Pioneer SA-9500

Pioneer SA-9500 – Classic Integrated Amplifier from Pioneer's Silver Era – Overhauled

The Pioneer SA-9500 is one of the substantial integrated amplifiers from Pioneer's classic silver era and an impressive example of the philosophy behind high-quality HiFi amplification in the mid-1970s.

Manufactured in Japan from 1975 to 1977, the SA-9500 combines a powerful output stage with an exceptionally comprehensive preamplifier section. Two phono inputs, selectable input impedance for Phono 2, two AUX inputs, two tape connections, separable preamplifier and power-amplifier sections and unusually sophisticated tone and filter controls make it clear that Pioneer intended this amplifier to serve as the control centre of an ambitious stereo system.

Rated at 2 × 80 watts into 8 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and weighing approximately 17.2 kg, the SA-9500 is also a remarkably substantial amplifier for its period.

Our example is the original SA-9500 – not the later SA-9500 II. It is in very good cosmetic condition and has been technically overhauled.

2 × 80 Watts into 8 Ohms

Pioneer specifies a continuous output of 2 × 80 watts into 8 ohms across 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

That is substantial performance for a mid-1970s integrated amplifier, although output power alone does not fully explain the appeal of the SA-9500.

Pioneer combined its power amplifier with an unusually flexible preamplifier and extensive facilities for controlling an entire HiFi system.

With a maximum power consumption of 665 watts and a weight of approximately 17.2 kg, it is a genuinely substantial component.

Exceptionally Flexible Phono Section

For today's vinyl enthusiast, one of the most interesting aspects of the SA-9500 is its phono section.

The amplifier provides two separate phono inputs.

Phono 1 is specified at 2.5 mV / 50 kOhms.

Phono 2 goes considerably further, offering selectable input impedance of:

• 35 kOhms
• 50 kOhms
• 70 kOhms
• 100 kOhms

This allows the electrical loading of a connected MM cartridge to be varied.

Phono 2 additionally provides its own Level Control.

These facilities beautifully illustrate the importance Pioneer placed on record reproduction during this period. Rather than providing a single universal phono input, the SA-9500 gives the user meaningful possibilities for matching the phono stage to different cartridges.

Sophisticated Tone Controls

The tone-control section is considerably more elaborate than a conventional bass-and-treble arrangement.

For bass, the user can select turnover frequencies of:

• 100 Hz
• 200 Hz
• 400 Hz

For treble:

• 2 kHz
• 4 kHz
• 8 kHz

Both provide adjustment of up to ±10 dB.

This allows tonal correction to be applied considerably more selectively than with controls operating at only one fixed frequency.

Comprehensive Filter Section

The SA-9500 also provides unusually flexible filtering.

The Low Filter can operate at either 15 or 30 Hz with a 12 dB/octave slope, providing a means of reducing unwanted very-low-frequency energy.

The High Filter can be selected at either 8 or 12 kHz, also at 12 dB/octave.

These facilities are characteristic of a period when a premium integrated amplifier was intended to give its owner extensive control over the complete stereo system.

Direct / Line Straight

When tone adjustment is not required, the SA-9500 provides a Direct / Line Straight facility.

The concept is particularly appealing: extensive signal-control facilities are available when needed, while a more direct signal path can be selected when they are not.

Separable Preamp and Power Amplifier

Another important feature is the ability to separate the preamplifier and power-amplifier sections.

Via Pre Out and Power In, the SA-9500 can be integrated into more complex systems.

Its preamplifier can be used with another power amplifier, or its power stage can be driven from an external preamplifier.

This flexibility remains genuinely useful today.

Extensive Connectivity

The SA-9500 comes from an era when tape machines and cassette decks were fundamental components of a serious HiFi system.

Accordingly, it provides two tape connections, two AUX inputs and a dedicated tuner input.

A microphone input is also provided.

Two pairs of loudspeakers can be connected, while a conventional 6.3 mm headphone output allows private listening.

A two-stage attenuation facility of -15 dB and -30 dB provides convenient rapid reduction of listening level.

Classic Pioneer Silver-Era Design

The SA-9500 also has enormous visual appeal.

Its substantial silver fascia, numerous switches and rotary controls and clearly organised front panel are characteristic of Pioneer's major components of the 1970s.

Importantly, this complexity is functional rather than decorative. Almost every control provides direct access to a specific function.

Measuring 420 × 165 × 403 mm and weighing approximately 17.2 kg, the SA-9500 has precisely the physical presence associated with major Japanese HiFi components of this period.

Our Example – Very Good Condition and Technically Overhauled

With an amplifier now approximately half a century old, technical condition is every bit as important as appearance.

Our Pioneer SA-9500 is in very good cosmetic condition.

The amplifier has also been technically overhauled.

We specifically point out that this is the original Pioneer SA-9500 and not the later SA-9500 II.

It therefore represents a very well-preserved and technically prepared example of Pioneer's classic silver-era integrated amplifier.

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Pioneer
• Model: SA-9500
• Type: stereo integrated amplifier
• Version: original SA-9500, not SA-9500 II
• Production period: 1975–1977
• Made in Japan
• Continuous output: 2 × 80 W into 8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.1 %
• AUX frequency response: 7 Hz–40 kHz (+0 / -1 dB)
• Power bandwidth: 5 Hz–40 kHz
• Phono S/N ratio: 70 dB
• Tuner/Tape S/N ratio: 90 dB
• Phono 1: 2.5 mV / 50 kOhms
• Phono 2: 2.5 mV / 35 / 50 / 70 / 100 kOhms
• AUX/Tuner: 150 mV / 100 kOhms
• Tape: 150 mV / 100 kOhms
• Power In: 1 V / 80 kOhms
• two phono inputs
• two AUX inputs
• two tape connections
• Pre Out / Power In
• separable preamplifier and power amplifier
• two pairs of loudspeaker outputs
• 6.3 mm headphone output
• bass: ±10 dB, 100 / 200 / 400 Hz selectable
• treble: ±10 dB, 2 / 4 / 8 kHz selectable
• Low Filter: 15 / 30 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• High Filter: 8 / 12 kHz, 12 dB/octave
• attenuation: -15 / -30 dB
• Direct / Line Straight
• maximum power consumption: 665 W
• dimensions: 420 × 165 × 403 mm
• weight: approx. 17.2 kg

Condition

• very good cosmetic condition
• technically overhauled
• original SA-9500 – not SA-9500 II

Our Verdict

The Pioneer SA-9500 beautifully represents a philosophy of HiFi design that reached a remarkable level during the mid-1970s.

Its 2 × 80 watts into 8 ohms provide substantial amplification, but the real fascination lies in the unusually comprehensive preamplifier.

Two phono inputs, four selectable input impedances for Phono 2, separable preamp and power-amp sections, two tape connections and elaborate tone and filter controls demonstrate how seriously Pioneer regarded the integrated amplifier as the centre of a sophisticated stereo system.

And, of course, the SA-9500 possesses the unmistakable visual character of Pioneer's great silver era: a substantial aluminium fascia, numerous genuine physical controls and the impressive presence of a major Japanese HiFi component from the 1970s.

Our example combines this classic character with very good cosmetic condition and a technical overhaul.

A beautiful and remarkably versatile integrated amplifier from the great era of Japanese HiFi.