I've heard this a well thought of amp. Anyone know how old they are and how much is a fair second hand price? I don't want to get one and it die on me a year later.
Pioneer A400X amp
- Thread starter Gerrardasnails
- Start date
dont buy the A-400X ... get the A-400 as it's a much better amp ... expect to pay between £80-£130 for a good one off ebay ... I highly recommend the A-400
and if you can get your hands on a Pioneer A-400 GTE or an A-300R Precsion grab it! ... These are the modded versions by Tom Evans ... I have an A-400 and have been in touch with him recently, and he no longer does the modifications
I am led to believe that the A300R precision is sonically better than the A400GTE even though it has slightly less power that the 400
I have been searching for some time now and have not found one
I am led to believe that the A300R precision is sonically better than the A400GTE even though it has slightly less power that the 400
I have been searching for some time now and have not found one
dim_span:
and if you can get your hands on a Pioneer A-400 GTE or an A-300R Precsion grab it! ... These are the modded versions by Tom Evans ... I have an A-400 and have been in touch with him recently, and he no longer does the modifications
I am led to believe that the A300R precision is sonically better than the A400GTE even though it has slightly less power that the 400
I have been searching for some time now and have not found one
EDITED BY MODS for straying dangerously close to suspected trading
and if you can get your hands on a Pioneer A-400 GTE or an A-300R Precsion grab it! ... These are the modded versions by Tom Evans ... I have an A-400 and have been in touch with him recently, and he no longer does the modifications
I am led to believe that the A300R precision is sonically better than the A400GTE even though it has slightly less power that the 400
I have been searching for some time now and have not found one
EDITED BY MODS for straying dangerously close to suspected trading
the one I am talking about is the A300r precision ... it is a modified standard A300r and was modified/tweaked by Tom Evans .... same as the A400 GTE .... it is a standard A400 that was modified
If you cannot find any of those, get the standard A-400 .... you wont be dissapointed ... price will be between £80-£130 for one in good condition and much better than the A400X
If you cannot find any of those, get the standard A-400 .... you wont be dissapointed ... price will be between £80-£130 for one in good condition and much better than the A400X
Hey! ... if I missed something (just got back from Tesco) I'd be gutted! ... I have been searching for a Pioneer A-300x precision or an A-400 GTE for a long time
Sorry, but there has been some abuse of such postings in the past, so have to be over-cautious.
If both parties indicate they're amenable, I will supply them with each other's email address
If both parties indicate they're amenable, I will supply them with each other's email address
Gerrardasnails:I've heard this a well thought of amp. Anyone know how old they are and how much is a fair second hand price? I don't want to get one and it die on me a year later.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
dim_span:Hey! ... if I missed something (just got back from Tesco) I'd be gutted! ... I have been searching for a Pioneer A-300x precision or an A-400 GTE for a long time
Hi mate. Ive said to Andrew that its OK to give you my email address!
Hi mate. Ive said to Andrew that its OK to give you my email address!
matthewpiano
Well-known member
gpi:Gerrardasnails:I've heard this a well thought of amp. Anyone know how old they are and how much is a fair second hand price? I don't want to get one and it die on me a year later.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
matthewpiano:gpi:Gerrardasnails:I've heard this a well thought of amp. Anyone know how old they are and how much is a fair second hand price? I don't want to get one and it die on me a year later.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Fair enough but in terms of age, parts don't last forever and with old amps they are more susceptible to output stages failing. If the OP can find a good condition one that isn't too tired he'll be ok with the Pioneer. I have recently sold some Pioneer reference components: an M73 power amp, C73 control amp and PD73 CDP so I know it can be reliable, although I have also heard there are quite a few M73s around with one failed channel.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Fair enough but in terms of age, parts don't last forever and with old amps they are more susceptible to output stages failing. If the OP can find a good condition one that isn't too tired he'll be ok with the Pioneer. I have recently sold some Pioneer reference components: an M73 power amp, C73 control amp and PD73 CDP so I know it can be reliable, although I have also heard there are quite a few M73s around with one failed channel.
matthewpiano:gpi:Gerrardasnails:I've heard this a well thought of amp. Anyone know how old they are and how much is a fair second hand price? I don't want to get one and it die on me a year later.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Really? I don't think any amp designer/manufacturer will agree with that statement. Surely budget products are improving all the time.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Really? I don't think any amp designer/manufacturer will agree with that statement. Surely budget products are improving all the time.
matthewpiano
Well-known member
gpi:matthewpiano:gpi:Gerrardasnails:I've heard this a well thought of amp. Anyone know how old they are and how much is a fair second hand price? I don't want to get one and it die on me a year later.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Fair enough but in terms of age, parts don't last forever and with old amps they are more susceptible to output stages failing. If the OP can find a good condition one that isn't too tired he'll be ok with the Pioneer. I have recently sold some Pioneer reference components: an M73 power amp, C73 control amp and PD73 CDP so I know it can be reliable, although I have also heard there are quite a few M73s around with one failed channel.
I do agree with that. I hope my A400 lasts a long time but if it ever breaks I'll more than likely replace it with a new Brio 3 which I then wouldn't replace until I had the money for a Sugden Mystro or A21a. I believe the output stages of the A400s can't be directly replaced with the same spec so if they ever went I don't think I'd throw money at it because I couldn't be sure that it would ever sound the same.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Fair enough but in terms of age, parts don't last forever and with old amps they are more susceptible to output stages failing. If the OP can find a good condition one that isn't too tired he'll be ok with the Pioneer. I have recently sold some Pioneer reference components: an M73 power amp, C73 control amp and PD73 CDP so I know it can be reliable, although I have also heard there are quite a few M73s around with one failed channel.
I do agree with that. I hope my A400 lasts a long time but if it ever breaks I'll more than likely replace it with a new Brio 3 which I then wouldn't replace until I had the money for a Sugden Mystro or A21a. I believe the output stages of the A400s can't be directly replaced with the same spec so if they ever went I don't think I'd throw money at it because I couldn't be sure that it would ever sound the same.
The reason I mentioned the output stages in particular is because I was badly stung on ebay once when I bought a Marantz PM7200. I personally collected it from the seller as he was local, he didn't allow me to listen to it and I soon discovered there was interference on the right channel. To cut a very long story short, I took the amp to a local electrical repair shop, was conned out of £75.00 for a non-existent repair by a man who was illegally trading after being closed down by trading standards. The amp was eventually successfully repaired by an engineer used by Music Matters in Bham who, funnily enough, had assisted Trading Standards to set the con man up with a 'faulty' component just a few weeks before I walked into his shop.
In the end that 'bargain' s/hand amp cost me more than double what it should have done.
In the end that 'bargain' s/hand amp cost me more than double what it should have done.
matthewpiano:gpi:matthewpiano:gpi:Gerrardasnails:I've heard this a well thought of amp. Anyone know how old they are and how much is a fair second hand price? I don't want to get one and it die on me a year later.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Fair enough but in terms of age, parts don't last forever and with old amps they are more susceptible to output stages failing. If the OP can find a good condition one that isn't too tired he'll be ok with the Pioneer. I have recently sold some Pioneer reference components: an M73 power amp, C73 control amp and PD73 CDP so I know it can be reliable, although I have also heard there are quite a few M73s around with one failed channel.
I do agree with that. I hope my A400 lasts a long time but if it ever breaks I'll more than likely replace it with a new Brio 3 which I then wouldn't replace until I had the money for a Sugden Mystro or A21a. I believe the output stages of the A400s can't be directly replaced with the same spec so if they ever went I don't think I'd throw money at it because I couldn't be sure that it would ever sound the same.
If the A400 does leave this mortal coil, I recommend also looking out for an Audio Innovations Alto integrated amp which has a stripped down design based on the Pioneer A400, i.e. no tone controls or balance. Look for an original model finished in matt black with the AI logo on the front and not a chrome-finished unit. Those were tweaked by Richer Sounds later on and sold with a matching CD player as a lifestyle system.
I believe you can do better than the old Pioneer A400 for about the same money or a little more. Yes it's a classic but its design is 20 years old now. Look instead at top-rated amps of the last few years: Nad C352, Rotel RA-03, Marantz PM7001, etc. Something like the Rotel will offer much more punch and joie de vivre.
The Rotel is a good call but I'd rather have the A400 than either the NAD or the Marantz. The fact that the Pioneer is a 20 year old design means nothing. Amplifiers haven't really improved in that time, and nothing I've heard below the price of a Sugden Mystro sounds more 'right' and musical than the A400. The modern budget amp that does run it close is the Rega Brio 3 - another piece of kit that performs well outside of its price bracket.
Fair enough but in terms of age, parts don't last forever and with old amps they are more susceptible to output stages failing. If the OP can find a good condition one that isn't too tired he'll be ok with the Pioneer. I have recently sold some Pioneer reference components: an M73 power amp, C73 control amp and PD73 CDP so I know it can be reliable, although I have also heard there are quite a few M73s around with one failed channel.
I do agree with that. I hope my A400 lasts a long time but if it ever breaks I'll more than likely replace it with a new Brio 3 which I then wouldn't replace until I had the money for a Sugden Mystro or A21a. I believe the output stages of the A400s can't be directly replaced with the same spec so if they ever went I don't think I'd throw money at it because I couldn't be sure that it would ever sound the same.
If the A400 does leave this mortal coil, I recommend also looking out for an Audio Innovations Alto integrated amp which has a stripped down design based on the Pioneer A400, i.e. no tone controls or balance. Look for an original model finished in matt black with the AI logo on the front and not a chrome-finished unit. Those were tweaked by Richer Sounds later on and sold with a matching CD player as a lifestyle system.
I bought an A400 new in '91 and was a happy user for 15 years, no doubt a nice piece of kit, and still in use at my dad's. Not a patch on an Arcam A85 in my opinion.
JoelSim:
I bought an A400 new in '91 and was a happy user for 15 years, no doubt a nice piece of kit, and still in use at my dad's. Not a patch on an Arcam A85 in my opinion.
compare apples with apples ... the A400 can be had for under £100 ... the last used arcam A85 that sold on ebay went for £385
.... for £385 on the used market, I would be spoilt for choice ... and don't think that the A85 would be on my short list
I bought an A400 new in '91 and was a happy user for 15 years, no doubt a nice piece of kit, and still in use at my dad's. Not a patch on an Arcam A85 in my opinion.
compare apples with apples ... the A400 can be had for under £100 ... the last used arcam A85 that sold on ebay went for £385
.... for £385 on the used market, I would be spoilt for choice ... and don't think that the A85 would be on my short list
joels point that there are alternative second hand amps is a good one though
the a400 tends to get praised because it brought pace and attack and detail for a good price but there are equally good amps just as cheap
the older creek amps are terrific as are the nads kenwoods denons and marantzs you can even buy some good b&o gear for a good price
also ive seen some fine receivers going for a song on ebay because there seems to be a stigma about having combined units so many go cheaper than the amps on which their based
the a400 tends to get praised because it brought pace and attack and detail for a good price but there are equally good amps just as cheap
the older creek amps are terrific as are the nads kenwoods denons and marantzs you can even buy some good b&o gear for a good price
also ive seen some fine receivers going for a song on ebay because there seems to be a stigma about having combined units so many go cheaper than the amps on which their based
one off:
joels point that there are alternative second hand amps is a good one though
the a400 tends to get praised because it brought pace and attack and detail for a good price but there are equally good amps just as cheap
the older creek amps are terrific as are the nads kenwoods denons and marantzs you can even buy some good b&o gear for a good price
also ive seen some fine receivers going for a song on ebay because there seems to be a stigma about having combined units so many go cheaper than the amps on which their based
I still maintain that for under £120-£130, there are not many used amps that can match the A400 ... there are good used amps in this price range, but the A400 is one of the best (if partnered correctly) ... paid £70 for mine and is in mint condition with box and manual
joels point that there are alternative second hand amps is a good one though
the a400 tends to get praised because it brought pace and attack and detail for a good price but there are equally good amps just as cheap
the older creek amps are terrific as are the nads kenwoods denons and marantzs you can even buy some good b&o gear for a good price
also ive seen some fine receivers going for a song on ebay because there seems to be a stigma about having combined units so many go cheaper than the amps on which their based
I still maintain that for under £120-£130, there are not many used amps that can match the A400 ... there are good used amps in this price range, but the A400 is one of the best (if partnered correctly) ... paid £70 for mine and is in mint condition with box and manual
cant agree on this one at all however it does mean that because of the popularity of the pioneer and sansui i can buy a far better brand at dirt cheap prices so i suppose i shouldnt complain
one off:cant agree on this one at all however it does mean that because of the popularity of the pioneer and sansui i can buy a far better brand at dirt cheap prices so i suppose i shouldnt complain
ok, so what do you recomend for under £100? ... and what would you partner it with?
ok, so what do you recomend for under £100? ... and what would you partner it with?
Similar threads
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram