The Mighty Pioneer SX 737

Like we used to say in the NAVY....We went out, we came back.........The rest is JUST DETAILS! Come on Dave, spill some Details.

Probably the unit with the BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK in the x3x series. Runs over it's wattage class with no problems, Has a Positive WAF, fairly easy to work on, Good looks, features that are only also found on the 838 and no other, and it's relatively HERNIA FREE! I love mine over my 939.
 
Nice n wide. Proportionally deep. No clutter looking at you. Soothing blue. I can lift it.
As Bob Seger was just sayin' " Shining Brightly,... lookin' pretty right. Every mornin' ... till real, real late at night".
 
Nice! The 737 gets everything right IMO. Nice flexible control layout, enough power for most listening situations, no unnecessary clutter on the faceplate and real purty! The only thing that would make it better would be pre-out / power-in jacks (though you could add them if you decouple and impedance match them properly I suppose).
 
I use a fully restored 737 in one of my systems. Perhaps I’m biased, but the 737 is one of the best examples of a 1970s receiver. It’s also easy on the eyes...and the ears.
 
I agree on the SX-737. My first I had to sell a few yrs ago but was able to pick up another and it is everything everybody says.
The one that is equal, at least to me, is the SX-828.
Just had mine gone through, after sitting idle for more than a year. Just picked it up, can't wait to get it home and hook her up.
 
I agree on the SX-737. My first I had to sell a few yrs ago but was able to pick up another and it is everything everybody says.
The one that is equal, at least to me, is the SX-828.
Just had mine gone through, after sitting idle for more than a year. Just picked it up, can't wait to get it home and hook her up.
Most excellent as I have an 828 here. Maybe it needs the laying on of hands so Dave can have another nearly perfect 70s vintage receiver.

I really like the 737 best of the bunch of Pioneer receivers but the 828 also has the toggle switches instead of push buttons and a bit more power. The earlier series, wonder how that affects the sound of the unit. Not too much for the silver later units but the Black/Silver® units are nice looking, too.
 
I also am a fan of the x50 series and finally got one I've been lusting after for over 30 yrs the SX-750. It's a little bright for my tastes now but love the way it looks and still sounds great
 
I also am a fan of the x50 series and finally got one I've been lusting after for over 30 yrs the SX-750. It's a little bright for my tastes now but love the way it looks and still sounds great
Blinded by the lust. I see you say it is a bit bright sounding for your tastes but it is so ingrained in your mind that this is what you want and have lusted after for 30 years, you will accept this limitation. I believe this is true of many here, wanting what they lusted for and then getting it and the beauty and achieving their goal outweighs the sonic issues which are slight in most cases. This might be why folks continue to seek out gear once they have a nice rig, to try other brands. These comments about sound quality is why I like reading stuff on ak to see what the good stuff is and what limitations they have. There is a knowledge of the 50 and 80 series getting cleaner than the earlier gear sometimes at the expense of the high end smoothness or balance. Thanks for your honest comments about the most beautiful chunk of gear you remember and finally have a chance to enjoy.
 
Yes, as many have stated, the SX-737 is a very nice receiver. I had one for a few years, but ending up selling it because of a move. Then @botrytis had his for sale on BT last year, with all the proceeds going to AK. So I bit and ordered all the parts listed in the rebuild threads here, but then got busy with work for a few months. Knowing I wouldn't have time to get to it, I reached out to @ivandezande, who was kind enough to take on the project. What would have taken me a week or more only took him a day -- absolutely amazing work! I just had to take care of the lamps and a relay myself. (Side note: some of those lamps are a real PITA to get to!)

Anyway, I'm really enjoying this receiver with a set of Yamaha NS-670s. It won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
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How would this match up sonically with a mid 70's pair of La Scalas (stock)?

bob

Absolutely, it would work well. Maybe even overkill given how sensitive La Scalas are. I’d be tempted to go with an SET tube amp over an SX-737 with those. Just my initial reaction.
 
The 737 would need to be refreshed as it has a few noisy transistor on the shoot on site list. But its Blue Light Pioneer sound would be a nice match.
 
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Absolutely, it would work well. Maybe even overkill given how sensitive La Scalas are. I’d be tempted to go with an SET tube amp over an SX-737 with those. Just my initial reaction.

Thanks, not familiar with SET's? Have any links?

thx

bob
 
The 737 would need to be refreshed as it has a few noisy transistor on the shot on site list. But its Blue Light Pioneer sound would be a nice match.

I like the phrase “Blue Light Pioneer”. That’s a new one to me. But I agree that the sound characteristics would be a good match with La Scalas. And, yes, a refresh would be a prerequisite.
 
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