Pioneer SX-1250 vs. SX-1280
- Thread starter kortex
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Skylab
Watcher of the skies
Very comparable receivers IMHO, and I owned them both for an extended period of time. The SX-1280 does sell for roughly double what the SX-1250 does, on average, and I am guessing this is largely due to its being somewhat rarer, and what I perceive is a general preference for its looks. I found the sonic differences between the two to be very slight. Both sound absolutely excellent. I am one of those people who likes the 1280's looks better, so I have my 1280 completely recapped, and then sold the 1250. But at current prices, the 1250 is clearly the better DEAL, if one is looking for value.
Personally ----I find the 1250 to have a more robust solid sound.The 1280 sounds thinner than the 1250.
But for looks the 1280 with the black meters and power meters ,more chrome on the tuning scale and multi colored selection light ---I rate the 1280 better in looks ---but the 1250 ain't bad either.
But for looks the 1280 with the black meters and power meters ,more chrome on the tuning scale and multi colored selection light ---I rate the 1280 better in looks ---but the 1250 ain't bad either.
kortex
Active Member
Thanks you both for the replies. I might purchase one (if all goes well with the seller) and see how I like it. What do you think would be fair for a decent condition sx-1280? I did trying searching AK for threads about 1250 vs. 1280, but came up negative. I just tried google and found a few threads, through. Btw, pretty kitty JHS2RT 
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kortex
Active Member
Interesting. That's not the first time I've seen that (now that I have learned to use google instead of AK to search AK). The 1280 just sells for more since it's rare? How much is a decent condition (supposedly no problems) 1280 worth? I might buy one...not sure yet.
Skylab
Watcher of the skies
I dunno about that, the 1250 and 1280 have more in common than not in many ways. Both have massive torroidal transformers, huge filter caps, and weigh about 65 pounds each.
One consideration is that the 1280 uses output devices that are no longer made, and so getting replacements if you mess up and fry one can be difficult, expensive, or both.
I was luck enough to get my 1280 for $500, but they typically sell for more like $800-1,000 from what I have seen, of course massively depending on condition.
One consideration is that the 1280 uses output devices that are no longer made, and so getting replacements if you mess up and fry one can be difficult, expensive, or both.
I was luck enough to get my 1280 for $500, but they typically sell for more like $800-1,000 from what I have seen, of course massively depending on condition.
kortex
Active Member
Ouch. That could really end up being a bad situation. I might just steer clear. I should never have sold my sx-1250. I'll think about it tonight.
Large Caps:
1250----22,000mfd
1280----18,000mfd
Plus the 1250 has more shielding over the boards(3 on the top front where as the 1280 has I beleive just 1.
1250 does have a better build quality.
Here is a little trivia ---Despite the extras on a 1280---it weighs exactly 1 pound less than a 1250.
LOVE MY CAT ---THANKS!!
1250----22,000mfd
1280----18,000mfd
Plus the 1250 has more shielding over the boards(3 on the top front where as the 1280 has I beleive just 1.
1250 does have a better build quality.
Here is a little trivia ---Despite the extras on a 1280---it weighs exactly 1 pound less than a 1250.
LOVE MY CAT ---THANKS!!
That in itself would stop me ---plus I have heard that a certain ic or chip on the FM board is also very scarce.
Big Tuna
Too Much Power!
Correctomundo
1280 brings roughly the same $$ amount as the 1250 in certain cases, much more in others. I own both and I have posted a thread about 1280 vs 1250. IME, the 1280 and1250 are right on par, having very tight, solid bass, clean mids and clear highs. differences are so subtle that if they were both playing and covered to listeners, the listeners would have a very tough time guessing which one was which. The outputs in the 1280 can be found, as was the case with my technician when he restored my 1280, but the IC chip in the tuner board needed replaced. I woud not have mine up running if it were not for a fellow AKer being very generous and kind. On another comparison, I can definitely hear the difference between the 1250/1280 sound, being as subtle as it is, but when I compared the 1250 with the 1980, they are soooo dynamically similar, it's scary. The output differences definitely come into play with the 1280, having a bit of an edge over the 1250, you'll get a little more punch, but the king of punch goes to the 1980. That beast can really put out, but the 1250 & 1280 can really belt out some sound with an efficient pair of speakers.
1280 brings roughly the same $$ amount as the 1250 in certain cases, much more in others. I own both and I have posted a thread about 1280 vs 1250. IME, the 1280 and1250 are right on par, having very tight, solid bass, clean mids and clear highs. differences are so subtle that if they were both playing and covered to listeners, the listeners would have a very tough time guessing which one was which. The outputs in the 1280 can be found, as was the case with my technician when he restored my 1280, but the IC chip in the tuner board needed replaced. I woud not have mine up running if it were not for a fellow AKer being very generous and kind. On another comparison, I can definitely hear the difference between the 1250/1280 sound, being as subtle as it is, but when I compared the 1250 with the 1980, they are soooo dynamically similar, it's scary. The output differences definitely come into play with the 1280, having a bit of an edge over the 1250, you'll get a little more punch, but the king of punch goes to the 1980. That beast can really put out, but the 1250 & 1280 can really belt out some sound with an efficient pair of speakers.
ymarko
Super Member
Here we go again!
50-series vs. 80-series. It was one long and detailed thread SX-1250 vs. SX-1280 in AK. The overwhelming consensus was that:
a) SX-1250 better built
b) SX-1280 has some unobtainable parts
c) opinion on look SX-1250 vs. SX-1250 was about 50:50
However, the original question was about value. And this is a different animal.
I don't have these monsters, but I have SX-750 and SX-780. Here is my thoughts.
a) SX-750 is MUCH HEAVIER, like maybe 32 lb vs. 25 lb (and 5wpc more power). SX-780 feels like scaled down unit.
b) SX-750 is rarer then SX-780 according to numbers of eBay listings. For instance, right now eBay selling only three SX-750 and fifteen SX-780 (5 times more).
c) both are about the same in the look department; I prefer SX-750.
However, eBay shows that generally SX-780 sell for more then SX-750. I have no idea why. Possibly because 780 is higher then 750 and uneducated buyers see it as 'upgrade' unit. That's the only reasonable explanation I can think of.
50-series vs. 80-series. It was one long and detailed thread SX-1250 vs. SX-1280 in AK. The overwhelming consensus was that:
a) SX-1250 better built
b) SX-1280 has some unobtainable parts
c) opinion on look SX-1250 vs. SX-1250 was about 50:50
However, the original question was about value. And this is a different animal.
I don't have these monsters, but I have SX-750 and SX-780. Here is my thoughts.
a) SX-750 is MUCH HEAVIER, like maybe 32 lb vs. 25 lb (and 5wpc more power). SX-780 feels like scaled down unit.
b) SX-750 is rarer then SX-780 according to numbers of eBay listings. For instance, right now eBay selling only three SX-750 and fifteen SX-780 (5 times more).
c) both are about the same in the look department; I prefer SX-750.
However, eBay shows that generally SX-780 sell for more then SX-750. I have no idea why. Possibly because 780 is higher then 750 and uneducated buyers see it as 'upgrade' unit. That's the only reasonable explanation I can think of.
holysocks
Well-Known Member
that's a great recap! and yea, everyone knows the bigger the model number the better, it just has to be!
Thanks for the correction---you are right.
Big Tuna
Too Much Power!
What is the purpose of the sheilding? My 1250's tuner seems a bit more tempermental than my 1280, and I can tell you with absolute certainty, my 1280 picks up more stations than either my 1250 OR 5590. Just because one has sheilding and the other doesn't, doesn't make it a better unit.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
The 1250 is the better receiver. I like the 1050 better yet.
