Alistair_1972 Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 I've had this sitting in the garage as the basis for a never materialised 2nd system. It's a lovely little unit and considered trying in my main system but not sure - given it's modest power - if it could drive my AE floorstanders. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage_Hi_Fi Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Nice sounding amp if your speakers are 90db efficient or more it will be OK just be careful not to over drive it given it’s age and been in storage it probably needs a refurb so that would be the priority before hooking it up to any speaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 I have the same model Pioneer. Picked it up cheap and refurbed moderately, plays a pair of Monitor Audio bookshelves (89dB) very nicely to my ear. Volume knob turned at about a quarter is just fine, so no problems with power. Very nice sounding little amp, a real little wonder. I think AE are similarly rated so you should be right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alistair_1972 Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 thanks for the replies folks - I'm keen to give it a try. I'll hook it up this weekend and see how it goes. It was refurbed when I bought it, so hopefully should be OK.... Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony M Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 The Pioneer SA500A was my first Power Amp, bought in about 1973. I used it with Pioneer PAX25B coaxial speakers in large bass reflex boxes, which were very efficient and never caused it to break into a sweat. 12WPC seemed ample in those days - it was a good job there were no Gale 401's around to try it with! Unfortunately, it was lost to me in a home burglary in 1981. I still remember it fondly as a very sweet sounding little amp and I soon forgot my initial regret that I didn't get the prettier, black Sansui AU101 rival instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alistair_1972 Posted June 17, 2023 Author Share Posted June 17, 2023 OK so I hooked it up and it certainly can drive the speakers with ease. No problem there. It sounds good, but unfortunately its being (unfairly) compared to a Rega Elex R so it's not a fair fight. I love the idea of having a vintage amp, but it's going to take some investigation and trail/error to find something that's going to be as sonically pleasing as it is aesthetically Thanks again for all the feedback Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage_Hi_Fi Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 (edited) Nice amp the rega, few suggestions you can look into vintage amp wise that are well regarded Yamaha ca-810 sansui au-417 pioneer sa-8500 marantz 1152dc teac as100 kenwood ka-8006 all of the above are well featured and with more power than the pioneer and very serviceable should the need arise and most importantly sound great Edited June 17, 2023 by Vintage_Hi_Fi Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muon* Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 IF you can manage an AU-517 rather than the 417 It's a big step up, with separate transformers for L&R, so basically mono PS in a single chassis. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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