Pioneer SA-6500II 1975/77 HiFi Component System

1977 Pioneer Component HiFi

People Magazines: The Greatest Mustaches of the 70s

The 1970s was a decade for outrageous styles, big mustaches and big sound. It was a decade that saw major audio manufacturers competing almost solely on sound quality and power and it produced some of the finest sounding (and loudest) consumer amplifiers for a more discerning and cashed up consumer.

Today at a regular HiFi store like JB HiFi generally the higher end Receivers they stock retail for around $800.00 but in 1977 this price point was where the entry level high-fidelity gear started, like Pioneer receiver the SX-450 that retailed for over $800.00 inflation adjusted dollars. And BTW the SX-450 does sound better than then those new ones!

In order to get the equivalent sound today you need to spend big $$$ on boutique audiophile gear. And that’s why you should consider a 70s component system like this one!

This system comprises high-quality Pioneer components from their 1975-77 range. A far cry from their budget ‘Rondo’ gear designed for impoverished nations like Australia, the Pioneer componentry from this era were awesome performers and were well regarded by audiophiles and critics. This particular system comprises components from from Pioneer’s entry to mid-level of their high-fidelity range.

This combination works beautifully together and I have matched with vintage 3-Way 4-Speaker ITS Pro Speaker System featuring Japanese Foster Drivers in sealed cabinets.

With a 5 Watt RMS per channel increase in power over the previous model Pioneer’s SA-6500II DC Amplifier produces 30 Watts RMS Per Channel minimum output @8 ohms. Plenty of power to be the life of the party in the average living room space! This is a superb sounding amplifier with that still possesses a warm sound and with plenty of headroom providing dynamic bass response thanks to a large power supply coupled with twin 6,800uf capacitors for it’s class. The power indicator has been upgraded to LED to provide for long life function. This unit is in excellent functional condition with smooth controls and clean sound.

“The Pioneer SA-6500 is a low distortion, high power, stereo integrated amplifier with wide dynamic range equalizer. Combining advanced circuits with a new design concept provides no-nonsense musical performance at a pleasing price. Precision CR tone circuit, a high performance equalizer amplifier for wide dynamic range, and simple to use basic features make the popularly priced SA-6500 even more appealing as a worthwhile investment in advanced Hi-Fi electronics.”

Specifications

Power output: 30 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)Frequency response: 10Hz to 40kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%
Damping factor: 30
Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 72dB (MM), 93dB (line)
Output: 150mV (line)
Semiconductors: 2 x IC, 25 x transistors, 16 x diodes
Dimensions: 380 x 139 x 308mm
Weight: 7.6kg

Pioneer Tuner’s are well respected in the audiophile community and the Pioneer TX-5500II Stereo Tuner is a great performer and features an attractive silver backed display with a warm glow lit by incandescent bulbs. The Stereo Indicator bulb in this unit has been upgraded to LED to provide for a long life.

Specifications

Type: Mono/Stereo Tuner
Tuning Bands: FM, MW
Tuning Scale: Analogue
Sensitivity: 1.9uV (FM), 300uV (MW)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 68dB (FM), 50dB (MW)
Distortion: 0.6% (FM)
Selectivity: 60dB (FM), 35dB (MW)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 15kHz (FM)
Output: 650mV (FM), 150mV (MW)
Semiconductors: 1 x FET, 3 x IC, 6 x transistors, 6 x diodes
Dimensions: 380 x 124 x 269mm
Weight: 3.5kg

Pioneer CT-F4040 Cassette Deck – is a quality deck from the 70s and weighs a hefty 7.2Kg unlike the cheap feather-weight decks of the 80s. It also has a unique convex sliding cassette cover which is a nice design touch!

“The Pioneer CT-F4040 is a full auto stop, stereo cassette deck with unique vertical cassette holder and oil-damped, sliding compartment door. The compartment is illuminated for easy view of the cassette at all times and features a special marker line to warn of tape end. Other features include an electronically controlled DC servomotor and electronic muting for silent mode change, hard Permalloy solid recording/playback head, Ferrite erase head, tape selector, switch for standard LH tape, Cr02 and Ferrichrome, and a Dolby indicator light.”

Specifications

Type: 2-head, single compact cassette deck Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Tape Speed: 4.75 cm/s   Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: electronically controlled DC   Tape Type: type I, FeCr, Cr02
Noise Reduction: B   Frequency Response: 40Hz to 15kHz  (Cr02 tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 62dB  (dolby B)   Wow and Flutter: 0.08%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.2mV (mic)   Output: 0.45V (line)
Dimensions: 380 x 150 x 316mm   Weight: 7.2kg

Pioneer PL-155A Turntable – classic belt drive turntable with auto return/auto cut and wood base in silver laminate which was all the rage in the later 70s.

Specifications

Motor: 4-pole synchronous
Drive method: belt
Speeds: 33 and 45rpm
Platter: 300mm aluminium alloy diecast
Tonearm: static balance type, s-type arm

ITS Pro Speakers

Manufactured by Miranda HiFi, an Australian retailer from the 1970s, these speakers featured Japanese Foster drivers and sealed cabinets for a more natural sound. I love the look and sound of these speakers with their 12″ inch drivers with their mid-range and tweeter arrangement.

3-Way 4 Speaker System

Japanese Foster Drivers

Closed Speaker System to provide more natural sound

Posted In: HiFi Systems

1 Comment

yolanda

October 11, 2018 at 4:51 pm · Reply

I have a hifi component I think. I grew up with it. It has a record player, 8 track and I think cassette. It is in a wood like piece of furniture. I would like to sell it. It has a lid that lifts up and would be ideal for a 70s based tv show or movie.