What is your favorite vintage Pioneer receiver? (And...before anyone comments, RELAX, the receivers were only stacked for this video, not while operating.)
Great video, I Just purchased a Pioneer SX-780 on an ebay auction for $325 last week-end, I already have a SX-3700 that I've been using for years and needed a back-up receiver, and yes I agree since 2020 Vintage Audio prices have insanely gotten higher!
I stopped buying many years ago. I came in during a time when these were still largely affordable. I have many of the nicer Pioneer SX receivers and only just missed out on a 1980, which is now way out of reach for me. At least I have a 1050, 1250 and a 1280 for the higher end and several SX- 550's, 680's, 750's and a minty 780. I also have a minty SX-1000TW. Just gorgeous in the wooden case.
Unless you have a really big room or you listen to music at an unbelievably high volume, the sx780 has more than enough power for 99% of your listening needs. If you check out the watt meters, you rarely listen to music above 10-20 watts.
Thanks for the heads up on the power pack kits popping up for the 780 - I purchased this receiver last year and have really enjoyed it with a pair of Heresy Is that I found recently. Just a few watts gets them filling the room with great imaging
Most all of my vintage gear was given to me . The trick is to let everyone you know that you’re in to vintage audio and you’ll be surprised where they come from. Brother gave me a sx1250 from a guy he did work for. Best buddy gave me a vintage Marantz receiver ( I gave it to another buddy) and Pioneer SX 750 with two CS 99a speakers .. to name a few. Try it and see:)
My late father got his Pioneer System as a retirement present in 1981. Tuner / Amp and a turntable. Plus a cheque to buy the speakers of his own choice - where he chose Celestion.
lol, "...get them hooked on vintage audio and they won't have enough money to buy drugs". Proud original owner of an SX 780 purchased in 1978, along with a PL-560 just like the one in your video. Had at least one of the power packs replaced and later some switches cleaned on the SX 780. The unit still sounds fantastic. Have considered selling it a couple of times but it would be like giving up a child that I loved. Actually, worse than that because I let the children leave years ago (and nobody paid me any money for that). Enjoyed your video.
I bought an SX-780 almost 20 years ago used with a couple missing knobs and one blown power pack. I cleaned it and recapped it as well as replacing those knockoffs twice. I am still not 100% satisfied when playing it low volume. I can hear distortion from those power packs not properly biased by factory. Nothing can be done about it. I went ahead and kept using until this day. I plan to build a couple power packs with discreet parts. I tried many receivers including sx 450, 750, 1250 and sx-980 by my bedside, SX-780 always made it's way back to my bedside. 980 is cleaner but 780 lets me hear the frequencies that I enjoy. Don't leave out SX-880 from the list. I own one and found 880 sounds very much identical to 780 but with 60 watts per channel. Circuits are very much the same as the 780 with a few differences and 880 has discreet parts instead of those power packs. 980 circuit is a different beast. I also own SX-1980 but with dead regulator and thankfully, the outputs are not dead. I will be repair it soon. I had a chance to own entire line of SX-x3x as well as SX-727 and 828. I don't own 980 anymore but still have 1980, 880 and 780. Currently using 780.
I actually bought my 980 off ebay in 2014 for 350.00 shipped. I have been playing it almost daily for the last 10 years, with no issues, so i have definitely got my money's worth out of my unit. I agree, the asking prices have gone insane, since i purchased mine.
I bought a SX780 in 1978 at Tech Hifi. I remember it being on sale which was a big reason I went with it. I’d already had a pair of JBL L-166 Horizons, and it drove them easily. I always said the 780 was underrated.
I showed my wife the image of ‘sneaking a Pioneer into the house’ and now she’s looking out for Pioneer SX’s like a train spotter! I’ll have to be extra stealthy.
I bought a 780 2 years ago for $200 at a garage sale. Exterior in great shape but sound scratchy. I still love the ascetic so 2 weeks ago brought it to highly recommend SoCal vintage pro who will refurbish it using updated components. I bought a projet turn table and considering buying JBL L52 not cause they’re the best, but I came of age in the 70s and loved the L100s. Would love to hear other thoughts relative to speakers and their interaction with SX780
Yes there is a way to use an EQ on the 780 via TAPE MONITOR that is the same of the JUMPER on the rear but instead of JUMPER you have a switch on the FRONT.
Original owner of my 780 from the late '70's, I have the receipt somewhere, I need to dig it out and see what I paid for it. I also have it paired with the original PL200 turntable. Still listening to vinyl! Great video!
1250, 1050, 950 are better units because output transistors are avail for replacement ! The 80 series Darlington outputs are hard to find hence replace. Chinese replacements require modding heat sinks.
No, never buy anything chinese. There are darlington replacements from onsemi and boards have been designed for the 80 series and are available on audio karma.
Haha, over the course of the past 12 or so months, my buddy Stephen said "why not both?" He bought the 780 first, and due to a defective STK-0050 module, I overhauled it using the discrete conversion modules from delta9electronics. I am now about to finish the relatively simple repairs to the 980. The 980 hit 97 clean watts per channel at 1khz on 8-ohm dummy loads, so you are definitely getting those 80 watts! My pal paid $500 for his 980, and the main issues were two bad resistors in the power supply and some very dirty controls.
The 80 series performed well. I bought an sx-1080 in 1978 new for $599. Never had an issue with it. I even drove a stage monitor with it. Kept it for 30 years. Tossed it out in 2008, not knowing about the ‘vintage ‘ trend.
I had a 780 when I was 9ish and was frustrated with A or B and not having A and B :( and then the mid control missing. other than that, I love the sound and have a record player that match the looks, but I think was from a different brand. I'm thinking by only using the 980 as a power amp, it's easier to run a processor for a sub setup on a hi-fi.
@@brianchisnell1548 Is it possible for them switches to break in a way that A and B together stops working I wonder? or maybe I had a rev idk I have 3 different old receivers growing up so I just could be mix up. I just realized I had both too, I had the 980 first and it popped a fuse, so I found a new one at a yard sale and never like the 2nd or 3rd one I got. I just now remember super fine details of the 980. the details you remember from staring at and going into imagination land. the 980 I think was my first and it wreck my first set of speckers and made all the other stuff that came later sound back.
Beautiful receivers. I bought my first integrated amp in 1975. A Sony TA-1130. Since then I have owned amps or receivers from Kenwood, Technics, Harman Kardon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo and Sansui. I never owned a Pioneer and I feel I cheated myself. They are so beautiful. Of course my Marantz 2220b with brand new faceplate, LED lamps and fresh vellum paper is no slouch in the looks department.
@@ForeverAnalog My son gave it to me for Christmas a few years ago. It had a green display and a badly bent corner but now I'm a scratched selector knob away from having it look like a museum piece.
Under $700 for a 980 is cheap! Good deal. My friend offered to sell me an 880 for $400 with the side panels not fixed and $550 if i wanted them fixed. Think i will just do it myself.
Good on you for looking after your boys. I'm sure they will love the experience. Sadly this modern generation have no clue what real music actually sounds like. They've been brainwashed into thinking that rubbish MP3 and sound bars the benchmark. I really feel sorry for them. There is no match for 70's, 80, 90's Hi Fi, especially the 70's gear from the Golden age of HiFi. They are going to be blown away. I have plenty of Pioneer gear. My favourite of the vintage HiFi. Several power amps, receivers and turntables. I have two PL-530's and two PL-570's too. Very proud of both and are in amazing condition considering their age.
Biggest mistake I’ve made in this hobby was to sell my one owner ( with sales slip) pioneer SX1250. I needed the money and it sold in about five minutes. Don’t ask Still have a pioneer SX 750. Also got from the original owner. Have LS3/5a on it now but have original ( to owner ) Pioneer CS99a speakers
get the SX-1010 and you'll never need anything else, I do have the SX-1250, SX-1080 AND 2 SX-1010 and always the SX-1010 thats the one always playing my music, there is something on the SX-1010 that the others just don't.
People really need to stop paying these insane prices for these units that are over 45 years old. Let these sellers get stuck with these units just collecting dust. Greed is a terrible thing
@ForeverAnalog I guess it all depends on what buyers are looking to pay. The buyers most likely won't get the price they are asking especially if the electronics are not "serviced" or "refurbished". These listings that say the item "works" or "tested" is a laughable joke. Potential buyers should call the sellers out on this and give them a piece of mind. Buyer beware!
What is your favorite vintage Pioneer receiver?
(And...before anyone comments, RELAX, the receivers were only stacked for this video, not while operating.)
My favorite Pioneer receiver was the SX-828.
Dude, you are a good dad. My mom got me a modest stereo in the eighties, and i was so thankful for it. But this is a mighty gift!!
Thank you! My mom also got me a great budget stereo system when I was young and I enjoy doing the same for my boys.
Cheers!! Im sure they will appreciate it
Got my SX-780 in mint condition at a garage sale about six years ago for 25 bucks. I was happy!
AMAZING! Congrats. Thanks for watching!
My 780 still works after 40+ yrs with Pioneer 518, they won’t die
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
Great video, I Just purchased a Pioneer SX-780 on an ebay auction for $325 last week-end, I already have a SX-3700 that I've been using for years and needed a back-up receiver, and yes I agree since 2020 Vintage Audio prices have insanely gotten higher!
That’s a great price congrats!!!! Thanks for watching!
Lucky!! I just won a bid 2 weeks ago and the average price now is between $450-575
I stopped buying many years ago. I came in during a time when these were still largely affordable. I have many of the nicer Pioneer SX receivers and only just missed out on a 1980, which is now way out of reach for me. At least I have a 1050, 1250 and a 1280 for the higher end and several SX- 550's, 680's, 750's and a minty 780.
I also have a minty SX-1000TW. Just gorgeous in the wooden case.
How was your experience purchasing on eBay????
Unless you have a really big room or you listen to music at an unbelievably high volume, the sx780 has more than enough power for 99% of your listening needs. If you check out the watt meters, you rarely listen to music above 10-20 watts.
Agreed! Thanks for watching and for sharing!
Thanks for the heads up on the power pack kits popping up for the 780 - I purchased this receiver last year and have really enjoyed it with a pair of Heresy Is that I found recently. Just a few watts gets them filling the room with great imaging
Awesome! The Heresy pairing is so killer. Congrats!
Most all of my vintage gear was given to me . The trick is to let everyone you know that you’re in to vintage audio and you’ll be surprised where they come from. Brother gave me a sx1250 from a guy he did work for. Best buddy gave me a vintage Marantz receiver ( I gave it to another buddy) and Pioneer SX 750 with two CS 99a speakers .. to name a few. Try it and see:)
Awesome!
I have a sx-780 paired with a pl-12d turntable and a rt-707 reel to reel. Love that vintage Pioneer!!
Awesome. Me too. That reminds me, I need to get my RT-909 up and running! Thanks for watching!
My late father got his Pioneer System as a retirement present in 1981. Tuner / Amp and a turntable. Plus a cheque to buy the speakers of his own choice - where he chose Celestion.
Impressive. Thank you for watching!
lol, "...get them hooked on vintage audio and they won't have enough money to buy drugs". Proud original owner of an SX 780 purchased in 1978, along with a PL-560 just like the one in your video. Had at least one of the power packs replaced and later some switches cleaned on the SX 780. The unit still sounds fantastic. Have considered selling it a couple of times but it would be like giving up a child that I loved. Actually, worse than that because I let the children leave years ago (and nobody paid me any money for that). Enjoyed your video.
Thank you for sharing and for watching!!!
I've had my 780 since high school '79.Power packs went a time or two but,she's still running strong.More than enough power to fill most any space.
Awesome! Always looking for a 780!
Have an SX980 since 1978. Absolutely love it. Powering a pair of Focal 826's.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing and watching!
I bought an SX-780 almost 20 years ago used with a couple missing knobs and one blown power pack. I cleaned it and recapped it as well as replacing those knockoffs twice. I am still not 100% satisfied when playing it low volume. I can hear distortion from those power packs not properly biased by factory. Nothing can be done about it. I went ahead and kept using until this day. I plan to build a couple power packs with discreet parts. I tried many receivers including sx 450, 750, 1250 and sx-980 by my bedside, SX-780 always made it's way back to my bedside. 980 is cleaner but 780 lets me hear the frequencies that I enjoy. Don't leave out SX-880 from the list. I own one and found 880 sounds very much identical to 780 but with 60 watts per channel. Circuits are very much the same as the 780 with a few differences and 880 has discreet parts instead of those power packs. 980 circuit is a different beast. I also own SX-1980 but with dead regulator and thankfully, the outputs are not dead. I will be repair it soon. I had a chance to own entire line of SX-x3x as well as SX-727 and 828. I don't own 980 anymore but still have 1980, 880 and 780. Currently using 780.
I actually bought my 980 off ebay in 2014 for 350.00 shipped. I have been playing it almost daily for the last 10 years, with no issues, so i have definitely got my money's worth out of my unit. I agree, the asking prices have gone insane, since i purchased mine.
Awesome find! They are built to last.
I bought a SX780 in 1978 at Tech Hifi. I remember it being on sale which was a big reason I went with it. I’d already had a pair of JBL L-166 Horizons, and it drove them easily. I always said the 780 was underrated.
I think it's underrated too! Thanks for watching and for sharing!
I showed my wife the image of ‘sneaking a Pioneer into the house’ and now she’s looking out for Pioneer SX’s like a train spotter! I’ll have to be extra stealthy.
Uh oh sorry about that 😂
I bought a 780 2 years ago for $200 at a garage sale. Exterior in great shape but sound scratchy. I still love the ascetic so 2 weeks ago brought it to highly recommend SoCal vintage pro who will refurbish it using updated components. I bought a projet turn table and considering buying JBL L52 not cause they’re the best, but I came of age in the 70s and loved the L100s. Would love to hear other thoughts relative to speakers and their interaction with SX780
Awesome, thank you for sharing!
Yes there is a way to use an EQ on the 780 via TAPE MONITOR that is the same of the JUMPER on the rear but instead of JUMPER you have a switch on the FRONT.
Original owner of my 780 from the late '70's, I have the receipt somewhere, I need to dig it out and see what I paid for it. I also have it paired with the original PL200 turntable. Still listening to vinyl! Great video!
Awesome! Great turntable as well. Thanks for watching!
1250, 1050, 950 are better units because output transistors are avail for replacement ! The 80 series Darlington outputs are hard to find hence replace. Chinese replacements require modding heat sinks.
No, never buy anything chinese. There are darlington replacements from onsemi and boards have been designed for the 80 series and are available on audio karma.
SX 950 paid $20.00 from the thrift 6 years ago. Amazing condition inside out. CD player via aux is my go to.
I am getting my SX -850 cleaned up as we speak (3/24).
Waaay back in 1978 l compromised and bought the SX-880. Sold it a few years ago, still got $400 for it.
SX-980's usually spec out to about 94 wpc. These things are stellar.
Agreed 😊
Own both, need to hook-up 780, do not like when it sits too long. Both sound good with a pair of Celestion Ditton 66.
Haha, over the course of the past 12 or so months, my buddy Stephen said "why not both?" He bought the 780 first, and due to a defective STK-0050 module, I overhauled it using the discrete conversion modules from delta9electronics.
I am now about to finish the relatively simple repairs to the 980. The 980 hit 97 clean watts per channel at 1khz on 8-ohm dummy loads, so you are definitely getting those 80 watts! My pal paid $500 for his 980, and the main issues were two bad resistors in the power supply and some very dirty controls.
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
The 80 series performed well. I bought an sx-1080 in 1978 new for $599. Never had an issue with it. I even drove a stage monitor with it. Kept it for 30 years. Tossed it out in 2008, not knowing about the ‘vintage ‘ trend.
Those 1080s are huge lol. Thanks for watching!
I dig the Minor Threat art!
Thank you. It was done by Nathan McKee!
Buy the SX-980. No STK modules, all discrete transistor. And better built and engineered. More reliable with age, more serviceable.
No argument there! Thanks for watching!
I had a 780 when I was 9ish and was frustrated with A or B and not having A and B :( and then the mid control missing. other than that, I love the sound and have a record player that match the looks, but I think was from a different brand. I'm thinking by only using the 980 as a power amp, it's easier to run a processor for a sub setup on a hi-fi.
maybe I had a faulty switch, but if I pushed A and B in together, they wouldn't stay. I think it's only A or B not both together.
My 780 can A, B, AB
@@brianchisnell1548 Is it possible for them switches to break in a way that A and B together stops working I wonder? or maybe I had a rev idk I have 3 different old receivers growing up so I just could be mix up. I just realized I had both too, I had the 980 first and it popped a fuse, so I found a new one at a yard sale and never like the 2nd or 3rd one I got. I just now remember super fine details of the 980. the details you remember from staring at and going into imagination land. the 980 I think was my first and it wreck my first set of speckers and made all the other stuff that came later sound back.
Beautiful receivers. I bought my first integrated amp in 1975. A Sony TA-1130. Since then I have owned amps or receivers from Kenwood, Technics, Harman Kardon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo and Sansui. I never owned a Pioneer and I feel I cheated myself. They are so beautiful. Of course my Marantz 2220b with brand new faceplate, LED lamps and fresh vellum paper is no slouch in the looks department.
Oooooh I bet that Marantz is stunning!
@@ForeverAnalog My son gave it to me for Christmas a few years ago. It had a green display and a badly bent corner but now I'm a scratched selector knob away from having it look like a museum piece.
All of the other vintage models you mention sound great too. People overlook Kenwood and Harman Kardon!
Wish my dad bought me a Pioneer LOL !
I’m Looking to add a pioneer to my collection! Perhaps a 980.
Very informative video thank you!
Thank you for watching!
My 980 vibrates with base! I have a 880, 9930 and sa9900.
Awesome!
All 4 of my vintage receivers I bought were $300 or less, even my Yamaha B-2 and CR-2040 from estate sales.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Great review. Thank you!!
Thank you!
I had an SX-780 and Pioneer HPM -60 speakers. Good sound but not loud enough
Don’t forget also Sx 50series ❤
They are great indeed! Thanks for watching!
Under $700 for a 980 is cheap! Good deal. My friend offered to sell me an 880 for $400 with the side panels not fixed and $550 if i wanted them fixed.
Think i will just do it myself.
Awesome!
Peace! I really enjoyed your video.
Thank you for watching!
Good on you for looking after your boys. I'm sure they will love the experience. Sadly this modern generation have no clue what real music actually sounds like. They've been brainwashed into thinking that rubbish MP3 and sound bars the benchmark. I really feel sorry for them.
There is no match for 70's, 80, 90's Hi Fi, especially the 70's gear from the Golden age of HiFi.
They are going to be blown away.
I have plenty of Pioneer gear. My favourite of the vintage HiFi. Several power amps, receivers and turntables.
I have two PL-530's and two PL-570's too. Very proud of both and are in amazing condition considering their age.
Thank for you sharing and for watching!
780 has adhesive wood grain finish, however, the 980 is actual wood veneer. These receivers are extremely different. 980 is a no brainer.
Thanks for watching!
I Have both
Awesome!
Thank you.
Thank you for watching!
Biggest mistake I’ve made in this hobby was to sell my one owner ( with sales slip) pioneer SX1250. I needed the money and it sold in about five minutes.
Don’t ask
Still have a pioneer SX 750. Also got from the original owner. Have LS3/5a on it now but have original ( to owner ) Pioneer CS99a speakers
Oh we’ve all been there my friend.
My sx - 780 failed but had a house fire and claimed it under smoke damage
I'd take the 980 any time. My old Pioneer SX-9 killed them both!
Awesome. Thanks for watching!
The 1250 S X pie -pioneer ?
I’ve yet to stumble on a 1250 I can afford lol.
get the SX-1010 and you'll never need anything else, I do have the SX-1250, SX-1080 AND 2 SX-1010 and always the SX-1010 thats the one always playing my music, there is something on the SX-1010 that the others just don't.
Awesome - I'll keep my eyes peeled!
SX 780 and HPM 100's Im set
Heck yeah. Awesome. Thanks for watching!
S-A 708.
65W/channel
Awesome. Thank you for watching!
I prefer the 50 series sound
Pyramid Audio sells good power packs..
I’ll check that out thank you!
Buy the 750 or the 950. Both better than the 80 series
Yeah hoping to stumble on a 50 series at some point! Thanks for watching.
sx780 going on 40 some years.
My SX-980 was stolen in 1979. I'm still pissed about it. Pretty sure it was a guy named Bob. Mutherfkker.
Sorry to hear that!
The 980 is superior in every way IMO in comparison to 780
Thanks for sharing and for watching!
People really need to stop paying these insane prices for these units that are over 45 years old. Let these sellers get stuck with these units just collecting dust. Greed is a terrible thing
That would be nice but everything vintage is up now and doubtful to ever go down again lol
@ForeverAnalog I guess it all depends on what buyers are looking to pay. The buyers most likely won't get the price they are asking especially if the electronics are not "serviced" or "refurbished". These listings that say the item "works" or "tested" is a laughable joke. Potential buyers should call the sellers out on this and give them a piece of mind. Buyer beware!
watch they dont get the knack to trade those amps like dad, make a shit load of dough and then buy drugs...
Unfortunately it all boils down to one thing and one thing only........GREED.
As long as people keep paying the high prices, that's what they will sell for.
Buy the SX750 or 950 they just sound better
Hoping to find one!
Thank you.
Thanks for watching!