Pioneer A400 Amp, old but still good?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I have an old Pioneer A400 Amplifier. I was thinking of selling it but looking on Ebay they're going for peanuts, so i'm wondering wether it's worth keeping it.

When the A400 came out in the mid 90's it was seen as a real masterpiece of an amp. Getting countless awards and going down as a sort of legendary amp. So it's quality wass all there.

However, does amp technology move on? I mean, this amp is 15 or so years old now, but could it still be put alongside a <£1000 amp from today and still sound as good? If the answer is yes, the i'll keep it!

It sounds fine to me through my Mission 702's, but it's a bit of a bulky setup and i'd be a bit miffed if some tyke with an ipod dock is getting a better quality experience!

So, do i sell for less the £50 or keep?

 

[Anonymous]

From what I have read it seems as though it is still a good amp by todays standards and can compete with modern £500 amps...

http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/page/hifichoice?entry=hi_fi_that_rocked_the

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers for finding that article. It's actually made me quite proud of my A400

Definatly keeping it then, and perhaps i'll make a little shrine for it!

 

[John Duncan]

Keep - it's a good amp, and isn't worth getting rid of for 50 quid...

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers for finding that article. It's actually made me quite proud of my A400

Definatly keeping it then, and perhaps i'll make a little shrine for it!

You're most welcome. It's quite an interesting article and has now got me searching for a Thorens TD124...

 

[Anonymous]

That's a good stuff!

A Pioneer A-400 as original outperforms most 500 pounds but the chance of getting one in mint condition is low taking into account it's an early 90's model. If you get one of those, you'll need to have at least reservour and signal path capacitors' replaced.

 

[eggontoast]

but the chance of getting one in mint condition is low taking into account it's an early 90's model.

There are loads of mint ones about, not sure where the £50 price comes from either they currently sell between £120 - £150.

If you get one of those, you'll need to have at least reservour and signal path capacitors' replaced.

Why ? I have serviced loads of these and have never found a duff cap, you don't want to believe everything you read on the web about changing capacitors after so many years its rubbish. I have radio's from the 40's and 50's, Hi-Fi amps from the 70's which still have there original electrolytics fitted, no bulging, ESR and value still measure good so why change them.

 

[Anonymous]

Eggontoast,

Are you an audio equipment repairing techinician?

Last year I sold a 1992's Sansui AU-α707KX amp in mint condition (almost like new). So, I agree on the existence of vintages amps in a really good condition. However, that's an exception not the rule as twenty years or more of use is lot of time.

In my case, I used to own 3 hi-fi systems at home, that's the reason why I kept my Sansui in a such mint condition.

Out of order isn't the same as bad functioning. For example, a capacitor may be working but with timing problems (lower ESR).

Anyway, I respect your point of view.

Regards,