Pioneer SX-1980

snow
snow Posts: 4,358
edited June 2010 in For Sale (FS) Classifieds
Up for grabs is a Pioneer SX-1980 I know it is not likely to sell here but there may be a few Classic Pioneer fans here so here goes. This receiver has been restored, all faulty components have been replaced. All bad solder joints on all boards have been re soldered, all inputs and outputs have been tested, all knobs switches have been deoxited, all lights have been tested and those that needed replaced were. All parts that were replaced including transistors, diodes, pre drivers, etc were replaced with NOS Pioneer parts. The preamp section, the tuner section, the amp section have been gone through and tested and actually performs better now than what the specs were when new. There has been over 20 hrs of bench time spent on this restoration.

$2500.00 + shipping

Ok heres a couple of quick pics

a156e79abc.jpg

4c9b2fef1f.jpg

0d28dcaf59.jpg

5cd05627aa.jpg

f33fecc510.jpg


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
Post edited by snow on

Comments

  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,358
    edited June 2010
    That's one beautiful piece! A legendary Super receiver. Good luck on your sale Snow!
    Carl

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited June 2010
    That SCREAMS Vintage! But what are those BOSE signs doing behind it, trying to undermine your own 'sale'?

    Just kidding!

    Good luck with the sale. A very nice piece indeed. I remember gear like that from my youth!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited June 2010
    Is this a joke?
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    Is this a joke?
    No not a joke but I have decided to remove my for sale offer here and list it elsewhere that it will be more likely to sell :)

    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
  • Deathjester
    Deathjester Posts: 24
    edited June 2010
    That is a BEAUTIFUL piece!!.. But I'm saving for SDA'!!!
    ~~Dj~~
    Main System:
    Onkyo TX-SV717PRO
    Onkyo Integra M-504
    Onkyo Integra EQ-540
    Pioneer CT-F1250
    Micro Seiki DD-40
    Polk Audio 5A's 10A's
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,421
    edited June 2010
    Is this a joke?

    Are you a joke? Do a little research, this vintage receiver brings that kind of money regularly, especially in this condition. I don't get why, but you can be sure it's not a joke and it'll probably sell for close to that.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited June 2010
    Snow does that have the original box and everything? Honestly that is one of the first ones I have ever seen that does and I'm sure that makes your deal even better!
  • samnor
    samnor Posts: 155
    edited June 2010
    cnh wrote: »
    That SCREAMS Vintage! But what are those BOSE signs doing behind it, trying to undermine your own 'sale'?

    Just kidding!

    Good luck with the sale. A very nice piece indeed. I remember gear like that from my youth!

    cnh

    If you look closely at Snow's pic, there is a "NO" right next to the Bose... I think that makes a lot more sense... lol...

    thats one fine piece of equipment... good luck with the sale...
    Fronts: Wharfedale diamond 9.6
    Sub: Wharfedale sw250
    Rears: Wharfedale diamond 9.1
    Center: Paradigm cc-350
    Pre-amp: Oppo dv981hd
    Amp for fronts: Parasound hca-1500a
    Amp for rears: Adcom gfa-5400
    Amp for center: Marantz MA500 monoblock
    Polk multimedia speakers for PC setup
  • thebluemonkey
    thebluemonkey Posts: 190
    edited June 2010
    I saw that same reciever on audiokarma little steep on the price imo
  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited June 2010
    a beautific monster! you'll get that asking price and more on the 'bay...take alot of pics...inside, too! good luck!

    oh, and i'm sure you know how to deal w 'foriegn' inquiries..you'll get em
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    I saw that same reciever on audiokarma little steep on the price imo
    Yes normally they dont sell for that price but most are not in the cosmetic shape this one is in, let alone restored internally. I have seen them sell for more than 3k in lesser condition and there were 3 versions of this model this is the most rare and desirable of those.



    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
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    Snow does that have the original box and everything? Honestly that is one of the first ones I have ever seen that does and I'm sure that makes your deal even better!
    Yes the box is original to the receiver. I even seen just the box by itself sell for over $300.00 on Ebay



    REGAEDS 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
  • davidk0512
    davidk0512 Posts: 157
    edited June 2010
    Dammit! I have one of these in the garage that I was using until about 4 years ago when it started producing some distortion. I "was" going to give it away, not now!
    David
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited June 2010
    that is some sweet vintage heavy metal ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • maximus_okc
    maximus_okc Posts: 17
    edited June 2010
    I think some folks may not know what they are looking at. This is a rare and beautiful receiver. I just sold a sx-1250 and the amp on that sucker matched my $15,000 in Macintosh amps. I can only imagine what this SX-1980 sounds like. Folks, you buy these old Pioneers for the quality of the amps....
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited June 2010
    how much does that sucker weight?
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,938
    edited June 2010
    The only spec I remember off the top of my head is the FTC power rating: 270 wpc.
    It weighs a lot. A European brochure puts the weight at 35.4 kg http://www.kallhovde.com/pioneer/pioneer78-79blores.pdf

    OM at: http://www.kallhovde.com/pioneer/sx-1980om.pdf

    SX-1980p1.jpg
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited June 2010
    I think some folks may not know what they are looking at. This is a rare and beautiful receiver. I just sold a sx-1250 and the amp on that sucker matched my $15,000 in Macintosh amps. I can only imagine what this SX-1980 sounds like. Folks, you buy these old Pioneers for the quality of the amps....

    Seems like you need to buy that thing and sell your $15k McIntosh'! I can't believe you didn't think of it sooner. You're welcome.
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    danger boy wrote: »
    how much does that sucker weight?
    according to this..

    Description Receiver
    Rarity ****-Rare
    Designed in Japan
    Manufactured In Japan
    First Year 1978
    Years Manufactured 1978...1980
    Last Year 1980
    Wood Case Yes
    Silver Face Yes
    Channels Two
    Tube Count 0
    IC Count 11
    FET Count 12
    Transistor Count 130
    Diode Count 82
    Hall Effect Devices 0
    Speaker Connections Three Sets
    Chassis Ground Knurled screws (several)
    AC Switch Yes
    Fusing Internal
    Switched AC Outlets One
    Unswitched AC Outlets One
    Power Consumption 1400 watts



    Physical
    Width 22 1/16ths inches
    Height 8 5/16ths inches
    Depth 19 9/16ths inches
    Weight 88 Lbs 11 ounces



    Amplifier
    RMS Power Per Channel 270 watts
    Damping Factor @ Load Impedance 40 @ 8 ohms
    Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.03%
    Power Bandwidth 20 Hz to 20 KHz
    Frequency Response 5 Hz to 100 kHz +0/-1dB
    Hum and Noise 120 dB
    Signal to Noise Ratio 120 dB
    Intermodulation Distortion (IM) 0.03% 50/7khz 4:1
    Input Impedance 50 k ohms
    Input Sensitivity for Full Output 2 volts
    Speaker Selection A, B, C
    DC Capable Yes
    Meter Range 0.01 to 540 watts
    Output Meter(s) Dual
    External Heat Sinks Massive side mounted units
    Output Impedance(s) 8 through 4 ohms



    FM Tuner
    RF Sensitivity 1.5 uV
    300 Ohm Binding Posts Yes
    75 Ohm Binding Posts Yes
    75 Ohm F Connector raw wire binders
    50 dB quieting sensitivity, Stereo 34 uV
    50 dB quieting sensitivity, Mono 2.2 uV
    THD, Mono 0.07%
    THD, Stereo 0.10%
    Signal to Noise Ratio, Mono 83 dB
    Signal to Noise Ratio, Stereo 74 dB
    Frequency Response 30 Hz to 15 kHz +0.2/-0.5 dB
    Capture Ratio 1.0 dB
    IF Image Rejection 120 dB
    IF Rejection 120 dB
    Stereo Subcarrier Rejection 65 dB
    SCA Suppression 65 dB
    Alternate Channel Selectivity (wide or normal) 80 dB
    Spurious Rejection 120 dB
    AM Carrier Rejection 60 dB
    Stereo Separation at 1 kHz 50 dB
    Mono Switch Yes
    Signal Strength Meter Yes
    Center Tuning Meter Yes
    Multiplex Filter (Hi-Blend) Yes
    Quartz Frequency Lock Yes, with indicator
    Stereo Lamp Yes
    FM Mode Lamp Yes
    Multipath Listen Yes
    Muting Switch Yes
    25 uS Deemphasis Switch (Dolby Associated) Yes
    Station Markers Yes



    AM Tuner
    AM Mode Lamp Yes
    RF Sensitivity 300 uV/meter
    Adjacent Channel Selectivity 26 dB
    IF Rejection 70 dB
    Image Rejection 70 dB
    Signal to Noise Ratio 55 dB
    Signal Strength Metering Yes
    External Ferrite Antenna Yes
    Antenna binding Posts Yes



    Preamplifier
    Multiple Bass Adjustments +/- 10 dB @ 100 Hz + +/- 5 dB @ 50 Hz
    Multiple Treble Adjustments +/- 10 dB @ 10 kHz + +/- 5 dB @ 20 kHz
    Tone Control Defeat Yes
    High Filter 8 kHz, 12 dB/octave
    Low Filter 15 Hz, 12 dB/octave
    Gain Control Linear stepped in dB
    Loudness Contour Yes
    Mono Yes
    Balance Yes
    Number of Tape Monitors Two
    Tape to Tape Dubbing Yes
    Auxillary Input Source Yes
    Phono Input Source Yes
    2nd Phono Input Source Yes (or Microphone)
    Illuminated Source Indicators Yes
    Phono Pickup Impedance Control Yes
    Cartridge Load Yes
    Tuner Source Input Integral AM/FM
    Source Microphone Input Yes (or Phono II)
    Tape Monitor Yes
    2nd Tape monitor Yes
    Adaptor Provision Switch in front, in/out stereo jacks on rear
    Preamp to Amplifier Jumper(s) Yes
    Headphone Jack(s) Yes
    Speaker Selection Nomenclature A, B, C



    Keiko wrote: »
    Would you trade for a AKC Pomeranian puppy, snowman? ;)
    You would win out on the shipping weight though :p



    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
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    Seems like you need to buy that thing and sell your $15k McIntosh'! I can't believe you didn't think of it sooner. You're welcome.
    Im with George on this one if the SX-1250 sounds as good sell the Mc and go on a vacation with the extra loot ;)

    Three things are for certain it has plenty of brute power 270 wpc continous and 2.3 db of headroom so roughly 450 wpc peak power and if you like oversize things the sheer size will impress you and you dont want to drop this on your toe ;)



    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
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited June 2010
    Just take it over to AK and get it over with.
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,681
    edited June 2010
    I'd never buy one at that price. But Pioneer wasn't my cup of tea.
    I'm sure someone will. That is one pristine silver faced beauty.
    My weakness is Marantz stuff. Good luck with your sale.
    To the doubters out there: there's a real market for these.
    I had a Marantz 2285 here for a while. I had the thought of just
    dumping all this crap and just going back to Marantz. That's
    where my musical journey started back in the 70's.
    I'm sure this one has a lot of people thinking the same thing.
    "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
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    sda2mike wrote: »
    a beautific monster! you'll get that asking price and more on the 'bay...take alot of pics...inside, too! good luck!

    Thanks Mike. As for pics of the inside heres what one looks like on the inside/

    44634bf6b1.jpg

    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
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,358
    edited June 2010
    Look at the size of those output caps!!

    This "monster" receiver is a great unit and a solid investment. It will drive the big SDAs effortlessly! This unit is a beauty! It would be mine if I had a place to put it.!
    Carl

  • ledhed
    ledhed Posts: 1,088
    edited June 2010
    Just have to add to the thumbs up on this.

    I have a 1280 and 1250 (though both really need some work) and absolutely love them. I'm still looking for anything that sounds anywhere as good as my 1280 ad have found nothing in its (or 3x as much) price range.

    The 1980 has GOBs of power and in that condition is an absolute steal.

    Seeing those lights and VUs pop on warms my heart like nothing else.
    God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    schwarcw wrote: »
    Look at the size of those output caps!!

    This "monster" receiver is a great unit and a solid investment. It will drive the big SDAs effortlessly! This unit is a beauty! It would be mine if I had a place to put it.!
    Yes the caps and torodial transformer are huge considering they take up most of the back half of the case and the fact that it is 22+ inches wide and 19 + inches deep it gives a little perspective on the size. Make some room ;) Actually its not for sale here anymore but you can still buy it if you want it. I dont think its proper to say where or provide a link but you can easily find it.
    ledhed wrote: »
    Just have to add to the thumbs up on this.

    I have a 1280 and 1250 (though both really need some work) and absolutely love them. I'm still looking for anything that sounds anywhere as good as my 1280 ad have found nothing in its (or 3x as much) price range.

    The 1980 has GOBs of power and in that condition is an absolute steal.

    Seeing those lights and VUs pop on warms my heart like nothing else.
    I have seen these unrestored and in lesser condition go for over 3k considering this one has over 20 hrs spent in restoring it at $98.00 per hour not including all the NOS parts if you are looking at it from a user or collector point of view it is a great deal or investment. Like stamps coins or anything else the very best condition and TOTL items always go up in value.



    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
  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited June 2010
    Very sexy receiver. Good luck with the sale.
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited June 2010
    Beautiful piece of gear, from a great seller, and a solid investment if you're into vintage gear or like the vintage Pioneer sound.

    Snow - the Marantz 2270 continues to put a smile on my face everytime I set down to listen to it!
    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
  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,358
    edited June 2010
    ledhed wrote: »
    Just have to add to the thumbs up on this.

    I have a 1280 and 1250 (though both really need some work) and absolutely love them. I'm still looking for anything that sounds anywhere as good as my 1280 ad have found nothing in its (or 3x as much) price range.

    The 1980 has GOBs of power and in that condition is an absolute steal.

    Seeing those lights and VUs pop on warms my heart like nothing else.
    Thanks for the kind words :)
    Vette C6.r wrote: »
    Very sexy receiver. Good luck with the sale.
    Thanks :)
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Beautiful piece of gear, from a great seller, and a solid investment if you're into vintage gear or like the vintage Pioneer sound.

    Snow - the Marantz 2270 continues to put a smile on my face everytime I set down to listen to it!
    Glad to hear the Marantz is still making you smile ;) it should last many years to go trouble free, the fellow that went through yours is the same guy who restored this one and he has roughly 40 years of experience.

    When this came out in 1978 it was state of the art and in many areas still match or exceed most all receivers and amps built today. how many receivers or amps for that matter have a 120 db or better s/n ratio and are capable of driving a 4 ohm load? The tuner section is very good and the rejection rate is incredible coupled with the touch sensor and phase lock loop it is a breeze to spin the dial and lock in stations without interference from other stations or drifting away.



    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
  • Mike Kozak
    Mike Kozak Posts: 931
    edited June 2010
    It is a Monster, kinda like the Kenwood KR-9600