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Help. I need advice on a purchase, pioneer sx-3900 or sx-850

A

Alpineguy

New Member
Hey guys. I’m looking for an upgrade and have a chance to buy either a functioning sx-850 that is missing a bass knob/stem or an sx-3900 that plays at a low volume only. Price is great i think $300 for either. I’m just learning so can clean pots and I’ve refurbished a tt but not a reciever.
any thoughts?
that 3900 seems hard to find for a low price.
Thanks guys!
 
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The SX-3900 is nice with its quartz locked tuner, FluoroScan display and extra power, but I'd think that the SX-850 would be much easier and less costly to restore. Pioneer sold a ton of them.
 
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The sx-3900 is a nice sounding receiver. I'm really not a Pioneer guy, but I do like that one. I've read that they are a pain to work on though.
 
The 850 is gone and I can get the 3900 for 275. I think the 3900 may be an easy fix. My 535 was doing the same thing and it was a couple of fuses and a solder. My thought is, given how prices have been going hard to go wrong at 275 right?
 
Alpineguy said:
The 850 is gone and I can get the 3900 for 275. I think the 3900 may be an easy fix. My 535 was doing the same thing and it was a couple of fuses and a solder. My thought is, given how prices have been going hard to go wrong at 275 right?
Click to expand...
This is not an easy receiver to work on or troubleshoot. Pioneer drove them hot and hard. Even if you do get it working, which is unlikely if you are not an experienced tech, there is no guarantee it will stay working. You've been warned.
 
Alpineguy said:
The 850 is gone and I can get the 3900 for 275. I think the 3900 may be an easy fix. My 535 was doing the same thing and it was a couple of fuses and a solder. My thought is, given how prices have been going hard to go wrong at 275 right?
Click to expand...
Easy fix? No shot.
 
Wow. Thanks sooo much Kwayde!
I opened her up and did my preliminary compressed air clean and it plays much better than when I was purchasing.
I think it’s only playing through the pre amp. It’s not muted like before but not its full ability and the bass and treble aren’t responsive.
im sure they need cleaning but i think the board they are on isnt getting power.

im fairly new and this is a complicated system but getting a feel for it. I have the service manual and schematics but limited time.

im gonna do a more thorough cleaning w dry static free brushes. Its pretty dusty still.
 
Had an SX 850 once upon a time. I had to pay $75 over 15 years ago which at the time was an okay price at best in a thrift. Had all the manuals, no box.
Worked fine in the store. Took it home, ran it , stopped working. Everything was still lit, no sound. Took it to Merrylander and it was two tiny transistors. The Q5, and Q7 Transistors to be exact. Thankfully Rob took a piece of equipment I had in trade for it. I eventually sold it for $175 and it took while to get that price. Although you don't have to like you're buyers if I had to do it over again I would have told him I changed my mind. He had an air about him that I disliked, and did not really seem to know what he was doing which countered his attitude.......(I am refraining from descriptive nouns)

I know the OP wants one of these, but as usual there are better options.......
 
Alpineguy said:
Wow. Thanks sooo much Kwayde!
I opened her up and did my preliminary compressed air clean and it plays much better than when I was purchasing.
I think it’s only playing through the pre amp. It’s not muted like before but not its full ability and the bass and treble aren’t responsive.
im sure they need cleaning but i think the board they are on isnt getting power.

im fairly new and this is a complicated system but getting a feel for it. I have the service manual and schematics but limited time.

im gonna do a more thorough cleaning w dry static free brushes. Its pretty dusty still.
Click to expand...
You bought the SX-3900 after everyone on here said don't buy it?
 
Yeah but it paid off though.
Just needed a cleaning.
I opened her up and cleaned up, checked caps and transistors and things seemed in pretty good shape.
It now sounds amazing.
I appreciate the feedback and I take the advice but I went on an intuition and advice from a buddy that works on vintage audio.
I wanted the 850 but I missed it.
 
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