Pioneer TX-6500 II (1976–1978)

Name: Pioneer TX-6500 II
Brand: Pioneer

Fully solid-state FM/AM stereo tuner with illuminated scale and integrated MPX detection circuitry.

Overview

The Pioneer TX-6500 II is a solid-state FM/AM stereo tuner built from 1976 to 1978. It receives stereo on FM and the standard AM broadcast bands, and it has an analogue tuning scale with an illuminated display. It was designed to pair with the Pioneer SA-6500 II integrated amplifier. The signal path is solid-state and uses one FET, three ICs, seven transistors, and nine diodes. The unit measures 380 x 139 x 322 mm and weighs 5.6 kg.

Specifications

Type	Mono/Stereo Tuner
Tuning Bands	FM, AM
Signal to Noise Ratio	68dB (FM), 50dB (AM)
Frequency Response	20Hz to 15kHz (FM)
Output	650mV (FM), 150mV (AM)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	380 x 139 x 322 mm
Weight	5.6 kg

Design

The TX-6500 II has a well-lit analogue tuner scale. The stereo indicator runs off an HA1196 MPX chip. Pin 9 supplies a ground connection through a resistor, and that turns on the 6V indicator bulb. In FM mode the bulb gets a constant 12V, which can kill it early. The MPX chip output switches low when it detects a stereo signal. If the switch-to-ground transistor inside the HA1196 goes bad, the stereo indicator may not work correctly.

Market

Listings from 2021 to 2026 show individual units priced between €64 and €180, with combo setups reaching up to $688. A used TX-6500 II paired with an SA-5500 II amplifier sold for CAD $300.00 on June 12, 2025, listed as technically 10/10 and cosmetically 8/10. Sellers often describe units as "impecabil," "sprawny," or "serviced vintage," with notes that they are over 40 years old and may show signs of age. The common fault is a burned-out stereo indicator bulb, because 12V is going to a 6V-rated lamp. Maintenance means checking the bulb voltage, fitting a correct 6V bulb, and inspecting the related resistors and transistors.