Pioneer SX-1250 vs. SX-1280

1250 is better build quality than the 1280? LOL! It's different, not better. Both have their weaknesses and strengths. That's like comparing apples to apples. Granted there are differences, but not enough to justify either one being better than the other. They are both of excellent build quality, as is most gear from the golden age of audio. Nuff of this apples to apples baloney.
 
Ironically, it's exactly 1 year that I posted here comparing SX-750 and SX-780.

Let's return to the original question SX-1250 vs SX-1280. Use the same criteria.

a) Weight is exactly the same, pound to pound, I call it build quality. Equal.

b) SX-1280 is much rarer then SX-1250. For instance, right now eBay selling only one SX-1280 and thirteen SX-12500 (13 times more).

c) both are about the same in the look department; I like SX-1250, but it has no power meters that SX-1280 has. Slight edge to SX-1280.

d) SX-1250 is TOTL.

e) SX-1280 has more power (rated 185wpc vs. 160). Both rating are very conservative. And there are real measurements that support that fully restored SX-1280 is 25-30wpc more powerful then fully restored SX-1250.

eBay prices are all over the place (depend on condition, description, seller, etc.) and hard to say what receiver sells for more money. Roughly, it seems they are about equal on the high end, and SX-1280 brings more on the low end.

Prices of both receivers are on the rise, especially SX-1250 that "catch-up" with SX-1280. Best examples of either receiver are sold north of $2,000 now.
 
e) SX-1280 has more power (rated 185wpc vs. 160). Both rating are very conservative. And there are real measurements that support that fully restored SX-1280 is 25-30wpc more powerful then fully restored SX-1250.

Interestingly, according to my personal bench tests on both of these into 4-Ohm loads, the 1250 and 1280 run pretty close - roughly 270 WPC, both channels driven, before clipping. In fact, the 1250 actually edges out the 1280 by a watt or two! :yes:
 
That 270 wpc at 4 ohms will get people to take notice as they will forget the at 4 ohms part.

Most units from this era were under rated by 15-30% so saying they are very conservatively rated is probably not true. The source for power output today is tests on the web and these are not done to the FTC mandated stereo amplifier test methods requiring 30 minutes conditioning at 1/3 power before testing.
 
Yes, you are correct on 4-ohm load. On 4-ohm both receivers are about equal. However, I was talking about Pioneer official 8-ohm rating, where SX-1280 is more powerful.

Here're the actual measurements from 2 recent eBay auctions. I believe the seller is AK member who totally restored both receivers and then bench-tested them. Well documented, both channels driven simultaneously. Here are the links and actual results.

Pioneer SX-1250 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-SX-...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item257e8ccb08

Pioneer SX-1280 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-SX-...92?pt=US_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item257f5bb36c

Pioneer SX-1250 (officially rated 160 at 8-ohm): 8-ohm load actual rating 185 and 193. 4-ohm load actual rating 269 and 284.

Pioneer SX-1280 (officially rated 185 at 8-ohm): 8-ohm load actual rating 231 and 233. 4-ohm load actual rating 270 and 276.

As we can see, SX-1250 average is about 189wpc, while SX-1280 is about 232wpc, so 43wpc more powerful. In 4-ohm they are about the same.
 
Here're the actual measurements from 2 recent eBay auctions. I believe the seller is AK member who totally restored both receivers and then bench-tested them. Well documented, both channels driven simultaneously. Here are the links and actual results.

Pioneer SX-1250 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-SX-...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item257e8ccb08

Pioneer SX-1280 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-SX-...92?pt=US_Stereo_Receivers&hash=item257f5bb36c

Pioneer SX-1250 (officially rated 160 at 8-ohm): 8-ohm load actual rating 185 and 193. 4-ohm load actual rating 269 and 284.

Pioneer SX-1280 (officially rated 185 at 8-ohm): 8-ohm load actual rating 231 and 233. 4-ohm load actual rating 270 and 276.

As we can see, SX-1250 average is about 189wpc, while SX-1280 is about 232wpc, so 43wpc more powerful. In 4-ohm they are about the same.

Hmmm...I think I know that seller...
 
I love this thread. I'm holding on to my 1280 until I can get it restored. What a thing of beauty. And I have to agree with big tuna a little bit. Keep in mind when it's said that the 1250 is a better build quality, its like comparing two painting by the same artist. The 1280 is in no way lacking in build quality.
 
I've always been under the impression that the SX-1250 was the TOTL halo receiver that helped drive sales of the lesser models. I'm sure it was a loss leader versus the SX-1280 which I think they built so as to make a profit.

I just wish they had made an SX-1950 (not that there's anything wrong with my SX-1980 - that thing pumps!).
 
I just wish they had made an SX-1950 (not that there's anything wrong with my SX-1980 - that thing pumps!).

I guess you would be happy with the lowly SX-1950 with what, say 250 wpc? Yeah you could probably live with that.
 
SX-1050/SX-1080 is in same TOTL class. If you do not need the extra power, they may represent best value. I have SX-1080 and works great. The meters are cool but only lasts so long.

I realized I never listen to the radio so another value argument is integrated. I bought a tuner to match and never turn it on. Looks nice though.
 
I guess you would be happy with the lowly SX-1950 with what, say 250 wpc? Yeah you could probably live with that.

One can only imagine what else Pioneer could have had on the drawing board---before the bottom dropped out. They might of had plans for a 2080 for all we know.
 
über rare quad SX-2250

Well there was the über rare quad SX-2250 :)yikes:)

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I've had them both and I sleep better at night with my current 1250. I don't know why, but I do. Glad the 1280 is gone. Again, no real reason at all. Just a gut feeling.
 
It's that unobtainium tuner IC. If it goes you have to find a lower model parts units to snag it off the tuner PCB.
 
If Pioneer had built a SX-1950, it should have been a blend of both the 50 & 80 series, with combined power output of a staggering 430 WPC,(1250 & 1980 combined), that would have been the undisputed king of receivers, but who's to say that Marantz, Kenwood, or Technics wouldn't have replied with something larger, perhaps a Marantz 2700, Kenwood KR-9151, or Technics SA-1001R, hehehe! I would have called it the SX-1981R, but that's just me. :yes:
 
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I've owned an SX-1250, but not an SX-1280. Is there a desirability difference? How about a value difference?

I believe SX-1280 is more desirable. It's much rare, more powerful, and I'd say looks better.

185 wpc seems close to 160 wpc, however, it makes 1280 higher than all 160 wpc category, like Pioneer 1250, Pioneer SPEC 4, Sansui G-8700 and Sansui G-9000, etc. In other words, being above 160 wpc makes it a hell of an upgrade.

If I be given a choice to select one out of 2 in identical condition, I'll pickup 1280.
 
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