Pioneer Series 20
(1976 - 1980+)

Very successful series of high-end audio separates enclosed in simple designs but holding excellent build-quality, proven relaibility and wide market success. Also excellent sound !
Both Stereo Sound and Audio Accessory often used the C-21 as monitoring preamplifier during large measuring tests such as this one.

The Series started out with the three basic components (amp & peamp) and was then quickly reinforced with the many others :

C-21 : preamplifier
D-23 : crossover
F-26 : 7-gang tuner
F-28 : 5-gang tuner
U-24 : program selector
M-22 : Class A power amplifier
M-25 : Class AB power amplifier
A-27 : Class AB integrated amplifier

The PLC-590 turntable and PA-5000 tonearm were sold as "parents" from the Series 20 but weren't marketed or displayed very often together, except, seemingly, in the USA...
A lso worth mentioning are the A-0012 (the japanese A-27) and the F-007 (the japanese F-28).

Most successful of the series were M-22, M-25 and C-21, and to a much smaller extent the A-27.
The D-23 had its ambitions cut by Sony who sold more 4-way filters than anybody else (TA-D88B & ESPRIT TA-D900).
The F-26 sadly wasn't reconized as the excellent FM tuner it is - but then it looks so minuscule when compared to a Sony ST-A7B or any of the Kenwood or Sansui biggies...
The U-24 probably represented a bit too much cable fiddling for the typical audiophile :)
And if he PL-C590 sold well enough, it didn't become a market favorite... The optional PA-5000 tonearm was and still is an ultra-rarity.

I for one would welcome an M-22 - anytime.

This page is a general overview only : each component of the Series 20 will be posted on its own page on TVK. You may access these respective pages through TVK's Pioneer section.