Pioneer SPEC-2 and SPEC-4 amps, are they rare?

[ymarko]

I am looking for SPEC-2 or SPEC-4 on Craigslist (in whole USA area) and I see nothing.

The same on eBay. NONE, for at least a couple of weeks or so.

On the other hand, pre-amp SPEC-1 is more common; right now there're 5 units on eBay.

Is there any reason for that?

Are these gorgeous amps that rare?

 

[moewillis]

I'd bet a wtb ad in the classifieds would turn up a couple

 

[savatage1973]

They are not that rare--however, a restored and working one is not cheap. I could make a couple phone calls and round up a half dozen of them, but they all need $400 worth of work to make them work.

 

[rcs16]

I could make a couple phone calls and round up a half dozen of them, but they all need $400 worth of work to make them work.

Wonder why people hang on to them if they are not working and can not afford to fix them. What is a dead spec-4 worth?

 

[savatage1973]

Wonder why people hang on to them if they are not working and can not afford to fix them. What is a dead spec-4 worth?

One, they are really cool looking if you are into silver-faced Pioneer--Two, they are worth money if restored--Three, wishful thinking that someday I'll have $400-500 to do it up right. I have no clue as to what to tell you on value of a dead one--just add $400 to the asking price and determine if it is worth that much to you.

 

[Belvedere2]

PM sent.

 

[ZOOM]

They are pretty desirable so people don't sell them.

Not very good amps, though. Even fully restored, it never impressed me in any way. Directly compared to an SX-580 I had, the latter performed better.

 

[madpioneer]

My local Craigslist had a SPEC-2 working listed in late 2015 for $900. I almost bought it because my Spec-2 was in for repair for 4 months & I was having withdrawals...Lol But alas I passed, not sure it got sold or pulled?

 

[hunter00]

They used to sell for between 800-1200 depending if they had new filter caps and refurbishing done.I had a spec 2 and spec 1 preamp together and sold off the 2 when I went to 2 different class H amps but still used the spec 1 up till a few yrs back.
I don't see them local much but that site generally has them move thru now and then.

hunter

 

[blhagstrom]

The SPEC 2 was TOTL.
SO, not many sold.
They are OLD.
SO, not many still around (not everyone treated gear well and kept it).
They have some kinks and tricks to fix them.
SO, not all shops can fix them ("Sorry sir, its messed up. Can I interest you in something new?")
They were TOTL.
SO, many owners ARE keeping them, broken or not.

I met an old fart with one foot in the grave that had his gear stashed in a closet for the last 10-20 years and "one of these days" he'll get it out and play with it again.
Yeah, right!

 

[hunter00]

Don't have a pic of my old spec 2 but here's one of my spec 1,,,Was actually an awesome preamp for SS,this and a Apt Holman were my fav SS vintage preamps.
I preferred this HK Citation 16A over the Spec 2... so it was moved ,this pair ran my AR 9's
If you can find a Spec 1 grab it..

hunter

 

[Cactus Bob]

Where is OP located?

 

[KingBubba]

I'm 64 and I have never seen anything from the spec series. Also, in 40 years of snooping, I have only seen one Marantz and it looked like someone dragged it behind their lawnmower.

 

[madpioneer]

Some visual aids, SPEC setups........

 

[TLWING55]

One, they are really cool looking if you are into silver-faced Pioneer--Two, they are worth money if restored--Three, wishful thinking that someday I'll have $400-500 to do it up right. I have no clue as to what to tell you on value of a dead one--just add $400 to the asking price and determine if it is worth that much to you.

That’s a perfect answer. Whenever I purchase vintage audio I do that very thing otherwise I’d just be setting myself up for disappointment and this is suppose to be fun. If done properly it is an awesome hobby. Again perfect and truly helpful advice and good advice is good advice regardless of the age of the thread.