Pioneer VSX-9700S, VSX-9900S, VSX-D1S, VSX-D902S Comparison

Hey! Here’s a quick comparison of the Pioneer VSX-9700S, VSX-9900S, VSX-D1S and VSC-D902S. ** I apologize but my specifics on wattage per channel might be off ** the point here is that the mains all are in the 120WPC range and surrounds/centers increase as the years increase when produced. Most experts will say that all of these overperform the measured specs.
I’d recommend the VSX-9700 over all of these. See my video from a few weeks back when I also endorsed the same.

[@tweetyuno]

I own my Pioneer VSX-9700S stereo receiver for about 35 year and with my 35 years old Bose speaker the sound is excellent ❤

[@arturovillalpando289]

Hi all. I own the D1S which is currently under restoration by my self (I am a certified electronics technician) I love the sound of this receiver on my B&W’s. Powerful yet warm, full neat sound. What I did to fight the heat problem is to attach on the bottom of the unit a two fan laptop cooler. Find the 12v bar, wire it and used a couple of zip ties to fix it. As these cooling fans are slim and the fans are quiet is almost unnoticeable. In “push” configuration all the heat is removed and the hot air is forced to flow upwards. No more problems anymore. Of course nothing is placed on top of it.

[@janath9118]

@arturovillalpando289 Hello, I missed the D1S but i had a VSX 9700S some time ago and I experienced the same overheating problem due to its high 900 Watts power consumption. I also thought of fixing a blower fan inside the unit but I did not do it fearing about these modifications. The manufacturers always caution the owners not to do any modifications inside the units. So I was scared to do so. I then tried keeping an external small blower fan for this purpose but again its high noise prevented me using it. That noise disturb me when listening to music. The only other option was to keep a more silent box type fan close to it. Although these Japanese built VSX series suffered from overheating in this manner, there were another VSX series which were built in Malaysia which had factory fitted built in blower fans. I used one of that model for sometime prior to buying this 9700S. It was VSX 434 with a power consumption of 700 Watts. Power output was 75 Watts/channel at 8 ohms 0.09% THD at 20-20,000 Hz. It never ran hot and I can keep other components like a CD player or a deck on top of it without fear of overheating. But it's problem was that it was not as good looking as the Japanese series. It lacked the big and nice illuminated display and other features. That's the reason I sold it in the first place. But I later regretted selling it. Nevertheless, there's no problem for you here because you are a certified electronics technician. So you know how to modify it without getting any problems. Cheers for your work! Thanks for sharing the ideas!

[@alecweinstein4990]

I picked up a super clean D1S from Goodwill a few years ago for $50. Blew my speaker playing Lido Shuffle and sold it for $100 to a friend. Had manual and remote too. I'd say I miss it, but I still don't have speakers worthy of that monster.

[@janath9118]

Pioneer VSX 9700 S Dolby Pro Logic Audio Video Receiver. I owned this model for a period of time and it was very good. I was looking for VSX D1 Receiver but bought the VSX 9700 S model instead because the former model was not available at that time. This Receiver VSX 9700 S worked very well for me and I liked it much. Another reason I liked this model was it's big and beautiful illuminated display. Its only setback for me was the high heat build up inside the unit when in operation due to its high power consumption of 900 Watts and the lack of a built in cooling fan. So I cannot place anything like a CD player on top of it in fear that it will also get unnecessarily hot and will misfunction. I did not do it fearing that this Receiver will also overheat dangerously due to that. So I did not keep anything on top of this Receiver. I had doubts about this, but it is confirmed after watching and listening to your above video. I was lucky to buy and use the VSX 9700S instead of the VSX D1S with those overheating issues. Thank you very much for your informative video!

[@RHJ3]

I picked up a 9500s a few years a go and fell in love with it. The display is a great golden color and the sound is fantastic with my Infinty speakers. Thanks for posting this video on these forgotten receivers, they really are and were awesome.

[@samb8996]

A really excellent overview I love your collection !

[@kevinhevner9178]

I had a D1S from New. I loved it. I had constant relay issues. I got rid of it when I moved. I had to much audio and just thought I wanted to separate from anything with issues. Biggest mistake of my life. I now have the time that I could go over them.

[@janath9118]

Yes, you are right. I had a VSX 9700S which i used for sometime before deciding to sell it. I now miss it. These types of hi fi were never produced again.

[@danielknepper6884]

Just bought a 9700s. I have a huge vintage collection from the seventies so I'm not expecting much but I think these are so cool since I grew up with them when I was in my teens

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

wow, all are great and powerful

[@jdtractorman7445]

I remember going into my local Sears store back in the late 1980's and early 1990's looking at these receivers. I always wanted to get one, but being a young teen I didn't have around $1000 dollars to spend. 🙂 The display they had in that store, I'll never forget it. I did end up getting a lower priced model than these though, which up until last year was still working. There is now a clicking noise coming from it like the protection relay is going bad or something in the speaker circuits.

[@technics-n-thuiast8346]

All vintage stuff has overheating problems as a lot didn't have the fan for one can have a negative impact on sound. The reason most overheat is the poor placement in tight cabinets where TV/media center is. They need to stand alone with virtually nothing surrounding them, sides and top in particular ( I know you have stacked them up like that just for the video ).I have owned ( and still do ) plethora of vintage and some newer stuff and regardless of people saying how ridiculous my amp looks sitting on the floor ( I do have anti resonance and vibration absorbing board ), never have I ever overheated any of the amps. It is even better to have it sit directly on a cold tile floor yet vibration can be of an issue. Dust too!

[@zacktinayoutube]

Great Video!

[@charlessalvador33]

Hello Mark love your videos very detailed and informative. I just acquired D1S in excellent cosmetic and working condition. The only thing odd I noticed the relays kick in a minute and 40 seconds after powered on. Is that common with this model. I used to have a 9900S but did not have that issue. I did purchase a computer fan due to your recommendation. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@tracyhunter6007]

Hi mark. I remember back in 1992 having,the VSX9700 which I think is a more straight forward usable amp. The one thing that I hated was having to put a fan on it like in the 80,s it's 2023 how much one of those would cost now?

[@WindomRettes]

Had the 902S for many years but after 10-15 years of service the right channel started to slowly lose volume compared to the left where I had to compensate the loss by using the balance control.Any Ideas on what caused this problem?

[@danielknepper6884]

❤❤❤❤ that is a lot of sweet black pioneer

[@tpc3416]

Theres a 9900 locally for sale with a pair of Technics floor standers. Says it works fine. $50. Small risk there.

[@Dexter649]

Have you ever hooked up a LaserDisc player to that? Especially testing a THX certified LD

[@guile9381]

What are your thoughts on the VSX-4700s? It’s not as powerful but was wondering if it suffers from the same issues?

[@97warlock]

Are there any reccomemendations for a good reciever that has EQ sliders on the front?

[@ccnusca]

Awesome video, great content. Is there any significant difference between the 9700s and 9500s? I see them both out there for sale but not sure which one to go for. They same to have the same specs and build quality, just different years. Would you recommend one over the other? Appreciate your advice. Thanks!

[@davismv]

Based on what I know, the only difference is the wattage for the center and rear speakers is higher on the 9700. The 9500 is also a little older by one or two years than the 9700. I believe everything else is pretty much the same.

[@ccnusca]

@@davismv good stuff, thanks!

[@3800TType]

I just picked up a 9500s for four whole dollars. What are the main differences between the 9500 and 9700?

[@Wolfstanus]

One thing I would suggest is to put heat sinks on as many chips as you possibly can to help radiate heat away from the chips and get the heat out of the system. Would also say, replace the original fans with a PC style fan that has a manual settings

[@janath9118]

Thanks for your suggestions but the problem is that the manufacturers always caution us not to modify anything inside the units.

[@bud8329]

Any idea how to reset the D902s ?

[@jimmyrodsa8965]

I have a question if the display only shows TUN instead on TUNER is this a bad display? same thing happened to PHO instead of PHONO or VID VIDEO thanks pioneer 9700s

[@janath9118]

I am afraid that there's some problem with the illuminating LED's of your unit.

[@rodbogle6514]

Mark, I have a VSX-D1S with a humming sound all the time. Volume doesn't change it, nor does the source. Should I try to repair this or sell it as is and get the VSX-9700s?

[@davismv]

You definitely have an issue with the capacitors in the power circuit. Not an easy fix to do on your own, it might be worth taking somewhere to get repaired. That’s the top dog model. The 9700 S does not typically exhibit the same symptoms, however, your mileage me, very is it really depends on the age in the condition of the unit you purchase.

[@jewllake]

time for a recap. Mine did the same thing. It's not a cheap repair if you take it to a technician.

[@tonykudrys]

Want one

[@wilderalcocer6615]

Hello good morning, please do you have the schematic diagram of the Pioneer Pioneer VSX-D902S I have a resistor that is burnt, charred and I want to know the value of this R-1317 resistor if you can do me this favor, thanks

[@davismv]

Go to hifiengine.com, setup an account, pull the VSX-9900, VSX-D901 or VSX-D902 service manuals. Should be mainly the same.

[@davismv]

Also I can check tonight as I do have the service manual downloaded

[@wpcmadushani]

I have two options go for 9500s or 9900s which is the best and what is your recommendation.thank you

[@vintage669]

9900S

[@97warlock]

Im looking for an affordable stereo which has the Slider EQ slides on the front, as opposed to bass mid treble dials. - I saw a Pioneer that had like 7 band EQ on it ........ thats what i need or even a smaller version. As long as it will put out a good 20w x2

[@GBDogg504]

Nice! I own a Denon 4802r (year 2004), Pioneer VSX 9900s, D1S, and a 9300s( the1988 predecessor that's still within my family)all 3 Pioneers still work fine. Their nice powerful receivers for just stereo and I really love the dancing display bars. As cool as those old school Pioneer receivers are they simply can't compete with my Denon 4802r receiver. That's my main receiver powering a 7.0 Definitive Technology surround system. I would say go for a Denon 4800/5800 series receiver or a Flagship Yamaha RX Z receiver (2001 or later) in excellent condition. They're real cheap nowadays because they're already way outdated technology. The performance on those monster receivers will blow you away with high end loudspeakers! Someday I would like to get a Yamaha RX Z7 receiver. Looking even further out(years) the Denon x7200wa/x8500h models would be awesome once those models are outdated technology thats cheaper.

[@darrylramos1370]

Same thing i got a D1S with humming sound on speaker and only work on direct mode

[@spaxspore]

bad caps

[@luisgiron1298]

Precio??? Y en donde lo venden

[@mauricioportilla5632]

Para q sirve la función imput att , q hace

[@97warlock]

I have a VSX 4035 ..3 yrs collecting dust

[@Carzanan]

Any info in regards to the VSX-d702S?

[@davismv]

The d702s is a great receiver, just a lower model number with less features when compared to the d902s.

[@Carzanan]

@@davismv Also I made a little bit of a mistake…. Do you know how it compares with the Elite VSX-95? It looks very similar to 9900s/d901s/d902s. I just wonder if they have the same overheating issues that you pointed earlier or maybe they improved them.

[@davismv]

My understanding is the VSX - 95 is identical to the inside of the three you mentioned above. There are a couple exceptions: the surround sound wattage is a little different on each of the models, the 95 has wood trim and it looks a little bit nicer, the 95 had an on-screen display so if you hooked up a television, you would get super imposed white text based on various functions that you’re doing. Finally, the 95 would have come with a better warranty. But part by part, the quality and build is exactly the same. I don’t have any pioneer elite components, they definitely look really good, but there is no difference internally to the standard version counterparts from a reliability or quality perspective.

[@mayarkhanghouri6658]

Its a poty amplifier I played 300 wats speaker aftr 5 minuts all output transister blasted

[@emeteriozamora3235]

why is only pioneer VSX- 9800s without your line-up

[@janath9118]

Yes, that's a question I like to ask too!

[@clemsonbloke]

For one thing, you shouldn't stack receivers on top of receivers, you really get heat issues then. Nothing should ever be on top of a receiver.

[@davismv]

I could not agree more. Back in the 80s I used to put my equipment in stereo, racks, and I actually put a muffin fan in the back that pulled air out. But few people would think of doing this, especially with a glass wooden enclosure. Most of these units that have failed or are failing probably suffocated.

[@clemsonbloke]

@@davismv It's good to hear from a fellow audiophile. These high priced receivers are a dying out, just look at the "high end" receivers now compared to these beasts. I looked at the insides of a modern one and they were sad, the heat sinks are thin and tiny. They don't make them like they used to.

[@davismv]

@@clemsonbloke I’ve been scooping these receivers up and collecting them for that purpose. The problem is there’s no way I would ever let them go but I think 20 years from now I’m not going to care. That said, right now is the time to purchase these because they’re plentiful and in good working condition. I have a Facebook friend who I met in a group that owns over eight D1S units + another 16 similar modes such as these. I have over 60 receivers, a few duplicates (I have 2 D1S, 2 9700, 2 D902S), but my goal is to have a have a collection of top and units from various manufacturers and years.

[@clemsonbloke]

@@davismv I get you totally. I have setup one of mine with only Dolby Pro Logic Surround and none of the digital stuff. It's just so much easier than having all those other speakers. Also it's easier because for my LaserDisc stuff I don't have to pull out my AC-3RF processor. I recently moved and like I said I'm just going to setup one of my high end Dolby Pro Logic systems.

[@janath9118]

@clemsonbloke Your advice is very good! But according to my knowledge, this does not apply to all types of audio Receivers. You need to follow this advice for Amplifiers and Receivers of higher power consumption and power outputs, and for the powerful AV Receivers like the ones mentioned here. Thanks!