Pictures taken from a previously sold deck.
Last update: 2014/09/22
Pricing grid:
year > USD > situation 1996 used > $3000 > in stock 1997 used > $3250 > in stock 1998 used > $3500 > in stock 1999 used > $3750 > 2000 used > $4000 > in stock (new Pioneer logo from here) 2000 used > $4500 > 2001 used > $4750 > 2002 used > $5000 > in stock, rare unit from last production batch in May 2002
Maintenance - All HLD-X9 i sell will be brought to Pioneer Japan for a checkup before shipping out, which will result in a change of worn parts, typically the rubber parts but also in some cases the spindle motor and/or the laser pickup, that carries a 3 MONTHS MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. This service is ABSOLUTELY FREE to all my buyers. The Pioneer service and warranty slip will be forwarded to you. I am the only one to offer this invaluable service, it is probably worth several hundred dollars in added longevity to your deck before it requires the next maintenance.
Shipping double-boxed express tracked insured to North America costs $450 (details below); cost to Europe is $525.
Prices subject to availability. Used decks always come with remote and manual, sometimes with box and foam, rarely with cables and batteries, are in perfect working order and excellent cosmetical shape.
This model was discontinued by Pioneer as of February 1st, 2002. Recent used decks are hard to find, because the production numbers decreased a lot after 1997.
The HLD-X9 is Pioneer's last Muse Hi-Vision LD player, only sold in Japan and never exported officially. Muse high definition discs, due to their very high density, require to be read by a laser beam of shorter wave-length than regular LDs: the 670nm red laser of the X9 not only plays Hi-Vision, but was also described as reading standard NTSC LDs better than any non-Muse player can, seeing through rot, better tracking defective discs ! It easily beats all models that ever were on sale in North America or Europe, including the Elite CLD-97 and CLD-99, thanks also to the use of an advanced, second generation High Resolution 3D Y-C separation filter. This player only handles LDs (12" and 8"), not CDs nor DVDs, and the clamping mechanism is optimized for this duty, instead of being a compromise between all formats. On CAV discs, access to individual picture fields is possible (half a frame), giving crisp, non flickering pause and step modes. On CLV discs, it will display the frame number (from 0 to 29) and the field (1 or 2). If you have a large collection of LD or plan buying Hi-Vision discs, this is the player you need. Needless to say, it has all possible outputs (two sets of S, composite, stereo; AC-3 RF; coaxial and optical; 2 Muse). Remote and all screen info in English. Only weak point is the rather slow side change (no "quick turn" mode).
General specifications: 58W, 100V, 17kg, 440x180x435mm whd
Be sure to check the excellent LaserDisc Forever website for a short comparison of high-end models and other interesting LD-related info.
Short history of laser. Roughly, three generations of lasers have been used in home decks:
- late '70s: CD and LD, 780nm infrared laser
- early '90s: DVD and HD LD, 650-670nm red laser
- early '00s: HD DVD, 405nm blue laser
The X9's optics are therefore over 10 years ahead of all regular LD players and on par with DVD players.
Manual. The only official owner's manual is in Japanese. You'll probably find you don't need any help for operating this deck, except with the filter settings for which i wrote an explanation. I'll be available for support should you have any questions you can't figure out the answer to. This is one of the players i use myself and i can immediately find out what you mean.
Packaging. The Pioneer box is not protective enough for an international shipment: to avoid any risk, i had custom built a super strong, industrial strength thick cardboard box in which to double box the X9. Used decks without the Pioneer box will ship single-boxed in all safety as well in the best readily available box i could find.
Shipment. Rates are for express tracked insured postage, delivery 3-5 days:
- X9 with Pioneer box, double-boxed (26kg): $450 to North America/Australasia, $525 to Europe
- X9 without the Pioneer box, single-boxed (22kg): $375 to North America/Australasia, $437.50 to Europe
Payment. USD, CAD and EUR are accepted, usually by bank wire to my account in the USA, Canada or France. This is very fast and totally secure.
US Customs. Importing video reproducing equipment into the US from Japan, whether magnetic or optical, is not subject to any duty. For proof of that, please see the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, select chapter 85, and go to heading 8521.90.00, column "1" (column 2 is for imports from embargoed regions). To other countries, taxes may be levied, they are to be borne by the buyer: please e-mail me for details.
No hidden or unexpected charges, no custom processing fee, no duty to pay, no document to fill out on your end when shipped to the USA. To minimize risks and costs, this is sent directly from Tokyo, not through Hong-Kong or a third country.
To buyers not located in North America. Please contact me for shipment rates and voltage-related questions. Transformers for European voltage cost a bit extra. Note that the double boxing allows for a completely safe shipment and therefore possibility to not insure/declare to full value (at your risk though). I do accept payments in Euros.
All e-mail enquiries welcome,
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