Pioneer SX-1250 Score

gmjungbluth

Just thought I'd share a couple of pics of what followed me home today - a dusty but complete Pioneer SX-1250. I can't wait to fire it up but I am going to give it a thorough dusting and deoxit of all switches and pots before switching on.

It came with four Realistic Nova 8s which look to be in about the same shape - dirty but unmarked. From what I've read online about the Nova 8s, folks rave about them, especially after some crossover upgrades. Haven't decided what to do with them yet. I already have a set of Nova 6bs which I've recapped. And as much as I like their look, who needs four of them?

michael1947

What a beast. Keep us appraised of your do-over process.

ErasmusBDragon

Suggest you use a variac before firing it up.
Good luck and congratulations.

TNHNDYMAN

Nice pickup, I had the baby brother 750 for awhile and liked it enough to keep my eyes open for that series. I'd love one of the big ones and have a 950 that I may pick up at some point from someone I've done some trading with in the past. Hope it works great for you.

Syndil

Can I ask what you paid for it? My dad has that exact same model languishing in his basement.

Syndil

Wait, no it's not the same model. His has A and B speakers (no C) and only one Mic input. Sorry. Guess it's an SX-850. But it does look pretty good and AFAIK it works.

gmjungbluth

I paid 350 for the receiver and four Realistic Nova 8 speakers.

Syndil wrote: »

Can I ask what you paid for it? My dad has that exact same model languishing in his basement.

gmjungbluth

Thanks Travis!

I'm excited and hope it works too. I had a Pioneer SX-780 for a little while that I really liked, but it moved on in trade for a pair of Boston A100s. That 780 really impressed me - when I got it there was literally half an inch of dust and hair coating everything on the inside but after a good cleaning and deoxit it ran as good as new - I check the offset and it was something like 2.8mv per side, everything lit up, and both channels were even. Hopefully this 1250 will be as good to go!

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

Nice pickup, I had the baby brother 750 for awhile and liked it enough to keep my eyes open for that series. I'd love one of the big ones and have a 950 that I may pick up at some point from someone I've done some trading with in the past. Hope it works great for you.

TNHNDYMAN

From what I've heard, the 80 series had a better tuner, but I definately prefer the looks of the 50 series. Happy for you. Pretty good price and you should be able to get some of that back with selling a pair of the 8's. Never heard them but some of the older realistic gear has it's definate fans.

cnh

That may be true, but in general the '50 series had better, heftier build quality for most units excepting maybe the TOTL. It's also easier to find "parts" for the '50s than for the '80s as I understand it.

In any case. Nice piece. Those 1250's are pretty high up there in vintage receivers and very easy to flip when the time comes. Not sure what I think of the Pioneer sound though, compared to other manufacturers of that period? I have a newer SX-3900 would have been closer to an SX 1050 from your period. It's a nice piece, probably a better tuner than much that existed before it. Not quite as heavy with less capacitance than the 1050 but the same wattage and a toriod.

Enjoy! Or at least, live long and "profit". You can get a lot for that!

cnh

cnh

Polk "delays" = DP. My apologies!

cnh

PolkMaster1

gmjungbluth wrote: »

Just thought I'd share a couple of pics of what followed me home today - a dusty but complete Pioneer SX-1250. I can't wait to fire it up but I am going to give it a thorough dusting and deoxit of all switches and pots before switching on.

It came with four Realistic Nova 8s which look to be in about the same shape - dirty but unmarked. From what I've read online about the Nova 8s, folks rave about them, especially after some crossover upgrades. Haven't decided what to do with them yet. I already have a set of Nova 6bs which I've recapped. And as much as I like their look, who needs four of them?

I have to say that it is a very nice looking vintage piece - a nice throwback receiver from the late 70s to very early 80s. Just curious why you went for a receiver solution versus a preamp-power amp combo? And what is it about the pioneer receivers of that era make it a sought after piece?

If you lived close to the NY area, I'd love to drop by to check it out myself.

Good luck with any projects you have in store for your score!

PolkieMan

I had a SX-1050 I bought new for $477 from Illinois Audio in 1976, careful when it got old it started frying speakers on the right channel it would make a loud buzz then pop. Shutting it down and turning it back on would work again till it decided to attack it's next victim!

dpgaloot

Illinois Audio, there is a name I haven't heard in a long time. The way we shopped for bargain audio gear before the Internet.

geppy1

Nice

gmjungbluth

I picked this up because it was there and I think I'll have fun with it. I'm sure at some time I will also try out pre-amp and amp separates. Right now in addition to my Pioneer VSX-820k HT I'm running a Pioneer SA-708 amp in the basement. It will be interesting to see how this 1250 compares with the later 708.

I think the Pioneers are sought after because the sound was quite good, but overall the design and construction was very impressive. In my opinion you're definitely paying for some 'sizzle on the steak'.

PolkMaster1 wrote: »

I have to say that it is a very nice looking vintage piece - a nice throwback receiver from the late 70s to very early 80s. Just curious why you went for a receiver solution versus a preamp-power amp combo? And what is it about the pioneer receivers of that era make it a sought after piece?

If you lived close to the NY area, I'd love to drop by to check it out myself.

Good luck with any projects you have in store for your score!

George Grand

gmjungbluth wrote: »

In my opinion you're definitely paying for some 'sizzle on the steak'.

Thank you for clearing that up.

PolkieMan

I had an old house back then and if I ran the window air conditioner and the sx1050 it would blow the breaker I'd like to get a killa-watt meter on that 1250 and see what it pulls:cheesygrin:

gmjungbluth

I'm keeping my eyes open for a variac on Craigslist to bring this system up to speed (anyone in the DC area have one they are willing to part with/lend?), so no work on it right now. I have a neighbor's SX 1080 in my basement gleaming and clean, but it has an annoying hum. After reading up on using a variac to bring old stereos back to life, I wonder if at one point she let it sit too long and turned it back on, or if my turning it on after cleaning caused a fault in the filter caps.

I'll report back after taking it slow and easy with this one.

RocketOCannon

Nice score. Enjoy it!!

I have a SX-780. Got it in 1984 from a friend. Just had it all cleaned up as well. Sounds great, looks great...just not sure what to do with it now....lol

tophatjohnny

I was so close to going with an old school receiver. Congrats!

gudnoyez

Congrats you gotta love the vintage gear nice reciever!

billysam1

good score on the 1250 I recently picked up a 1280, mine was pretty dirty on the inside too, still have some cleaning to do on it .he threw a pair of CV AT 15,s for cheap on the deal. enjoy your pioneer these are getting harder to find as time passes .