Pioneer A400 Integrated Amplifier
Launched back in 1990, the Pioneer A400 was your typical run of the mill "Jap Amp" with a difference. Pioneer stripped out everything that was not needed and used a quite a few high quality audiophile components where necessary to give the world the A400, an amplifier designed to please even the most ardent UK audiophile.
The Pioneer almost immediately got rave reviews in the hi-fi press, won awards and sold by the lorry load. In the 18 months since it was first launched nearly 25,000 of these amplifiers were sold which accounted for a staggering 12.8% of the total market share. The Pioneer was a giant killer which wiped the floor with almost every other amplifier in its price bracket and many more above it.
I remember listening to it at a friend's house and hearing the punchy and dynamic yet detailed sound it produced. Power was something the Pioneer A400 was not short of and it drove my friend's giant 5 foot floor standers with ease. The only downside with the A400 was a relative poor phono preamp and a tendency to sound a little harsh but it was very difficult to criticise it for the money.
The Pioneer A400 was subsequently superceded by the inferior A400X ensuring it became something of a cult machine, something that would keep its value high even on the second hand market.
Pioneer A400 Integrated Amplifier Specifications
Power Rating : 60 Watts per channel (8 Ohms)
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.03% at 20Hz-20kHz
Frequency Response: 5Hz-100 kHz (CD, Tuner, Aux, Tape)
Signal to Noise: 88 db
Power Consumption: 520 watts
Dimensions (WxDxH) : 42 x 35.2 x 12.6 cm
Weight: 8.0 kg
This entry was posted on Sunday December 10th, 2006 at 5:44 PM and is filed under Amplifiers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response.
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11 Responses to Pioneer A400 Integrated Amplifier
Dai takekawa Says:
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:12 AM
80kg???
Hi-fi insight Says:
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 AM
Thank you,
I think the correct weight of the Pioneer A400 should be 8.0 kgs !
Dave evans Says:
November 21st, 2007 at 12:12 PM
how much is it worth now please can some one please tell me as i have been offered 1 for 100 pound.
Hi-fi insight Says:
November 21st, 2007 at 12:33 PM
£100 seems a reasonable asking price providing it is not an Pioneer A400X which do not sound as good.
Dave evans Says:
November 21st, 2007 at 3:03 PM
thank you
Steve kaye Says:
September 27th, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Hello, I have Pioneer a-400 (1990). It's an old friend, love the sound and would like to marry it to a modern FM radio/cd player - possibly DAB -but can't work out which modern units will connect and work with the old A-400.
Can you suggest a unit(s)?
Thank you.
Nasir noor Says:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:41 AM
Hi would like to know can this Amp A4OO or A400X
suitable for the full range speakers.Cause I own the speakers and interested in A400 or A400X.
What amp is suitable for my full range speakers.
Thank You.
Nasir
Jamie Says:
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Hi,
I have a A-300x and would like to know the sound difference the A400 has over it? cosmetically it looks the same apart from a pre amp and headphone socket (I have a Cambridge Audio 640p pre-amp so wouldnt be using the pioneer one anyway)
Cheers
Jamie
Libor Says:
January 6th, 2009 at 7:57 PM
koupil bych zachovalý A 400, děkuji za nabídky...
Clive Says:
June 27th, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Hi,
I have owned a Pioneer A400 from new and have been very pleased with it. I play it though a pair of Epos M5 speakers. My iPod is connected and the system sounds excellent. The review above states that the A400 has a tendancy to sound a little harsh, this has not been my experience, the reverse is true. Having tested amps up to £800 these have sounded harsh and bright in comparison and I have always been more happy with the A400.
Craig Says:
July 15th, 2010 at 12:33 PM
I have owned Perreaux gear and used MOSFET amps as music is extremely important in my everyday life.
The A400 sounds absolutely stunning and I will never sell it. It sounds better, more dynamic and the soundstage is awesome. I ma running 1978 Bang & olufsen speakers with Peerless drivers which are a perfect match to the A400. If you can get one, just do it.
Craig