Stevescivic
Active Member
So today I had a field trip to an audio boutique and opted to listen to some really bling McIntosh gear (which I have always loved) and noticed the insane amount of detail in the music being played.
I was listening to a McIntosh C2500’s and C47 preamplifier along with a MC152 2x150 watt amplifier. Great combo that I aspire to own one day.
Comparing it to my home system this is what I noticed:
1. SX-1050 all new caps and new transistors as recommended by fellow AKers - nice details and imaging of sound. The best of the bunch as far as my setup is concerned. Not as detailed as the Mac system but my listening space, speaker placement and even the speakers I am using are no match for a $13k pair of Martin Logan’s that was used at the store.
2. SX-3800 recapped with new caps only but all original transistors - great thumpy bass but highs were not as detailed and separation was just ok. Still a good receiver especially for lower volume listening nights.
3. VSX-D1S - all factory original. Honestly this was my first foray into collecting older Pioneer gear and I was grossly disappointed in the lack of details in the highs, the lack of presence and even separation. The sound just wasn’t anywhere close to what I was hoping it could do. It was so bleh that I am considering punting this unit (despite its excellent build quality).
My question is: would a full recap of an A/V receiver be worth the trouble and can I reasonably expect that the sound would change the sound for the better such that it can sound similar to the SX-1050 or better? The D1S was something I really liked from the 1990s era. I have read that it had the spirit of the original SX line as far as quality went but I just feel that it is really in need of a boost but I can’t figure out why it sounds so bland and mashed together. I have no reference as to what the D1S would’ve sounded like new. The receiver is basically 27 years old so I am sure those caps are going south. I know on other vintage Pioneer gear that recapping made a signicant improvement but nobody here has ever done an a/v Pioneer before so I am not sure what to expect.
Thanks
I was listening to a McIntosh C2500’s and C47 preamplifier along with a MC152 2x150 watt amplifier. Great combo that I aspire to own one day.
Comparing it to my home system this is what I noticed:
1. SX-1050 all new caps and new transistors as recommended by fellow AKers - nice details and imaging of sound. The best of the bunch as far as my setup is concerned. Not as detailed as the Mac system but my listening space, speaker placement and even the speakers I am using are no match for a $13k pair of Martin Logan’s that was used at the store.
2. SX-3800 recapped with new caps only but all original transistors - great thumpy bass but highs were not as detailed and separation was just ok. Still a good receiver especially for lower volume listening nights.
3. VSX-D1S - all factory original. Honestly this was my first foray into collecting older Pioneer gear and I was grossly disappointed in the lack of details in the highs, the lack of presence and even separation. The sound just wasn’t anywhere close to what I was hoping it could do. It was so bleh that I am considering punting this unit (despite its excellent build quality).
My question is: would a full recap of an A/V receiver be worth the trouble and can I reasonably expect that the sound would change the sound for the better such that it can sound similar to the SX-1050 or better? The D1S was something I really liked from the 1990s era. I have read that it had the spirit of the original SX line as far as quality went but I just feel that it is really in need of a boost but I can’t figure out why it sounds so bland and mashed together. I have no reference as to what the D1S would’ve sounded like new. The receiver is basically 27 years old so I am sure those caps are going south. I know on other vintage Pioneer gear that recapping made a signicant improvement but nobody here has ever done an a/v Pioneer before so I am not sure what to expect.
Thanks
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