Somewhat following an earlier thread regarding HK; What are the best/better Pioneer integrateds? Which would you pick, the SA 9100 or SA 8500II? A lot of these models seem so similar it's difficult to determine their differences. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance...

I'd choose based on their condition. Both were 60 wpc. The SA-9100 is older, but was the TOTL and probably would be my pick.

This is the last vintage piece I have not had the pleasure of getting ahold of.:D One I will get one. I have a place on my main system for it. Hopefully Gyusher will part with one:D

Thanks for the help with the avitar--Guy!!!

Regards,

Eric

I really like the SA-9800. 100WPC, nice look. One for sale on ebay (mine) right now.

You know there was only one integrated amp worth a damn. . .SA-9100 Rules. . . Sweet, sexy, only rated at 65wpc but dont tell it that. Gorgeous, walnut veneer case, every diad known to man. . . but best of all it is how it sounds. . .No other Pioneer can touch it for sound quality period. . .NONE. . . Some have more power, some are fancier, some are newer but dont do as I did for so many years and ignore it.

I crossed paths many times but ignored a 60 watt integrated amp. . .who needs it. . .untill I bought one by accident and as soon as I fired it up and looked under the hood I was sold. . .

Everyone needs a 9100 once even briefly, they are that good. . .easy to work on. . .on. . .and on and on. . .

There are a couple of 9100s on ebay I am eyeing right now. Probably get one of them....

Probably get one of them....


I might have a service manual around here. . . I will look and see. When I sold my last 9100 I seem to remember keeping a copy. . . I will let you know. . .

SA-9100s are peculiar about money they bring. I sold the last three , two were mint and one rough but perfect working, they sold for 469.99/369.99/159.99

When I bought them I paid 92.00/114.00/169.00

So they can be all over the map. . .

I love em. . . Seems about time to go looking again. . . . .

I used to have one of these when it first came out. Oh..how I kick myself in the ass for getting rid of it. I still have the Tx-7100 that used to be with it. I now have a SA-9800/TX9800 combo in my collection.

Gotta agree with the majority, I also have a 9100 and its a beast built like a tank and just as heavy. Go with the 9100.

Hi All

Couldn't agree more the Pioneer amps are sweet. Bought a beat up little SA-8100 for my garage unit. And for a 40 watter it has outstanding sound quality. I was totally impressed with it. Along with surprised. I wasn't expecting much. Boy was I wrong and glad of it. :D

IMHO you can't go wrong with the SA-9100 either. Go for it dude !

Cheers
Army

Can anyone post a pic? I would like to see this puppy.

Hi TWantiques, check this link,

http://silverpioneer.netfirms.com/Integrated%20Amps.htm

different listings for Pioneer integrated amps...
:)

I have a SA-9500 I picked up for $50. I liked it till the pot started and then completly went South on me. I guess I need to get an Alps to put in there and get it up and running again. I only used it in HT but it did the job in a very good fashion. I would guess any of the nine thousand integrated amps should sound quite nice, look good and have nice features.

I ended up picking up a nice Optonica SM-4545 integrated which incidentally looks a lot like a SA-9100. It's built very well and sounds very clean. It also perfectly matches the Optonica ST-3535 I also just picked up (what a great tuner that is). I'd like to have picked up the Pioneer but the prices are MUCH higher than Optonica stuff right now which appears to be a very well built but completely overlooked product...

This was the last one IO had. I have pics in the Gallery. . .

Originally posted by gyusher
This was the last one IO had. I have pics in the Gallery. . .

Damn gyusher thats beautiful !

Wish my little 8100 looked like that :cool: !

Nice pic !

Regards
Army

that guy sold for 499.99 plus shipping. It was even cleaner inside. The buyer sold a 30K amp because he liked the sound of this Pioneer so much. . . Same buyer bought my SX-1010E for an undisclosed price after EchoWars performed his full meal deal on it. The 1010 was mint to begin with so you can imagine what it sold for.

I am not bragging just making the point that truly fine pieces bring top dollar. There are buyers just waiting for this gear in this kind of condition. These are the buyers who want a classic piece with the reliability of a new piece, for whatever the reason they will not put up with any issues period. . . Dont blame them when they pay for what they get. . .

I will find another that is like this one was. This guy sat in a sealed cabinet for 30 years only played very sparingly enough to keep everything in order.

Ask me why I like Pioneer. . .??? I think it is obvious. . .

It also perfectly matches the Optonica ST-3535


I have a ST-3535 Tuner with wood end panels, gorgeous great sounding tuner T42 I got to agree with you here. . . Optonica is good stuff across the board and it does seem to sell low. . .Once you get it you cant give it away either with a few exceptions. . . sad. . .

I know most of you have seen this but this is the rear of that 9100. . . Very rare example, Only one in this condition I have ever seen. . .