The Best Looking Vintage System Ever? The Pioneer Elite Series from the 90's

[@henryradtka5480]

Gorgeous! Wish Pioneer would bring this series back!

[@edchihiro616]

Urushi system was gorgeous to look !

[@RHJ3]

Love the gold colored displays, very nice on the eyes. Great Gear! Thanks.

[@1remski1]

This brought a smile. I used to lust over this when it came out.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Glad you liked it Remi. Please be sure to subscribe for more.

[@IamVintage72]

Gorgeous vintage Pioneer system!! I got out of selling av equipment in 1991 and didn't get to see these in real life. ×

[@jeremyr722]

I really like the look of em, and it’s really nice that the display on all those units are warm, pleasing colors

[@mikeg2491]

Would love to see this next to a stack of McIntosh blue glowing equipment

[@SkyFiAudio]

Got plenty of that here. Quite different look but both are superb.

[@tonymetal8917]

Nice pioneer set up ... l have the m90a power amp and the c90a pre amp both from new many year's ago 👍🏼

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Nice job thanks I just reviewed the Yamaha CA-810 from 1977 nice little Gem ! 3 phono inputs lots of features in the analog domain 😃 Love the sound of the ole FETS

[@stevemcpike9010]

Back in the early 90s, I had the vsx 95 receiver and the pdm 95 cd changer. I was constantly polishing the urushi finish on both. Both were absolutely breathtaking, and the sound was phenomenal!

[@catherineescol7852]

Old but GOLD simply Impressive sounding Amp a Keeper

[@Watcher4111]

I still have Pioneer Elite. Warm, sweet sounding gear

[@jonathanlindsey858]

This era of Elite components truly lived up to the name. My system of several years consisted of later models: The VSX-49txi, CLD-79, PD-59, DV-79avi, and PD-F27. I was very pleased with the set up both with its performance and aesthetics. It looked gorgeous with my Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD and Definitive Technology speakers. I still have the Kuro and DV-79avi which sees regular use.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Great system. Thanks for sharing Jonathan.

[@repsych]

Hello, I have several DV-79avi and 59avi machines that are still functioning well. Only the black versions were released in the USA as far as I can tell though; shame.

[@jonathanlindsey858]

@@repsych I was under the same assumption for a long time until I found a DV-79avi-S for sale locally. I snagged it immediately. The "S" in the model name denotes that it is silver.

[@stevemoore2576]

I had one of these systems, bought in New Zealand where it was badged as their "Reference" system of the time. It was a gorgeous kit which I hooked to some B&W speakers of the day. I actually gave the lot away to a guy I worked with when I "upgraded" to a Parasound JC 1 system about a decade ago. I have since traded that in on McIntosh MK125's etc with 800D3's, but I still adore the look and feel of this golden gear and well remember its beautiful sound. I really regret giving it away as since then I have a house that could well have accommodated it as well as my McIntosh system.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Lucky the guy you worked with. The Mc with the B&W always work well, I bet your happy with the system.

[@stevemoore2576]

@@SkyFiAudio Sure am, I'd send you a pic of it if KZbin allowed it. Like the pioneer system above, the Mc sound is a little soft and liquid, and the B&W's balance that out being a touch forward in the upper mid-range. Great combo.

[@LS-ti6jo]

Still have 2 Pioneer Elite laser disc players in my stack. Don't use them anymore, but love their looks. Kudos to you for selling yours as a set. BTW. SVHS & even composite were so .MUCH easier to use than the nightmare that HDMI often is - they never dropped signals like HDMI, which was created by studios who were obsessed with stopping millennials from copying movies off Pirates Bay & other such sites. Really wished they were still available.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Spot on, current HDMI is a nightmare. Used to work in home automation and it kicked out buts every install.

[@anmic3590]

Hi! I’m from Romania and I was wondering if you are thinking about selling one of the players. I do have the pd-73, but I would love to add to my system an Elite one too. I also have the c73/m73 combo. Thank you!

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

What an exquisite system. Takes me back to systems I grew up with.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Stuff from the 90s is becoming more and more collectible. Get it while you can.

[@paulb4uk]

Wow that is some very high quality pioneer components.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Sure is!, Thanks Paul.

[@jdtractorman7445]

I wish audio equipment was still made like this. Beautiful and good sound.

[@RUfromthe40s]

there are much better today but you might have to be pockets filled or you wouldn´t get them. My last bought was a turntable and cd playerwith all other components needed ,this because when buying a new mercedes diesel(new to me ,i never bought a new car in my entire life) and notice the aluminium speakers from Burmester ,that´s how i spent a lot of money on a new system but it´s maybe better than what i expected , the company comes to your house and assembles the system to give it´s best sound, very professional but you pay a lot to have it.

[@edwardgiovannelli5191]

I usually don't go for the pre-assembled systems like this, but that is a sharp looking stack

[@johnnewcomb5162]

I heard that all rhe copper in there was just coated with copper. I have seen these pieces on other channels and they are very nice, the extra cost for piano black on speaker's ect. It can add thousands to your system. Great video.

[@mazda2284]

i love my sony and pioneer !!! and not just home audio but they did amazing audio everywhere , even the newer stuff has gems , are they the top of the top ever...maybe probably not , but sony and pioneer both made something worthy in all the audio markets ... and even TV , media . they are strong developers in all the markets they are in . i have a ton of quality sony and pioneer products

[@tr1k716]

I always lusted after the Marantz KI Signiture series in the 90's when i was a teenager & had no money...

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks mate. We just had a few modern KI pieces that were superb.

[@Thesaurcery4U2C]

YES... Yes, it is the best-looking system ever. I am reminded of that fact, every time I view one of them again.

[@bryanwelsh2979]

I used to work for Pioneer's service division. I have a PD-91, C-91, M-91 & a pair of TZ-9 speakers. They are prized possessions. I loved their dual mono design philosophy of the time even though the PD-91 isn't dual mono. It's still a great CD player though with it's big ole externally mounted transformer. They all sound wonderful together. Wish i Could have gotten my hands on a PD-93. That thing is a beast.

[@janath9118]

You are lucky own them!!!

[@johnmimms9167]

I have the pioneer elite n-30 music streamer. Love it! It is a high-end piece.

[@peekaboo4390]

Beautiful set.

[@ARIKIP]

Great gear used to own an F91 and A-717 Amplifier. Still own and use the F93 today.

[@vks4392]

I recently bought PD-93. Sounds really nice 👍

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

I owned the A-717 😃

[@tonyrobinson4434]

I remember seeing the Pioneer system in the US Army audio store in Frankfurt, Germany in the early 90's. I should have purchased one.

[@michaelsmullen9891]

Very classy looking, with the heavy black lacquer, gold and the Urushi side cheeks, unlike anything we had ever seen before and a complete departure from the also stunning, though in a completely different way, Spec and Blue line series from the 1970's.

[@RUfromthe40s]

those are not lines just a reference in general catalog and the colour of display blue is not a series but 78/79 catalog, EXclusive, elite or URUSHI are series

[@janath9118]

​@@RUfromthe40sThe correct name of the Pioneer 'blue line series' was called as "Avante". According to my knowledge, these series came in the late 1970's.

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@janath9118 blue line wasn´t a series just what people now call it ,since 1972 Pioneer as blue displays on the receivers and in 78/79 regular catalog they used blue displays as many other brands, just check catalogs on-line like in hi-fi engine and the 80/81 components catalog that also uses blue displays but with half quality in all components are the X series in the already assembled systems they used slim 79 amplifiers diferent from other components on this series ,those were made of metal the new ones in 1980/81 are made of plastic but still with blue displays, check it on-line

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@janath9118 yes maybe in your country catalog they had a remark about that, i saw diferent year catalogs from country to country even more apart from continent to continent and yes 78/79 one of the best cassette decks ever made was the CT-F1250 no nakamichi comes near it ,my father had it all from nakamichi ,not only but being a flat recorder even a cassette recorded in a perfect 1000ZXL sounds better in the Pioneer

[@janath9118]

@@RUfromthe40s Yes, you are correct about the fact that the companies present different catalogues to different regions of the world which was more apart from continent to continent. I have also noted about that Pioneer CT-F1250 cassette deck though I never had an opportunity to experience one myself as it was very expensive comparatively. I have heard how outstanding that deck was. I have a memory that this model was in the Avante series catalogue here in South Asia. You are lucky to own it! 😊 Thanks for the information!

[@br.9055]

Audio sounds great 👍

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yay, thank you!

[@RUfromthe40s]

after owning for 5 years a ES system from sony ,i sold the components and in late 80´s to early 90´s and i bought a Pioneer exclusive "URUSHI" components system, but already having a 76 top end model system from pioneer that includes the spec-1 and spec-2 i ended up only buying the integrated amplifier A-91D , the diference is this being a ELITE for the American market at 100/110 volts 60hz ,uses yellow display. In Europe is sold with siver display and not called ELITE but refered only by being "URUSHI"(the creator of this top end series) and still working today, own also the deck a CT-91a and the turntable a old PL-707(from the 80´s) that works perfect with this system and also 4 prologue speakers made by pioneer that delivers a perfect sound, one can not go wrong by assembling a system like this today if well kept ,only some selectors are defective but still working while the 76 system is all perfect only cleaned some pontenciometers and also selectors and changed the needed rubber belts, i tried other brands and also kept them but pioneer ,i have to say that it´s 70´s components were built to last ,i remenber finding them very expensive but with almost 50 years of use it works perfect

[@SkyFiAudio]

Wow, thanks for sharing Rui. Would love to see a picture of it if you can send it.

[@Watcher4111]

Some like Elite over spec, and some like spec over elite

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@Watcher4111 in Europe there is no Elite but we call it Urushi and only top-end components , i also am a pioneer freak since early 70´s

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@Watcher4111 also because ELITE as some cheap components and multi-players which are not high-end

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@Watcher4111elite over spec ,what does it mean ,there was the exclusive series since early 70´s is that it ,spec is just a regular reference

[@neverknowit11]

The Pioneer Elite Series were the ones to get in the 90s.

[@morksbeanbag]

More Sony ES stuff please. I loved the E1/N1 video. However, how about doing the real top from Sonys lineup. The TA-NR1/TA-NR10 with the TA-ER1. Stunning pieces.

[@mladen5016]

No thumbs down... Pioneer!

[@SkyFiAudio]

haha

[@indecent0079]

Some of us still absolutely have a Trinitron tube tv and use composite video and S-VHS decks with all the various components, an a/v controller switcher as well 😁 I modified my old Sega Genesis for S-video and stereo outs as they could natively output that but used composite res instead. S-video was new tech at the time I guess late 80’s.. My 91 Toshiba SVHS vcr has the wood side panels like the Pioneer kit and was high end back then, had a photo scanner that overlays onto tape which is interesting, also has analog VU meters just to look cool instead of fluorescent. Everything works still. I also have a few Yamaha VCR decks. Yes Yamaha made VCRs and they are hard to find, I might have bought them all 🤫 the last of the series is the SVHS model and is the one that needs repaired. The others from 86-7 still run and look beautiful and match the audio decks 😁 I’m in PA, does anyone do service at your shop? I have the manuals for a lot of them and parts but I’m not good with soldering and stuff anymore 😞

[@markstewart1807]

Regardless of aesthetic these amps sound lovely and are very capable,I have the C90 and M90 which are more or less the same,will drive almost anything too,as can put out 600 watts into 2 ohm's. The Pre has good Phono Stage,however the Line Stages are a bit over sensitive for standard 2 Volt output sources,therefore some attenuation is necessary in order not to overload and have decent adjustment on volume pot. Thanks for making another interesting video.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks for the feedback on the phono stage. Didn't get to try it.

[@Watcher4111]

Phino stage has 2 step UP transformers, which is unusuall today as it was unusuall in the 80/90s. Non compromise stuff

[@chrisohrling149]

I have a question to ask you I have a Sony STR-DB 1070 home theater receiver and my question is that I am running external amplifiers for my speakers and I'm using the pre out puts on the back of the receiver and when I turn the speaker button off my speakers work but not the subs and when I turn the speakers back on then the subs work and I noticed that on the left side bottom in front it was very hot under neath and I don't know what to do or how to set it properly so it doesn't over heat as I do have a infinity fan on the top of the receiver may you please help me out and so I can understand what the problem is going on with my receiver thank you

[@benkrake3678]

Really enjoy watching your videos! I saw your seperate video on the CD player, and was gobsmacked with how well the build quality of this unit is! It’s just too bad that the stack hasn’t got the matching cassette deck. Really into cassettes atm and have an AIWA AD-3800 3 head deck from 1981 in for a belt change and a few little bits and pieces. Keep making those videos, really enjoy watching them!

[@RUfromthe40s]

this really needs a cassette deck ,the CT-91a or the CT-93 ,i have boxes of cassettes and record a lot of compilations they do sound better in this decks than the nakamichi high-end decks, that i also own some, except the Dragon which is very badly built ,the engeniering it´s perfect but they could had built it with better materials, i had two

[@Barbarapape]

I worked as an Hi-Fi repair tech when the Pioneer Elite range was on sale, but the prices put them out of my range. We at least had a chance to see and hear them in the demo room, and if you chose wisely they looked and sounded superb. The entry level models were based on the existing ones and were poor value, but pick out the better ones and you can put togeather a superb collection of components. The only ones i ever serviced were the cassette decks, and they were very well built with high quality mechanisms. Be careful if you buy a used one, spare parts are almost impossible to find, make sure that the heads are not worn. The CD player lasers can and do fail, again spares are hard to find. Other than that if you find any in mint condition at a sensible price, treat yourself. Sony's ES range are another great buy, but lack the Urishi finish that makes these Elite models worthy of the name. Thanks for sharing these superb models from the best era for Hi-Fi.🙂👍

[@Watcher4111]

As every Hifi Gear, Elite requires good speakers which will suit them best

[@Barbarapape]

@@Watcher4111 I can only agree, speakers are a very personal choice, pick the wrong ones and any amp or receiver will sound poor. Matching speakers that you like that sound good in your home takes time, a demo room can only let you pickout the ones you don't like.

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@Barbarapape i was thinking of wich speakers to buy after owning a complete ES-system some problems appear and i sold it while already assembling a URUSHI system, i ended up buying 4 Prologue speakers that deliver a very clean sound , but this system handles more power than the Prologue speakers deliver ,in 94 i bought some 2.000€ ´s cerwing vega speakers that were also good sounding but much more powerfull compared with the Prologue not saying that others were not ok , i remenber trying some B & W wich were great also some tannoy´s from mid 70´s that i have to my 76 pioneer system and all sounded good

[@SkyFiAudio]

Were the high end Elite models generally reliable? did you guys do a lot of repairs?

[@Barbarapape]

@@SkyFiAudio They were very reliable, we only serviced the cassette decks replacing the common worn parts, and the occasional CD player with loading tray issues due to worn belts and a few requiring new lasers. The higher spec models were made with high quality parts, and apart from the odd noisy switch or pots and some blown bulbs they were very reliable. If you are temped to buy a used one today, make sure everything works, spares are hard to find. Hope this helps.

[@jp93309]

Aesthetics matter. This generation of Pioneer Elite is simply gorgeous.

[@SteveTeo99]

I found a perfect condition, gorgeous, glossy glass-front Pioneer stereo cabinet built to feature the Elite series. For $35!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Great score! Never seen one.

[@hansbeukers7725]

My Pioneer M90 and C90 are both not working anymore. I did not use them for many years. Is it worth repairing and can I buy spare parts? I think of replacing leaking Elco's and noisy switches.

[@chumleyk]

Fingerprint Fernando is at it again. He loves to leave his mark inside and outside by leaving them everywhere!

[@travisrocheleau5840]

In purchasing.

[@danlivni2097]

Pioneer also made the F-91 tuner and F-93 tuner which were great tuners from the late 80s, early 90s.

[@ahatoro2001]

I just got my hands on a preAmp c-91 elite it powers up i got it cheap can you recommend a power amp to pair it with I don't want to spend a lot of $ since i live in a very small apartment i have a few speakers around, a pair of B&W DM602 S2 and i also have in storage a pair of KLH model 5 and model 33 thanks a bunch !

[@louisperlman8030]

The dual antennas feature is pretty cool. FM is pretty much a relic of the past. There are very few really good radio stations left, and you can stream them anyway.

[@SkyFiAudio]

I love my local stations but I realize not everyone is in such a great FM area. I still listen to it almost daily.

[@RUfromthe40s]

FM a relic of the past ,maybe you never heard it

[@josephwalk1747]

Is there some sort of resource that tells you what was in a set, or if there was multiple different cd players that went with a set?

[@diovanealvesdemoura6370]

Aparelhagem impecável, só faltou ligar nas caixas de som.

[@arturovillalpando289]

Hi all, is there a cassette deck that matches the ELITE 93 series? Thanks.

[@SkyFiAudio]

yes Arturo, there is a nice deck that matches all this.

[@empire7179]

I have Vintage JBL L150 I would like to know if you guys do any reconing? And I'm also getting static from the tweeters.

[@walthergarcia243]

Man I really love to see that Sound System it is just amazing. By the way buddy what kind of speakers you have in the back on the ground I like them as well.

[@SkyFiAudio]

I think your referring to the Egglestones. Super nice midrange.

[@jewllake]

Beautiful set up I have the D1S with the GR 777 Eq. How would this compare to Onkyo Grand Integra M508 with the P308 CD Dx 7500 and tuner 9090ii?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Never played with the Grand Integra line but its on my list. My understanding is that its comparable.

[@justinforrest1613]

the video was 14:58 mins long, you said 15 mins.... I feel like Ive been scammed.. 🤣 On a serious note, I really enjoy the filming style. Don't get too caught up in the comments about how you can improve the video/audio quality, often times KZbin channels lose their charm trying to up the game so to speak. Im learning a lot about high quality design in component internals, it's inspired me to open my Pioneer Elite SC-37.

[@michaelsmullen9891]

Just take a deep breath at the begining, lol!

[@genecase9464]

I also have a Pioneer SC-37. Never thought to look inside though! And it pairs up well with the BDP-05 BluRay and DV-58AV universal DVD player.

[@SkyFiAudio]

haha, Im constantly guessing at how long the video is gonna be and Im usually way off. This one was just luck. Call me any time and we'll chat for the remaining 2 sec. lol. Cheers Justin and thanks for writing.

[@EdwardJonas-w4b]

Awesome video

[@alainduquenois3812]

La légende de Pioneer merci vous rendez un grand hommage a cette grande marque qui a totalement disparu et c'est vraiment dommage

[@optimusprimer4392]

Very clean n modern

[@sammassam100]

i wanted to hear something on it. why you didn't play it long & audible enough.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Sorry mate. Copyright claims are a pain in the butt and your certainly not going to gain much over KZbin audio.

[@watchnut5305]

I have a Pioneer impresso, same as the Elite in the US.

[@teamvid9454]

Love to see PS-Audio's Paul McGowan reaction to the low quality captive power cord wont effect the sound. Agree with you BTW...

[@nudebaboon4874]

Paul McClown you mean😁

[@SkyFiAudio]

Right on!

[@RUfromthe40s]

the laser from the cd player in 2015 cost me around 400€ and not sold any more ,i have a friend who bought a PD-7300 that also uses the same laser to change his PD-93

[@SkyFiAudio]

yeah, you gotta get creative to find new lasers.

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@SkyFiAudiooff course one might find upgraded parts to increase it´s quality of sound

[@FrightfulAccountant]

Beauty is ofcourse in the eye of the beholder. I'd say the glossy piano finish is not for my taste. I can only imagine how good this would have looked with classic Silver face plates.

[@andrefortune8278]

Absolutely classy in person!!

[@rolandmcneal3806]

Love the video but I’m wondering why not hook up a set of speakers that for sale to here the system.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Really? you wanna hear the system over a single lapel microphone compressed and uploaded to KZbin so you can year it over your computer speakers? Dully noted!!

[@Klocaine237]

I had a a35r pass thru. It was definitely nice. I used it as amp. Sold that and I use a emotiva a100basx for headphone amp and pre out. Runs a pair of 3030i q/ac preout goes to a schiit sys for bass managment that runs into JBL 150e Northridge. I use it for music production and mixing.

[@puciohenzap891]

Gorgeous looking set, shame it didn't have the sound quality to match. The CD/decks were nice but the pre/power were imo lackluster.

[@cirenosnor5768]

Worked in a hifi salon that carried Pioneer Elite. Definitely nice looking. Also carried Sony’s equivalent. Think it was called ES? Basically high grade consumer grade and from what I remember, barely passed as entry level high end if at all. We also carried Hafler and thought the amp was better than Pioneer or Sony while preamp was a bit bright. My system at the time and 1st good setup round 1988 was a Thorens turntable with a Sony MC cartridge, Hafler HD? series power & matching pre. JBL L46 speakers, a JVC cassette deck and some jive ass Sharp CD player - lol. The CD thing was still new and hadn’t invested in a decent player yet. Then bought a friends ST70 and CJ PV2 and been a tube advocate ever since My personal vote for best looking gear is the more recent and current NAIM components. Also love the 90’s Levinson look like the 390 CD Player. Best looking receivers: McIntosh 4200 era and Marantz such as the 2270 BUT with the rare black panel. Stunning ❤️

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks for chiming in mate. The CD decks are in fact a notch above the rest.

[@skeelo69]

Kudos to the bin men for arriving when you least expect them to 😅😅😅

[@globalpioneer5076]

I have 2 pioneer d1s and just bought a d901s.

[@MCML50]

What a beautiful stereo, I like to hav them but I live in Sweden so I can not bay them. Do you also haw an TT together with them?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Not at the moment but we are looking for a good one to match. We ship to Europe all the time BTW.

[@deangale4496]

Magic just magic

[@fransvanhofwegen7414]

Is there a cassette deck to go with this series?

[@ARIKIP]

CT91or the newer CT93 which had dolby S

[@SkyFiAudio]

CT93 is the one to have.

[@andrefortune8278]

PD 91 better than 93 probably one of the best CD players to date great DAC also by today's standards F93 absolutely hens teeth 🤣😂🤯

[@D3luxi3]

Beatiful. Just lacking the CT-93. And they were named the Pioneer Reference series in europe not elite.

[@SkyFiAudio]

im looking!!!

[@paulrogers7067]

Was a great looking set but lacked audiophile quality .

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks Paul. I love these things for their coolness over sound quality.

[@andrefortune8278]

Probably the video version!!!

[@Deeky76]

How would you compare your pioneer elite systems against the Sony ES equipment? ... Infact let's throw Technics in too?

[@SkyFiAudio]

I think all 3 are in the same league. Fun to own and operate plus cool looking.

[@Watcher4111]

8:08 about naming. Why m91 and not m93? I dont know. Pioneer c90/c90a/c91 m90/m90a/m91 were built slightly different but specs are the same. For example in c90 were used high grade soshin foil capacitors but in c91 were swapped by other caps. M90a and m91 are quite the same. Anyway build quality is great. Including ucon polypropylene caps (used in many Hiend Gear like 15.000 usd separate transport /dac denon s1), non standard brass cap carbon resistors, n8chicon Muse, matsushita polypropylene capacitors

[@SkyFiAudio]

Amazing, thanks for the info sir.

[@EddieJazzFan]

Fernando, have you ever had the Nakamichi System One (600 series) set of components in your store?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Never had the pleasure. Do yo have one?

[@EddieJazzFan]

@@SkyFiAudio No, but still looking

[@artyfhartie2269]

Do they have digital circuitry inside? Also, are there a matching turntable and loudspeakers?

[@SkyFiAudio]

They made many models of turntables. What do you guys think would have been the best match? And speakers? I know the tape deck that goes with it but not the rest.

[@artyfhartie2269]

@@SkyFiAudio Something like Pioneer PL 570, PL 70, PL 1800 and Pioneer loudspeakers TAD 2401

[@johnlomasney]

I want it ❤

[@jasonpomare5639]

Simply the best of pioneer , nothing better they made after , FACT.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks for the FACTS Jason!

[@kirmussaudio7578]

Cool!

[@BTom16]

There are some Sony ES components which look as good as this, in a different way, but I can not argue that early Pioneer Elite are among the most attractive components ever made.

[@RUfromthe40s]

and far superior to ES components from Sony (i bought one only to sell it while buying components for my URUSHI system ,but not ELITE just URUSHI, the finishing is the same but while Elite as cheaper components that in Europe almost no one buys , the URUSHI series is only for top end models from pioneer not multi-players or other lower references in Europe. Also the URUSHI series is similar to all top end model components but a bit upgraded or better than the Reference series

[@SkyFiAudio]

I always liked the Sony but looks wise this is a bit classier and more impressive.

[@Watcher4111]

@@RUfromthe40s yeah i read opinions on some forum that Pioneer Elite separates are better than Sony. A guy wrote that many people doesnt like LED display and choose Sony ta n 80 es /Sony 77 es because vu meters

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

I have the M-90 which looks the same

[@techeng7605]

My is System Modular Pioneer M-J910. A machine.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Lets go !

[@spuddyl9938]

Hi all yall!

[@WindomRettes]

Magnifique

[@SkyFiAudio]

Merci

[@stillastillsfan]

Pioneer Elite vs. Pioneer Exclusive? Which line is Pioneer’s best?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Gee I don't know...

[@dejanpislar2301]

I have Pioneer Elite but Pioneer Exclusive (m7/C7) is more seriously, better and of course much expensive then m90a/C90a. Pioneer m90a/C90a are great but m7 power amplifier and C7 control amplifier are much better. The weight of M7/C7 is 47kg + 27,5kg.

[@francescoferrarese4737]

Yes, the URUSCHY serie's,are the best looking.Like a es Sony,but more elegant.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Definitely a bit more elegant. I would be happy with either.

[@miquelpp]

IMO the SONY TA N 77Es and the E80 Es ware way better in lloking and sound. I was listening both for weeks . With the CDP-X77ES and the APM speakers.....

[@Watcher4111]

And i know opinions that Pioneer Elite c90 /m90 is better that Sony integrates Es, ta n 80 es, ta n77Es.

[@pawe-xm3kh]

Great Pioneer Elite set. Definitely better than Sony Es integrates, Sony tan 80 es. Matter of taste

[@SkyFiAudio]

I agree 100%

[@PedjoGT]

You need in set and CT 91a

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yes sir. Got one??

[@PedjoGT]

@@SkyFiAudio Me? I dont have any more....i think CT 93 will also go nicely in your setup...CT 91a is hard to find...

[@PedjoGT]

BTW consider and Teac VRDS 20 or A- BX 10...T1 dac...Teac's really nice series...Even Wadia used repacked Teac electronics....

[@erwfacpl]

No way!!! Best looking system is the Luxman Laboratory Reference Series

[@ARIKIP]

They were labelled "Reference" instead of Elite In Europe and Oceania.

[@RUfromthe40s]

not reference but only "URUSHI" reference was the high-end of the regular components ,like the PD-9000 that is the reference cd player as in all other components from pioneer , the CT-939mkII is very close to the CT-91a(URUSHI)

[@ARIKIP]

@@RUfromthe40s they also used Reference for the Non Urushi line eg Pioneer A-717 and the like.

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@ARIKIP i know that but ELITE as nothing to do with it. i comented that earlier

[@socksumi]

This is totally subjective. The original Phase Linear pre/power/tuner components looked about as awesome as they come as did the early Accuphase gear. Also many Japanese consumer level components looks fantastic when stacked up... Marantz, Pioneer, Setton, Kenwood, Yamaha, even Technics.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Fair enough! I'd have a hard choice picking just one.

[@shangyien]

I always thought the best looking vintage system ever was the Braun Atelier series.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Im a big fan also. Did a video on this channel on the Atelier cassette deck, the one with the drawer. Had a tuner a while back which performed really well. ]

[@shangyien]

@@SkyFiAudio Yes. The C3 is particularly impressive as it can operate at double normal speed, considerably increasing dynamic range.

[@mickeymouse1697]

PRICE

[@SkyFiAudio]

Check description

[@Watcher4111]

This is great set by Pioneer Elite. Expensive too, m90/c90 cost around 2800 usd which is around 6900 usd in today money. Pioneer Elite was highly praised in japanese audio Press back in the 80s. Pioneer m90 had better reviews than sansui b2301l, b2201, accuphase p300l or even tube amps like luxman mq 360. Pioneer Elite c90 preamp in Stereo magazine was praised as on of the best preamps from 1980s. Great looking and sounding stuff

[@SkyFiAudio]

That's serious $$ even by todays dollars.

[@janath9118]

@Watcher4111 Thank you for the valuable info! I am a man living in South Asia and i am also a Pioneer lover, but I cannot afford these Urushi or Elite series as they are very expensive. I got some standard series but good quality Pioneer items. Sorry about the late comment.

[@slawomirk7462]

Cudo!!!!!!!!🤝🤝😁😁💪💪🔈🔈🔉🔉🔊🔊

[@Watcher4111]

Yeah Pioneer c91 has 3 transformers which its unusuall even for 80s preamps. True hi end

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yes 3 in total. Crazy even by todays standards.

[@chumleyk]

Lovely looking system but has atrocious naming; they really were aiming for the BMW driver.

[@ryszardmazurkiewicz5048]

Ther no better system on the world...beautiful...beautiful

[@audiolover]

Well.....and the worst sounding :/ but looks great 👍😊👌

[@Watcher4111]

Far from worst sounding. Very far

[@SkyFiAudio]

haha, who cares when it looks this cool :-0.

[@pawe-xm3kh]

Sony integrates, low end technics 1000 series and many more are worse. Pioneer Elite has warm, tube sound which many amplifiers from 1980s had. If someone doesnt like that sound, maybe its worst for him

[@andrefortune8278]

Definitely falling on deaf ears 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

Sorry, but there's no brushed alloy, or vu ( with flicking needles ) meters, so it's not even close.

[@SkyFiAudio]

haha, thanks Joe.