Ok fair enough, understand your situation Allan.
I have some pioneers. The nearest I have with your inquiry about SA-8900II is my SA-8800II.
It is "audiophile sounding" to my taste.
I cant describe how good it is but is pretty much satisfied.
The bass is tight (just the way i like it) and the highs are just enough to sizzle. The mids are ok too.
Soundstage wise, it seems ok though I have limited listening space cramped with other things like furnitures around. The sound it produces is pleasant to me and is alright as listened by some friends.
I cant compare it with classic amps, though I have the feeling it can stand on its own merits.Listened to some though.
Besides, its very hard for me to recall the sound experience in detail for other amps. That is why, Im amazed when some described them in detail thru memory, describing/praising them so & so...
Im not a purist, if I feel the source material signal in my set up needs some adjustments,I adjust the tone
as it pleases me and the way I feel the sounds ok.In the first place,I was not around in the recording booth, so dont know how those music was recorded, so I cant tell what is the actual recording sound (also, factor in the recording taste/ability of the recording engineer). I doubt also, even if I was there, if my memory can accurately reproduce the recording condition. I just adjust the sound if I feel it is too flat, or the percussion effects, the vocals need to be emphasized , too tame or what. Sometimes, I listen also to flat condition or in tone defeat mode, if I feel the sound material is fine.
mine looks similar lang, except for the green display:http://www.classicaudio.com/value/pio/SA8800.html
my pioneer set-up: generic dvd player as cdp > SA-8800II > decent spkr wires (gauge 12) > victor speakers:sx-3II/5II
gudluck
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