Pioneer Elite M-91 In The House

skrol

I recently picked up a Pioneer Elite M-91 amp along with a few other items. I should say hoisted up because this thing weighs a ton (65 lbs actually) and is real pretty. It looks to have separate power supplies for right and left. I haven't gotten chance to really play with it yet as I just hooked it up late last night.

I really don't know much about these amps and have not been able to find a spec sheet or anything. It looks to be very well built. Can someone give me the rundown on this amp. I believe it was from the late 80's.

Thanks
Stan

chumlie

Here ya go.
http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/pioneer/m-91.shtml

skrol

Hey, thanks. I keep forgetting about hifiengine.

Any idea how this amp would compare to a Parasound HCA-1200ii or HCA-1500?

erniejade

Darn good sounding amp and looks good too.

skrol

I am starting to understand proper feeding of the LSi15's. The M-91really tightened up the bass and is much quicker. It really sounds quite nice. There is still a sound quality about the little Parasound HCA-800ii that I really like and it is a tough call which amp I prefer. Neither is bad but just a little different in presentation.

The Pioneer wins hands down in the pretty department and is built like a tank. The direct CD input and variable line input are a pretty cool feature. You can connect a CD or other device directly, add speakers and you have an instant system.

EndersShadow

skrol wrote: »

I am starting to understand proper feeding of the LSi15's. The M-91really tightened up the bass and is much quicker. It really sounds quite nice. There is still a sound quality about the little Parasound HCA-800ii that I really like and it is a tough call which amp I prefer. Neither is bad but just a little different in presentation.

The Pioneer wins hands down in the pretty department and is built like a tank. The direct CD input and variable line input are a pretty cool feature. You can connect a CD or other device directly, add speakers and you have an instant system.

If you like the presentation of the Parasound, maybe look at one of the more powerful models as it should have some of the same sonic characteristics, just mo betta powa!

I've got the 1200ii myself and its a very nice amp.

Upstatemax

Before you decide what amp you like, you should open that M91 up and check it out.

I can't imagine those caps are in the best of shape being 26 years old...

skrol

Good point about the caps. I recapped the HCA-800 with Nichicon FG and Muse and magic happened. About 1/3 of the electrolytics had gone well out of spec.

I was actually looking for an HCA-1200ii or HCA-1500 when I found the M-91. With the mono-block design right down to the power supplies, I figured I couldn't go wrong.

skrol

I sold the M-91 to a guy who was specifically looking for that model to build a C-91/M-91 system. It was a nice amp but I felt that it just didn't pair all that well with the LSi-15's in that the system was a little too in your face and not a lot of dimension to the sound stage. My little Parasound setup, while lacking some authority to control the bass, has a much nicer sound stage.

I think I'll sell a few more items and start looking for an HCA-1200ii or HCA-1500.