So you like vintage stereo?

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited August 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
For those who missed my post a couple weeks ago, an old friend of mine is sending me (gratis) his mint condition Pioneer SX-780 receiver that has been boxed up for almost 20 years! I believe it was purchased in 1979.

Here's some pics he shot when he was testing her out last night--to make sure she still worked. Rob is shipping it out this Friday. Enjoy! :cool:
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    Now I gotta hunt down some Pioneer HPM-40's...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • BottomFeeder
    BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
    edited August 2008
    Wow! That's way cool!

    Brings back some memories...
    "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    I had the same receiver, in fact Rob & I bought ours on the same day. It was my first "real" piece of hi-fi.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    For those who missed my post a couple weeks ago, an old friend of mine is sending me (gratis) his mint condition Pioneer SX-780 receiver that has been boxed up for almost 20 years! I believe it was purchased in 1979.

    Here's some pics he shot when he was testing her out last night--to make sure she still worked. Rob is shipping it out this Friday. Enjoy! :cool:

    Here's one of its bigger brothers. I listen to it daily. The pics aren't the best. My lighting sucks and the flash really reflects off the silver face. Ignore the finger prints, smudges and lack of wire management.

    Here's a pic of the other side where all my newer HT system resides.

    Gotta love the Pioneer silver face gear.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited August 2008
    Tug, you need some tweeters....
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    nspindel wrote: »
    Tug, you need some tweeters....

    Na, just some working tweeters. ;) I swear just knowing I have one tweeter out, I can't enjoy music anymore. Can't wait to replace it! After the New Year, I'm going to upgrade the XOs and then replace all the tweets.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited August 2008
    Is that a Dual TT in your rack? It looks like the "United Audio" logo on the front. If so - righteous!
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited August 2008
    tugboat wrote: »
    Na, just some working tweeters. ;) I swear just knowing I have one tweeter out, I can't enjoy music anymore. Can't wait to replace it! After the New Year, I'm going to upgrade the XOs and then replace all the tweets.

    Good answer ;)
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    RutgersFTW wrote: »
    Is that a Dual TT in your rack? It looks like the "United Audio" logo on the front. If so - righteous!

    Just a basic Pioneer PL-115D. Poor thing has seen better days, but she keeps on going. She is due for revenerring in near future.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    Here's my lo-fi system. It's got a whole 25 transistors and 19 diodes! :D
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    tugboat wrote: »
    Here's one of its bigger brothers. I listen to it daily. The pics aren't the best. My lighting sucks and the flash really reflects off the silver face. Ignore the finger prints, smudges and lack of wire management.

    Here's a pic of the other side where all my newer HT system resides.

    Gotta love the Pioneer silver face gear.

    Beautiful, is that a 1080 or 1280?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    tugboat wrote: »
    Here's my lo-fi system. It's got a whole 25 transistors and 19 diodes! :D

    AWESOME. I'd put that in my soon to be 70's room. Maximum coolage there.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Beautiful, is that a 1080 or 1280?

    It's a 1080. I was looking into a 1980, but the parts are almost impossible to get if it every breaks down.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    AWESOME. I'd put that in my soon to be 70's room. Maximum coolage there.

    A room like this?
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited August 2008
    Nice :)

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    tugboat wrote: »
    A room like this?

    Exactly. Farrah poster, Kiss poster, Rocky Horror picture show poster...you know the deal. Cable reel table, bean bags, oh yeah
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,766
    edited August 2008
    tugboat wrote: »
    A room like this?

    That's cool. Is that all your original stuff, or do you pick it up at garage sales (or pay top dollar on Ebay)?
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Exactly. Farrah poster, Kiss poster, Rocky Horror picture show poster...you know the deal. Cable reel table, bean bags, oh yeah

    On the other walls (not shown) I have a couple Farrah (one being the famous swimsuit), Donny and Marie and Steve Martin. Not sure about where you live, but finding one of those empty cable spools to make a table is near impossible. All the new spools are plastic and the places that make the wooden ones want about $800 for a new one.

    I actually have more than I can display. Big Trak, Starbirds, tin can alley, bing bang boing super set, pocket fisherman from Ronco, Kodak instamatic 110 camera kit (the one in ther commercials with Dick Van ****), Panasonic AM/FM headphones (the ones with the antennae on them), etc.

    It's fun having a retro room to kick back in. I built a large drawer for the desk and installed my PC's guts into the drawer. The face of the drawer comes down to expose the drives and power buttons. The 32" LCD is behind the bamboo style blinds on the hutch of the desk.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    That's cool. Is that all your original stuff, or do you pick it up at garage sales (or pay top dollar on Ebay)?

    Some is and some is from local buys and ebay. I never spend the outrageous prices for my stuff. I take my time and it pays off. I don't care about original packaging and I don't care if it's used as long as it is in decent condition. I only buy NOS when there's no other option. I did that with the Mr Microphone since all the ones up for sale were in trashed condition. I paid a bit more for an NOS one, but it sure looks nice (packaging and microphone).
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    Go to a local electric company or installation company--they'll have cable spools that they would be more than glad to see hauled off.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2008
    tugboat wrote: »
    I actually have more than I can display. Big Trak, Starbirds, tin can alley, bing

    I have a few Big Traks that I got off Ebay. I loved mine when I was a kid. When I settle in after my latest move I am going to introduce it to my 6 year old son. I once wanted to get into retro electronics but then decided not too (except for the Big Traks.

    I am glad that you have room for a retro-room. The wife will only allow a media room for now.
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Go to a local electric company or installation company--they'll have cable spools that they would be more than glad to see hauled off.

    All the spools here are plastic. They say they haven't had any wooden ones for years. Could probably find one out of my area, but shipping would probably cost a small fortune. Hopefully others will be for fortunate and wooden spools will still be around where they live.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    maximillian wrote: »
    I have a few Big Traks that I got off Ebay. I loved mine when I was a kid. When I settle in after my latest move I am going to introduce it to my 6 year old son. I once wanted to get into retro electronics but then decided not too (except for the Big Traks.

    I am glad that you have room for a retro-room. The wife will only allow a media room for now.

    I got a big trak when they first came out. Thought there was no end to what I could do with it. It never worked well when loading the dump unit with rocks or dirt. You think they would have known what kids would be puting into them. :D

    My favorites are the starbirds. I have all three and the command base.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    tugboat wrote: »
    All the spools here are plastic. They say they haven't had any wooden ones for years. Could probably find one out of my area, but shipping would probably cost a small fortune. Hopefully others will be for fortunate and wooden spools will still be around where they live.

    Are you near an Army installation? Check there...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited August 2008
    I think the sound quality of 8 track tapes was highly under-rated :rolleyes:

    Very neat stuff! My one set of vintage gear still remaining is a Marantz 2270B receiver and a pair of B&O S45-2 speakers. The receiver has been pretty well modified as it needed lots of work and the technician upgraded it for me. Sounds pretty sweet!
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2008
    I have a almost 30 year old McIntosh Tuner/Pre in use and it still sounds great.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Are you near an Army installation? Check there...

    No, but I could give a call down to Pendleton and see what they might have sitting around.

    Thanks!
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    dkg999 wrote: »
    I think the sound quality of 8 track tapes was highly under-rated :rolleyes:

    Very neat stuff! My one set of vintage gear still remaining is a Marantz 2270B receiver and a pair of B&O S45-2 speakers. The receiver has been pretty well modified as it needed lots of work and the technician upgraded it for me. Sounds pretty sweet!

    An 8-track tape in good condition and a player properly tuned up can sound pretty decent for its age and technology. I have over 200 of them in a closet, but rarely bring one out.

    Whenever I think about hi-fi from the 70s, I see the guy in Boogie Nights trying to sell some guy a receiver with the "TK-421" upgrade (star wars reference). He's dressed up in cowboy duds and blasting country music.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2008
    An 8-track would be too cool. I was looking at a mint Pioneer 8-track player on ebay....hmmm
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • tugboat
    tugboat Posts: 393
    edited August 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    An 8-track would be too cool. I was looking at a mint Pioneer 8-track player on ebay....hmmm

    I was going to keep my system all Pioneer, but the Wollensak and Akai recordable 8-track players are considered the best, so I picked up a Wollensak and haven't been disappointed. But if matching looks and name are important, the Pioneer units are great quality.

    I always enjoy the looks I get when I pop in an 8-track. They either remember them, or are too young to remember.
    Driver carries only 20 dollars in ammunition

    Pedestrians have the right of way, unless they are in the way
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