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Convince Me to Not Buy a Pioneer SX-1980

A

acdc7369

Active Member
I'm trying to decide between an SX-1280 and an SX-1980. Price and size are not an issue.

I remember reading somewhere that the SX-1980 has power supply issues. Is that also true of the SX-1280?

I read the SX-1980 puts out peaks upwards of 460 wpc. I have Pioneer HPM-100 speakers that are rated 100 watts continuous / 200 watts peak. Not sure how conservative those speaker ratings are so I don't know if they can even handle that kind of juice (even if it is just a quick burst).
 
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If you really want a Pioneer of that vintage, the one to get is the SX-1250. I've had both at the same time, both overhauled by the same tech, and the 1980 didn't hold a candle to the 1250. I sold the 1980 quickly for a nice profit. Single most disappointing audio purchase I've ever made.
 
I would get the SX-1280, or as BigErik recommends the SX-1250. I prefer the xx50 series receivers over the xx80 series.

Take the money you save and get some higher end HPM's like HPM-900 or 1500's. The HPM-100's are good but the 900's and up have better drivers.

Or, if you can find some Pioneer DSS-9 speakers they will blow away the HPM's.

No matter which one you get, it will jam some AC/DC :thmbsp:
 
OK, don't get one then.

Instead, spend your money on the best front end (turntable or CD player) you can afford, and buy an SA-8800 and TX-7800 to take care of the amp and tuner duties.

Lee.
 
$, a dead one on eBay just sold for $1375.00 = I think it is a ridiculous waste of $. You can get much better gear for less $.
I agree a 1250 is nice but they also are fetching some big $. Do you really want to get up off the couch to change the volume or tune a different station? = old school!!
Funny how people get caught up in new tech = cell phone but still want old stereos?
I know they do not build them like a 1250 anymore. If they did, there is no reason why you can not build one close to the same these days, know one would buy them anyways, as most are too cheap to pay for high quality gear, that is why they are out of business.
 
Never had a SX1980 so I can't comment on the sound quality . But after reading all the unobtanium parts that is in the beast , that would make me shy away from one . If you are so inclined , check out Mark the Fixer's threads on the 1980 . They can be fixed , but it looks like they are involved .

I do have a SX1250 powering a set of HPM150's and it is a beautiful piece of equipment . Sounds great and works well . I did have a SX1080 that was also beautiful and sounded good although it was always a little scratchy in the controls . It may have had a harder life than the 1250 .
 
rcs16 said:
$, a dead one on eBay just sold for $1375.00 = I think it is a ridiculous waste of $. You can get much better gear for less $.
I agree a 1250 is nice but they also are fetching some big $. Do you really want to get up off the couch to change the volume or tune a different station? = old school!!
Funny how people get caught up in new tech = cell phone but still want old stereos?
I know they do not build them like a 1250 anymore. If they did, there is no reason why you can not build one close to the same these days, know one would buy them anyways, as most are too cheap to pay for high quality gear, that is why they are out of business.
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A lot of the equation is nostalgia. When you think about the time period that these receivers were from, a lot of us were kids then and they were around, but we couldn't afford them. Now, those of us that drooled over these as kids/teenagers have the dough to afford them (and much more expensive gear for that matter).
I have a Krell Amp and Pre that ran me $7K new, but I still want a Pioneer SX-1250.
I think there is a market for them if they were manufactured again today. High end and low end seem to be the things that sell now, kinda like the middle class disappeared..

-Tom
 
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I have both and they are restored to the degree. Beautiful sets with the power to handle any drivers thrown at them. The 1250 is my favorite only because I like the way it was thought out in a engineering (Package) stand point. Great set to work on. Strong and reliable. The 1980 is pleasing to look at. It has the nice Phono cartridge selections and the VU meters giving it that nostalgic look.

No doubt, being able to work on them makes the choices easier!

The sounds come from the Speakers. The set has a small aspect to the differences. I have had both connected to the same set of speakers and really can't tell the difference. It's like what "Tcomisly" was saying about wanting these when we couldn't afford them. For the younger crowd, its its the nostalgia and either way, you wouldn't go wrong.

At this point their almost an investment. If you can get one for a good price, try it. If you don't like it you can sell it and make enough to cover shipping.
 
Don't buy a 1980, tell me where one is for sale so I can buy it.

I have been looking for one that I can afford for years. No dice. I guess I will never own one.
 
Well to offer what seems like a different viewpoint...I have a completely restored SX-1980 and I think it sounds fantastic. It's one of two audio pieces I would absolutely never part with - the other being my Revox B77 MkII reel to reel. Sounds great, works great, looks great - it's a pleasure to me in every possible way.
 
I'm in Toronto right now and there's one downtown at an audio shop, I've been contemplating it today. I have a 1280 so I'm having trouble justifying the purchase.
 
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bktheking said:
I'm in Toronto right now and there's one downtown at an audio shop, I've been contemplating it today. I have a 1280 so I'm having trouble justifying the purchase.
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That's a nice one. Huge money though. And for that cash, there are much better sounding amps in that store. Just depends what you want; nostalgia or the best in sound quality.
 
Bigerik said:
That's a nice one. Huge money though. And for that cash, there are much better sounding amps in that store. Just depends what you want; nostalgia or the best in sound quality.
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It's lower than the price on the web by 150 bucks. Have you seen it in person?
 
Well that's a plus since condition is king. Was thinking resto and sell, they fetch good coin. Wife just said let's jump in the car and go to queens street lol.
 
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