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Pioneer SX9000 vs Pioneer SA-9500

S

Swenster

Member
I currently have a Pioneer SX 9000 with the original series Mach 1's and a new KEF sub. Sounds great with a very live sound. I was wondering if a change to a newer SA 9500 or 9500 II integrated would be a good move and provide any audible benefits and increase reliability.

I contacted a shop about a recap of my 9000 and they advised that if it is working fine not to do it as it can stress other components and may not improve sound. I know the SA 9500's have gone up significantly and now are near 1,000.00 + for a nice unit.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I know it is tough to describe sound differences but what are parties thoughts that have heard both. I love the dynamics of my SX9000 and usually run it with the u shaped sound option (boosted bass and boosted treble). Thanks for all the guidance on this site.
 
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What are you plugging into your SX9000? That might make a difference. What do you listen to?

I do not have either. It is fun to experiment but I wouldn't count on big improvement.

It all depends on what your goals are. You have a nice system so you can be patient.
 
Either version of the SA-9500 Integrated Amplifier would be a step up from your SX-9000 Receiver.

The SA-9500 has 80wpc compared to the SX-9000 @ 50wpc. The SA-9500 has a dual mono design, essentially a separate amplifier for each channel in a single chassis. The SA-9500 also has a better, more flexible phono stage. There were also numerous advances in circuit design and components ensuring higher output and lower distortion.

SA-9500 all the way for the win !!!
 
Not to mention the SA-9500 is a much more reliable amplifier, and didn't have a lot of the heat management problems of otherwise superb earlier generation Pioneer receivers (the SX 828 being a major offender)
 
Sorry I've never heard the SX 9000,I just wanted to say,if you decide to go with the SA 9500 II,I can't see where you would ever have any regrets.
Mine sounds fantastic! It seems to do everything well especially the phono section. I really enjoy everything about it.

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Thank you for the replies. I listen to CD's thru a Marantz CD player, stream using a Schitt Modi 3 and laptop and listen to albums via a Dual 1218 turntable. Sounds like the consensus is it would be a worthwhile improvement. I like the sound of the Pioneers overall too. I know it is subjective but would the consensus be that the spend is worth it in comparison to other options? Please let me know. Much appreciated.
 
Now you are asking a whole different question.....

The Pioneer SA series is well built, looks great and sounds good but there are many other options for an integrated amplifier. Early SA integrateds did not have meters where as the later SAx800 series had the cool Flourscan meters. The trade off was some flexibility in the phono section.

There are some very good integrated amps available, check out some of the following :
Onkyo A-10
Yamaha AX 1050 / 1070 / 1090
Sony TA F555es
Kenwood KA 7100 / 8100
Sansui AU 777 / 999 / 717 / 919
and many others.

Not saying any of these are better or worse but there are other options. Older units tended to sound "warmer / tube like" while newer units had better specs and higher output at the cost of sounding less tube like. Depending on your speakers and tastes this may or may not be a good thing.

Keep in mind that we all hear and listen differently, what I think sounds great, you might not. Doesn't mean either of us is wrong, just different. If it sounds good to YOU, it is good regardless of what someone else may think or say.

The primary objective is to enjoy the music, however you get it.
 
Great Point With my Mach 1 speakers a "tube like" sound is definitely better to insure against harshness in the sound. Would the Pioneer Integrated Amps likely lose that warmness in the mids? If so, are there any integrated amps that would mimic that warmness while adding the reliability and other benefits of the SA 9500 integrated? Ideally, I like warm mids, bright highs and tight bass. Probably a tough mix :)
Please confirm and thank you
 
The nice thing about the Mach-1's is they have level controls for the mid and tweeter so you should be able to dial them in to your liking regardless of the amp you choose.
 
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Good point wmgwizard, Would you go with a SA 9500 as an upgrade if you were me? I know there are likely tons of options but i like the vintage look and quality. please let me know and thanks again.
 
If it were me,I would get a 9500,it will offer you everything you mention your looking for.
With the tone controls available on the amp and Mach1's,you will be able to fine tune to your liking.
I use mine to power a pair of Heresy's,very satisfied with the sound.
 
Either version of the 9500 would be a great choice. I had one for years until my daughter took it off to college, she still has it and uses it regularly,

You won't be disappointed.

Good luck on your quest, let us know how you make out.
 
The SA-9500 is very expensive. It is a great amp no doubt. I have had several Pioneer integrated amps and they are very nice. I can understand the interest. I would look around to see what I could get for that price. I would what integrated amps are available locally. Shop around for a while.
 
I have never heard anyone say that changing caps in a piece will "stress out other components". That sounds ridiculous. But the fact is that your SX-9000 is over 50 years old so it has old parts in it and at some point old parts will fail... I doubt that I would trust that tech with the unit.

So a repair like that is based on how you like the piece. And if it is still working then maybe just leave it alone for now. You have to decide if you want to pump X amount of dollars into something like that.

The newer SA-9500 is a lot better amp. So there is that. And can you find one right now...
 
From your local CL:
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/ele/d/stillwater-pioneer-sa-8800/7439392656.html
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/ele/d/saint-paul-pioneer-sx-950-receiver/7442024774.html
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/ele/d/stillwater-pioneer-sx-950-receiver/7448357248.html

I have no association or affiliation with any of these sellers or items.

The SA8800 was a very nice Integrated with a very flexible phono section: https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/pioneer/sa-8800.shtml

The SX 950 would easily go toe to toe with an SA 9500: https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/pioneer/sx-950.shtml

If it was my money I would be running for the SA8800, but I'm a sucker for those Flouroscan meters......
 
wmgwizard,

Thank you for taking all the time to search and place this together for me. I appreciate it. Is the 8800 just as good as the others. Again, thank you for all your time.
 
As long ast the 8800 works correctly you should be a very happy camper. Additionally, in the event something unfortunately does go south, there isn't much inside that doesnt have a modern equivalent replacement outside of the Flouroscan meters themselves.

It has the benefit of several years of advancements in materials and construction over the 9500. The Flouroscan series of Pioneers was the last hurrah for the classic silver faced gear and they were very well built and highly reviewed and regarded in their time.
 
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