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Yamaha R9 under radar or AKA "the dumbness of vintage"

silvernutsaq

silvernutsaq

Visiting Martian
Here we have a great 125wpc TOTL receiver starting at $100 w/zero bids in clean shape similar to the one I`ve owned since new (1987). Retail was approx $900 back then.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200701655271?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Then we have a similarly clean 50wpc Pioneer SX-750 which ended yesterday, and six different bidders thought it was worth over $150.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nice-Vintag...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2318c00c8f

I own both a SX-750 and 850. The Yammy will flat out walk all over both all day, every day and not break a sweat. It has a superior tuner, better phono section (both MM/MC), more tone controls, class A/B, and three pair speaker outputs. Not to mention the quality of sound even at low power is better IMO. A case of silver being too cool or just ignorance is bliss? :scratch2:
 
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1. Yamaha auction isn't over yet. It may yet get some bids.
2. Yamaha has some issues, Pioneer is claimed to be 100%.
3. Yamaha shipping is more, at least to my location.
4. Yamaha photos suck, Pioneer photos are better. In the photos, the Pioneer is very attractive (at least one photo), the Yamaha looks like black goo, can't tell what it looks like.

The Pioneer seems to be a better example of its kind than the Yamaha. Neither ad is great, but the Pioneer ad is better IMO.
 
I wonder if it would have more bids by now if it was a silver faced one like I have? Mine has been with a tech for three years to have have a few issues dealt with including the tuner memory problem. I was hoping to get it up and going as it's tuner section seemed to be outstanding in limited testing. Would also be interesting to hear it with my NS 1000M's. I traded a tube amp in trade for work to be completed on 3 pieces but to date, only one has been completed.
 
The R9 is a nice receiver, better than most. But I remember when my buds were buying them new and they were not bulletproof. Several that I knew had em in the shop way before the first year was up. It's also a chrome plated b*tch to work on.
 
For the same money, I'd personally rather have the R9 over the SX-750, too. It's true it would be more complicated to work on the Yamaha versus the Pioneer of that era but *if* the Yamaha was in decent shape, I'd take it first and take the chance. Plus, I wouldn't care much about the tuner not holding stations as I don't listen to radio much anyway. JMHO.
 
If people bought things for PURELY logical reasons and their emotions had absolutely no role in the buying decision, we would live in a completely different world. Of course, that is not the case though. In YOUR mind, you may not understand it, but if a person simply wants a silver faced Pioneer receiver from the 70's and could care less about 80's equipment, (no matter how much better in performance), then that's all there is to it. As well, if there are more people wanting that same siver faced Pioneer than the 80's Yamaha, well you guessed it, it's going to probably sell for more.

Trust me I have wrestled with this same realization many a time. Most recently, I sold some Kenwood L-1000 pieces- real high end, TOTL, VERY RARE HIGH performance true audiophile stuff form the 90's and in the end, I did good to get a $1,000 total for both the L-1000C and a L-1000M! These things retailed for over $3,000 when new! Meanwhile I watched much lessor stuff flying off the Ebay shelves for more than a grand! :screwy: Go figure. In MY mind, it was pure insanity, but I don't live in other people's heads- just mine.
 
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Okay, just wanted to hear what others had to say. The only real issue with the R9 is the tuner memory capacitor and I have the same problem. However, if you have a remote it IS NOT an issue. That`s because you can turn off the unit but leave it in standby w/remote and the stations stay preset as programmed. Still easier than fiddling with an analog dial IMO. Too bad this one listed doesn`t have one, but maybe a universal one would work.

That being said, anything 25-30 YO will likely need some work in the future. Other than the memory cap, mine has been completely bomber since day one, and believe me, I have driver my Yammy HARD! It survived not only my college days, but lived in a ski town for awhile, as anyone in that environment knows there`s no harder partying, it`s like a season-long Mardi Gras. :smoke:

If the R9 works as described, it`s a comparative steal. In a nutsheell, silver sells and ignorance is nostalgic bliss. :D
 
I always saw the R-9 as the TOTL Yamaha receiver version of the M-series amps and C-series preamps. Don't know, some pieces are more collectible than others. Doesn't mean they are better or worse. I think a lot of it depends on internet hype. You can try to start the hype here and drive up the prices. Or you can just be quiet and pick it up at a great price.
 
Having just picked up a Yammie RX-1100U last week for only a fraction of what this R-9 sold for, I would agree that from a performance stance, the Yammie is far superior.

If you are fortunate enough to already own or find one out there, snatch it up and don't hesitate.
 
Before I got my current complement of Pioneer stuff, I had several pieces of the blackface NS equipment. It all sounded superb and I loved the build quality. It's funny though, since the stuff is all black it looks at first like BPC. It's not until you have one in your hands that you realize how beastly in is. Pretty much every piece I had weighed over 20 pounds. all the pieces were unbelievably robust as well. My C-70 preamp for instance, has solenoids for switching audio signals. You press a solid aluminum button to switch to the phono, and there's a satisfying 'chunk' sound. Get's me every time.

But you know what? Every piece of Yamaha Natural Sound equipment I've had also needed significant work. My Pioneer stuff on the other hand, barely needs anything. It's a safe bet that if I get a silver face Pioneer or Marantz, it will usually work either right out of the box, or with a careful application of De-Oxit. For the Yamaha, I can usually expect that it's going to need a restoration to be 100%, and the Yamaha stuff is harder to work on. It's enough to scare me from paying big money for it.
 
Let's keep those old junky black faced yammys under the radar. I just now walked in the door with a mint R9 for less than half what that one on the bay went for.:banana:
 
Why would anyone buy a '57 Chevy (design classic, decent performer like the Pioneer) when they could buy a Volvo 240? (workhorse, superior functionality, not flashy looks, like the Yamaha)

Beauty (and relative value) is in the eye of the beholder. but for what its worth, I sold my silver pioneer...
 
El Pee said:
Why would anyone buy a '57 Chevy (design classic, decent performer like the Pioneer) when they could buy a Volvo 240? (workhorse, superior functionality, not flashy looks, like the Yamaha)

Beauty (and relative value) is in the eye of the beholder. but for what its worth, I sold my silver pioneer...
Click to expand...

Maybe cuz it's a pretty silver or maybe cuz they don't know any better. Damn I'm really impressed with the sound of this R9. I'm glad I saw this thread because I would've overlooked it as it's a dead ringer for run of the mill bpc. An added bonus is in class A operation it also doubles as a room heater. Does the sx780 or any of the sx series for the matter do strictly class A operation:D ?
 
Just scored an R9 for $45 off CL

Had to drive 2+ hours each way ( Bay Area > Sacramento ), was listed as bad FM / tuner, but owner just had neither AM nor FM antenna attached ( simple wire did the trick to test), both tuners work, unit was pristine, could only test at sellers place just with tiny speakers at a fraction of rated power.

Came with original receipt, users manual, R series into brochure and remote.

This receiver is superb.

I had 3 weeks ago bought a RX500u off CL for $20 and was surprised at the performance esp using CL bought Infinity reference 2000.1's that filled a 3000 sq ft lab with concert like volume superbly.
 
My R9 has developed problems in the fm section. When it's cold it works fine. After a couple of hours though the fm will go out completely and won't come back on till the unit cools off. This happens quicker when it's running in class a so I'm thinking it's heat related. I wonder if your's might have the same problem?
 
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