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Comparing The Pioneer Sx-950 And SX-980

"You can never too much capacitance, or a too big of a heatsink"...Nelson Pass


....the smaller 15,000µf caps were a cost savings.
 
My son is using my dads SX-650 with a pair of HPM-40's. I am still amazed at the punch that receiver has for 35 w/ch. It has excellent low end response and punch. Unfortunately, I don't have an XX80 series to compare it to, but compared to my newer (~12 year old) Pioneer receiver(VSX-501 at 100 w/ch), It blows the newer unit away. The VSX-501 sounds gutless by comparison. I definitely prefer the sound of the SX-650.
 
off topic... on my 1050 I love the image presentation, instrument separation, woofer control at higher volumes (ie. 11 oclock on the dial), treble detail without harshness and best of all voices on many recordings are dead centre, in their own space and have depth.

I used to believe all this was mumbo jumbo until I heard it.

The 1050 is much better than my newer Marantz receiver.

The 650 is on a par with the Marantz but 1050 does do all the above areas better with more control at higher volumes (understandably). I believe many of my problems are now room related (large wall and glass areas = hard surfaces and reflections).

A dumb question... speaking of power supply filter caps - are there any general "rules of thumb" to how much you need? - or alternatively tell-tale signs if there isn't enough?

Cheers,
David.
 
In addition to my vintage electronics, I also have a Pioneer Elite VSX-45TX surround receiver. It's darn nice too. Has the auto setup feature that sets the equalization with a microphone. My SX-1250 will do more bass, unless I turn the sub on with the 45TX. The 1250 is more powerful, it will extend into highs better if you use the treble contol. Surprisingly, the tuner is pretty good, but the tuner is better with the 1250. Playing SACD and DVD audio with the 45tx, it's damn good.I don't dismiss all surround receivers, some are mediocre, some are good.
 
VintageNut said:
I agree about the build quality of the 50 series. I noticed today that my SX-1280 has a printed faceplate, while the SX-1250 has an engraved faceplate. However, my old SX-1050 also was printed. Smaller main caps in the 1280, but better distortion ratings, higher power (small amount) in the 1280. Little shielding inside the 1280 on the tuner board. Smaller heatsinks on the 1280, but it doesn't overheat, so they are big enough for the job. I also like the fact that the outputs are old fashioned metal cased on the 50 series, versus the epoxy packs on the 80s, easier and cheaper to replace, should they ever need replacing. But to me, the 1280 sounds darn good too. It would be very interesting to hear what more owners of both series think about them played side by side.
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Well, damnit, I just took a peek at my 1050 and it is printed! Crap. I never noticed. It sits atop my 1250, which is engraved. Both awesome units, though. I have my 1050 hooked to HPM700's and it's quickly too much for them. The 1250 is running HPM1500's I got from Bauhausler. PURE ROCK AND ROLL earbleeding bliss. Some day I will learn how to spec them out. If there is an improvement, I will cry tears of joy. It is SOOOO good already.
 
"PURE ROCK AND ROLL earbleeding bliss." OK, if you are playing that loud on a consistent basis, pretty soon you won't be able to tell good from bad...the 1050 is a great receiver, I only parted my 1050 out because of the twisted chassis, and 2 cracked boards, due to an idiot seller. I actually did very well on the parts. I see the Pioneer receivers are finally getting their due on Ebay, as far as pricing goes, compared to Marantz. Even so, a Marantz 2285B still sells for more than a Pioneer SX-950, or SX-980, but the gap is closing.
 
A dumb question... speaking of power supply filter caps - are there any general "rules of thumb" to how much you need? - or alternatively tell-tale signs if there isn't enough?
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Not really...the size of the cap is only one variable in the equation, with the other major variable being the transformer regulation.
 
VintageNut said:
"PURE ROCK AND ROLL earbleeding bliss." OK, if you are playing that loud on a consistent basis, pretty soon you won't be able to tell good from bad...
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It's just an expression, besides, I already got a mother

I can still hear the supertweets, so I think I'm doing alright.
 
caps for sa9100

I have been toying with the idea of replacing the 15000uf caps in my sa-9100 for a while now. My only concern is how exactly to go about doing it.
It seems simple enough but having never done this before i am a little worried about hurting my baby. Has any one tried this, and if so, please share a little insight.
 
EchoWars said:
The 1250, 1280, and 1980 all have the soft-start 'designed in' by Pioneer (remember? :scratch2: ), so put whatever cap in there you like.
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Thread resurrection for teh win...

Stupid question maybe, but does the SX-3900 have the same thing?
 
I have had a 1080, a 950, and a 980. I have also had an SX-3800. I have also hooked up (but didn't own) a SX-3900.

You want to know my pick of all? A ratty-a$$ SX-1010 that I picked up at my mom's thrift store for $35.

Maybe it was just me loving it at the time, but man, the sound was smooth as butter.

But you know, I think a lot of these "comparos" can be more emotional than purely subjective. Kind of like that first car. You look back and think about how great it was and all of the good memories; but trust me, that old 67 'Stang was an accident waiting to happen (yes, including the back seat! Me ---> :yes: Her ---> :no: ) :D

Naturally, I'm gonna get some folks upset in the "Pioneer" forums, but the old 2285B Marantz........geez what a damn nice sound!
 
I have an sx 950 in my keeper collection. To damn nice to look at to part with. The controls are so user friendly. Oh yeah and the sound; tough to beat that old pioneer sound. I use mine just to power some speakers on my deck and lets say it does a mighty fine job of it. I remember when the sx950 was new that particular year and I went to the local stereo store and took measurements of it. I wanted to own that unit so bad and even built a cabinet for it to it's dimensons. Little did I know that it would take almost 30 yrs. before I could own one because of other obligations; ( eating, paying rent, raising a family, buying a home, etc,).
 
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