Good deal on pioneer?

ledhed

I just got an offer to buy a Pioneer sx-1280 (185wpc, 80lbs) for 50 bucks worth it? Supposedly, it works but cuts out at loud volumes should I bite?

brettw22

Used is worth $375, but do you know what's wrong with it to get a rough estimate on how much it'd cost to fix?

Broken electronics are a bad place to try and work up from.......

audiobliss

For $50 I'd jump on it for low-level listening, at least. I wouldn't buy it and bank on it replacing my current receiver because of what Brett said; it could cost way too much to get fixed. However, for $50, I'd buy it just to play around with.


EDIT: I just looked it up and saw that it's an older model. That would make me want it even more.



EDIT 2: As I sit and stare at the picture of it, I begin to realize....it looks just like my friends old Pioneer receiver!!

Early B.

Put your $50 towards something that actually works.

brettw22

Originally posted by audiobliss
EDIT: I just looked it up and saw that it's an older model. That would make me want it even more.

Perhaps someone like Russ could shed some rough guesses on repair pricing, but I would think that the older the model, the more pricy the repair (outdated parts, etc.)

audiobliss

Originally posted by brettw22
Perhaps someone like Russ could shed some rough guesses on repair pricing, but I would think that the older the model, the more pricy the repair (outdated parts, etc.)

Yeah, that's probably true. However....there's just something about classic look....and classic 'feel'........and that 185 wpc.....and for $50!!

Oh well.

dragon1952

It may just need the volume pot cleaned. Even so, you could part it out and make bucks off of it.

shack

I agree with dragon1952. As opposed to the speaker rebuild project in another thread...this IS a worthy project at that price. I love the old silver faced Pioneers (and own one). They are terriffic receivers and this one is a beast.

http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_118734_1593crx.aspx

4 on the bay right now with bids of $145, $289, $272 and $330

http://search.ebay.com/pioneer-1280_W0QQfkrZ1QQfnuZ1

And from the "Silver Pioneer" website:

Pioneer's Flagship Receiver in 1976

SX-1250 / SX-1280

The SX-1250 was introduced in 1976 as Pioneer's top-of-the-line receiver. It reflected Pioneers new styling of matching silver tuning dial with white background signal strength and stereo signal meters. It was Pioneer's most powerful and feature-laden receiver that year, capable of pumping out 160 watts per channel. It was beautifully finished in walnut veneers and solid walnut trim. It had a list price of $900.00 and tipped the scales at 65 pounds.
The SX-1250's beauty was more than skin-deep. As Pioneer's best receiver, the engineers lavished a major design engineering budget in designing it. With the covers off, you can see the careful and logical layout of the receiver's hefty toroidal transformer and four massive capacitors, flanked by the component circuit boards. Pioneer designed large wrap-around heatsinks to dissipate the SX-1250's full-tilt operating temperature.

The SX-1250 was the largest receiver Pioneer had ever built up to that time. The view with the cover off shows why: the engineers needed every square inch they could get to package the components. The receiver measured 22.0 inches wide, 18.75 inches deep, and 7.50 inches high.

The quality, power and good looks of this receiver not only made it a popular choice for buyers in 1976 and 1977 when it was offered, it is one of the most sought-after Pioneer receivers today.

In 1978, Pioneer brought out the SX-1280. This receiver had increased power per channel of 185 watts. There were other specification improvements as well. Total harmonic distortion was reduced from 0.100 % (SX-1250) to 0.01 %. Interestingly, the SX-1280 weighed exactly one pound less than the SX-1250: 63.25 pounds.

Cosmetically, the greatest change was to the stereo reception and power meters, which were changed from a white face with black characters to a black face with white characters. This made it easier to read the meters from across the room. The toggle switches and push buttons were also changed slightly, but you have to compare the two receivers side by side to catch it.

The price of the SX-1280 was also $900.00 when introduced. but rose to $950.00 in 1979, the last year of production for the mighty SX-1200 series. Pioneer's receiver line was redesigned for 1980 with digital florescent readouts and reduced power and weight.

I would take a chance for $50!

ledhed

Yea, im going to get it-Its my dad's friends and my dad said it is a little rough. But, ill probly buy this one for parts to fix the messed up one on my floor

Tour2ma

Good move... worth a shot.

Give it a good test run on your speakers before tearing into it. It is possible that "Dad's friend" has a speaker issue that is driving the 1280 into thermal protection... or he just listens insanely loud...

ledhed

Well, turned out to be a 1250-turned it down-gonna get my 1280 fixed-thanx for all the input though

shack

Where is this SX-1250 located? For $50 I might be interested.

ledhed

Shack-PM sent. It is a little dirty and he said not all the lights work but still, its a steal at this price-I just decided to spend the money to get my 1280 fixed (16-no income:( ) But since you live here in Davy Crokett land-you might could pick it up for a little more than I was offered-it was a family friend.