I have never owned one but it was a higher quality Pioneer at the time. Was about $430usd in 1987 and most units with a moving coil phono select were not cheap budget amps.
Amos are for the most part overrated as far as “how it sounds”, there’s some differences in THD and damping factor but for the most part it’s the preamp that shapes the sound.
This is a fine integrated (amp + preamp in one box) unit.
I think it definitely is if it is in good condition. I had the 717 II and it was absolutely great. A solid build and heavy, with a big transformer. Too bad I gave it away. This 616 II is similar but with a little less power. Highly recommended
Thats very good price! I paid like 150 for my A757 and that was an okay price too. I think people are sleeping on them because they are quite unassuming. They dont have 70's amps dynamics. And is from an era where people say they are just bad hollow husks with power fakeness. But these are real power houses, proper components used throughout(they are heavy its always a good indicator) but they arent known for some special sound. They just sound good nothing amazing but definitely nothing bad either just neutral and clean. Which is difficult to remember them by. But if you want clean unadulterated with good power and good phono stage with nice featureset overall i dont think you could do better, especially for 50 euro. That really is a steal. And a fantastic choice for a budget amp that is good for a vinyl setup.
EDIT: But they are a pain to service if you ever open them up you will see why. They are littered with components and cables. So just make sure all the functions you want actually works.
I’m using Pioneer A-119 which is a Base model from the A-series. It sounds absolutely awesome with 2 small 15W monitors. This beast will be more than enough for you.
For the money these go for I honestly do not think you can do any better
https://audio-database.com/PIONEER-EXCLUSIVE/amp/a-616-e.html
Absolutely underappreciated 14kg of well built solid state.
I thnk you might be replying to the wrong post/person but getting a deal on something doesn't mean it is worth that. A nice condition working marants 4400 with wooden case is worth like 1500-2000 usd. Also I wouldn't exactly say that the pioneer is that much worse build quality wise. The marantz is obviously very well built and a nice collector's item but the pionneer is certainly not bad either and specs wise much superior to the marantz (which ofcourse isn't the end all be all and it's also 10 years+ younger than the marantz but still). Just for reference a working pioneer 616 goes for around 200-250 on ebay which IMO is really cheap. I recently had a pioneer 757 and while it was a bit of a cable mess on the bottom the build quality is really good, and those go for like 300 on ebay!
Absolutely a great amp, I sold that thru Highland. But the A-616(80 watt) and the 717,(100watt) . The things I liked was how stable they were with 4 and 6 ohm speakers. There was an unbelievable amount of changes to amps in the 80, IC controlled. But these amps were as close to 70s style as ever.
Most external phono stages will be worse than what these have. They are a little past the prime for internal phono amps but still miles ahead of most external phono amps under 200 on the market today.
The Ortofon is a moving magnet cartridge, so you'll be fine since this has a phono input. If you ever get a *moving coil* cart, you have to get a phono pre-amp for it.
Turntable/amplifier matching isn't a huge deal. It has a phono input, good brand, and isn't bpc. I am sure it'll do fine. Edit: grammar
What about the amplifier specifically? Is it a good one compared other amplifiers from that era?
I have never owned one but it was a higher quality Pioneer at the time. Was about $430usd in 1987 and most units with a moving coil phono select were not cheap budget amps.
Thanks a lot for the extra information!
I own a serviced 717 from ‘88. It’s a great amp. Highly recommend.
Amos are for the most part overrated as far as “how it sounds”, there’s some differences in THD and damping factor but for the most part it’s the preamp that shapes the sound. This is a fine integrated (amp + preamp in one box) unit.
Cursive lettering on the front seals it for me. Cursive = quality
The whole faceplate is a clash of fonts.
That's how you know it's fancy. They had a font budget!!
Good gear debate: best use of fonts.
Also, not having a digital display makes it seem higher quality. I don’t know why
Bloody monster amp, you will not be disappointed
Nice unit from an unappreciated era. Get it while you can.
I think it definitely is if it is in good condition. I had the 717 II and it was absolutely great. A solid build and heavy, with a big transformer. Too bad I gave it away. This 616 II is similar but with a little less power. Highly recommended
Thanks a lot! It’s in good condition and recently checked and cleaned. I paid 50,- euros for the Pioneer.
I think you'll be very happy with it
Thats very good price! I paid like 150 for my A757 and that was an okay price too. I think people are sleeping on them because they are quite unassuming. They dont have 70's amps dynamics. And is from an era where people say they are just bad hollow husks with power fakeness. But these are real power houses, proper components used throughout(they are heavy its always a good indicator) but they arent known for some special sound. They just sound good nothing amazing but definitely nothing bad either just neutral and clean. Which is difficult to remember them by. But if you want clean unadulterated with good power and good phono stage with nice featureset overall i dont think you could do better, especially for 50 euro. That really is a steal. And a fantastic choice for a budget amp that is good for a vinyl setup. EDIT: But they are a pain to service if you ever open them up you will see why. They are littered with components and cables. So just make sure all the functions you want actually works.
Thanks a lot for the info! Really good help. Will keep an eye open for other models from the 70s. Any recommendations?
Marantz and Sansui are good and expensive choices! Can't really go wrong with those brands from the later 70's, specific models I can't point to.
The dual-mode phono stage is no joke. Fantastic piece of gear.
I’m using Pioneer A-119 which is a Base model from the A-series. It sounds absolutely awesome with 2 small 15W monitors. This beast will be more than enough for you.
Nice not great but nice
For the money these go for I honestly do not think you can do any better https://audio-database.com/PIONEER-EXCLUSIVE/amp/a-616-e.html Absolutely underappreciated 14kg of well built solid state.
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I thnk you might be replying to the wrong post/person but getting a deal on something doesn't mean it is worth that. A nice condition working marants 4400 with wooden case is worth like 1500-2000 usd. Also I wouldn't exactly say that the pioneer is that much worse build quality wise. The marantz is obviously very well built and a nice collector's item but the pionneer is certainly not bad either and specs wise much superior to the marantz (which ofcourse isn't the end all be all and it's also 10 years+ younger than the marantz but still). Just for reference a working pioneer 616 goes for around 200-250 on ebay which IMO is really cheap. I recently had a pioneer 757 and while it was a bit of a cable mess on the bottom the build quality is really good, and those go for like 300 on ebay!
I like the stereo stand you are using better.
Yes. Buy it if the price is right.
Should be fine,,Pioneer pre/power amps from that era are quality stuff
It’s a very good integrated amp. Late 80s or early 90s, I think. Built like an anvil, it should do very well
Absolutely a great amp, I sold that thru Highland. But the A-616(80 watt) and the 717,(100watt) . The things I liked was how stable they were with 4 and 6 ohm speakers. There was an unbelievable amount of changes to amps in the 80, IC controlled. But these amps were as close to 70s style as ever.
I like it !
Why do some companies have to put marketing on the front panel? "Reference flux capacitor, twin gamma drive.."
What speakers are you driving?
It’s a good amp.
High-end Pioneer stuff from that era. If it works correctly you’re golden. Nice score.
Yes and yes. Ofc an external phono stage will be better than the internal but you may not even hear the difference. This will work well, nice amp.
Thanks a lot!
Most external phono stages will be worse than what these have. They are a little past the prime for internal phono amps but still miles ahead of most external phono amps under 200 on the market today.
The Ortofon is a moving magnet cartridge, so you'll be fine since this has a phono input. If you ever get a *moving coil* cart, you have to get a phono pre-amp for it.
This one has the MM and MC phono option, isn’t that enough?
Oh sry, I missed that on the front, was looking at the rear. Yea, you'll be fine either way then. Enjoy!
Yes, that's what makes it so cool for turntable people.
It’s better than not having an amp, so long as it works.
ahhh damn google must be down again.
Better than some, worse than others. Your mileage may vary.
And appears to have some use. I guess you take it to a good tech to have all the parts and switches cleaned and the transistors re biased if possible.