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Receiver for Pioneer HPM-100s?

A

ad720

Member
I recently was given a great pair of Pioneer HPM-100 speakers (the 100 watt version).

I'm currently powering them with an older Integra Dolby Digital AVR but I'd love to match these with something from the same era.

Can anyone make some recommendations? What to look for and what to stay away from? I'd like to spend under $100 if possible.

I'm in Philly so I've been checking the Philadelphia, South Jersey, Central Jersey and Delaware craigslists.

So far I have been talking to someone about at Pioneer SX-750 for $75...
 
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What condition is the SX in? When buying these nearly 40 year old units, you must consider the potential cost of bringing them up to reliable operation.
 
According to the seller's listing it is in "Great condition", tunes well, sounds great. The tuning lamp is out. He seems pretty firm at $75.
 
SX-950 minimum. You will hear the difference in bass. Plus, the SX-950 is the first model in the line-up to have real walnut veneer which will be a perfect match for your HPM's.
 
SoCal Sam said:
SX-950 minimum. You will hear the difference in bass. Plus, the SX-950 is the first model in the line-up to have real walnut veneer which will be a perfect match for your HPM's.
Click to expand...

That is a beautiful receiver but based on ebay completed auctions it's going to be out of my price range.
 
ad720 said:
That is a beautiful receiver but based on ebay completed auctions it's going to be out of my price range.
Click to expand...

Pioneer is popular today as it was when new. That's why they are well bid and more valuable. Try expanding your search in epirate by using these search strings:

"Yamaha CR"
"Hitachi SR"
"Toshiba SA"
"Technics SA"
"Rotel RX"
"Concept receiver"
"Sansui G"
"Realistic RS"
"Akai AA"
"Kenwood KR"

Some of these brands are not appreciated by the market. Look for the TOTL or the second from the top. A couple of models that come to mind are Kenwood KR-9400 and KR-8100. Neither are range toppers and sometimes can be had for a dollar a watt.
 
Hpm 100

HPM 100's are rated 50 watts continuous 100 watts peak. I run mine with
a Fisher Studio Standard integrated amp (55wpc) and turning it up
half way will have the neighbors complaining. SX 750 is perfect.
I also have a Phase Linear 400 (200 wpc) that doesn't move the meter.
If you should ever use more than 100 wpc make sure you install a 1.75
amp fuse in the speaker line.
 
I picked up an onkyo tx-4500 reasonably recently...

Onkyo tx series is a good choice that can be overlooked. Love them!
 
SoCal Sam said:
Pioneer is popular today as it was when new. That's why they are well bid and more valuable. Try expanding your search in epirate by using these search strings:

"Yamaha CR"
"Hitachi SR"
"Toshiba SA"
"Technics SA"
"Rotel RX"
"Concept receiver"
"Sansui G"
"Realistic RS"
"Akai AA"
"Kenwood KR"

Some of these brands are not appreciated by the market. Look for the TOTL or the second from the top. A couple of models that come to mind are Kenwood KR-9400 and KR-8100. Neither are range toppers and sometimes can be had for a dollar a watt.
Click to expand...
You will certainly notice the difference with a nicer unit.

I'd stay away from the akai AA though, in my experience the caps are usually starting to crap out.

The realistic units are often good value.

Some sony's are good too.
 
Frhodes said:
HPM 100's are rated 50 watts continuous 100 watts peak. I run mine with
a Fisher Studio Standard integrated amp (55wpc) and turning it up
half way will have the neighbors complaining. SX 750 is perfect.
I also have a Phase Linear 400 (200 wpc) that doesn't move the meter.
If you should ever use more than 100 wpc make sure you install a 1.75
amp fuse in the speaker line.
Click to expand...

Actually, a lower power amp is more dangerous to speakers than a high power amp. No need for a fuse.
 
vwdeano said:
I picked up an onkyo tx-4500 reasonably recently...

Onkyo tx series is a good choice that can be overlooked. Love them!
Click to expand...

Ah yes, add "Onkyo TX" to my list. The TX-8500 amp section is dual transformer equipped and sounds excellent. Too bad the preamp side is so dull sounding. Most will never hear how good the amp is because of this.
 
HPM fuse

SoCal Sam said:
Actually, a lower power amp is more dangerous to speakers than a high power amp. No need for a fuse.
Click to expand...


From the Phase Linear 400 service manual. Bob Carver apparently disagrees
with you. I think I'll trust his judgement.
 

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Frhodes said:
From the Phase Linear 400 service manual. Bob Carver apparently disagrees
with you. I think I'll trust his judgement.
Click to expand...

Maybe for the Phase Linear 400, a fuse is necessary. However, placing a fuse lengthens the audio chain which is never good. Newer amps do not call for this. Lastly, low powered amps clip more easily which heats up the VC. Anyways, the HPM-100's can handle monster receivers with easy and without a fuse.
 
Frhodes said:
HPM 100's are rated 50 watts continuous 100 watts peak. I run mine with
a Fisher Studio Standard integrated amp (55wpc) and turning it up
half way will have the neighbors complaining. SX 750 is perfect.
I also have a Phase Linear 400 (200 wpc) that doesn't move the meter.
If you should ever use more than 100 wpc make sure you install a 1.75
amp fuse in the speaker line.
Click to expand...

I believe that I have the "B" or "C" revision which is rated for 100/200.
 
ad720 said:
I believe that I have the "B" or "C" revision which is rated for 100/200.
Click to expand...

I've owned both the 50/100 and the 100/200 versions. There is very little difference between the two except maybe the 50/100 is a little better built with threaded T-nuts.
 
SoCal Sam said:
Ah yes, add "Onkyo TX" to my list. The TX-8500 amp section is dual transformer equipped and sounds excellent. Too bad the preamp side is so dull sounding. Most will never hear how good the amp is because of this.
Click to expand...

Don't know about the 4500, but I have an onkyo TX-4500MKII, the output transistors are 2SA747 and 2SC1116, same outputs as in kenwood 500/600 etc. Very surprised to see that.
 
SoCal Sam said:
Pioneer is popular today as it was when new. That's why they are well bid and more valuable. Try expanding your search in epirate by using these search strings:

"Yamaha CR"
"Hitachi SR"
"Toshiba SA"
"Technics SA"
"Rotel RX"
"Concept receiver"
"Sansui G"
"Realistic RS"
"Akai AA"
"Kenwood KR"

Some of these brands are not appreciated by the market. Look for the TOTL or the second from the top. A couple of models that come to mind are Kenwood KR-9400 and KR-8100. Neither are range toppers and sometimes can be had for a dollar a watt.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. I've upped my budget to $125 if it helps.

What do we think about -


Technics SA-425 - $90


KENWOOD KR-755 - $100
KENWOOD KR-5150 - $70
KENWOOD KR-4600 - $95
KENWOOD KR-3400 - $95

(lots more Kenwoods between $75-$125).

Marantaz SR-1000 - $12 (bad bulb)

Yamaha CR-220 - $75

Hitachi SR-304 - $90

Toshiba SA-300 - $80
Toshiba SA-725 - $90
Toshiba SA-320 - $120

Onkyo TX-2500 - $125


I'd love to match a Pioneer to these speakers so I spent some more time looking at them.

Pioneer SX-300 - $90
Pioneer SX-424 - $115
Pioneer SX-450 - $100-$120
Pioneer SX-550 - $110
Pioneer SX-680 - $75 (working but very rough cosmetics)
Pioneer SX-680 - $120 (better cosmetics)
Pioneer SX-690 - $110
Pioneer SX-750 - $120
Pioneer TX-8100 - $110

All prices include shipping.

Does anything there merit a closer look based on the price? I only included things that were listed as working, with no lights out or issues noted.


And there is Pioneer SX-750 listed locally for $75. I'd prefer to go though ebay for the buyer protection but if that is the best deal I'll make the 30 minute drive.
 
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