Pioneer C-90

Pioneer C-90a

Pioneer C-91

1 9 8 6 1986
1 9 8 8 1988
1 9 9 3 1993

The C-90 is the original ; it was however distributed in two versions, both named "C-90" :
- one had only three video sources selectable from the left row of black pads, named aux1 > aux3
- the other had five of those inputs, named exactly as on the C-91.
The panel is however identical with a "blank" pad shaped as the other buttons covering for the two absent inputs.

The C-90a (ELITE C-91 in the USA) is the 1988 updated version of the original 1986 C-90 ; the update mainly consists of mechanical strengthening (thicker and two-plate top) and the addition of six S-Video terminals - 5 inputs plus 1 output.

But, as for the two versions of the original C-90, things are not so simple for two versions of the C-90a were delivered :
- one that does not have any video terminals,
- one that has S-Video inputs besides the regular composite terminals !

Very much Sony-like but probably due to both varying introduction schedules for the S-Video format and the desire for a more "audiophile" version here and there.
I guess - but I dare not think what this would have become if Pioneer had decided to add a digital PCM section as in the contemporary Sony TA-E77ESD !

Anyway, all four versions sold well and were all built to exacting standards : three transformers and separate windings + regulations to separate at best the video and audio sections, thick aluminium top plate, polymer-filled insulators, copper plated screws, honeycomb chassis, film capacitors and sealed gold-plated relays.

The two transformers are insulated from the chassis and noise currents are shunted with a bypass ; caps are copper-coated (except the top) while the video board (if any) is located at the bottom of the enclosure and the audio board at the top.

The remote volume control uses an (I believe) ALPS pot but it is only a 2-gang - got to make some economies somewhere...
The power cord is however made of high-purity copper - got to give some in return of said economies.

Besides the five (or three) (or none - you get my drift) audio/video inputs (all with 10MHz bandwidth), three tape loops and two line inputs were at hand, anlong a hybrid MM/MC phono stage and programmable "smart remote" control.
The front flap holds the MC phono cartridge impedance selector, one of the tape loops, an auxiliary input, the bass/treble/balance pots etc.

A carefully designed audio preamp which is however not in the league of an Exclusive C7 + Exclusive V7 - but neither was its price !


...a japanese S-Video C-90a : here,
...a japanese Composite C-90 : here,
...a C-90 on the repair bench : here.

Pioneer C-90, image 1 Pioneer C-90, image 2
Pioneer C-90 specifications
Title Value
AUDIO section AUDIO section
Rated output : 8V max. (20Hz...20Khz, 10kOhm load, 0,01% THD)
Inputs : phono / cd / tu / vdp / tv-aux / adaptor / vcr1 / vcr2 / tape1 / tape2
2,5mV / 50kOhm (MM)
0,25mV / 40 Ohm (MC, position 1)
0,125mV / 3 Ohm (MC, position 2)
150mV / 50kOhm (lines)
Outputs : 1x pre-out / adaptor / tape1 / tape2 / vcr1 / vcr2
1V / 600 Ohm (pre out)
150mV / 1kOhm (rec out)
THD : 0,002% (20Hz...20Khz, 10kOhm load, 1V output)
IMD : 0,002%
Frequency response : 20Hz...20Khz (± 0,2dB, MM/MC)
20Hz...20Khz (+0 / -0,1dB, lines)
IHF-A S/N ratio : 96dB (MM)
86dB (MC)
109dB (lines)
Bass control : ± 9dB at 100Hz
Treble control : ± 9dB at 10Khz
VIDEO section VIDEO section (C90a with S-Video)
Inputs : VDP / TV-aux / vcr1 / vcr3 / adaptor
4x composite (1V p-p, 75 Ohm)
3x S-VHS
Outputs : vcr1 / vcr3 / adaptor / rec monitor
4x composite (1V p-p, 75 Ohm)
2x S-VHS
Frequency response : 10Hz...10MHz (+0 / -3dB)
General General
PC : 50W
Dimensions : 45,7 x 13,3 x 40,4cm
Weight : 10,3kg.
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