Pioneer A400X amp

[Anonymous]

cant say because im bidding on one now

be interesting for three or so forum members keen on second hand gear to put together a system each for say £300 and then do a shoot out in the review rooms of a certain Hifi and AV magazine

would make an interesting article for said magazine too youd think

 

[Anonymous]

one off:

cant say because im bidding on one now

be interesting for three or so forum members keen on second hand gear to put together a system each for say £300 and then do a shoot out in the review rooms of a certain Hifi and AV magazine

would make an interesting article for said magazine too youd think

can't say ... won't say

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a GOOD system for under £500...

Pioneer A400 (£100)

Marantz CD63 MKII K1 signature cd player (£120)

Mission 753 speakers (1st version not the freedom ones) (£200)

New Silver High breed interconnect (£20)

Used Speaker cable for approx £30 (van den hul)

not many new systems that cost £2000-£2500 will even come close to this IMHO

 

[Anonymous]

heres my thoughts based on whats on ebay this morning

kef reference 102 currently £102

or

kef 104ab currently £50 and a steal at the price

denon pma-250SE amplifier £85

philips cd 723 currently 99p to which id add an mf vdac

a rather better system i think if only because of the speakers

 

[matthewpiano]

Rotel RCD965BX
Pioneer A400
Mission 751

I know its the system I've got, but it really is that good. I think the only way I could affordably improve on it would be to go all Rega with an Apollo/Brio 3/RS1 combination, but that would be 3x the cost. To me the next leap up is Sugden, and then your looking at £2,500 for the Mystro amp and CD + £1,000 for some nice Focal floorstanders.

There might be used/affordable amps that can challenge the A400 in some ways, and some of them might be slightly better at some of the hi-fi things, but most of them don't sound as 'right' and musically involving. Its not all about pace and attack either. With the Rotel CD player and Mission speakers it has those qualities in spades, but it also has huge amounts of atmosphere and sounds beautifully intimate where its required.

As for spending £385 on a used amp, I wouldn't do it personally. I'd much rather have the Brio 3 than any Arcam.

 

[chebby]

matthewpiano:To me the next leap up is Sugden, and then your looking at £2,500 for the Mystro amp

Brand new Sugden A21 is £1469 and used A21's often appear on the auction site for reasonable prices. (One on there now for £500 'Buy it now' in good condition.)

May as well buy the amp Sugden is legendary for building (pure class A solid state).

The Mystro is class a/b

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano:Rotel RCD965BXPioneer A400Mission 751I know its the system I've got, but it really is that good. I think the only way I could affordably improve on it would be to go all Rega with an Apollo/Brio 3/RS1 combination, but that would be 3x the cost. To me the next leap up is Sugden, and then your looking at £2,500 for the Mystro amp and CD + £1,000 for some nice Focal floorstanders.There might be used/affordable amps that can challenge the A400 in some ways, and some of them might be slightly better at some of the hi-fi things, but most of them don't sound as 'right' and musically involving. Its not all about pace and attack either. With the Rotel CD player and Mission speakers it has those qualities in spades, but it also has huge amounts of atmosphere and sounds beautifully intimate where its required.As for spending £385 on a used amp, I wouldn't do it personally. I'd much rather have the Brio 3 than any Arcam.actually those kef speakers would improve your system no end

 

[chebby]

one off:

heres my thoughts based on whats on ebay this morning

kef reference 102 currently £102

or

kef 104ab currently £50 and a steal at the price
The only prices that mean anything on ebay are 'buy it now' or the final selling price after bidding has finished.
Otherwise the prices you quoted are meaningless.

A search for 'completed' listings on ebay gives a much better idea of what to pay.

For example KEF 101 speakers on a 'completed listings' search shows two pairs that went for £210 and £250 (not counting the ones without tweeters!)

 

[matthewpiano]

chebby:
matthewpiano:To me the next leap up is Sugden, and then your looking at £2,500 for the Mystro amp

Brand new Sugden A21 is £1469 and used A21's often appear on the auction site for reasonable prices. (One on there now for £500 'Buy it now' in good condition.)

May as well buy the amp Sugden is legendary for building (pure class A solid state).

The Mystro is class a/b

Slightly out of context there Chebby - the £2,500 buys the Mystro amp AND CD player.

The Mystro combination is superb and has already had some excellent reviews. I was captivated by it through a pair of Focal floorstanders. At anything above the price I've just paid for my system I'd want to be buying brand new with full dealer and manufacturer back-up, and when I'm eventually in Sugden territory it will be for the very long term.

Anyway, the next step for me will be an all-Rega system but I feel that is some time off now because I am enjoying the Rotel/Pioneer/Mission set-up so much.

 

[chebby]

matthewpiano:Anyway, the next step for me will be an all-Rega system but I feel that is some time off now because I am enjoying the Rotel/Pioneer/Mission set-up so much.

Excellent plan.

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
one off:

heres my thoughts based on whats on ebay this morning

kef reference 102 currently £102

or

kef 104ab currently £50 and a steal at the price
The only prices that mean anything on ebay are 'buy it now' or the final selling price after bidding has finished.
Otherwise the prices you quoted are meaningless.

A search for 'completed' listings on ebay gives a much better idea of what to pay.

For example KEF 101 speakers on a 'completed listings' search shows two pairs that went for £210 and £250 (not counting the ones without tweeters!)you in pedant mode this morning

thats why i put the caveat current price in

 

[gpi]

Is any of this helping the OP? Me included, lol.

 

[chebby]

No just trying to be realistic one_off.

I see so many LS3/5A's that look absolute bargains (indeed a steal at the price) until you realise they will typically go for around £500 - £1000+ so long as they are not total 'basket cases'.

I have become a bit of an LS3/5A 'watcher' lately (including some similar items like KEF 101) and I am glad to see their prices gradually coming down from the 'hump' they experienced a few months ago.

I also look at other old speakers just from curiosity (Celestion Ditton, Celef, old Mordaunt Short etc.)

I will jump in when the time is right. I want to try out LS3/5A's but don't want to pay silly money and don't want to lose-out if the time comes to sell either.

 

[matthewpiano]

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 presume you are thinking of this for a second system rather than as a replacement for your Azur?

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
No just trying to be realistic one_off.

I see so many LS3/5A's that look absolute bargains (indeed a steal at the price) until you realise they will typically go for around £500 - £1000+ so long as they are not total 'basket cases'.

I have become a bit of an LS3/5A 'watcher' lately (including some similar items like KEF 101) and I am glad to see their prices gradually coming down from the 'hump' they experienced a few months ago.

I also look at other old speakers just from curiosity (Celestion Ditton, Celef, old Mordaunt Short etc.)

I will jump in when the time is right. I want to try out LS3/5A's but don't want to pay silly money and don't want to lose-out if the time comes to sell either.

yes fair enough i was basically just listing what seemed stand out items on ebay this morning just like everyone else i only usually bid in the last few seconds myself

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:

No just trying to be realistic one_off.

I see so many LS3/5A's that look absolute bargains (indeed a steal at the price) until you realise they will typically go for around £500 - £1000+ so long as they are not total 'basket cases'.

I have become a bit of an LS3/5A 'watcher' lately (including some similar items like KEF 101) and I am glad to see their prices gradually coming down from the 'hump' they experienced a few months ago.

I also look at other old speakers just from curiosity (Celestion Ditton, Celef, old Mordaunt Short etc.)

I will jump in when the time is right. I want to try out LS3/5A's but don't want to pay silly money and don't want to lose-out if the time comes to sell either.

Chebby, LS3/5a's are ok ... but only if you get a pair in good condition for approx £400-£450 .... better than the LS3/5A are the Spendor BC1's or the B&W Dm2 (first version transmissions) ... IMHO

the ls3's lack in bass but make excellent cinema speakers (the far east guys are snapping them up for this purpose)

If you want to get good used speakers that will double/triple in price in the near future, get the IMF TLS80 or IMF TLS50 ... can be had for approx £500 or less ...

Another good older speaker are the Harbeths ... never heard many, but never heard a bad pair or read a bad review ...

I will be buying a pair of Celestion Ditton 66's when funds allow (heard a pair connected to an old Krell amp/preamp ... guy was playing Black Sabbath (loud) ... thought I was at the concert

 

[Anonymous]

and, if you want a pair of LS3/5A's .... the ones to look out for are the Chartwells

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Well, I started this off, went away for a couple of days and checked the Bay for prices on my way home. A Denon PMA-250SE came up for £65 buy it now with £15 postage. Mint condition too. I snapped it up straightaway. My Dad will have Kef IQ1s powered by the Denon. Main source will be his laptop. A cheap DAC could be Christmas present. Thanks for all the input from everyone.

 

[chebby]

Gerrardasnails:Well, I started this off, went away for a couple of days and checked the Bay for prices on my way home. A Denon PMA-250SE came up for £65 buy it now with £15 postage. Mint condition too. I snapped it up straightaway. My Dad will have Kef IQ1s powered by the Denon. Main source will be his laptop. A cheap DAC could be Christmas present. Thanks for all the input from everyone.

Woohoo! My first suggestion here

I hope it works out well for your dad.

Strangely enough - given the previous LS3/5A talk - Doug Stirling (of Stirling Broadcast in Somerset) actually uses one of those Denons to demo his LS3/5A V2's to visitors (along with a 40 watt Rogers valve amp.)

 

[Anonymous]

well done! ... good price! ... have never heard one, but they get good reviews

 

[Gerrardasnails]

chebby:
Gerrardasnails:Well, I started this off, went away for a couple of days and checked the Bay for prices on my way home. A Denon PMA-250SE came up for £65 buy it now with £15 postage. Mint condition too. I snapped it up straightaway. My Dad will have Kef IQ1s powered by the Denon. Main source will be his laptop. A cheap DAC could be Christmas present. Thanks for all the input from everyone.

Woohoo! My first suggestion here

I hope it works out well for your dad.

Strangely enough - given the previous LS3/5A talk - Doug Stirling (of Stirling Broadcast in Somerset) actually uses one of those Denons to demo his LS3/5A V2's to visitors (along with a 40 watt Rogers valve amp.)

Yep, Chebster, I took note of your suggestion so if it sounds bad.....

No, seriously, I expect the old man to be very pleased.

 

[triker2112]

Keep dreaming Mr anonymous, the 400x is superior to the 400 in Every way. I've had mine from new when they 1st came out , couple of my audiophile mates bought the 300 and 400 or the Kenwood 3020se, but the 400x runs rings around the lot.

 

[plastic penguin]

Keep dreaming Mr anonymous, the 400x is superior to the 400 in Every way. I've had mine from new when they 1st came out , couple of my audiophile mates bought the 300 and 400 or the Kenwood 3020se, but the 400x runs rings around the lot.

This thread is 7-years old. He is anonymous because his account has closed down. Waste of time replying to any of these posts.

 

[TrevC]

I don't get this trendy amp thing. It's a competent enough amp, but no better or worse than any of the modern stuff like Yamaha that can be bought new, including a remote, for similar prices to a good working one of these second hand.

 

[plastic penguin]

I don't get this trendy amp thing. It's a competent enough amp, but no better or worse than any of the modern stuff like Yamaha that can be bought new, including a remote, for similar prices to a good working one of these second hand.

I suppose one person's rib-eye steak is another's fermented fish.

Agree though, the Pioneer 400 just looked... well looked like a bland integrated. The blingier Pioneers are the previous models from the late 70s IMHO.

 

[Al ears]

I don't get this trendy amp thing. It's a competent enough amp, but no better or worse than any of the modern stuff like Yamaha that can be bought new, including a remote, for similar prices to a good working one of these second hand.

I suppose one person's rib-eye steak is another's fermented fish.

Agree though, the Pioneer 400 just looked... well looked like a bland integrated. The blingier Pioneers are the previous models from the late 70s IMHO.

As its been re-exhumed the A300R would leave them both behind.