The Pioneer TX-8500 II is a solid state FM/AM stereo tuner that was released in the 1970s. It features a sleek design typical of Pioneer products from the era, incorporating a brushed aluminum front panel with elegant knobs and a large display. This model is known for its excellent FM reception abilities, which can be attributed to its dual-gate MOSFET RF front-end and a high-quality IF section. The tuner provides adjustable bandwidth to enhance reception quality. It also includes features such as a multiplex decoder for stereo broadcasts, a high-performance audio output stage, and several tuning aids like a signal strength meter and a tuning indicator. The TX-8500 II supports both mono and stereo outputs, and it is compatible with various audio systems. Its build quality is robust, and it is often praised for sound fidelity. Specifications typically include a frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 15 kHz (-1 dB) for stereo and an FM sensitivity of 1.6 μV. Signal-to-noise ratio ratings are often around 70 dB or higher. In terms of power consumption, it generally operates at around 40 watts.
