer available.
I do need the tape and turntable service manual the most, as these are the components more susceptible to decay.
If anyone has these files, it would be cool to share them here.

Congrats on your new system. I enjoyed mine for many years. A solid amplifier...nothing fancy...just a solid well-built system.

 

[stevepaige]

Great news everyone!

I just got a different set of devices from this 19854/5 Pioneer set.
This time I got the '700' model of the tape deck. uh-uh!
So far, I've seen several tiers of equipment level.
Starting with the budget '100', '300', '500', '700', all the way to the top-of-the-range '900'.
In the Pioneer chronology, I've found the mention of the release of these sets.



1980 to 1989 | History of Pioneer Corporation | History | Pioneer (global.pioneer)
https://global.pioneer/en/corp/info/history/chronology/1980/

These Pioneer devices are top-notch, super high quality.
I love the way the transistors are snap-in to the PCB, while screwed to the aluminium heatsink.
Great quality, all-round!

While not HI-FI these are solid well-built units that will surprise you when pushing better speakers.. Enjoy your new system.

 

[Patchwork]

While not HI-FI these are solid well-built units that will surprise you when pushing better speakers.. Enjoy your new system.

Hi, yes, I'm aware this is not audiophile hardware ;-)
I opted to limit my audio adventure to cheap, early eighties mini-systems, solid build and good design (I know that's a subjective concept..).
Good devices like Marantz and Pioneer receivers from the mid-seventies are way too expensive - more so here in Portugal...
And never mind modern high-end stuff.
I'm really happy with these devices and they look gorgeous in my home office.

 

[nicholas2381]

Neat system. Enjoy the music!

 

[stevepaige]

Hi, yes, I'm aware this is not audiophile hardware ;-)
I opted to limit my audio adventure to cheap, early eighties mini-systems, solid build and good design (I know that's a subjective concept..).
Good devices like Marantz and Pioneer receivers from the mid-seventies are way too expensive - more so here in Portugal...
And never mind modern high-end stuff.
I'm really happy with these devices and they look gorgeous in my home office.

This system was my first and I loved it. I wish I still had it.

 

[btmacdou]

I just purchased a 4 piece set in beautiful condition at GoodWill. Paid about $80 for all four:

A-X900 AMP
F-X700 Tuner
CT-X500 Cassette Deck
P-DX700 CD Player

The amp and tuner work perfectly, but the cassette deck sometimes trips when playing and the CD player will only occasionally recognize a CD. I assume the cassette deck issue is lube and belts. But I'm not sure what the CD player issue might be other than a dirty laser lens.

Also, I do not have the remote. I'm trying to get my Logitech Harmony 650 remote to work. I'll update this on results. If anyone has had success with a universal remote, please let me know!

I found service manuals for the amp and tuner on HiFi Engine, and still looking for "free" copies for the CD player and cassette. If anyone has these and is willing to make a copy for me, let me know!

 

[btmacdou]

Update... I purchased a remote from someone in Germany for $20 and it works! However, I'm puzzled... it will put the tuner into sleep mode (it will turn off with the power button pressed in), and it will control the functions of the amp using the 3.5mm control cable connected between the two of them. But When I click the "standby" button on the remote, only the tuner goes into standby mode. The amp remains fully powered on.

Because I do not have the user manuals, I cannot figure out if this is normal behavior or not. I've studied the service manuals for clues and there are some, but nothing that is definitive, and the power supply schematics for the amp do not appear to have any power circuitry to put it standby.

Does anyone have copies of the user manuals that you would be willing to scan for me, or do you have a fully functional system that can confirm whether this is supposed to work or not?

Overall, this is a cool system. My CD player needs work (I got a service manual) and the cassette deck is jammed closed with a stuck tape. So both of those need help.

But the amp and tuner are working well and sound pretty darn good. The tuner is rock solid!

Looking forward to hearing from someone who has more experience with the complete set. The original post is now 11 years old!