Maybe I shouldn’t mention this, but I was at a local Best Buy (I live fairly close to your shop) and went over to the Geek Squad area, and noticed some electronics on a cart. I asked if somebody was actually repairing them at the store, and the employee said “no, this is going to recycling”. On the cart was an ABSOLUTELY IMMACULATE SX-780. Like, it looked completely new old stock. No chips in the cabinet, no scratches on the case, nothing. I told him that was unfortunate, and asked if anybody ever takes any of the “recyclables” home. He said unfortunately no, and they’d get in trouble. He then proceeded to jokingly say “you should take it home 😂”, and that was all I needed. Went back, grabbed the reciever, and ran out of the store. It works like new, and is one of my main amps to this day. Disgusting to see stuff like this go to e-waste, especially in the 2020s. Funny thing is, I went to a garage sale in Ames a week or two later, and there were a bunch of christmas lights wadded up being stored in an original SX-780 box. I asked the lady if I could just buy the box, and she gave it to me for a dollar. Spent more on the box than the reciever…😂
I have a SX1250…bought new in 78…by my dad…. Not recapped…all original…what a beast…powers a pair of Snell Type A loudspeakers..with a Pioneer PL560 turntable…some really awesome equipment….I love it…😀
Still jam my SX-1080 to this day. Never been serviced either. Bought it in the Marines when I was in Okinawa in 1987...on base for $550. The only reason I didn't pick the 1250 is because it had no VU meters, and that was HUGE back in the day lol.
I bought a SX-780 in 1979 at a small audio shop in Minneapolis called “ Sound of Music “. It went on to be known as Best Buy. That little Pioneer played through countless high school and college parties. It started my lifelong obsession with audio equipment. What a great journey!
Great video! Wow. I was with Pioneer in their Gardena regional office from 1975-78, and as Assistant Sales Manager had an SX-1250, HPM 100s, turntable, and cassette player on loan. I gave it all back when we parted company, due to financial considerations. It was a monster, with that giant toroidal transformer and immense capacitors. In hindsight . . .
I just bought a sx1250 five months ago, I love it I thought I would never have a chance to own one. Now I bought sx3800,880,780 and a sx950 and slowly I have been repairing them. Having one this stereos is like having a vintage guitar or an old Rolex, I'm so glad I bought them.
I bought my SX-1250 at an on base stereo store while stationed in the Army at Wildflecken, Germany in 1977. It sits here in my home office with 4 HPM-100 speakers (silver blow holes) and I have the original shipping boxes and all documentation. Everybody that has ever seen my equipment in the 46 years I have owned it has been overwhelmed by it's appearance. I also have a Pioneer PL-570 turntable, an RT-1020 reel, CTF1250 cassette, SR202W Reverb, SG-9500 EQ, RG-1 Processor and (4) CS-99A speakers. I sure would like to get my hands on a mint condition SD-1100 Stereo Display Unit.
I own an SX-780 and the STK packs recently died, I was able to buy a brand new custom kit and get the unit back up and running. It is such a beautiful unit that sounds great, the VU meters and mono/stereo switch are my favorite features.
That's great. I also have a Pioneer SX-1000TW. My folks bought it in Europe early 70's. It's got some issues that I am trying to work out. I hope to gain some knowledge here to help me out.
Year ago I had a fair amount of pioneer receivers. The one I miss the most was the modest little 780. I know it's not well thought of but the little sx1500t is one I also should have kept.
I like a power lever, flip instead of a button to push. And I like it when the tuner dial keeps moving when you let go of the knob after spinning it. There's alot of 4 channel that I would rather be a 2 channel and if I could design one myself I would make it a 3 channel, left, right, and a low pass subwoofer channel. The receiver I have lights up a different color when the station is in or out of tune, that's pretty cool. Instead of a led indicator, the whole back lighting changes.
I'm an audio guy from way back. The 1000 was my first real experience with a real piece of equipment. I spotted a SX1250 at a flea market. $65! Killer.
I moved up the ladder from a used 780 to a 980 then went digital with SX-D7000. So loud, so clean and clear. No regrets, other than I wish I would have kept and stashed away the smaller SX's.
My buddy still has an SX1250 he bought new, beautiful and out of my price range. I ran across an SX424, a little beauty. Had to repair it, blown output section. Loved it but gave it away in the 90s. Later when my son was ready for college, I found another SX424, he loves it with a set of B&W speakers, such clear sound. I have an SX980 which I'm going to do a full service on shortly, caps, etc. I was using it but decided it was time to service/replace parts. Love this review/retrospective. Totally agree on #1 and also the SX780. I liked hearing about the other units as well.
I own a 1250 and a 1980 and I have always said I could blindfold and play both threw a pair of HPM 150 and you cannot tell the difference. I feel like you nailed it with what you said.
I think any x50 is a gem. Even the little SX 450 is a great little receiver. I've got an SX 850 and a SX 5590, which is a Euro black version of the 1250. My SX 780 is broken, bad Darlington but now maybe it's worth fixing.
In April of 2021 we were "downsizing", moving into a tiny house. Reluctantly l had to part with most of my vintage stereo stuff, which included, but not limited to, my much loved Pioneers. An SX-650, my garage unit, and an SX-880, which was my first inside unit. Loved them both. Got a total of $675. The purchaser was very pleased and l was a bit saddened at the time. In total l sold 4 recievers and a turntable.
I have an SX-6000. I haven't recapped it and it still has a nice, warm sound. It has been in my family for 2 generations and it is paired with the CS-88A
My dad had a 1250 Pioneer and sold it at a yard sale for $80!! He obviously didn't know what he had, this was in 1985. He got it from someone he worked with that was going through a divorce and needed money.
Good video! For me, when it comes to vintage Pioneer it would be 50 series not 80. I know the 1980 is the King but I would get a 1250 or a 750. Thanks for putting that list together.
Never had a sx-1250 to play with, but I loved my sx-3900. Had it professionally restored and sold it to a friend who owns a local record shop. Plays it there through a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls.
I recently picked up a Pioneer SXV90 that is rated at 125 watts per channel. It's flat faced. It was also my 1st stereo receiver I bought as a 14 year old kid working at Kroger grocery store in Charlotte NC in the 80s. I spilt water in it and sold it needing to be serviced. Well the one I just bought off Etsy had it for 150 and worked but no sound. I watched it for a month and saw him cut the price in half but I still couldn't get it. So I see he has it up for 25 dollars and I look closer to the back panel and noticed the Preamp and power amp jumpers aren't in it so I bought it without even looking at the shipping 😅 so I buy some jumpers for it and boom she works and now I have my childhood stereo back . I it needs to be serviced as it get too hot I think and shuts off sound. So something is definitely wrong but it's definitely working and for 100 bucks I don't think I could do better unless I was just given one 😅.
Back in '73, I heard my first Sansui. It was eye candy with green lights and a dial pointer which turned red when a stereo FM station was tuned. The sound from the Sansui 5 way spkrs was amazing. The tone was deep, rich and had a tube-like warmth. In '74 my dad got me a Centrex by Pioneer compact system with attached BSR changer and matching spkrs. As I grew, I became enamored of MARANTZ receivers. I love the tube-like warmth of tone and they're look, among all the outstanding features & specs. For now, I am playing with a Pioneer 580. Modest... yes, but quite a performer! It is a beautifully restored ebay find that looked fresh outta 1978 and performs equally. It runs really well, though I run it too hard, (I'm kinda a beast with all that disco and kinda heavy on the volume). Until then, it will do, and better than many others!
My friend Bill had one, the reverb is hokey ! U can tap on the cabinet and Hear the Reverb Spring inside. (Booong--Booong) through the speakers. its still a Great receiver. Looks cool too.
My 1979 SX-780 is great....paid 200.00 for it in D.C., In working condition....took it to Action Electronics in Wmbg Va......he's been in business for 50 years! Tuned here... fuse replacent new Darlingron....cleaned tuner.......he believed mine had low hours overall....charged me 167.00 for the refresh. Linked to my 6ohm Yamaha towers the 45 w.p.c. sounds just great for the room size!❤😂
Same! I was surprised my 780 made the list. I love it. Still unrestored but sounds great. All original lights, etc. One day it might need restoration and then the hard part of finding a good shop local to me begins.
I was helping my landlord clean out her garage last year, racked my shin on a large heavy object wrapped in plastic and covered with a blanket. I unwrapped the offending object that drew blood from my shin. I stood looking at a SX 1250 with no signs of ware or ever being used. I called her up to ask about the 1250. She said they packed it away when her husband died in 1978. She said I can have it if I want and that there are some speakers in the garage that I can also have. Found the speakers, Polk RTA 12b that were new in the box. Now I have the 1250 running the SDA 2's and the Pioneer VSX D1A running the RTA's and monitor 7's with a Dynaudio center and Velodyne sub. Great channel.
@@martyjewell5683 Yes I have, tiled her bathroom, anything that needs fixing on her property I repair. I also cook her dinner at least once a week for the last year. She also gave me a mint 1975 Colt Python 2.5. Guess I will be making her a few more dinners.
@@RaiderCBR6.5- far freakin' out. Good for you. The 1250 is a great score and the Polk's are "icing on the cake". I priced/tested the Polk Monitor 7's in late 1970's while speaker shopping. Stunning stereo imaging and athoritive bass. Really dig the gun gift. I have a mint (1966) Smith model 36 snubbie but that mint Python is almost too valuable to shoot. She got a sister that needs help???
@@martyjewell5683 Sorry no sister. I love my 7's, got them 5 years ago at a thrift store for 10 buck's. They look a little beat up but sound great. Python looks great but I allway's thought the pull type cylinder open was retarded.
I have the SX-939 Pioneer at 70 watts per channel and also has the same type speaker connections as the 1010. Was purchased new at the Frankfurt audio club in Germany when I was in the service circa 1973. Still have the original owners manual and advertisement brochure. Awesome,heavy well built and fantastic sounding receiver. They also had a Quad(four channel)receiver at that time as that was supposed to be the newest thing coming down the pike as far as audio tech goes. I did purchase a Dual 1229Q turntable for some reason but never got a Quad cartridge for it as My receiver is only two channel and Quad went the way of the Dodo bird and Carrier Pigeon.
Just had a complete restoration on my SX 1250 by one of the best audio companies in the business (no LEDs ever). It took a long time and was hella expensive but worth it! I have 9 Pioneer monsters 😎
I'm watching the Lions/BUCS game today and came across the Pioneer receiver rankings. I'm wondering how many watching realize the pay rate for an 18 year old kid trying to put a system together was $2/hour😮😮😮😂. I don't remember eating Ramen noodles BUT Uncle Ben's rice, mushroom soup and hamburger - yes, SOS- was a food group 😵💫🤓, sooooooo $500 for a reciever was A LOT.
In the summer of '79 I bought an SX-780 a PL-516 and a barely used CT-F9191 from a local HiFi store. I later added a pair of BA-A100's and it's still my main stereo system to this day. One of the darlingtons recently went on the 780 so I'm replacing both with new discrete units, the clutch is being rebuilt on the F9191 and I've replaced the belt on the 516 in the past. Not bad for 40+ year old gear. I have other HiFi and surround systems in the house but the old Pioneer is still the King!
I agree, I have less love for the xx80s series after examining the inside(s). The Vu Meter problem can be remedied with the xx50 series with a Realistic APM-200 Power meter, which I use for my SX-1250. I had the power board(s) and EQ Boards recapped on my SX-1250 recently this year and it sounds better than ever. A keeper unit that I prefer to anything else in Pioneer's line.
Check out the SX-2500 from the early 70's. 72 watts per channel and motorized auto-tuning. (You could purchase a optional remote control for it as well.) Capacitor-coupled amp section and the most powerful receiver they made until the direct-coupled SX-1010.
I scored a SX-6000 pretty cheap. It needed all new bulbs and is working great. It isn't as nice as the 9000 but it does have a lot of features. I plan to do some recapping on it. Probably the power supply and output section.
I just discovered your UA-cam channel, and I have to say I love your stuff, and your approach to vintage audio. I've been into audio since the '70's, so like you, I remember drooling over many of these units when they were new, but of course as a wet behind the ears teenager, I didn't have the money to buy them. I'm glad people like you are saving these wonderful pieces of industrial art. Keep up the good work.
Happy to have one from the list. I grew up listening to my dad's SX-780 and CS-77A speakers. He still has them but will not part with them. Finally got a 780 early this year. Its one of those things where I know the 50 series is better overall, but I like the look of the 80 series. I also have a 580 that serves as our main 2 channel in the living room. The 780 is out in the den and more for me.
Feature wise,, and amplifier capability....The 828 was our best effort...Closest competition was a Sansui 8....828 sold for $429...The Sansui was 100 more..
I bought a SX9000 in 1970 and still have it. Yes it is a great stereo and I liked the reverb. Had it connected to a Panasonic 8-track recorder/player, Sony reel to reel tape recorder/player, and a nice record player.
I have an old Pioneer that I just bought. It's not vintage like the ones in this video, it's from 1994. 150x2 Pioneer VSX-504S. My goodness, my Cerwin Vega D5s are loving the power.
These are under the radar. They are low powered but they are fantastic for near field/small room listening. I have the SX-440 paired with some PSB imagine XBs. The sound is so good. The most tubey sounding receiver I've ever come across but still has tight and well defined bass. They Look incredible one of my all time favorite looking receivers.
The SX-1250 is a great receiver, but my personal favorite has always been the SX-1980. On the market today asking prices are as high as $15,000. The original price in 1978 was $1295.00 making the $15,000 not so far out of the ball park in todays dollars.
I bought a mint condition Pioneer SX-790, off a Facebook Marketplace ad 4 yrs ago, for $220. Now I don't know a lot about receivers, but I knew enough to know; to get it in the car & go, before he changed his mind! 😂 She's a beauty! I've put more thought into who I'll will my SX-790 to, than I have my car or my house. ...And I'm only 50!😂
that was a turning point in my life ,i stoped using heroin and cocked cocaine(by me) and give more attention to the top components from the 76 pioneer catalog, that my father said to me ,"Stop asking yourself when you bought it ,i gave it to you for your mother doesn´t put me out of the house after buying my revox /studer system ,B series but you only told me, "i want a BMW 535i"and i asked myself, This family is crazy" "he died almost two years ago with 97 years old because of a clinical test badly done and he was an active person
Having owned the 780 and the 750, the sx 750 kicks the 780 off the field. Easy to work on, 50wpc, great look and beautiful sound. The 750 and 850 can be found for less money. Personally I like them better. I agree, my sx 1250 is my all time fave.
I have a 750 in my bedroom and 780 in my living room. The 780 was mint minus in original box for $500 so I just had to get it. I do understand the preference of the 750 it just feels and sounds a little more natural idk. I've enjoyed both hoping to get a Marantz one day but the prices are pretty much out of my range at the moment.
The SX-1010 is by far my favourite of the bunch. I love the look and the sound. The SX-780 have these STK darlington pack. It's the STK-0050 if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if they're available, but I prefer to pass on this one. Also, you're not wrong when you point out the power supply , it's the most important part of any receiver or amplifier.
Kevin, Thanks for another excellent video. I've had quite a few Pioneer receivers. My current favorite is a completely restored SX-770 I recently picked up. It sounds amazing. I love the rare black glass front on it. Second favorite is probably my SX-626 also fully recapped and restored. I've always wanted an SX-9000 like your #5 spot, but it's freaking enormous and I don't have room for it anywhere. Thanks again for the video.
IMO all of the great receivers Pioneer ever built led up to the SX-x50 series where they reached their absolute peak of quality, then they started to cut corners and it was downhill from there. The SX-850 through the SX-1250 are the cream of the crop to me. Awesome power amp sections with 4 TO3 output transistors per channel, well designed power supplies and protection circuits, excellent FM tuner and phono sections. You need anything better get separates.
I picked up a SX-650 for free on NYC Craigs List a couple of months ago and spent $120 to get everything working plus $15 for some warm amber LED's. I absolutely love it and have it hooked up to my PL-15Dii turntable and KLH Model 6's.
I worked at Pioneer USA for over 20 years.Before I left I bought the last VSX-49 txi . I paid 750 for it. It was the last one sold in this country ever. I use it to drive my Bower and Wilkins 805’s. Sounds very good with my TSU sub. It was very sad when Samsung broke Pioneers patents on plasma and drove Pioneer into the ground. Samsung is a very very corrupt company. Beatles forever.
I really enjoyed this list, partly because two of my favorite receivers in the world are on this list AND on my shelf: the SX-1010 and the SX-1250. I had a Pioneer SX-525 and a PL-12 turntable when I was in college, but somewhere along the line all my stereo stuff went away, and for the life of me I don't know what happened. Life, I guess. Like the Joni Mitchell song says, "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". Like a lot of people, I guess I thought compact discs were the way to go ... what was I thinking?!? Then one day about 15 years later I was in a thrift store and ran across an old Dual 1225 turntable, and my heart did a backflip ... I didn't buy that turntable, but I walked out of that store a changed man. That was when I started on my journey to get my vinyl mojo working again, and over time, one craigslist ad and garage sale and lucky thrift store find at a time, I was able to lay my hands on a whole series of great pieces, including a couple of Sansui receivers and a whole herd of Pioneers: a 750, a 780, a 1010 and a 1250 (the two receivers I will keep to my dying day), plus a Pioneer PL-530 turntable, a Sony reel to reel, some Advent speakers and who knows what else ... and how much fun it's been and continues to be! I've been lucky enough to find most of these things at good prices, and I'm happy to keep my local vintage stereo repair guys in business.
I always liked the sx-950. It seemed more reasonable. Don't get me wrong Id love a 1250 but.. life . I have an old Fisher 700 T series. Sweet sounding little receiver/amp. 1. I want the all brushed stainless face plates to come back more. 2. analog cannot be beat (to me). Like a good vinyl record vs a CD -sterilized flatness...
I picked up a sx 1010 about 2 years ago from original owner smoke free house mint condition. Just a vintage heavy beast had my tech clean it recap it led lamps have it running into a set of hpm 100s 200 watt version just a killer combo. Love one of my favorite combos of my collection. The next one on my list will be a sx 1250 but will wait for that deal to come along they are just crazy in price still Thanks as always really enjoy your videos after I watch a couple of your videos just gets me right back into it again. Plus there is no one around me that gives a crap about this vintage stuff lol. So thank you. Gary from Long Island.
I was an owner of an sx 1250 about ten years ago. I sold it to a sucker for 600 bucks and bought a Fisher 800b. I never looked back. Tubes are the way to go. Warmer, richer and more dynamic sound.
@@anthonypuopolo4586 groovy. I probably shoulda recognized your intent. Take Care. Just had a thought I’ve never really listened to a tube amp before. I’m gonna put that on my things to do list.
Great Video and I agree 100% on your choices. 828 paired with 63DX speaker are amazing. Plus X50 > X80 any day! Please do a The Fisher Video Next. I own a kx-200, 400, 500B, 500C and 800B
The 50 series had, hands down, the most buttons, switches and lights of all their series. I didn't like the move to the 80 series and a more bare bones look. The only two Pioneer receivers I've owned were an SX-434 in 1975 and traded up to the SX-650 in 1977. Both long gone but I did rescue an SX-434 from the trash and had it restored for $60. I use it in my 900+cu/ft kitchen hifi system. Really dug the effortless flywheel tuning and solid sounding (and working) toggle switches of the SX-650, it was boss.
My SX-434 drives two pairs of speakers; Boston Acoustics A-40 and Synergistics S12B. Both are 8 ohm systems and have minimum power requirements of 5w so the little Pioneer has good reserve power with 18wpc into 4 ohm loads though rated for only 15wpc into 8 ohms. Gotta like the blue back lit meter and dial scale, orange station pointer and red STEREO lamp. Sooooo nostalgic and useful to boot. @@gabriel38g
THANKS FOR SUCH PASSION FOR "The True Pioneer". I could write for a week on my experiences, growing up working as a bench tech in NJ in the 70's, at a Pioneer Authorized Service Center/Dealer. Actually I learned Electricity & Radio servicing in grade school, had a business card for Transistor and Tube Radio repair in 4th grade/1964. Met and was mentored by a WW2 vet TV Shop powner in Newton, asked him questions like what was Biasing. Later in HS I went to Lafayette Radio on Rte 46, alot, and bought a Hammarlund HQ129X I still have, as my Novice Ham upgrade receiver, from their Alltronics Service Labs in the same building. The next year when I could drive, I worked there as a Lafayette tech, fixing all those open uA703 IF epoxied IC's. And Sansui 3000/5000X blown amps and speakers from returning Vets. The Greek owner, Fedon, commented how good the new Pioneer stereos were, just emerging. I worked there every summer and holiday from college and Fedon moved the shop to Flanders, and opened up his own store, Acrosound Electronics. That is where I bought my SX1010, saving all summer vor the Employee $470 cost. Ther were $699.95 Retail, and Fair Trade laws only allowed discounting in a System purchase. I had it in College with 2 OHM F speakers vibrating the windows of the dorm room! The only repair was a leaking 18000uF cap which I fixed under warranty, and paid for my time! NOTHING was as much fun to me than fixing and aligning tuners abd stereos, just an antenna and headphones requred! I had the biggest Winegard FM antenna atop a tower on our house in Sparta, and you could set the dial between even markings, spin the rotor and pick up 2-4 stations from Delaware to Mass on FM bavk in the late 70's when WABC FM ruled NYC. After graduation with an EE degree, my job after TI was at Harris Broadcast Products in Quincy IL. Bought a better antenna and made a ham radio club Alarm Clock to turn the SX-1010 and Phase 4000 preamp and 700B, all I still have! It picked up KSHE-FM from STL 140 miles away, good quieting. The reason is the 1010's 5 gang TWO MOSFET RF Stages, and 6 Ceramic Filters. A fully SPLIT RAIL +/-voltage in the preamp and main amp, with +/-54V supplies CRUSHED the competiion, as you said. Somewhere in ILL, I picked up a 2 ft wide wood and brushed metal Pioneer store sign, like your more impressive Ohms sign, I never knew about! Fully recapped my SX-1010, but need to rezero the FM Quad Coil as XrayTonyB also noted with his very equivalent TX9100/SA9100 pair. The push switches are the worst to restore, however. BTW I have the KP-500 Supertuner from my Renault 17G, at my desk, where I am still testing stuff with my Ham Radio and Electronics Tech skills, now on 400G Fiber Optical R&D for EMC and Reliability at ADVA Optical Networking. I replaced all the coupling caps with larger ones, put in 78xx voltage regulators everywhere, an AUX in and the rare Pioneer FM Noise Canceller into the FM IF chain. Just SUBSCRIBED, Your review is amazing! 73's, Hilary W4HDL
Ive read many owners of multiple Pioneer receivers say the SX-1010 is the best sounding. The 1250 is a grail piece and I am hoping to have one in the next year or so. The SX-3900 is criminally underrated IMO.
Great video, good memories. I have a SX-9000 and love it ... earlier this year I pulled it out of storage and had it fully serviced and re-capped, and it's just amazing; listening to it on my CS-99A's just brings back good memories! Thanks again!
I have the European twin of the SX-1250 the all black SX-5590 it has been refurbished by a competent tech and she sounds absolutely fabulous. This Pioneer beauty is a stupid good match driving TeKton Lore speakers it replaced a 2021 Accuphase model E-280 integrate I had at many times the price of the SX-5590. I use it in a home office in the back ground low volume any clients that stop in 8 out of 10 times all business is pushed aside momentarily the conversation switches to the attention grabbing look of the receiver then some ask for a demonstration . My office system AfterDark music server , Denafrips 12th Anniversary Venus II dac , Pioneer SX-5590 and TeKton Lore speakers with factory upgrades by far the best entry level system I have ever experienced thanks to the Pioneer receiver…
Grew up with a SX-950 which ruined me for all other amplifiers. I have never recaptured that powerful sound and it was Beautiful to look at. Elvis is getting misty... BTW - I personally never liked the black meters on the 80 series.
I had both the 1280 and 1980 in the 80’s. Both of them had problems with clipping where the sound would come in and out. Had I known people who could fix them in the future I would have kept them. I hated the 1980 because every time my unit went on alert I would have to haul it down several flights of stairs to store in the arms room. It weighed 88 pounds if I’m not mistaken.
By the time they got to the end of the silver face era those 3x00 series were a total nightmare to work on. I'm glad one of those fluoroscan units didn't make your list.
the main diference is before 1980 (included) and after(all brands) ,nothing more. the pioneer speaker plugs existed but those were standart at the time although european brands used them till 1979, i got several stereo receivers in the 80´s some were by the trash others were sold for what today is 5€ ,that´s how i got around 28 stereo receivers from the 70´s ,pioneer ones ,i also have from sansui, kenwood, technics, new acustic dimention, yamaha, akai, schneider, philips, normende, hh scott, rotel, luxman, this are the ones i got cheap, some colect stamps i colect hi-fi components ,in the 90´s i bought a receiver from pioneer a SX-604RDS it had very clean sound and i was using some celestion speakers from late 80´s but still in warranty the stand-by stoped working correctelly and i send it to be restored ,in those two weeks i went to get a receiver from 74 ,the ES-system from pioneer receiver ,it´s said to have 7w+7w ,but with this old receiver made the woofer vibrate a lot the highs were more cleaner and not so hurtfull for the ears and the loudness was to blame but the tone controls were better sounding but in the 90´s i started to use modern stuff ,that´s why i bought that receiver for my living room but when conecting it again i felt sad because i lost all that dynamic in sound that came from this well built but poor in watts ES receiver with only 7 watts per channel at 8 ohms the new had 64 watts per channel, that´s why in the begining i said what i´ve said , regards
Great to get info from a servicing perspective. Give me and 950 or 1050 and I would be over the moon. Best era! The silver seems to be a different colour between the 80 and 50 Series. There is something about receivers that really complete a room and get people into this hobby. The gateway drug. I am Sansui guy as well. I sold my receivers to go with integrated amps but miss them. Picking up a little Sansui 2000X this afternoon to fill the void. Stoked ! You guys are really building your brand with these videos. Great shirts !
@@skylabsaudio Cool! I think I just wanted the wood case as much as the receiver. I am in awe. A Beauty. Maybe even nicer than a Marantz case? More understated.
Maybe I shouldn’t mention this, but I was at a local Best Buy (I live fairly close to your shop) and went over to the Geek Squad area, and noticed some electronics on a cart. I asked if somebody was actually repairing them at the store, and the employee said “no, this is going to recycling”. On the cart was an ABSOLUTELY IMMACULATE SX-780. Like, it looked completely new old stock. No chips in the cabinet, no scratches on the case, nothing. I told him that was unfortunate, and asked if anybody ever takes any of the “recyclables” home. He said unfortunately no, and they’d get in trouble. He then proceeded to jokingly say “you should take it home 😂”, and that was all I needed. Went back, grabbed the reciever, and ran out of the store. It works like new, and is one of my main amps to this day. Disgusting to see stuff like this go to e-waste, especially in the 2020s. Funny thing is, I went to a garage sale in Ames a week or two later, and there were a bunch of christmas lights wadded up being stored in an original SX-780 box. I asked the lady if I could just buy the box, and she gave it to me for a dollar. Spent more on the box than the reciever…😂
Good job! Glad you got it!
Great story, I wish I was you
That is the hifi version of a barn find! I love the SX-xx80 series
You were at the right place at the right time. Glad to know that you were able to "recycle" this 780!
That warms my heart......I love Pioneer receivers from the 70s. I restored my father's SX-838 and love it to this day.
I have a SX1250…bought new in 78…by my dad…. Not recapped…all original…what a beast…powers a pair of Snell Type A loudspeakers..with a Pioneer PL560 turntable…some really awesome equipment….I love it…😀
That's fantastic. Good for you!
Same! I have my late father's (purchased new) SX1250, all original. Will look to getting it completely overhauled early next year.
Still jam my SX-1080 to this day. Never been serviced either. Bought it in the Marines when I was in Okinawa in 1987...on base for $550. The only reason I didn't pick the 1250 is because it had no VU meters, and that was HUGE back in the day lol.
I bought a 780 in 1980. Wanted the 850. Bro in law had one. Got the Hpm 100s back then. Still have it. Kick ass!
Love the HPMs!
I bought a SX-780 in 1979 at a small audio shop in Minneapolis called “ Sound of Music “. It went on to be known as Best Buy. That little Pioneer played through countless high school and college parties. It started my lifelong obsession with audio equipment. What a great journey!
Great video! Wow. I was with Pioneer in their Gardena regional office from 1975-78, and as Assistant Sales Manager had an SX-1250, HPM 100s, turntable, and cassette player on loan. I gave it all back when we parted company, due to financial considerations. It was a monster, with that giant toroidal transformer and immense capacitors. In hindsight . . .
I just bought a sx1250 five months ago, I love it I thought I would never have a chance to own one. Now I bought sx3800,880,780 and a sx950 and slowly I have been repairing them. Having one this stereos is like having a vintage guitar or an old Rolex, I'm so glad I bought them.
I bought my SX-1250 at an on base stereo store while stationed in the Army at Wildflecken, Germany in 1977. It sits here in my home office with 4 HPM-100 speakers (silver blow holes) and I have the original shipping boxes and all documentation. Everybody that has ever seen my equipment in the 46 years I have owned it has been overwhelmed by it's appearance. I also have a Pioneer PL-570 turntable, an RT-1020 reel, CTF1250 cassette, SR202W Reverb, SG-9500 EQ, RG-1 Processor and (4) CS-99A speakers. I sure would like to get my hands on a mint condition SD-1100 Stereo Display Unit.
I own an SX-780 and the STK packs recently died, I was able to buy a brand new custom kit and get the unit back up and running. It is such a beautiful unit that sounds great, the VU meters and mono/stereo switch are my favorite features.
I've got a mint sx-750. Taken out of original box new 2 years ago. It's amazing. Big enough for my needs. Looks gorgeous too!
I've got a Pioneer SX-1000TW. It was mainly sold overseas in 1969/1970. Its got an awesome tuner and is very well built!
That's great. I also have a Pioneer SX-1000TW. My folks bought it in Europe early 70's. It's got some issues that I am trying to work out. I hope to gain some knowledge here to help me out.
Year ago I had a fair amount of pioneer receivers. The one I miss the most was the modest little 780. I know it's not well thought of but the little sx1500t is one I also should have kept.
Love my SX 828
I like a power lever, flip instead of a button to push. And I like it when the tuner dial keeps moving when you let go of the knob after spinning it. There's alot of 4 channel that I would rather be a 2 channel and if I could design one myself I would make it a 3 channel, left, right, and a low pass subwoofer channel. The receiver I have lights up a different color when the station is in or out of tune, that's pretty cool. Instead of a led indicator, the whole back lighting changes.
I'm an audio guy from way back. The 1000 was my first real experience with a real piece of equipment. I spotted a SX1250 at a flea market. $65! Killer.
I moved up the ladder from a used 780 to a 980 then went digital with SX-D7000. So loud, so clean and clear. No regrets, other than I wish I would have kept and stashed away the smaller SX's.
I'm still using the Pioneer SX-780 i bought in tenth grade brand new.The Darlington's have crapped out a few times but she's still ticking.
I have the sx780 and sx790 these 2 receivers give you the ability to swap parts and the sx790 has a history behind the black tuning dial
My buddy still has an SX1250 he bought new, beautiful and out of my price range. I ran across an SX424, a little beauty. Had to repair it, blown output section. Loved it but gave it away in the 90s. Later when my son was ready for college, I found another SX424, he loves it with a set of B&W speakers, such clear sound. I have an SX980 which I'm going to do a full service on shortly, caps, etc. I was using it but decided it was time to service/replace parts. Love this review/retrospective. Totally agree on #1 and also the SX780. I liked hearing about the other units as well.
Thank you! Great minds ;)
I wholeheartedly agree with your line up. The only bad thing about a 70 pound receiver is moving it out to swap connections.
I own a 1250 and a 1980 and I have always said I could blindfold and play both threw a pair of HPM 150 and you cannot tell the difference. I feel like you nailed it with what you said.
I think any x50 is a gem. Even the little SX 450 is a great little receiver. I've got an SX 850 and a SX 5590, which is a Euro black version of the 1250. My SX 780 is broken, bad Darlington but now maybe it's worth fixing.
I recently restored an SX-850 and it is incredible. My daily driver in fact. The phono stage sounds wonderful.
In April of 2021 we were "downsizing", moving into a tiny house. Reluctantly l had to part with most of my vintage stereo stuff, which included, but not limited to, my much loved Pioneers. An SX-650, my garage unit, and an SX-880, which was my first inside unit. Loved them both. Got a total of $675. The purchaser was very pleased and l was a bit saddened at the time. In total l sold 4 recievers and a turntable.
I have an SX-6000. I haven't recapped it and it still has a nice, warm sound. It has been in my family for 2 generations and it is paired with the CS-88A
My dad had a 1250 Pioneer and sold it at a yard sale for $80!! He obviously didn't know what he had, this was in 1985. He got it from someone he worked with that was going through a divorce and needed money.
Good video! For me, when it comes to vintage Pioneer it would be 50 series not 80. I know the 1980 is the King but I would get a 1250 or a 750. Thanks for putting that list together.
Yeah pioneer 1980 maybe is a King, but it wasnt as expensive as pioneer Elite c90a /m90a or exclusive.
Never had a sx-1250 to play with, but I loved my sx-3900.
Had it professionally restored and sold it to a friend who owns a local record shop.
Plays it there through a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls.
After watching this video am so happy that I did the best buy on my sx 1250 fully recapped and I will say it's a 9 out of 10.
I recently picked up a Pioneer SXV90 that is rated at 125 watts per channel. It's flat faced. It was also my 1st stereo receiver I bought as a 14 year old kid working at Kroger grocery store in Charlotte NC in the 80s. I spilt water in it and sold it needing to be serviced. Well the one I just bought off Etsy had it for 150 and worked but no sound. I watched it for a month and saw him cut the price in half but I still couldn't get it. So I see he has it up for 25 dollars and I look closer to the back panel and noticed the Preamp and power amp jumpers aren't in it so I bought it without even looking at the shipping 😅 so I buy some jumpers for it and boom she works and now I have my childhood stereo back . I it needs to be serviced as it get too hot I think and shuts off sound. So something is definitely wrong but it's definitely working and for 100 bucks I don't think I could do better unless I was just given one 😅.
Back in '73, I heard my first Sansui. It was eye candy with green lights and a dial pointer which turned red when a stereo FM station was tuned. The sound from the Sansui 5 way spkrs was amazing. The tone was deep, rich and had a tube-like warmth. In '74 my dad got me a Centrex by Pioneer compact system with attached BSR changer and matching spkrs. As I grew, I became enamored of MARANTZ receivers. I love the tube-like warmth of tone and they're look, among all the outstanding features & specs. For now, I am playing with a Pioneer 580. Modest... yes, but quite a performer! It is a beautifully restored ebay find that looked fresh outta 1978 and performs equally. It runs really well, though I run it too hard, (I'm kinda a beast with all that disco and kinda heavy on the volume). Until then, it will do, and better than many others!
My friend Bill had one, the reverb is hokey ! U can tap on the cabinet and Hear the Reverb Spring inside. (Booong--Booong) through the speakers. its still a Great receiver. Looks cool too.
Just recently acquired my fathers Pioneer set up. SA-800, TX-1000, PL-6
My 1979 SX-780 is great....paid 200.00 for it in D.C., In working condition....took it to Action Electronics in Wmbg Va......he's been in business for 50 years! Tuned here... fuse replacent new Darlingron....cleaned tuner.......he believed mine had low hours overall....charged me 167.00 for the refresh. Linked to my 6ohm Yamaha towers the 45 w.p.c. sounds just great for the room size!❤😂
bought a SX-1250 in the 1986 and still have sounds very good running HPM100b
I was happy to see that my SX780 made your list... Which I think will outlast me..
We need to add the 780 to cockroaches and Twinkies for the ability to survive a nuclear explosion.
Same! I was surprised my 780 made the list. I love it. Still unrestored but sounds great. All original lights, etc. One day it might need restoration and then the hard part of finding a good shop local to me begins.
I was helping my landlord clean out her garage last year, racked my shin on a large heavy object wrapped in plastic and covered with a blanket. I unwrapped the offending object that drew blood from my shin. I stood looking at a SX 1250 with no signs of ware or ever being used. I called her up to ask about the 1250. She said they packed it away when her husband died in 1978. She said I can have it if I want and that there are some speakers in the garage that I can also have. Found the speakers, Polk RTA 12b that were new in the box. Now I have the 1250 running the SDA 2's and the Pioneer VSX D1A running the RTA's and monitor 7's with a Dynaudio center and Velodyne sub. Great channel.
That was really nice of her, and extremely lucky for you!
PLEASE tell us you gave her something for that stuff.
@@martyjewell5683 Yes I have, tiled her bathroom, anything that needs fixing on her property I repair. I also cook her dinner at least once a week for the last year. She also gave me a mint 1975 Colt Python 2.5. Guess I will be making her a few more dinners.
@@RaiderCBR6.5- far freakin' out. Good for you. The 1250 is a great score and the Polk's are "icing on the cake". I priced/tested the Polk Monitor 7's in late 1970's while speaker shopping. Stunning stereo imaging and athoritive bass. Really dig the gun gift. I have a mint (1966) Smith model 36 snubbie but that mint Python is almost too valuable to shoot. She got a sister that needs help???
@@martyjewell5683 Sorry no sister. I love my 7's, got them 5 years ago at a thrift store for 10 buck's. They look a little beat up but sound great. Python looks great but I allway's thought the pull type cylinder open was retarded.
I have the SX-939 Pioneer at 70 watts per channel and also has the same type speaker connections as the 1010. Was purchased new at the Frankfurt audio club in Germany when I was in the service circa 1973. Still have the original owners manual and advertisement brochure. Awesome,heavy well built and fantastic sounding receiver. They also had a Quad(four channel)receiver at that time as that was supposed to be the newest thing coming down the pike as far as audio tech goes. I did purchase a Dual 1229Q turntable for some reason but never got a Quad cartridge for it as My receiver is only two channel and Quad went the way of the Dodo bird and Carrier Pigeon.
Just had a complete restoration on my SX 1250 by one of the best audio companies in the business (no LEDs ever). It took a long time and was hella expensive but worth it! I have 9 Pioneer monsters 😎
I have a sx 1250 could u share some info on a restoration company thx .. 👍
I'm watching the Lions/BUCS game today and came across the Pioneer receiver rankings. I'm wondering how many watching realize the pay rate for an 18 year old kid trying to put a system together was $2/hour😮😮😮😂. I don't remember eating Ramen noodles BUT Uncle Ben's rice, mushroom soup and hamburger - yes, SOS- was a food group 😵💫🤓, sooooooo $500 for a reciever was A LOT.
In the summer of '79 I bought an SX-780 a PL-516 and a barely used CT-F9191 from a local HiFi store. I later added a pair of BA-A100's and it's still my main stereo system to this day. One of the darlingtons recently went on the 780 so I'm replacing both with new discrete units, the clutch is being rebuilt on the F9191 and I've replaced the belt on the 516 in the past. Not bad for 40+ year old gear. I have other HiFi and surround systems in the house but the old Pioneer is still the King!
I have a SX-1010 and a SX-1080 both are like new. No re-caps etc. The 1080 is a daily user.
I agree, I have less love for the xx80s series after examining the inside(s). The Vu Meter problem can be remedied with the xx50 series with a Realistic APM-200 Power meter, which I use for my SX-1250. I had the power board(s) and EQ Boards recapped on my SX-1250 recently this year and it sounds better than ever. A keeper unit that I prefer to anything else in Pioneer's line.
Agree!
Check out the SX-2500 from the early 70's. 72 watts per channel and motorized auto-tuning. (You could purchase a optional remote control for it as well.) Capacitor-coupled amp section and the most powerful receiver they made until the direct-coupled SX-1010.
Interesting, I looked them up. I had never heard of one. Weird!
I can't argue #1 at all.
I totally restored a SX-949A - love it.
A 1010 with fresh modern caps and new transistors is hard to beat for sound quality.
I'll ALWAYS prefer the black over the silver display! The 550 has better knob feel an d weight however...
I scored a SX-6000 pretty cheap. It needed all new bulbs and is working great. It isn't as nice as the 9000 but it does have a lot of features. I plan to do some recapping on it. Probably the power supply and output section.
I just discovered your UA-cam channel, and I have to say I love your stuff, and your approach to vintage audio. I've been into audio since the '70's, so like you, I remember drooling over many of these units when they were new, but of course as a wet behind the ears teenager, I didn't have the money to buy them. I'm glad people like you are saving these wonderful pieces of industrial art. Keep up the good work.
Happy to have one from the list. I grew up listening to my dad's SX-780 and CS-77A speakers. He still has them but will not part with them. Finally got a 780 early this year. Its one of those things where I know the 50 series is better overall, but I like the look of the 80 series. I also have a 580 that serves as our main 2 channel in the living room. The 780 is out in the den and more for me.
Great video. Can't argue with the SX-780 being on the list. I own two SX-3700's which I love.
Feature wise,, and amplifier capability....The 828 was our best effort...Closest competition was a Sansui 8....828 sold for $429...The Sansui was 100 more..
I bought a SX9000 in 1970 and still have it. Yes it is a great stereo and I liked the reverb. Had it connected to a Panasonic 8-track recorder/player, Sony reel to reel tape recorder/player, and a nice record player.
I have an old Pioneer that I just bought. It's not vintage like the ones in this video, it's from 1994. 150x2 Pioneer VSX-504S. My goodness, my Cerwin Vega D5s are loving the power.
Totally agree on the sx_1250
Love the layout of them ease of working on them bullet proof. Bass response is great. Restore them and they are wonderful.
I like the look of the SX 770. It looks like a McIntosh.
These are under the radar. They are low powered but they are fantastic for near field/small room listening. I have the SX-440 paired with some PSB imagine XBs. The sound is so good. The most tubey sounding receiver I've ever come across but still has tight and well defined bass. They Look incredible one of my all time favorite looking receivers.
The SX-1250 is a great receiver, but my personal favorite has always been the SX-1980. On the market today asking prices are as high as $15,000. The original price in 1978 was $1295.00 making the $15,000 not so far out of the ball park in todays dollars.
This so awesome... love Pioneer's old-school workhorse deal... to me they have always been a go to for receivers or at least their old school stuff.
I bought a mint condition Pioneer SX-790, off a Facebook Marketplace ad 4 yrs ago, for $220.
Now I don't know a lot about receivers, but I knew enough to know; to get it in the car & go, before he changed his mind! 😂
She's a beauty!
I've put more thought into who I'll will my SX-790 to, than I have my car or my house.
...And I'm only 50!😂
that was a turning point in my life ,i stoped using heroin and cocked cocaine(by me) and give more attention to the top components from the 76 pioneer catalog, that my father said to me ,"Stop asking yourself when you bought it ,i gave it to you for your mother doesn´t put me out of the house after buying my revox /studer system ,B series but you only told me, "i want a BMW 535i"and i asked myself, This family is crazy" "he died almost two years ago with 97 years old because of a clinical test badly done and he was an active person
Having owned the 780 and the 750, the sx 750 kicks the 780 off the field. Easy to work on, 50wpc, great look and beautiful sound. The 750 and 850 can be found for less money. Personally I like them better. I agree, my sx 1250 is my all time fave.
Love the 750. That's what I'm using at the moment.
I have a 750 in my bedroom and 780 in my living room. The 780 was mint minus in original box for $500 so I just had to get it. I do understand the preference of the 750 it just feels and sounds a little more natural idk. I've enjoyed both hoping to get a Marantz one day but the prices are pretty much out of my range at the moment.
Try comparing the sx 750 to the sx 880
The SX-1010 is by far my favourite of the bunch. I love the look and the sound.
The SX-780 have these STK darlington pack. It's the STK-0050 if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if they're available, but I prefer to pass on this one.
Also, you're not wrong when you point out the power supply , it's the most important part of any receiver or amplifier.
Great vid ! Agree that the SX-1250 is the one to get. I'm glad I got mine before the prices skyrocketed. The SX-1010 is a work horse as is the 780.
I got my SX-1250 from Facebook Marketplace for $325 10 yrs ago. Best deal I ever made.
Bought the SX 680 back in the late 70's. Sounded great with my little AR 18.
I was hoping for some QX-949 love. Grew up with one and plan on building a vintage system around one this winter.
Sorry, quad stuff is a nightmare to work on. They look incredible though
Kevin, Thanks for another excellent video. I've had quite a few Pioneer receivers. My current favorite is a completely restored SX-770 I recently picked up. It sounds amazing. I love the rare black glass front on it. Second favorite is probably my SX-626 also fully recapped and restored. I've always wanted an SX-9000 like your #5 spot, but it's freaking enormous and I don't have room for it anywhere. Thanks again for the video.
IMO all of the great receivers Pioneer ever built led up to the SX-x50 series where they reached their absolute peak of quality, then they started to cut corners and it was downhill from there. The SX-850 through the SX-1250 are the cream of the crop to me. Awesome power amp sections with 4 TO3 output transistors per channel, well designed power supplies and protection circuits, excellent FM tuner and phono sections. You need anything better get separates.
I have an s6 780 and a Pioneer wood base turntable with Pioneer CS-703 speakers. Running off for 100 bucks in a yard sale
I picked up a SX-650 for free on NYC Craigs List a couple of months ago and spent $120 to get everything working plus $15 for some warm amber LED's. I absolutely love it and have it hooked up to my PL-15Dii turntable and KLH Model 6's.
I worked at Pioneer USA for over 20 years.Before I left I bought the last VSX-49 txi . I paid 750 for it. It was the last one sold in this country ever. I use it to drive my Bower and Wilkins 805’s. Sounds very good with my TSU sub.
It was very sad when Samsung broke Pioneers patents on plasma and drove Pioneer into the ground. Samsung is a very very corrupt company. Beatles forever.
I really enjoyed this list, partly because two of my favorite receivers in the world are on this list AND on my shelf: the SX-1010 and the SX-1250. I had a Pioneer SX-525 and a PL-12 turntable when I was in college, but somewhere along the line all my stereo stuff went away, and for the life of me I don't know what happened. Life, I guess. Like the Joni Mitchell song says, "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". Like a lot of people, I guess I thought compact discs were the way to go ... what was I thinking?!?
Then one day about 15 years later I was in a thrift store and ran across an old Dual 1225 turntable, and my heart did a backflip ... I didn't buy that turntable, but I walked out of that store a changed man. That was when I started on my journey to get my vinyl mojo working again, and over time, one craigslist ad and garage sale and lucky thrift store find at a time, I was able to lay my hands on a whole series of great pieces, including a couple of Sansui receivers and a whole herd of Pioneers: a 750, a 780, a 1010 and a 1250 (the two receivers I will keep to my dying day), plus a Pioneer PL-530 turntable, a Sony reel to reel, some Advent speakers and who knows what else ... and how much fun it's been and continues to be! I've been lucky enough to find most of these things at good prices, and I'm happy to keep my local vintage stereo repair guys in business.
I purchased an sx780 on ebay for only $350. Its in decent shape. Everything works it seems to only need some de-oxit on the controls.
I always liked the sx-950. It seemed more reasonable. Don't get me wrong Id love a 1250 but.. life . I have an old Fisher 700 T series. Sweet sounding little receiver/amp.
1. I want the all brushed stainless face plates to come back more.
2. analog cannot be beat (to me). Like a good vinyl record vs a CD -sterilized flatness...
Yes i agree with mr. Skylab. The 1250 is the best sounding pioneer ever. Taking nothing away from the 1980, it definitely has the power.
I picked up a sx 1010 about 2 years ago from original owner smoke free house mint condition. Just a vintage heavy beast had my tech clean it recap it led lamps have it running into a set of hpm 100s 200 watt version just a killer combo. Love one of my favorite combos of my collection. The next one on my list will be a sx 1250 but will wait for that deal to come along they are just crazy in price still Thanks as always really enjoy your videos after I watch a couple of your videos just gets me right back into it again. Plus there is no one around me that gives a crap about this vintage stuff lol. So thank you.
Gary from Long Island.
Thanks, Gary from long island. Always appreciate your kind words :)
Agree that the 50 series is better than 80.
I was an owner of an sx 1250 about ten years ago. I sold it to a sucker for 600 bucks and bought a Fisher 800b. I never looked back. Tubes are the way to go. Warmer, richer and more dynamic sound.
I like and have both. Each does something the other can't.
Granted, solid state amps require less maintenance and replacing tubes is way more costly than replacing capacitors or resistors.
You took advantage ? Was he 1250 in bad repair ? No disclosure ? 1250’s seem to be a bargain at 600. IDK.
@@tommywingate2220 it was in good working condition. 10 years ago, these receivers don't go for obscenely high prices that they do now.
@@anthonypuopolo4586 groovy. I probably shoulda recognized your intent. Take Care. Just had a thought I’ve never really listened to a tube amp before. I’m gonna put that on my things to do list.
My wife inherited a SX-950 with a pair of Bose 300 (Not sure on this model #) speakers. Can't wait to set it up.
My fav that I own are 737. I own 550 and 424 also.
My 780 is still running from college days, so is my Turntable 518. They won’t die, lol
Great Video and I agree 100% on your choices. 828 paired with 63DX speaker are amazing. Plus X50 > X80 any day!
Please do a The Fisher Video Next. I own a kx-200, 400, 500B, 500C and 800B
The 50 series had, hands down, the most buttons, switches and lights of all their series. I didn't like the move to the 80 series and a more bare bones look. The only two Pioneer receivers I've owned were an SX-434 in 1975 and traded up to the SX-650 in 1977. Both long gone but I did rescue an SX-434 from the trash and had it restored for $60. I use it in my 900+cu/ft kitchen hifi system. Really dug the effortless flywheel tuning and solid sounding (and working) toggle switches of the SX-650, it was boss.
I have a sx-434 I bought for low $$ and repaired. They are more powerful than the specs suggest and sound great. 😄
My SX-434 drives two pairs of speakers; Boston Acoustics A-40 and Synergistics S12B. Both are 8 ohm systems and have minimum power requirements of 5w so the little Pioneer has good reserve power with 18wpc into 4 ohm loads though rated for only 15wpc into 8 ohms. Gotta like the blue back lit meter and dial scale, orange station pointer and red STEREO lamp. Sooooo nostalgic and useful to boot. @@gabriel38g
I am a Sansui man. I going to start collecting Pioneers now, thanks a lot!
Really Dig Your Show!
Thank you, Tommy!
THANKS FOR SUCH PASSION FOR "The True Pioneer". I could write for a week on my experiences, growing up working as a bench tech in NJ in the 70's, at a Pioneer Authorized Service Center/Dealer. Actually I learned Electricity & Radio servicing in grade school, had a business card for Transistor and Tube Radio repair in 4th grade/1964. Met and was mentored by a WW2 vet TV Shop powner in Newton, asked him questions like what was Biasing. Later in HS I went to Lafayette Radio on Rte 46, alot, and bought a Hammarlund HQ129X I still have, as my Novice Ham upgrade receiver, from their Alltronics Service Labs in the same building. The next year when I could drive, I worked there as a Lafayette tech, fixing all those open uA703 IF epoxied IC's. And Sansui 3000/5000X blown amps and speakers from returning Vets. The Greek owner, Fedon, commented how good the new Pioneer stereos were, just emerging. I worked there every summer and holiday from college and Fedon moved the shop to Flanders, and opened up his own store, Acrosound Electronics. That is where I bought my SX1010, saving all summer vor the Employee $470 cost. Ther were $699.95 Retail, and Fair Trade laws only allowed discounting in a System purchase. I had it in College with 2 OHM F speakers vibrating the windows of the dorm room! The only repair was a leaking 18000uF cap which I fixed under warranty, and paid for my time! NOTHING was as much fun to me than fixing and aligning tuners abd stereos, just an antenna and headphones requred! I had the biggest Winegard FM antenna atop a tower on our house in Sparta, and you could set the dial between even markings, spin the rotor and pick up 2-4 stations from Delaware to Mass on FM bavk in the late 70's when WABC FM ruled NYC. After graduation with an EE degree, my job after TI was at Harris Broadcast Products in Quincy IL. Bought a better antenna and made a ham radio club Alarm Clock to turn the SX-1010 and Phase 4000 preamp and 700B, all I still have! It picked up KSHE-FM from STL 140 miles away, good quieting. The reason is the 1010's 5 gang TWO MOSFET RF Stages, and 6 Ceramic Filters. A fully SPLIT RAIL +/-voltage in the preamp and main amp, with +/-54V supplies CRUSHED the competiion, as you said. Somewhere in ILL, I picked up a 2 ft wide wood and brushed metal Pioneer store sign, like your more impressive Ohms sign, I never knew about! Fully recapped my SX-1010, but need to rezero the FM Quad Coil as XrayTonyB also noted with his very equivalent TX9100/SA9100 pair. The push switches are the worst to restore, however. BTW I have the KP-500 Supertuner from my Renault 17G, at my desk, where I am still testing stuff with my Ham Radio and Electronics Tech skills, now on 400G Fiber Optical R&D for EMC and Reliability at ADVA Optical Networking. I replaced all the coupling caps with larger ones, put in 78xx voltage regulators everywhere, an AUX in and the rare Pioneer FM Noise Canceller into the FM IF chain. Just SUBSCRIBED, Your review is amazing! 73's, Hilary W4HDL
Thank you for sharing that! Really appreciate it!
At the heart of my main living room hifi is a SX1250, original condition unrestored and it sound awesome. Great vid.
Thanks!
Ive read many owners of multiple Pioneer receivers say the SX-1010 is the best sounding. The 1250 is a grail piece and I am hoping to have one in the next year or so. The SX-3900 is criminally underrated IMO.
I love my SX626, that was my dads
That aluminum piece is easy to make on a CNC milling machine, once you write the program.
Great video, good memories. I have a SX-9000 and love it ... earlier this year I pulled it out of storage and had it fully serviced and re-capped, and it's just amazing; listening to it on my CS-99A's just brings back good memories! Thanks again!
Thank you!
I have the European twin of the SX-1250 the all black SX-5590 it has been refurbished by a competent tech and she sounds absolutely fabulous.
This Pioneer beauty is a stupid good match driving TeKton Lore speakers it replaced a 2021 Accuphase model E-280 integrate I had at many times the price of the SX-5590.
I use it in a home office in the back ground low volume any clients that stop in 8 out of 10 times all business is pushed aside momentarily the conversation switches to the attention grabbing look of the receiver then some ask for a demonstration .
My office system AfterDark music server , Denafrips 12th Anniversary Venus II dac , Pioneer SX-5590 and TeKton Lore speakers with factory upgrades by far the best entry level system I have ever experienced thanks to the Pioneer receiver…
Debating on getting either a Pioneer SX 880 or a Marantz 2265 for my next receiver. Decisions decisions 🤔
I have a 1979 sx780 and i love it
Yep. I owned one and loved it . Huge and heavy.
I do love my Pioneer SX1050 but my Sansui 7070 sounds amazing.
2 excellent receivers IMO
Great video. My top pioneer is sx-1080, beats them all in my view. Also shout out to the close 2nd place, sa-9100 - an incredible amp.
Grew up with a SX-950 which ruined me for all other amplifiers. I have never recaptured that powerful sound and it was Beautiful to look at. Elvis is getting misty...
BTW - I personally never liked the black meters on the 80 series.
I had both the 1280 and 1980 in the 80’s. Both of them had problems with clipping where the sound would come in and out. Had I known people who could fix them in the future I would have kept them. I hated the 1980 because every time my unit went on alert I would have to haul it down several flights of stairs to store in the arms room. It weighed 88 pounds if I’m not mistaken.
I've seen the 1980 going for as much as 14k for a fully restored version
@@Darrylizer1 Way to make it hurt even more.
@@keenedgedesigns Sorry Rudy, I have some stories like that of my own.
@@Darrylizer1 😪
By the time they got to the end of the silver face era those 3x00 series were a total nightmare to work on. I'm glad one of those fluoroscan units didn't make your list.
Agree. Nightmare
Shame though.. That non-switching amplifier sound is Premo!
the main diference is before 1980 (included) and after(all brands) ,nothing more. the pioneer speaker plugs existed but those were standart at the time although european brands used them till 1979, i got several stereo receivers in the 80´s some were by the trash others were sold for what today is 5€ ,that´s how i got around 28 stereo receivers from the 70´s ,pioneer ones ,i also have from sansui, kenwood, technics, new acustic dimention, yamaha, akai, schneider, philips, normende, hh scott, rotel, luxman, this are the ones i got cheap, some colect stamps i colect hi-fi components ,in the 90´s i bought a receiver from pioneer a SX-604RDS it had very clean sound and i was using some celestion speakers from late 80´s but still in warranty the stand-by stoped working correctelly and i send it to be restored ,in those two weeks i went to get a receiver from 74 ,the ES-system from pioneer receiver ,it´s said to have 7w+7w ,but with this old receiver made the woofer vibrate a lot the highs were more cleaner and not so hurtfull for the ears and the loudness was to blame but the tone controls were better sounding but in the 90´s i started to use modern stuff ,that´s why i bought that receiver for my living room but when conecting it again i felt sad because i lost all that dynamic in sound that came from this well built but poor in watts ES receiver with only 7 watts per channel at 8 ohms the new had 64 watts per channel, that´s why in the begining i said what i´ve said , regards
Can't wait to get my sx-1250 restored!
That first one (SX-9000?) is gorgeous, I've never seen that model before.
Great to get info from a servicing perspective. Give me and 950 or 1050 and I would be over the moon. Best era! The silver seems to be a different colour between the 80 and 50 Series. There is something about receivers that really complete a room and get people into this hobby. The gateway drug. I am Sansui guy as well. I sold my receivers to go with integrated amps but miss them. Picking up a little Sansui 2000X this afternoon to fill the void. Stoked ! You guys are really building your brand with these videos. Great shirts !
2000x was my first vintage receiver. I still have and can't sell it :)
@@skylabsaudio Cool! I think I just wanted the wood case as much as the receiver. I am in awe. A Beauty. Maybe even nicer than a Marantz case? More understated.