[billbillw]

So, I have this brand new, sealed box SX-A9-J, which is Pioneer Elite's "Pure Audio" G-Clef flagship Receiver. This had an original price of around $1000. Pioneer recently replaced it with a Mk2 version and raised the price to $1500! There are no documented changes other than cosmetics (different finish and display).

I had to purchase this as a package with the D9 SACD player that I wanted, but I have no use for the receiver, so I'm offering it up for sale here. Like I said, its brand new, sealed box.

So, I would like to sell this for $450+shipping. The only one selling on Ebay is asking more than $600 for this model. Will ship it double boxed from Atlanta, GA. Local pickup welcome.

I have loads of  selling feedback (100%+) at Ebay, Audiogon, Audiokarma, and the PolkAudio forum. Buy with confidence. Same user name everywhere I go.

This is a true dual mono design, with twin toroids and separate circuitry for each channel. This is a 2-channel analog design with the bonus feature of having a built in USB DAC (Burr Brown PCM1702). Also has a tuner and MM/MC phono inputs, as well as headphone output.

They market this receiver as having 70x2 watts of power, but the FTC rating is more like 55x2 into 8 ohms (and 70x2 into 4ohm), so it is not a powerhouse, but it will easily drive a set of efficient speakers to very loud levels. Pioneer marketed this against the likes of Musical Fidelity and Cambridge in Europe and it did quite well over there. It has very high build quality and weighs in at nearly 25lbs. The front face is a beautiful dark gray brushed aluminum finish with a neat curve to it. Very clean lines with minimal buttons. Most functions are controlled by remote.

While you won't find many reviews of this model, you will find many praises of the nearly identical European model (A-A9-J) which was the same except it didn't include the AM/FM tuner, nor XM capability. Pioneer Europe sold a separate tuner. Also, in Europe, they are not marketed as Elite Components.

The Pioneer Canada website has a nice little writeup of the technologies along with gut shots:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/StaticFiles/POCEN/Files/Elite-AVC-Reference-Guide/file/m_06.html

Brochures/manuals/specs can be found here:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AudioComponents/Hi-FiAudio/ci.SX-A9-J.Kuro

Additional high res photos of the Euro A9 are located here:

http://www.avland.co.uk/pioneer/a9/a9.htm

The only difference in the rear shot is the addition of antenna connections.

Here are some photos of the actual sealed box that I have, along with a large stock photo of the front face:

[TheChairGuy]

I don't know this seller - but I know the product as its my everyday preamp/tuner for nearly a couple years now.  It's a very fine piece of solid state gear.

It's best attributes are it's preamp section...and the convenience of having a good (but not great) remote tuner, as well....one cord, less mess.

The amp section (when used a full-fledged 2-channel receiver...this is NOT a AV receiver and it's only 2 channel) is okay...best to use its convenient preamp out jacks to an upgraded amplifier for audiophool worthy tunes.  Used this way, it's a stunning bargain for the $450 the seller is asking for a new one in the box.

For vinylphools...the MM section is first class and as its dual mono straight back to the twin toroids; it gets the most from vinyl's inherently poor stereo separation and preserves delicate imaging for superb sound reproduction.

My review: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=58628.0

John

[billbillw]

John,
Thanks for giving your thoughts. I am really tempted to try this unit out, but I think keeping it sealed is the better bet for me since I already have a great set of components.

Have you used the USB DAC feature? I think that is a great feature that would lend this unit to do very well as an amp/dac in a Desktop/Computer rig. That is probably how I would use it, which would let me replace my NAD 7175PE and the little Entech Number Cruncher DAC that I currently use.

For those who are unsure of me as a seller, I'll make it easy to see my previous selling history at some other forums:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/itrader.php?u=64121
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/search.php?searchid=8835570
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=billbillw&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fb.pl?user=Billbillw

[limits]

billbillw -- I sent you a message 

[billbillw]

billbillw -- I sent you a message 

Thanks. I responded.

ITEM IS SOLD NOW. Thanks Eric! Hope you enjoy the unit.

[limits]

Thank you, Bill --Great communication, and a pleasure to deal with! I can't wait to try out this unit.

I don't post very often, but am a long time lurker--long enough to know that if John (TheChairGuy) values a particular piece of equipment, then it is worth a look.

Eric

[TheChairGuy]

Have you used the USB DAC feature? I think that is a great feature that would lend this unit to do very well as an amp/dac in a Desktop/Computer rig. That is probably how I would use it, which would let me replace my NAD 7175PE and the little Entech Number Cruncher DAC that I currently use.

I've not used the USB DAC feature...one day I plan to possibly (I just bought a 16gb iPhone4 so I may see how storing music on it sounds..and hear it thru the main system in the USB DAC input)

limits/Eric....hope you enjoy as much as I have.  As above and in my review, the best feature of this receiver is the preamp section.  The AM-FM is good enough for background (to me, FM is nothing but backgroun donly...but others disagree) and the amp section is adequate, not stunning.

But, the dual mono preamp stage is a star...particularly the very fine MM stage for phono.

Engage the DIRECT path feature (either from front panel or remote) and turn the display completely off (only from the remote). These two moves pay heady benefits for sonics 

Put a fancy audiophool label on this product and it would garner more acclaim....and likely fetch $2500 retail for it.  What fully dual mono, full featured (remote) preamp/tuner combo exists today for any price?  Seriously, this is such a fine unit for even the $1000 MSRP for it.

I didn't know Pioneer introduced a MKII version of it....no surprise it costs $500 more now as Pioneer corporate has lost a LOT of money the past few years trying to compete in the Plasma TV market, mostly (and natural downward draft of the 2008 recession).  The new one is now brushed black in color (MKI is a terrific looking brushed grey) and it makes mention of a new feedback circuit and specifying low ESR capacitors in the design now. 

Enjoy! John

[limits]

John:

Thanks for the tips. Works out perfectly for me, as I don't like unnecessary lights and usually use source direct functions if available. My intended use for this unit is preamp only, and although I have been out of vinyl for 25 + years, I may have to give it a spin <sorry, couldn't resist>

Eric

[TheChairGuy]

Enjoy!

John

[jackman]

I'm using one of these at the moment as a preamp.  I needed a remote and the price was right.  It's very nice looking in person and I popped the top to get a look inside and the internals are very nicely laid out.  Haven't tried the amp section but everything I've tried is pretty good. 

Congrats on the purchase. 

[TheChairGuy]

I'm using one of these at the moment as a preamp.  I needed a remote and the price was right.  It's very nice looking in person and I popped the top to get a look inside and the internals are very nicely laid out.  Haven't tried the amp section but everything I've tried is pretty good. 

Congrats on the purchase.

Jack,

The layouts are freakishly well done inside  

Oddly, wasn't the dual toriods located in the front of the SX-A9-J (doing this from memory)?  Normally, I see the trannies in the back - nearest to the outputs.  Not sure what Pioneer was thinking here

But it's so neat to see...very clean traces and two completely mirror imaged sides - essentially you have two exact replicate amps in one each producing one mono channel culminating in stereo.

The only thing is shares is a common power connection (one IEC outlet powers both channels).  Truly, that's dual mono in my book.

The amp is nothing special...it's the preamp section that is the sweet deal here (superb MM section if you still play vinyl - and fully dual mono is the best for preserving relatively poor stereo separation, next to digital, and enhancing imaging with vinyl)

John

[limits]

jackman -- Thanks! I am really liking this unit (using as preamp). I, too, needed a remote (...I don't care what you get as long as it has a remote...). A big thank you to billbillw for cleaning out his closet  and offering this for sale. Bill was great to deal with, and the unit was packed very well.

[billbillw]

jackman -- Thanks! I am really liking this unit (using as preamp). I, too, needed a remote (...I don't care what you get as long as it has a remote...). A big thank you to billbillw for cleaning out his closet  and offering this for sale. Bill was great to deal with, and the unit was packed very well.

Eric,
Glad to hear that you are really enjoying this one. I was tempted to keep it, but I really couldn't justify it for a computer rig.