Pioneer M-Z1

Completely unknown elsewhere, the Z1 series nevertheless sold extremely well in Japan - a staple of the well-heeled audiophile rigs of the times, alongwith the Exclusive P3 turntable.

The Z1s were Pioneer's entry into 1980s super high-end of the non-NFB kind through the Super Linear Circuit for the voltage amplifying stage.
The SLC works with two transistors : cancelling the non-linearity of the first with the second's non-linearity in reverse mode.
Since there is no NFB loop(s), DC stability is achieved with a double-locked servo regulator.

The output transistors are three pairs of LAPT devices (2SA1187 / 2SC2838) all working in Class A, naturally : the M-Z1 are hot boxes.

Two transformers, select and non-magnetic parts, glass-encased caps with carbon-coating inside glass and special electrode foil, 140µ glass-epoxy boards, OFC wiring - and then some.
At 320,000¥ apiece, this was for the non-compromising indeed, but for the well-heeled only as well.


The original M-Z1 was quickly replaced by the M-Z1a upgraded version, although the upgrades were of the minor kind (and invisible) ; the "a" versions sold much better.

Still abundant and sough-after in Japan... still non-existent elsewhere.