Pioneer SX-1250

Conradicles

Last week I found out a buddy at work has a vintage Pioneer SX-1250.

He purchased it new, and it has been in storage for a few years.

I told him I am interested in buying it, so he is bringing it to work this week for me to check out.

A quick google search suggests that this is a highly sought after model.

Anybody want to share knowledge of this bad boy? I have had many vintage stereos, but never a Pioneer.

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mhardy6647

Decent enough; the 1250 if memory serves has dual power supplies with toroidal PTs.

Still, it's an awful lot of stuff to be packed into one box (albeit a large, heavy one) -- and the sound of the Pioneer receivers was always a bit unrefined to me (especially the big ones). Personally, I (far) prefer the Yamahas of the era, although I will admit that the Pioneers looked better inside.

Other than the wow factor (aesthetically), an integrated amp of the same era will provide (considerably) more bang per buck invested (then or now).

Semi-monstrous 1970s soiled state receivers by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

That's a 1050, not a 1250; biggest Pioneer I've got (not being much of a fan) -- not in the same league in terms of audio quality as the CR-2020 sitting next to it, though.

mhardy6647

Oh, should be plenty of info (including catalog scans) at www.hifiengine.com

Conradicles

Unit is clean. Another co-worker inspected and cleaned all knobs and switches. He said it was really clean considering the age. All lights work. Old school so cool!

mhardy6647

Conradicles wrote: »

Unit is clean. Another co-worker inspected and cleaned all knobs and switches. He said it was really clean considering the age. All lights work. Old school so cool!

Has it been rehabilitated yet? It will need attention to, at least, its electrolytic capacitors. They're not necessarily all bad, but many will be. Shotgun replacement is not necessarily indicated (indeed, don't let any one mess with the tuned circuits unless he or she really, really knows what he/she is doing), but the ESR of any that are in the signal path, at the least, should be checked. Main P/S filter capacitors get the crud beat out of them and are at odds >>50/50 as candidates for replacement, if not done already.


Does the SX-1250 use wirewrap connections? If so -- they're notorious for causing [i[issues[/i] after four decades and will also likely need attention.

The cost of rehab won't be insubstantial (even if one DIYs).
I don't want to discourage the OP, but he should also go into this with realistic expectations.

mlistens03

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Does the SX-1250 use wirewrap connections? If so -- they're notorious for causing [i[issues[/i] after four decades and will also likely need attention.

What kind of problems? My H/K has wire wraps, they could be the cause for concern.

mhardy6647

experiences and opinions differ

some examples:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/wires-wrapped-around-posts.446435/
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/getting-rid-of-wire-wraps.726641/
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/marantz-old-wire-wraps-question.415812/
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/audio-connectors.387995/
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/wire-wrap-connections-cleanable.204185/#post-2404984

Conradicles

Well, this SX-1250 is now in my possession...pictures coming soon...

mhardy6647

'grats!

Here's hopin' you pop the top & show us the innards, too!
(but I certainly understand if you're not the top poppin' kind of fellow -- I realize that some folks aren't)

Mikey081057

frikken cool beans.... congrats ... vintage stuff rocks...the stuff that is going on 40 will last another forty if you give it some TLC.... Tender Loving Cash!

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This is huge!

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Mikey081057

She's a BEAUTY!! Looks like new... Let us know your impressions from listening too.

Clipdat

Can we take a minute and talk about the massive surround on the sub? Holy cow the excursion!

Conradicles

That 18" sealed sub is very nice.

lightman1

Knobs, buttons , switches, dials, meters....!!!!
What's not to like? Am I right?

Mikey081057

They even used to put power outlets on the back of the receiver... 1 switched and 1 un-switched

mhardy6647

lightman1 wrote: »

Knobs, buttons , switches, dials, meters....!!!!
What's not to like? Am I right?

No power meters, though. What was Pioneer thinking?

mhardy6647

It does look great.
Pioneer got that part very right -- pretty much the whole industry copied the look of the SX-*50 line after it was introduced.

Blackout dials became passe pretty much passé overnight

Clipdat

There's something to be said for wood enclosures and even wood side panels. Love love love.

mlistens03

Wow. Just wow. Beautiful.
Good luck on the restoration!

Tony M

I had one. Sold it for 180.00 20 years ago.

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Tony M

I love the solid wood corner posts! Nice touch!

I love my little pioneer SX-550 I have now. It looks new like yours does.

Toolfan66

Nice karma..

In with 58

Conradicles

It needs a good cleaning...I will post pictures of the innards when I get her cleaned up...