I love me some Pioneer silver face gear... but, wow...

nadams
nadams Posts: 5,877
edited January 2014 in The Clubhouse
http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-SX-1980-Receiver-Service-Owners-Manual-MORE_W0QQitemZ260276367849QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260276367849&_trkparms=72%3A1142%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Amazing... and still 3 days to go! I can't imagine how this thing sounds with 270wpc behind it. If I'm not mistaken, this probably was the most powerful 2 ch integrated receiver ever made...
Ludicrous gibs!
Post edited by nadams on
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2008
    I like this perspective shot from a different auction... simply a beast of a receiver - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130248904212&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited August 2008
    I think that distinction would probally go to the Technics SA-1000 - 330wpc next would be either the Sansui G-33000 - 300wpc or the Marantz 2600 - 300wpc but all very nice receivers. I just sold a Sansui G-9700 that was rated at 200 wpc but they typically put out 260 wpc to 290 wpc or so. When they say monster recivers they actually mean monster in size also, the G-9700 I sold was 26" wide 24" deep and 9" high. Heres a couple pics of it.



    REGARDS JIM
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited August 2008
    Keiko wrote: »
    Nice receiver snow. I really like the vintage Sansui gear. Is that the one in disneyjoe's thread that you showed the example of packing excellence for **** Bag Dylan?
    No that was a marantz 1150d intergrated amp packed in that box. Heres a pic of it before I cleaned it up.



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited August 2008
    Heres a few pics of the Sansui-3300 Technics SA-1000 and the Marantz 2600 receivers mentioned earlier. The Sansui-3300 is my favorite simply because it is such a beautiful receiver.



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • xeb
    xeb Posts: 31
    edited August 2008
    How big is it?? The front wheels of this van are off the ground

    hahaha
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,995
    edited August 2008
    As snow said, the SA-1000 won the power wars. Most of the high-power receivers don't sound as good as their more modest brethren (although they do have the testosterone factor in spades).

    scan0002.jpg

    If you want a nice high-power receiver, and could find one... my recommendation would be a Yamaha CR-3020. Sadly, this is the only CR-xx20 receiver model I don't have an example of... so I cannot really vouch for how it sounds (or how good the tuner is).

    cr30207hz.jpg
    http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/CR3020/CR3020.html
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2008
    The SX-1980 is the "holy grail" of Silver Pioneer gear. At a current bid of $1,225 it is only $70 below it's original MSRP back in 1978. When it was introduced it was the most powerful receiver. The others mentioned in this thread came later. Obviously I would like to have a SX-1980 or even a SX-1250 or SX-1280. They were great receivers for the time and the ones I've heard still sound good today.

    If interested here is some more info on the SX-1980

    http://www.silverpioneer.netfirms.com/sx-1980.htm
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2008
    the Pioneer SX-1980 always goes for huge bucks. It looks like a beast.. how much does that puppy weigh anyways?

    This was one of the big eye candy silver faced receivers of the late 70's. IF you've ever seen the silver faced gear stacked up in a rack.. it will make your eyes hurt from all that shiny silver.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2008
    danger boy wrote:
    It looks like a beast.. how much does that puppy weigh anyways?

    78 lbs
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited August 2008
    Isn't it sad that these guys could buy top notch used pre/amp
    combos for what they are paying for this old crap? I'm a sucker
    for some of this stuff, but not at that price. It's like going out
    with that girl from HS that was hot, but now she weighs in at
    200lbs. Don't let the "damn ,I always wanted one of those"
    factor cloud reality.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2008
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    Isn't it sad that these guys could buy top notch used pre/amp
    combos for what they are paying for this old crap? I'm a sucker
    for some of this stuff, but not at that price. It's like going out
    with that girl from HS that was hot, but now she weighs in at
    200lbs. Don't let the "damn ,I always wanted one of those"
    factor cloud reality.

    Not a valid argument. It's like saying why pay big bucks for a Shelby 427 Cobra or LS6 Chevelle SS 454 or Hemi Cuda. There are lots of current day cars that will run circles around that old crap....:rolleyes:
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited August 2008
    The Cuda will continue to go up in price. Good investment.
    A four door AMC Rambler, bad investment.
    I don't see this thing going up much higher,but what do I know?
    Classic McIntosh or a Marantz model 8, yes.
    Shelby Cobra=cool factor extreme. Whole different league.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,995
    edited August 2008
    I semi-agree. The SX-1980 was all about looks ('70s-style) and cojones. It is not a great-sounding piece of hardware. Actually, the previous Pioneer line's SX-1250 and the even earlier SX-1010 were (IMNSHO) considerably more elegant and probably better sounding bits of gear.

    I do have an SX-1050 around here, someplace...
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited August 2008
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    The Cuda will continue to go up in price. Good investment.
    A four door AMC Rambler, bad investment.
    I don't see this thing going up much higher,but what do I know?
    Classic McIntosh or a Marantz model 8, yes.
    Shelby Cobra=cool factor extreme. Whole different league.
    The way I see it is none of the TOTL receivers were ramblers they were the Cadillacs of the day for receivers. Im sure that the people with old Victrola wind up phonographs etc felt the same way in relation to the value continuing to rise.

    The nostalgic factor is in play now also, if you were a poor kid looking the window lusting at some TOTL receiver or your uncle had one etc and you couldndt afford it and now that your a lil older and more affluent you can why not buy one?

    Sure there will always be the Dusenbergs of the audio world, and the next level Lamborghini, Porsche, Krell, Mark levinson etc but they are so few and far between that the nice lower priced Cadillacs and Lincolns will still be sought after. Most everyone can afford a 2-5k piece of audio equipment if they want it but few can afford 20k and above priced items.



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited August 2008
    I agree on that point. I had a thing for Marantz. But I guess where my point is, not at that price.
    I got a couple of Marantz pieces for a price that was real. I sold the reciever on CL, and had a freakin stampede show up at my doorstep. I paid $5 for it, including a manual and service manual that was like new. The case was just as good, it just needed a few lights replaced, and a tuner adjustment.
    I sold it for $60. Yes. I know I could of EBAYed it for more, but the guy who got it really wanted it.
    So don't assume I don't like the stuff, I just am not going to pay that kind of money when there's still pieces like this selling at garage sales. Just watch some of the stuff GG comes up with.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2008
    I agree, I would never or could never pay that much for a receiver, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't want one either.

    sure there are better sounding units out there today.. but will any of today's stuff be classic in 30 yrs? most likely it will end up in a dump site in half that time. ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2008
    The SX-1980 is no 4 door Rambler...it is THE piece of gear that most fans of Silver Pioneer equipment want to own. It was the flagship of the line and because of the price, sales were modest. That makes a refurbished or very nice original quite desirable. It may not hold the same value for many but for those that want one it seems that they have been selling for as much now as they were new for quite some time. That makes the one listed by nadams in line with the market.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited August 2008
    Comparing stereo to cars? Face it guys. Receivers are the station wagon or mini-van equivalent.

    I have my own favorite "high-powered" receiver. It's 50wpc at 8 and 60 at 4. Do I think it sounds good enough to be called a coupe or sports car? No. It's a station wagon.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2008
    George Grand wrote:
    Comparing stereo to cars? Face it guys. Receivers are the station wagon or mini-van equivalent.

    Maybe the SX-1980 is a station wagon...but if it is...it's a loaded Dodge with a 426 hemi with dual 4 barrel carbs and posi-traction. Like this one:

    1353_135594454145730058beeca.jpg

    Sure it will get the groceries and haul the kids...but it will run a 13 second quarter-mile when asked to. And still unusual enough to have a following.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited August 2008
    I guess I can live with that comparison. :D
    But the real point wasn't that it was bad.
    Just not a good value. Like I said, I was more of
    a Marantz kind of guy. My view may be
    a bit skewed.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,995
    edited August 2008
    SX-1980p1.jpg

    (if anyone wants to see more of this brochure, let me know...)
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2008
    Wow... the receiver in my original post ended up going for $1,626.01 .

    I keep hoping I'll come across one of those at an estate sale and be the only one who knows what it is. For that kind of coin, I think I'd sell it :o
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,995
    edited August 2008
    Keep your eye out for an SX-1010, SX-1050, or SX-1250 while you're at it...
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited August 2008
    I used to own a Marantz 2600. It was a great, great receiver, but the interior wiring was as complex as an cruise missile guidance system and for what I sold it for I could have bought some killer seperates.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2008
    they don't make silver faced gear today like they did in the 70's anymore. sad, but the wow factor was so high. :)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,995
    edited August 2008
    danger boy wrote: »
    they don't make silver faced gear today like they did in the 70's anymore. sad, but the wow factor was so high. :)

    oh, I don't know about that...
    This has a silver face, and tempts me to say "wow".
    Besides, Nelson Pass made great stuff in the 1970s, and still does today.

    X600.5_lg.jpg
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2008
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    oh, I don't know about that...
    This has a silver face, and tempts me to say "wow".
    Besides, Nelson Pass made great stuff in the 1970s, and still does today.

    X600.5_lg.jpg

    i don't even know what brand that gear is.. it's impressive as hell. but in the 70's the average Joe Beercan could afford some silver faced gear... the ones you posted. I'd have to sell my house just to afford. :p
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,995
    edited August 2008
    BUT, bear in mind: the aforementioned Joe B couldn't have afforded an SX-1980 when it was new, either.

    Those are Pass Labs monoblocks. Nelson Pass also makes some of his designs available gratis for the DIY crowd; he is one of the good ones. He also designed the Threshold (later Nakamichi) "Stasis" amps 'way back when (although they were black, not silver)

    www.passlabs.com

    There's still some affordable, nice silver-faced gear from the likes of Outlaw, Cambridge Audio Labs, and others.
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited September 2008
    Oddly enough I just bought a Pioneer SX-1980 locally it needs some work, it does power up but somes fuses are burnt heres a few pics.



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited September 2008
    BE-AU-TI-FUL. That's awesome.
    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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