Pioneer M-72

Pioneer M-70

1 9 9 0 1990
2 0 0 0 2000

Very long production run for this mid-end amplifier made to somewhat bridge the gap between 2-channel audiophilia and 4-channel home-cinema.
The long production was however mainly for the US, not Japan.

Built like few of today's mid-end home-cinema amplifiers, if any, the M-72 holds two large "Pure" transformers, two "Pure" copper-shielded 27,000µF ELNA capacitors made for Pioneer, non-resonant chassis and feet through the use of honeycomb embossing (chassis), added elements (in-feet), damping material sandwich (inside sides), and design (diecast aluminium heatsinks).

As in the C-72 companion, Super Linear Circuit (SLC) cancels the non-linearity of one semi-conductor with the linearity of another and Clean Ground System (CGS) manages to isolate noise from the signal path and said signal path is reduced to minimum lengths (80cm max.) with deported shafts and relays.

Mainly, the M-72 is a 4-channel connection center with one amplifier module able to feed one or two stereo loudspeaker pairs (AMP 1, pairs A and B) and the other, AMP 2, serving as added rear 'speakers feed : pair C.

AMP 1 also has two input RCAs (input 1, input 2) and AMP 2 has its own input terminals. Input level controls for each path / channel (AMP 1 and AMP 2) are provided as well, alongwith input selectors (AMP 1 : input 1 and 2), on/off "auto output" selector (AMP 1) and an on/off switch for AMP 2.

And a headphones terminal for AMP 1, too.
Quite a complicated route, all this !


We're not in Exclusive M7 or SPEC-2 territory and this isn't the Cub Room, where the elite meet.
But this is was powerful, healthy and reliable - at 100,000¥, it was meant to be !

The M-72 was a Pioneer Elite M-72 in the USA, an M-72 in Europe and an M-70 in its country of origin.
The M-70 was shiny champagne sans sideburns, the Elite M-72 had the dust catcher black Urushi finish with added faux sideburns and golden trims.

Pioneer M-72, image 1 Pioneer M-72, image 2 Pioneer M-72, image 3
Pioneer M-72 specifications
Title Value
Power output : 2x 100W (8 Ohm, 20Hz...20Khz, 0,009% THD)
4x 50W (8 Ohm, 20Hz...20Khz, 0,02% THD, "AMP 1")
THD : 0,005% (rated power, 8 Ohm, 20Hz...20Khz)
Frequency response : 5Hz...150Khz (+0dB / -3dB)
S/N ratio : 120dB (2-channel, IHF, input shorted, A-network)
Inputs : 1V / 40kOhm ("AMP 1" A & B)
1V / 40kOhm ("AMP 2")
Outputs : low impedance (headphones)
speakers A / B / A+B / Off (stereo)
speakers A / B / A+B / Off (AMP 1)/
speakers C / Off (AMP 2)
PC : 630W
Dimensions : 45,9 x 16,3 x 42,2cm
Weight : 21,6kg.
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