1977 QX-949A Original RRP: $750.00USD
2014 Inflation Adjusted RRP: $2,908.00
I currently have one of these beauties in my workshop. Will share the process of it’s restoration shortly! Check back soon
This is it! Pioneers TOTL Quadraphonic Receiver in its most advanced incarnation, a full featured Quadraphonic amplifier supporting all Quad formats! I have to admit vintage Pioneer is my favorite gear, and this unit demonstrates so many of reasons why.
Many Quad Amps and Receiver’s suffered from a common problem, lack of power. Not so with the QX-949A, one of the most powerful Quadraphonic Receivers ever made featuring 40 Watts RMS Per Channel @ 8 ohms (40×4) in Quad Mode or 60 Watts RMS Per Channel @ 8 ohms in Stereo Mode.
The dual power +/- supply is very beefy consisting of a heavy transformer and 40,000uf worth of capacitance for dynamic power. This fuels an All-Stage Direct Coupled OCL Power Output Circuit and a 3-Stage Direct-Coupled Equaliser Circuit.
Aesthetically the first thing that hit me about this unit was its size, it was a lot bigger than I expected it to be when I first laid eyes on it. It measures 55cm Wide 44cm Deep and 16cm High. It also has one of the most attractive controls and front panel displays Pioneer ever developed, IMHO of course!
Its styling is a cross between NASA’s Apollo Program meets the Marlboro Man with its shining brushed aluminium, plentiful array of important looking knobs and buttons, a battery of lights surrounding the glowing blue tuner dial that are so distinctly mid 1970s Pioneer. The scope display can also be used to program Inter-Continental-Ballistic-Missiles upon multiple targets and also interfaces with the Star Wars Defense Initiative…. well that last one may be stretching the imagination a little too far 
What it does have is the upgraded CD-4 and SQ Matrix decoder units which were a great improvement over the earlier QX-949, along with a regular Matrix decoder as well. Other features include separate Bass and Treble Tone Controls for the Front and Rear channels, Low and High filters, Front and Rear CD-4 Separation Controls, 3 Tape Inputs including 2x 4-Channel and 1x 2-Channel, and an option to add a Dolby Noise Reduction Processor.
One of my favourite features is the input for two turntables, thus allowing you to enjoy different setups and makes for easy DJ’ing at parties!
The Specs:
- 60 Watts RMS 2 Channel
- 40 Watts RMS 4 Channel
- T.H.D 0.3%
- Weight: 49lbs (22.4kg)
- 2 x Phono Inputs
- 1 x Aux Input
- 1 x 2Ch Tape Input
- 2 x 4CH Tape Input
- Dolby NR Adapter
- Low & High Filters
- Provision for up to 8 Speakers
Posted In: Coming Soon, Quadraphonic, Receivers
Frank
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Hi, I just purchased a Pioneer 949 and also a pair of Pioneer Quad headphones. Can’t wait for
it to be delivered. But I have a question and you seem knowledgeable on the subject. If I wanted
to hook-up a CD player to the back of this unit, which ports would I use? There’s quite a few in the
back from the picture I saw on EBAY. Should I look for an “AUX” port of some kind?
Frank
admin Author
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Hi Frank,
Yes the AUX port would be your best bet, however you could pretty much plug it into any of the other inputs except the PHONO inputs. FYI sometimes the different inputs can have different frequency responses and this is usually mentioned in the brochures technical sections.
Congratulations on your eBay purchase, it’s a lovely unit and a great bit of eye-candy! I hope you have it by now
Cheers!
Frank
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Thanks for the info. It’s always better to get the info you need before you try something
new on an old piece of equipment.
Al Coffman
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I also have a pioneer qx-949 and I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO CHANGE THE LIGHTS ON THE RECEIVERS ! THANKS !