I need some SX-1280 Advice . . . A Long Pioneer Saga!

realjimjim

realjimjim

Well-Known Member
This is the story . . . my brother bought this 1280 back in the early 80s from the original owner. He used it up until 2003 when it went out. No nothing, no lights, etc. My brother never had it checked out, diagnosed, or anything. He just stuck it in garage. About six months later he gave it to me.

So my brother was going to trash it . . . but gave it to me. This was in 2003. I promptly took it up to our local TV repair guy for a diagnosis. I think he told me the left side was bad and he couldn't get parts. He advised me to either junk it or sell it for parts. I told him to keep it for parts and never went back to pick it up. "Bill" our local TV guy is a local boy in our neighborhood who never throws anything away. That was all back in 2003.

I pretty much gave up on the SX-1280 and forgot all about it until I stumbled upon this AK website several weeks ago and discovered what you guys can do with Pioneers that cannot be repaired.

So, I called "Bill" our local TV man and asked him if recalled my SX-1280 and I told him he had put it up on his back shelf above his desk. Bill instantly told me, "Yes, I still have it, come by and pick it up if you want it."

After 7 years he still had it!!!

My questions are these: Would you have it repaired? Is it worth repairing? Is the 1280 a good unit? What are its flaws? Is it possible to have it refurbished where it will last another 30 or 40 years? Would you do it? Or would you just buy something else and sell this for parts?

Please do not be afraid to insult me . . . . . I want the truth!

Thanks!
 
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Would I have it repaired? HELL YES!

And I know where I would send it to have it repaired. Either markthefixer or echowars here on AK.
 
IF the outputs are blown (by no means a certainty...most often it's simply a power supply issue), it can be fixed. It is not a simple thing, as the 'pinout' of the original transistors is quite inopportune for installing a modern substitute and a new emitter resistor board needs to be fabricated, but it's doable.

The determining factor is generally cosmetics...a beat-up, 'looks-like-it-fell-down-a-flight-of-stairs' unit might not be worth the trouble, but a good-looking unit that was given to you for free is worth a considerable investment.
 
Like EW said above, if the cosmetics are good go ahead and try to repair. This is a very nice model that sounds and looks really good. I'm running one in my main rig right now and I'm very happy with it. Great way to get into vintage. Your cost basis is zero right now. Don't be afraid to put a few hundred into it. You can get your money back if you sell it working.
 
From your original post, I gather you saw the sx-1280 output transistor replacement thread I did.

I'm prejudiced, cosmetics are merely the top and bottom covers, the faceplate and wooden bonnet... and there's very little in the "inside" that can't be dealt with or gotten around.

So, I'm another vote for "HELL YES"....

Do you have a DMM, and know how to drive it? If so we can do a little diagnosing.... see what you're up against - IF you don't have a formal write-up as to the problems the unit has.
 
EchoWars said:
IF the outputs are blown (by no means a certainty...most often it's simply a power supply issue), it can be fixed. It is not a simple thing, as the 'pinout' of the original transistors is quite inopportune for installing a modern substitute and a new emitter resistor board needs to be fabricated, but it's doable.

The determining factor is generally cosmetics...a beat-up, 'looks-like-it-fell-down-a-flight-of-stairs' unit might not be worth the trouble, but a good-looking unit that was given to you for free is worth a considerable investment.
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When my brother gave it to me it was pristine, now it's real dusty from seven years sitting on the TV guy's shelf.

It looks like to me she'll clean right up to look like new. I have not touched it since she came home because reading stuff here I learned how much I don't know, so I'm scared to mess it up.

I'll take a pic this weekend.
 
markthefixer said:
From your original post, I gather you saw the sx-1280 output transistor replacement thread I did.

I'm prejudiced, cosmetics are merely the top and bottom covers, the faceplate and wooden bonnet... and there's very little in the "inside" that can't be dealt with or gotten around.

So, I'm another vote for "HELL YES"....

Do you have a DMM, and know how to drive it? If so we can do a little diagnosing.... see what you're up against - IF you don't have a formal write-up as to the problems the unit has.
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I apologize but I do not know what a "DMM" is or how to drive one. I do have a friend that has almost every tool on earth and he'd surely loan me one if he has it.

This unit has no cosmetic issues at all.

Bill the TV guy told me years ago it was "the left side" but he couldn't get the parts. Whatever that means.
 
the architect said:
DMM = digital multimeter

measures voltage, current, resistance, etc. used to troubleshoot electrical problems, like in your beautiful SX-1280 :yes:
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OH! I should have figured that out!

I don't think would do me much good though . . . as I don't have a clue
of what I'm looking at anyway.
 
Well, after many long discussions via PMs with a bunch of AK guys I decided to send the 1280 off for repairs.

Everyone who works on Pioneers is backed up beyond belief . . . but lucky me, I got a PM from a member who suggested another AK member who can easily handle this for me.

The icing on the cake is that we were able to come to a deal and a trade, his labor for a piece of gear I had that he wanted.

I'm very excited and cannot wait to get this big bad boy back!!!

Wow, seven years this 1280 has sat in solitary confinment . . .

Thanks for all you guys' help and suggestions.
 
Wow! Thats very cool! Your TV guy Bill is one heck of a guy! I have a 1280 that I found hiding in a guys basement of my old hometown. It is currently being refurbed by my local Tech of whom has already done several of my units for me, most notably my SX-1980. I'm running a pair of USA Kenwood LS-408B's with completely new crossover assemblies. They are from the same year as the 1980 and they are "big" bookshelf floorstanding units. The sound reproduction is amazingly clear, full and real with razor sharp accuracy. 10 watts through them and the essence of a live band leaps out at you! I hope your 1280 turns out well and you are able to enjoy it because these units are absolute gems.
 
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Big Tuna said:
Wow! Thats very cool! Your TV guy Bill is one heck of a guy! I have a 1280 that I found hiding in a guys basement of my old hometown. It is currently being refurbed by my local Tech of whom has already done several of my units for me, most notably my SX-1980. I'm running a pair of USA Kenwood LS-408B's with completely new crossover assemblies. They are from the same year as the 1980 and they are "big" bookshelf floorstanding units. The sound reproduction is amazingly clear, full and real with razor sharp accuracy. 10 watts through them and the essence of a live band leaps out at you! I hope your 1280 turns out well and you are able to enjoy it because these units are absolute gems.
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The TV guy Bill is one of those types we rarely see anymore . . he never throws anything away, well almost never. He has a slew of storage units crammed with stuff all over the place . . . I didn't want to get my hopes up too much but I had a pretty good idea he still had it sitting right where I last saw it.

But the real true good luck story here is my stumbling upon this website!!!

This is one great site for an old timer like me that loves old time stuff.
 
This is one very good story to hear! To think that the TV guy Bill still had your old SX-1280 after all these years is great!

These old Pioneers sure are good! I hope to get myself a SX-1250 or 1280 or even the big 1980 someday! We'll see how it goes.

Glad to hear you are getting your SX-1280 fixed up! Post some pictures of it when you get the chance.
 
lha1992 said:
This is one very good story to hear! To think that the TV guy Bill still had your old SX-1280 after all these years is great!

These old Pioneers sure are good! I hope to get myself a SX-1250 or 1280 or even the big 1980 someday! We'll see how it goes.

Glad to hear you are getting your SX-1280 fixed up! Post some pictures of it when you get the chance.
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Yeah, and you just made me think of something else . . . I left the original claim ticket taped to the side of it when I packed it up and shipped it off.

I should contact the AK tech guy and ask him to save it for me. . . it has the date and everything on there, "July xx, 2003" I should save it, makes a good story.
 
:D Would you believe.. a couple bad 1A fuses and a couple dried up caps on the PS board.Seven years of non-use has taken its toll on the switches and controls-all real dirty.But she will clean up nicely.:yes:
 
avionic said:
:D Would you believe.. a couple bad 1A fuses and a couple dried up caps on the PS board.Seven years of non-use has taken its toll on the switches and controls-all real dirty.But she will clean up nicely.:yes:
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Uh, what does that mean? Those small glass 250V 1A fuses? And some caps are bad? That is good news, right? :music:

Can you post some before and after pics for everyone please?
 
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Well, lucky me it looks like my SX-1280 is indeed fixable and will soon be coming back re-pristined via expert meticulous vintage tech: Avionic!!!

In case you have not been following this, here are the links:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=306224
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=307072

This is going to be be fantastic finally having this big bad boy up and running!

But now what do I do with all my other junk I've been hoarding all these years?

I'm thinking of keeping a couple of backups, just in case, but then I've got a slew of other "backups" and just don't need it all . . . my house is swimming in "backups" and my honey bun is getting real smoking hot . .. uh, not like that . . . so what should I do? Most all my junk needs some attention, nothing major, Craigslist, eBay, BarterTown, dumpster?

I don't think anyone here would want any of my junk . . . it's too beyond F'ed for you guys, mostly trash and yard sale pickups.

Sorry, just thinking out loud here . . . .
 
realjimjim said:
Well, lucky me it looks like my SX-1280 is indeed fixable and will soon be coming back re-pristined via expert meticulous vintage tech: Avionic!!!

In case you have not been following this, here are the links:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=306224
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=307072

This is going to be be fantastic finally having this big bad boy up and running!

But now what do I do with all my other junk I've been hoarding all these years?

I'm thinking of keeping a couple of backups, just in case, but then I've got a slew of other "backups" and just don't need it all . . . my house is swimming in "backups" and my honey bun is getting real smoking hot . .. uh, not like that . . . so what should I do? Most all my junk needs some attention, nothing major, Craigslist, eBay, BarterTown, dumpster?

I don't think anyone here would want any of my junk . . . it's too beyond F'ed for you guys, mostly trash and yard sale pickups.

Sorry, just thinking out loud here . . . .
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Post a list, (or PM me a list :D) even farked up stuff can yield useful parts. I have been known to even pay shipping for parts units...

One man's junk is another man's treasure...
 
markthefixer said:
Post a list, (or PM me a list :D) even farked up stuff can yield useful parts. I have been known to even pay shipping for parts units...

One man's junk is another man's treasure...
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Is it legal to post it here? I'm a new guy . .. . and most of my "backup" stuff are Sony STR-XXXXs from way back . . . you don't mess with those, do you?
 
realjimjim said:
Is it legal to post it here? I'm a new guy . .. . and most of my "backup" stuff are Sony STR-XXXXs from way back . . . you don't mess with those, do you?
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I did mention PM's, as well as you mentioning bartertown if you are serious, especially if the next step is the dumpster.
 
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