I had this amp 2 years ago until I bought a Sansui AU101 on eBay and the difference was night and day. Keep up the good work Mike telling others what they need to know
@@java2architect Yes the au101 sounds better, more detail, guts and space around instruments and vocals. Pretty much as Michael says here and another channels dittos that stereo review x
I bought this amp a few years after if came out after reading all the glowing reviews. I paid £149 which for that money it was ok but I only kept it for a short while as the sound was a bit on the harsh side for me. But for the £149 it is a good starting point. Good Review 👌
I can't be more agree !! All the Pioneer's "K" line are a shame. For a Pioneer "last" budget series I sugest (2000-12) made in Malasya A-209R or (1998 -2006) made in Japan A-607R. Thanks Michael for your advices.
Spot on, Mike! A sure sign of a quality amp is being able to hear the air between the instruments. Incidentally, I have a vintage Sony TA-F55 amp with a switch mode power supply, and I rate it very highly - maybe not all switch mode power supplies were created equal? (It also has a motorised volume level indicator and a freon-filled heat pipe, but that's another story...)
@@MichaelYates Nope, it's an original mad-scientist feature! Sony mounted the output transistors directly onto the main PCB to reduce the signal path, and the heatpipe kept them from melting their way through it.
Have you ever heard the monitor's audio gold gr10s in your travel? Great video, btw. Love the older speakers I used to see in homes and wonder what they were like
I have seen these for sale but never heard a pair. They seem to be quite a good pair of speakers from what I have read and command a decent price on the second hand market.
@MichaelYates thank you. I've missed out on a pair for £325 . I waited 24 hours to sleep on it, and they have gone. I'm going to have to wait again , I haven't got a clue what to get for said amount. I love audio monitors, so I thought I would go to the top of the range as I have bronze b2 now .
@@itisjustacomment I thought they would be £300 or £400 going by what I have seen them sell for. If you do get a pair please let us all know your thoughts.
@MichaelYates . I shouldn't have hesitated on the last ones . I truly missed out . £325 was reasonable. Their are some more, the newer gs10 gold in Blackpool pick up for £300 a amazing price. But it's too far from me. I will tell you for sure when I've got some , I'm going to test them back to back with b2 bronze .
Hey @MichaelYates, unfortunately, I haven't been able to get my hands on the golds yet, but I might in the future. It seems like most people either aren't posting them or are asking for too much and insisting on pick-up. Anyway, on the bright side, I just splurged on some Q Acoustics 3050i and a power supply for my Cyrus 8. I feel like I'm moving up in the world! I really love the sound of Monitor Audio, especially those special highs and mids, so I'm planning to hold onto my Bronze B2's. At this rate, I might as well start a TH-cam channel, haha!
I had this amp 2 years ago until I bought a Sansui AU101 on eBay and the difference was night and day. Keep up the good work Mike telling others what they need to know
Pleased to hear that you could hear what I am hearing to
@@MichaelYates Only to thankful I found your channel, took a chance and followed your advice. Love the 101
Bit confused from your reply. You saying Sansui AU101 is better? Wanted to know because I wanted to get the Sansui
@@java2architect Yes the au101 sounds better, more detail, guts and space around instruments and vocals. Pretty much as Michael says here and another channels dittos that stereo review x
I bought this amp a few years after if came out after reading all the glowing reviews. I paid £149 which for that money it was ok but I only kept it for a short while as the sound was a bit on the harsh side for me. But for the £149 it is a good starting point. Good Review 👌
I can't be more agree !! All the Pioneer's "K" line are a shame.
For a Pioneer "last" budget series I sugest (2000-12) made in Malasya A-209R or (1998 -2006) made in Japan A-607R. Thanks Michael for your advices.
Thanks David, I will lookout for any of those models going cheap.
Spot on, Mike! A sure sign of a quality amp is being able to hear the air between the instruments.
Incidentally, I have a vintage Sony TA-F55 amp with a switch mode power supply, and I rate it very highly - maybe not all switch mode power supplies were created equal? (It also has a motorised volume level indicator and a freon-filled heat pipe, but that's another story...)
Thanks for the info, "freon-filled heat pipe" sounds like you have been busy modding. Only ever heard of that on a PC CPU heatsink.
@@MichaelYates Nope, it's an original mad-scientist feature! Sony mounted the output transistors directly onto the main PCB to reduce the signal path, and the heatpipe kept them from melting their way through it.
@@thisisnev Quite unique and interesting feature especially for a small amp
Nice and interesting comparison 👍
Thank You
Have you ever heard the monitor's audio gold gr10s in your travel?
Great video, btw. Love the older speakers I used to see in homes and wonder what they were like
I have seen these for sale but never heard a pair. They seem to be quite a good pair of speakers from what I have read and command a decent price on the second hand market.
@MichaelYates thank you. I've missed out on a pair for £325 .
I waited 24 hours to sleep on it, and they have gone.
I'm going to have to wait again , I haven't got a clue what to get for said amount.
I love audio monitors, so I thought I would go to the top of the range as I have bronze b2 now .
@@itisjustacomment I thought they would be £300 or £400 going by what I have seen them sell for. If you do get a pair please let us all know your thoughts.
@MichaelYates . I shouldn't have hesitated on the last ones . I truly missed out . £325 was reasonable. Their are some more, the newer gs10 gold in Blackpool pick up for £300 a amazing price. But it's too far from me.
I will tell you for sure when I've got some , I'm going to test them back to back with b2 bronze .
Hey @MichaelYates, unfortunately, I haven't been able to get my hands on the golds yet, but I might in the future. It seems like most people either aren't posting them or are asking for too much and insisting on pick-up. Anyway, on the bright side, I just splurged on some Q Acoustics 3050i and a power supply for my Cyrus 8. I feel like I'm moving up in the world! I really love the sound of Monitor Audio, especially those special highs and mids, so I'm planning to hold onto my Bronze B2's. At this rate, I might as well start a TH-cam channel, haha!
Sansui Have Ten Of This For Breakfast 😅😊
I've had to play the video at a slow 0.75 to try to understand you
Sorry I talk very fast
@@MichaelYates 😀