Pioneer SA-9500 II should I get it? Any good?
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Looking for an upgrade from my amps which are currently:
Pioneer SA-5500 II
Pioneer SX-434
Rotel RX-602
Rotel RX-802
Speakers -Bang & Olufsen Beovox S75.
UncleBingo
Super Member
Make sure it works. A quick browse of another thread mentioned obsolete output transistors. (I wonder if they're the same ones the SX-980 used...)
deltalight
AK Subscriber
Top three winners in the 90-100W Integrated amp class (after restoration and upgrades) in order are:
Sansui AU-717
Pioneer SA-9500 II
Kenwood KA-9100
Sansui AU-717
Pioneer SA-9500 II
Kenwood KA-9100
Old Ears too
Super Member
I felt it sounded good enough I bought it when it was new.
I had a couple 8500 II's one of them sound good but under powered IMHO.
Best-
Boozehound
living_audio
New Member
I have a SA9800 (older non-Fluorscan meters 80WPC version), which is I believe 100Volt version of SA9500, and they are quite similar on the front panel. it is powerful enough for my 4Ohm Dali Rubicon 2s speakers and runs without any problem. It can push 4Ohm speakers with ease.
What is the sound quality like does it have good midrange? I like sound where you can hear detailed vocals and detailed instruments.
Bass is every where I'm not fussed about that.
living_audio
New Member
They are OK for the midrange i'd say, above average for the instrument separation, nothing to write home about.
You might want to looking more into speakers, because speakers make a significant difference in terms of sound signature and characteristic. When I was auditioned my Rubicon 2s, I compared them with a pair of B&W 705 s2s, they were powered by newer Rotel int amp (forgot the exact model, but about 60 or 70WPC as far as I can remember). Mann, I was surprised to find out that B&Ws were boomied and muddled in lower frequencies but did a decent job on mids and highs.
On the other hand, Dalis were very neutral with good instrument seperation, I'd say mids and highs were on par with the B&Ws. But I still preferred the vocals coming out of the Rubicon 2s. Hence, I have the Dalis at home now.
When I got home I hooked them up to my SA 9800, I was pleasantly surprised that I could hear better lower end coming out of the SA9800 compare to the Rotel at the shop. But remember that I use different cables, DAC, source, etc. compare to the set-up at the shop.
All i can say is that you won't be disappointed with the SA9800 considering everything is still functioning. But it might have a difficult time powering Floorstanders that are especially hard to drive (e.g. Martin Logan, ATC, etc.).
You might want to looking more into speakers, because speakers make a significant difference in terms of sound signature and characteristic. When I was auditioned my Rubicon 2s, I compared them with a pair of B&W 705 s2s, they were powered by newer Rotel int amp (forgot the exact model, but about 60 or 70WPC as far as I can remember). Mann, I was surprised to find out that B&Ws were boomied and muddled in lower frequencies but did a decent job on mids and highs.
On the other hand, Dalis were very neutral with good instrument seperation, I'd say mids and highs were on par with the B&Ws. But I still preferred the vocals coming out of the Rubicon 2s. Hence, I have the Dalis at home now.
When I got home I hooked them up to my SA 9800, I was pleasantly surprised that I could hear better lower end coming out of the SA9800 compare to the Rotel at the shop. But remember that I use different cables, DAC, source, etc. compare to the set-up at the shop.
All i can say is that you won't be disappointed with the SA9800 considering everything is still functioning. But it might have a difficult time powering Floorstanders that are especially hard to drive (e.g. Martin Logan, ATC, etc.).
Attachments
It uses "batwing" style discrete output transistors. True they don't make that case style anymore but there are commonly available transistors that will sub right in if you make a fairly simple bracket for them. These amps are pretty stoutly built so outputs don't usually go bad as long as everything is in order, and these do not use power pack outputs like the newer series units. The SA-9500II is a fantastic integrated amp and built to a very high standard, it's basically two separate mono amps in one case connected by a very nice preamp. I like the sound and available power of this model as well as the very flexible preamp design. You want any better you pretty much need to go with separates IMO.
cademan
Lunatic Member
The SA-8500II also uses the batwing style transistors. I replaced one years ago with the mod and paper supplied by Pioneer. I also own the 8500II and the 9500II and both are still being used as we speak.
Let me see if I can get a pic of the replacement transistor. It would be of help to any 8500II and 9500II owners who may need to replace them at some point.
Let me see if I can get a pic of the replacement transistor. It would be of help to any 8500II and 9500II owners who may need to replace them at some point.
cademan
Lunatic Member
Not the same transistors as the 9500II but the mounting and style would be the same.
And here's my 9500II using a Kenwood KA-8004 as the preamp. I like the Kenwood's preamp section better than the onboard 9500II. It's probably my speakers but I have so many to swap and trade that this pair probably won't last long until another pair is rotated in.
And here's my 9500II using a Kenwood KA-8004 as the preamp. I like the Kenwood's preamp section better than the onboard 9500II. It's probably my speakers but I have so many to swap and trade that this pair probably won't last long until another pair is rotated in.
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OutlawSun
Well-Known Member
I have the slightly less powerful brother in that series the 8500 II it's an excellent sounding amp the turnover switches for the bass and treble are nice as you get plenty of room for tweaking. When it comes to the 8500 II overall I'd say it's pretty neutral and detailed in terms of sound I feel like it strikes a pretty good balance. As far as the guts of the 8500 II and 9500 II they're both dual mono setups with each channel having its own power supply and they're built like tanks. I'd say they're a pretty good example of Pioneer at its peak in the 70s before the Japanese economy went off a cliff and companies started cutting costs. I consider mine an outright keeper.
Not the same transistors as the 9500II but the mounting and style would be the same.
View attachment 1059253 View attachment 1059254
And here's my 9500II using a Kenwood KA-8004 as the preamp. I like the Kenwood's preamp section better than the onboard 9500II. It's probably my speakers but I have so many to swap and trade that this pair probably won't last long until another pair is rotated in.
View attachment 1059258
Where did you get the four transistor photo? I seen it on ebay a few days ago.
Update - I brought it!
A very good condition one.
Its a massive jump up in sound quality from my Pioneer SA-5500 II and my Rotel RX-802.
The sound is alot more powerful and more fuller, there is more midrange and it is warmer sounding, the bass is wall shakingly powerful.
With my Beovox S75 (recapped) speakers the sound quality is at the point just before it starts to give goosebumps.
I am after the best sound I have ever heard the Beolab 5's they sound like the singer is right in front of you singing! my set up is just a touch away from this.
I think a speaker upgrade to a Pioneer HPM 100 speakers or Yamaha NS1000 should be mega set up.
Now where do I go from here? Whats the next amplifier up from the Pioneer SA-9500 II? looking forward to your suggestions I want a big upgrade in sound but must not exceed £1,000 ($1349).
It needs to be 1970's &1980's because that is the most value for money in sound quality.
A very good condition one.
Its a massive jump up in sound quality from my Pioneer SA-5500 II and my Rotel RX-802.
The sound is alot more powerful and more fuller, there is more midrange and it is warmer sounding, the bass is wall shakingly powerful.
With my Beovox S75 (recapped) speakers the sound quality is at the point just before it starts to give goosebumps.
I am after the best sound I have ever heard the Beolab 5's they sound like the singer is right in front of you singing! my set up is just a touch away from this.
I think a speaker upgrade to a Pioneer HPM 100 speakers or Yamaha NS1000 should be mega set up.
Now where do I go from here? Whats the next amplifier up from the Pioneer SA-9500 II? looking forward to your suggestions I want a big upgrade in sound but must not exceed £1,000 ($1349).
It needs to be 1970's &1980's because that is the most value for money in sound quality.
cademan
Lunatic Member
That is actually my own personal photo! That is my SA-8500II. The back ground is a heavy duty blanket with a pic of a lion sewn into it (I can show it. No biggie!) but I have heard of people on e-bay or other sites where they are too F***ing lazy to take their own pictures especially if they are scammers.
I will take a look at the bay and see what's there. If I do see my pic, I will have a few choice words with the seller and e-bay personnel.
cademan
Lunatic Member
Yeah, I saw that e-bay pic. It is a parted out unit where only one transistor out of the four have been replaced. The other three originals look to have been messed sloppily with the grease but they all four might be good and/or worth the buy for spare replacement transistors only.
Mine were replaced by me. This was apparently the Pioneer way to do it meaning that I ordered the parts straight from Pioneer back in the 90's and they sent me these replacements along with a paper explaining how to mount them. It is still working fine with both channels equal, clear, and undistorted.
Mine were replaced by me. This was apparently the Pioneer way to do it meaning that I ordered the parts straight from Pioneer back in the 90's and they sent me these replacements along with a paper explaining how to mount them. It is still working fine with both channels equal, clear, and undistorted.
