1st Impression Vintage Pioneer SA-6500II Amp

TNHNDYMAN
TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
edited May 2012 in Electronics
Found this amp locally on CL and picked it up Saturday afternoon. I've never had a seperate amp before so all of this is new to me. Based on the cosmetic appearance and $40 price I had my doubts as to how it would sound. I think it had been stored inside consumer reports smoke detector testing facility :eek: Anyways initially I connected it to some cheap Fisher speakers I snagged from a thrift store while using an old PS one as cd source thru aux and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of sound and lack of noise from any of the controls. The speaker selector switch, tone control, loudness, bass and treble all seem to work w/o issue. The balance knob does create some static when adjusting but clears up in most positions. After an hour of casual listening I moved the amp and connected my Monitor 10's while using an old Pioneer PD 5010 cd player. WHOA! The difference in the polks was astonding. I've read these threads for awhile now and have had a hard time grasping some of the comments concerning difference in sound going from a HT AVR to seperates. I think I am now starting to understand. This little amp rated @ 30 watts into 8ohms packs a punch that my Denon 890 rated @ 105/channel (I know those figures are bogus driving 5.1 but thought it would be close in a 2.1 config) doesn't have. It's hard to describe but it's like this little amp "woke up" the Monitor 10's. The bass is totally different-- it seemed lacking going thru the Denon set large or small crossoverd @ 40 or 80 even w/ the budget Sony SM-40 sub. Bass now has weight to it and a quickness that has been missing. I've not pushed the volumn past 4 on the amps dial and it seems quite a bit louder than the Denon going up to 0db reference level. I'm not sure if this is the Pioneer seeming louder due to distortion or clipping or if it's just good clean current power or what have you. I've kicked in the internal tweeter protection before w/ the Denon but as of yet have not with this little amp at high levels. I've been grinning since Sat night enjoying this best $40 I've spent in a long time. I have not connected my tt to it yet do to some apprehension from corrosion and rust on the grounding screw on the back of the amp. I'm happy but scared-- I know this will only lead to more seperates in my future and alot of $ spent. Now I can't wait to do a crossover upgrade on the 10's and see what improvement that brings. Couple of ?'s. Anyone else had this particular amp in their gear and your impressions of it. Could someone point me in the right direction to removing the toggle switches and knobs so I could examine inside and how do you use deoxit or similar products to clean these adjustment knobs. I've read threads discussing results from cleaning vintage equip but not run across a how to guide so I don't mess up this little gem. The back of the unit seems to indicate you can hook up 2 sets of speakers A or B if 4ohm, A+B for 8 ohm speakers. Would anyone forsee any potential problems with me hooking up both my sets of Monitor 10's or the 7's I'm building along w/ 1 pair of 10's? I would appreciate anyones insights, comments, and or links. Travis
2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    Just wanted to add some pics but I've tried 3 times and it keeps failing. Not sure why as I have resized to smaller than 500K. Any ideas why?
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited February 2011
    Upload your pics to picasaweb or photobucket (accounts are free) and copy the direct image link. Click the yellow portrait as shown above your text as you post a reply and paste your image link location there.

    You're set.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited February 2011
    Running A and B together is like running 5.1 on an avr today, the power drops for both A and B. I would keep it at a limited volume if you did run 4 speakers.
    Nice pickup btw. Those old amps had some nice build quality to them. Every speaker can benefit from a good power source. Enjoy, and padlock that wallet, the upgrade bug bites hard.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    created a picasa web albumn so maybe this will workPioneerSA6500IIAmp#
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    PioneerSA6500IIAmp#
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    https://picasaweb.google.com/103573748785104110612/PioneerSA6500IIAmp#
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited February 2011
    Not the link from the address bar...but the image location itself. Picasaweb should provide that link for you.

    IMG_5664.jpg
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited February 2011
    closeupknobs.jpg

    IMG_5674.jpg
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    @ kawizx9r

    Thank you for looking and trying to help. Obviously you were able to copy my pics into the reply I assume from my picasa albumn but I'm not following you on how to get the link picasa provides. If not copying the address bar link for the albumn then where do I look for the direct link to the individual pic? Again thank you for helping.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited February 2011
    If you're signed into your account, scroll through your album. To the right (iirc) you'll see options for different size images/including picasaweb link and such. Well near that, you should see a box that says DIRECT LINK or something of the sort.

    If you can't find it, I simply suggest that you right click the image and select COPY IMAGE LOCATION. That's your direct link to the image, and the link that's used when inserting an image on this and any other forum.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    I think you have straightened me out Kawiz9r and I appreciate it. :smile:

    https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wOKQG1frLBZgYTWMl5Tclw?feat=directlink



    wOKQG1frLBZgYTWMl5Tclw?feat=directlink

    https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_-yG_0CCt9tc/TVtlfSA0JDI/AAAAAAAAADw/2v8dunvZDwI/s800/rearspkrterminals.jpg

    https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AvJR9peEPdT0HaeNwSuDSw?feat=directlink

    ok i'm still lost crap:mad: I'm in the right area but it's still bringing a url or web link into this and all I want is just the pictures like kawiz9r was able to do. I'm sorry to waste your time and thread space, but I'd really like to figure this out and not have the problem again. Still don't understand why I can do the simple upload thru the manage attachments part of the reply box like I have in the past. Is it a site issue, my firewall or anti-virus I have no clue. Anyways I'm still loving this little amp and again I apologize to all looking at this mess but I need to learn how to do it.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited February 2011
    I'll reiterate.

    You copied the correct link, correctly. Now, click the yellow icon (looks like a portrait of 2 mountains) and paste the link there. Do this for each image :smile:
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    __pLXQPvTjXEfoTfZAyrTA?feat=directlink
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    rearview.jpg

    This is my last effort of the night, I am tired and pissed at how much trouble I'm having with this.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited February 2011
    LOL

    Good job on that last post!

    Second to last one you manually deleted the last portion " [/IMG] " hence why it didn't show up.
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    @ kawizx9r-- thank you for putting up with my inability to follow simple instructions. At least usually once I get it, I won't forget how nor who helped.

    frontfaceplate.jpg

    monitor10sstacked.jpg

    IMG_5659_NEW.jpg
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited February 2011
    use a heavier gauge speaker wire if your amp will allow.. that one in the pic is to thin...
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited February 2011
    From the picture of the back of the amp, looks like 2 different wires, buy yourself some 14 ga. from home depot, at least. How many speakers you have in that room anyway ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    @ dangerboy and tonyb-

    The junk speaker wire was when I initially hooked up the amp to some cheap thrift store $5 speakers just to verify the amp worked and would not put out a bunch of static or other noise... after confirming that it was working with no real issues, then I moved it to my entertainment cabinet where I connected using 14ga wire from monoprice to one pair of Monitor 10's and my tape deck and pioneer cdp. I'll probably try to clean the back and maybe replace the grounding screw before connecting to the turntable. (its rusted pretty bad on the back) Again I could use some help in removing the knobs and toggle switches as well as cleaning the balance knob w/ deoixit or other recommended product. Sorry for the mess of a thread trying to post pics and again thanks to kawizx9r for patiently helping me work thru picasaweb. Travis

    Copy%20of%20IMG_5706.JPG

    IMG_5709.JPG

    IMG_5710.JPG

    IMG_5715.JPG
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    @tony-

    in the den/living combo 15 speakers the wife is THRILLED:eek:
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • kefranklin
    kefranklin Posts: 141
    edited February 2011
    I've got my monitors stacked the same way you do. I don't understand why women don't appreciate my decorating skills. I am glad you got some external amplification. The problem with those old amps, even though they sound great, is that they can not really handle a 4 ohm load. When I tried to run four monitors off of my Onkyo, it would go into protection at less than half volume. With one pair, though, everything is great. It sounds like a good reason to get a matching amp (or two) to me. That is what i did so now i can have my wall of sound without having to push my gear too hard. It is amazing how those old monitors can handle just about any amount of clean power you throw at them.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited February 2011
    TNHNDYMAN wrote: »
    @tony-

    in the den/living combo 15 speakers the wife is THRILLED:eek:

    LOL....right now thats what the office is going to start becoming. The wife wont let me sell my Monitor 60's she she's got sentimental attachmen to them (imagine that :biggrin:), so when I upgrade my fronts downstairs they will go into the office.

    I figure once the first set gets in there it will be a whole lot easier to keep adding to it. That and thanks to the really nice HK 3490 from Silvertuner in that room I can drive just about any speaker I want....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited February 2011
    T-man, these old Pioneer amps are like the Energizer bunny,they just keep going and going and going..... I think that amp was built around 1978???
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,808
    edited February 2011
    Little older than that (more like 1977).
    Plenty of the 1970s gear still drawing breath (metaphorically speaking).

    Info on the SA-6500 and its kin at http://www.kallhovde.com/pioneer/Pioneer/Home.html
    One model up from the entry level Pioneer integrated amp of its model year.
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited February 2011
    Lol, I knew it was made sometime around there:)
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,808
    edited February 2011
    Yeah, one year is round-off error :-)
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  • silvertuner
    silvertuner Posts: 496
    edited February 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    That and thanks to the really nice HK 3490 from Silvertuner in that room I can drive just about any speaker I want....

    1.2TL's? lol

    im interested to hear that HK power some big efficient speakers, lol.

    some cheap free sony speakers
    psw125
    denon 1610
    3.1 channel because i hate cables ran across the living room like that
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited February 2011
    silvertuner wrote: »
    1.2TL's? lol

    im interested to hear that HK power some big efficient speakers, lol.

    note the phrase just about in the above quote lol....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    @mhardy-
    Ive seen some of your posts reguarding vintage speakers thru google searchs trying to find a replacement tweeter for a set of ADC 303-AX that I recently aquired. Best I can tell is I need a CTS cone tweeter but doubt I can find an original and wonder if parts express would have something similar I could use. Anyways here's a couple pics.


    pair-ADC-303AX-grills-off.jpg

    original-tweet.jpg

    IMG_5382.JPG
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited February 2011
    ADC 303ax is a very nice speaker, I've had several pair.

    With Speakers A and B selected playing two pair of 8 ohm loudspeakers, the amp should get a little more powerful than its rated 30wpc, not less powerful as stated earlier.
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