Hi Idunno,
Wow with an ID like that anyone would think your from "straaaalia" as it's known to us down under.
I've enjoyed reading your SX-1980 web page and can totally agree that the 1980 is rather hard to find not only in the UK but also in Australia. In actual fact almost any of Pioneers's top level stuff is hard to find here opposed to the USA where it is rather plentiful and most of it is dedicated 120vac. We have quite a few US variants that over the years have found their way through our borders, but it never seems to realise the same value as a voltage selectable or dedicated HG version that's 220~240 volt only unit with the AC Bulgin 3 pin flexcord.
The "Spec" gear is also highly desirable here with not much of it around and the stuff that is, is generally quite knocked about. I was lucky to pick up a Spec 1 & 4 the other day for much under half the price that you would pay for just the Spec 1. This generally doesn't happen very often at all.
Now going back to what you've achieved with your Pioneer collection I will say that all in all you've probably ended up paying all up with the repairs the value of the Receiver itself, but as I always say "you only get what you pay for" and now you've probably got a fairly bulletproof SX, something you should be proud of.
For over the last 40 years I've been collecting Pioneer components from the 1970's and have always loved their appearance and build quality, they really are Audio Art to look at working or not. The one area I've always thought has let Pioneer down is the Speaker department. The Japs have never been known to be the best in speakers, rather with you being in the UK you are privied to some of the worlds best speakers and they're right on your doorstep. I'm a huge fan of British speakers, IMF, TDL, KEF, Spendor and Celestion just to name a few. They certainly are streets ahead of anything the Japanese manufacturers ever made in that area. Just to explain this the head of Nakamichi and John Wright from IMF were together listening to both their topline speakers in an "AB" comparison when John Wright was asked what he thought of the Japanese model and his response was "they were rather interesting" then the owner of Nakamichi turned to John and said, "you are too nice", "why do your speakers sound so good and ours sound like shit".
I guess that says it in a nutshell. The Brits were the best in speakers through the Golden Era of Hi Fi.
Now I'm not saying that the HPM-100's are bad, to be truthful I felt that the HPM range was probably the best speakers that Pioneer ever made, but you've got much superior stuff right on your doorstep.
Find yourself a good set of IMF TLS-80 Mk II's or IIa's and you'll love your 1980 even more than you ever did.
Again it was superb to read your page you've set up and dedicated to one of the worlds best Receivers ever made, both functionally and aesthetically to the eye, Audio Art at it's absolute best.
All you need now is a RT-909 and you're in Audio Art Heaven.
Cheers,
M.
