Budget Pioneer SX Receivers?

[Epicblazer]

I am looking to create my first stereo system that has a vintage theme. I would like to start off with a Pioneer SX receiver. I do not have that much money at the moment so I am looking for something good and inexpensive on ebay. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Ben.

 

[ETLS]

You may have better luck finding something local on your Craigslist. You risk receiving a damaged unit from poor packing with eBay.

Welcome to the AK forums.

 

[ryuuoh]

The low power Japanese receivers from the '70s (not just Pioneer) are not bad values, have a look around the forum for reviews.

 

[Oldsansui441]

Hi Ben, welcome to AK, heaps of friendly people on here. Do you like the look of particular line of SX receivers? Do you have any idea how many watts output you may need, what speakers are you thinking of running and what size listening space and volume levels?
Sorry bout all the questions, just gathering info to try and give a good recommendation. As ryuuoh said, there are other brands that present good value also, l am a bit partial to Pioneer myself but l also really like the Sansui xx1's, Sony str-70x5's and Kenwood KR-x200's receivers. Akai also makes some very underated and undervalued gear.
Cheers.

 

[ggregg]

SX 434 seems to be usually reasonably priced. Low powered though. I agree that many other brands are just as good.

 

[Djcoolray]

Truthfully...

There are Yamaha silver faced receivers that are better and cheaper than comparable pioneer units. For the money you would pay for a Pioneer, you could have a more powerful and better sounding Yamaha....

 

[MacNoob]

Yes, there is a premium attached to the Pioneer name that may well not be reflected in performance. If you're budget-tight watch for other Japanese brands.

Or, scrounge - I even found a working Marantz in the garbage once...

 

[ggregg]

I have managed to land a few Marantz units very reasonably. Never paid over $100 for one, including a 1250, however it took a while and took some scrounging. Some of them came to me, advantage of my one day week at the electronic/music store.

However brands I see that can be considered "under the radar" are Kenwood and Realistic, along with many Yamaha models. I sold Yamaha for years, very good, very musical.

 

[Electone]

Pioneer SX-3500 or 3600 from the Flouroscan series often go pretty cheap. They look and sound good.

 

[HiFi in WYO]

Truthfully...

There are Yamaha silver faced receivers that are better and cheaper than comparable pioneer units. For the money you would pay for a Pioneer, you could have a more powerful and better sounding Yamaha....

Or even the BPC Yammies. The RX-495 receiver I just unloaded sounded very good and I paid next to nothing for it.

 

[bandg69]

As mentioned above, Realistic put out some very nice sounding receivers.

 

[pappylon]

SX
434
450
535
550
Low power bliss...
or separates
sa 500
tx 500

 

[jadobbins77]

I have a SX-450. It is beautiful to look upon and it makes equally beautiful music. Low power output, but hooked up to my old internally tubed amped Webcors it makes no difference. I am considering an upgrade, so the 450 may end up posted before too long.

 

[MCM_Fan]

As others have said, ditch eBay and try Craigslist. Audition before you buy and make sure you're not buying someone else's problems.

You said you have a limited budget, but didn't say how much you are willing to spend.

If your power requirements are modest, the already mentioned SX-434 is a nice little entry level receiver. As is the SX-525. If you can afford it, the SX-737 is a fantastic piece that you are less likely to quickly outgrow.

Keep in mind these are 40+ year old receivers that will likely require some maintenance. So, unless you plan to DIY, factor that into your price. Or better still, find one that has already been recalled, had the pots cleaned and bulbs replaced.

It would also help if you listed your location in your profile. Chances are there may be an AK member in your area that will give you a good deal to help you get started in this hobby/obsession that we all share.

 

[Ghonk]

Yes list your location,might be a member in your area willing to part with one,and they will likely have some history of that unit,and you can save on the shipping cost and chance of damage.

 

[Blue Shadow]

If the OP wants Pioneer, let him have Pioneer. Sure it will cost more but that is because he is not alone, wanting Pioneer. Easy to get better units for less but they don't say Pioneer on the front.

 

[Oldsansui441]

=

If you can afford it, the SX-737 is a fantastic piece that you are less likely to quickly outgrow.

+1 on the Pioneer sx-737 if you can spend the extra.

 

[Epicblazer]

Truthfully...

There are Yamaha silver faced receivers that are better and cheaper than comparable pioneer units. For the money you would pay for a Pioneer, you could have a more powerful and better sounding Yamaha....

Thanks for recommending me the Yamaha series. Do you have any good recommendations for old silver receivers that are in a budget balance?

 

[Epicblazer]

Yes list your location,might be a member in your area willing to part with one,and they will likely have some history of that unit,and you can save on the shipping cost and chance of damage.

Are there threads I could use to find people within the 95008 CA area code?

 

[ggregg]

Thanks for recommending me the Yamaha series. Do you have any good recommendations for old silver receivers that are in a budget balance?

They are all pretty nice. The CR x00 and x20 series are probably the most popular and bring the most money. The CR x40 series looks and sounds great but uses STK packs for power in all but the most powerful model, not necessarily a bad thing unless they are not working. The Rx00 series are nice and less expensive. The Rx0 series is probably the sleeper line. Yamaha went out on a limb a little on these. They had a built in EQ and a spatial expander on some models, very un-Yamaha like but fun to play with and they still had the "Natural Sound". Some were also remote capable. Check out the R90 or R100 if you can find one. More expensive, but most popular is CR 1020, 2020, 3020, and 2040. The 2040 is probably the best looking, the 3020 the most powerful, a real hulk, but very rare.