My "new" SX-980

onemug

onemug

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4 months ago I posted here that I got my first Pioneer receiver, a SX-850. I've really been enjoying it. I just got a 980 so it would have a little buddy :D.

I sure like the looks of the 980. A little more flash than the 850, just enough to make look a little different than the previous generation but it works for me.

Only had it a day and it has some new caps in it but I like the sound of it already but will give it a week before I compare it to the 850.

For those who like to look...

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Beaut. The record shop in my neighborhood has this as their house system. Jams loud and proud. Love Pio, have a 780 myself. Dude up my way was selling a Pio quad for 175, in OG box. Hurt having to turn that down. Congrats!!!
 
That's really nice man......I had a mint SX-980 a couple of years back....I kind of wish I had kept it..
They do look very nice, very high build quality, the wood veneer case is beautiful.....
I like the contrast of the black meters too.......And they are a nice sounding beast to boot.....

I think I will snag one if I ever see a nice one again....
 
^^^thanks above^^^...nice to be part of a forum with such nice members.

I'll a/b it with the 850 in a few days and see if I prefer one over the other. Right now it sounds excellent with my Pioneer BS-22's.

Another picture of it "lit up".

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I sold my mint 980 to another AK'er to finance the purchase of a restored SX1010.

I really like the 1010, but can't say it's a HUGE upgrade. That 980 was pretty sweet.

Great looking amp, looks to be quite minty.
 
Magnificent, onemug.
I own the 850, 1010 and once owned a 980. The 850 has booted my 1010 to the table for now and puts out only 6 watts less after restorations to both.
I found the 980 at a flea market for only one hundred. I should never have sold it.
 
onwardjames said:
I sold my mint 980 to another AK'er to finance the purchase of a restored SX1010.

I really like the 1010, but can't say it's a HUGE upgrade. That 980 was pretty sweet.

Great looking amp, looks to be quite minty.
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Dave1384 said:
Magnificent, onemug.
I own the 850, 1010 and once owned a 980. The 850 has booted my 1010 to the table for now and puts out only 6 watts less after restorations to both.
I found the 980 at a flea market for only one hundred. I should never have sold it.
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Thanks.

Nice you both having the 1010. Everywhere I searched, that unit had almost universal praise. Having a few blue dial Marantzs and the Sansui 9090's with their blue dial, I decided to go for the "silver" look of the 850 and 980 for something a little different but i'd still love to hear a 1010.

btw, for anyone thinking of buying one of these units, they will not fit in most racks. They measure about 21" wide and both my Salamander and Sanus racks measure 19 1/2" between posts. I ended up having a friend who is an excellent wood worker make me 2 custom racks.
 
Very Nice!
I had a chance to buy a fully Re-capped 980 about a month ago but turned a buddy on to it instead as I was still working through my current 1250 system upgrades..
I should have bought it!!!

Good find!
 
Vintage Fan said:
Very Nice!
I had a chance to buy a fully Re-capped 980 about a month ago but turned a buddy on to it instead as I was still working through my current 1250 system upgrades..
I should have bought it!!!

Good find!
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Is that your 928 in your avatar? I had one back in the late 80's early 90's. It was one of the finest cars I've ever owned.
 
McBru6177 said:
I like what I see. Interested to hear how the 980 sound compares to that of the 850.
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Just did a quick comparison. I wanted to wait at least a week for the new caps to settle in. The 850 had some new caps in it and for the first week it was a little splashy in the highs but on about the 7th day it has relaxed and locked in and has stayed that way, which was great because I love the looks of it.

The 980 sounded good enough to keep right away but did improve after a week.

The choice of speakers can play into why someone will like one receiver over another. In this case I was using identical pairs Pioneer BS22's so I could go pretty quick between them.

IMO...they are more alike than different which surprised me a little from reading my search results on the 980. I always keep in mind that with people "reporting", it's their ears, their room/speaker and are those units in proper working condition.

I hear a little better bass with the 850. The mids are a little different, today I like the 980 a little more...tomorrow it might be the 850. Same with the highs.

I like and will keep both.
 
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