Champagne faceplates, is there really such a thing?

kvining

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Are the champagne colored faceplates actual Pioneer productions or are they just nicotine stained silverface? I was surprised when I couldn't find anything on them via Google. Then on ebay I saw a "rare champagne faceplate SX-828" and to my knowledge, Pioneer never made such a thing. Does anyone know the real story? I'm beginning to wonder, because I just picked up an SG-300 off of Craiglist for $30 from some obvious smoker, and the faceplate seems to have a gold cast to it compared to my own that I've owned since new.
 
The champaign faceplate line was made by Pioneer in the early 80s. That was well after the SX-828. The Pioneer SX-9 is an example of a receiver from the champaign-color era.

There was a champaign faceplate version of the SG-300 that was named the SG-3, to match the other champaign era gear in color and in single-digit numbering scheme.
 
I have some champagne face plate versions and the same units in silver RG-2 silver and a RG-9 champagne and the SG-9800 silver SG-9 in champagne the only difference is that I found the metal covers are not interchangeable
 

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Yes PIONEER actually had a run of Champagne faced 424 thru 828's. Anodizing procedures differed from contractor to contractor, but it went out anyway. And they are exceedingly Rare. Reminds me of the different Aluminum extrusion faceplates for the 500B/800B FISHERS that were everything from clear Aluminum to a medium Dark gold color.
 
Pioneer purchased Phase Linear, and Phase Linear Series II soon began production. Pioneer also began to produce its Champagne series, likely to provide units for mix and match with their new Phase Linear products. Neither continued production for very long, for a variety of reasons.

As for earlier Pioneer models done in Champagne, I have yet to run across any, but that does not mean that they do not exist.

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
There's a couple 626's on eprey now that are Champagne anodized. Have never heard of or seen anything else other than the x2x in champagne until the phase linear acquisition and the PIONEER gear to "match" it in the very early 80's.
 
Here is a copy of my post from a previous thread http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....3x-receivers-with-gold-or-bronze-face.779193/ that discusses this issue:

Here is what I have on the champagne style for the Pioneer SX-727. I recently purchased another used SX-727, I thought it was stained by nicotine. However, once I cleaned it up, that was not the case. It is definitely a different color than my other Pioneer SX-727 that has a silver faceplate. Here is a photo of the two.
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The champagne one is obviously on the top shelf and the silver one is below. I checked out the serial numbers and the champagne one has a SA prefix so it was made in Jan. 1972 (just like the SX-626 shown in the previous post). The silver faced SX-727 had a prefix of SH which corresponds to Aug. 1972. The supports the assumption that the champagne faceplates were made during the early months of 1972. More data of course would support this theory.
 
I just purchased a champagne 727. Its pretty to look at but doesn't sound very good. Hopefully a recap will make it sound as good as it looks.
 
I purchased the matching SA-600, TX-600 in champagne recently.

Yes, those knob covers are unique. I had a 1000, and had to buy some of the brass ones offered on eBay. I had to replace all 6 small and 3 large.

Then, just today I picked up an SA-600! It is in nice shape and it’s missing one small and one large knob cover, and fortunately, I was able to find where I stashed the originals I took off the SA-1000. So I’m set there. :king:

I haven’t listened to mine yet. Waiting for my wife to step out. :naughty:
 
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I have a Pioneer SA 1000 champagne face integrated amp. It is gorgeous and sounds really nice however not as good a sound as my Pioneer SX 750. Thinking of using the SA 100 as a preamp to the 750 if I can figure out how to hook it up that way!
 
I have a SX-828, looks brand new, almost like a reproduction.
 

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