Pioneer SX-1080 Opinions wanted

Texas Rookie

Texas Rookie

Member
Pioneer SX-1080 Opinions wanted GOT IT!

Hello. I am pretty new into this hobby. My grandparents gave me their early 90's Sony system (TA-AV411 is the amp, SS-U511AV is the speakers) two years ago and I bought an AT LP-60 to start with and have been looking to upgrade my gear ever since.
Yesterday I ran across a Pioneer SX-1080 at an antique store for $150. The tag said it worked good when it was stored 20 years ago. It also said that these amps sell for $700-900 online. Cosmetically it looked great. I've always like the brushed aluminum and wood. I worked the knobs and they all seemed fine. I shined my phone's light into it and didn't see an alarming amount of dust. The price just sounds like it may be too good to be true from what I've recently read. There were also two ~3' floor speakers next to the amp that had almost no foam in them. The cones were held by tape at some point. If both of them came from the same guy, that might be something to think about. Maybe he trashed the amp too. I have re-foamed speakers and it wasn't that bad. They seemed nice with several (4?) tweeters and two woofers. They wanted $40 for the pair but the magnets are probably rubbed bad.

With my limited knowledge, the best analogy I can come up with is that: could this be similar to a Dual 12XX turntable? Very good, but lots of stuff that can go wrong or need maintenance? I also read where there's a part in the 1080 that isn't made anymore, and that one guy was afraid to turn it on and it fry.
I don't have any experience with circuity. I could maybe take things apart and clean them. But I would be willing to learn.

How would this compare to my current set-up? I would like to upgrade everything over time.
Would this amp require too much maintenance?
I read that one guy said Pioneer systems "grab you by the neck and make you listen whereas Yamahas just flow into the room. What's your opinion?
I'm in college so time is money and I don't got much of either one. :P Thanks.

I had this in the Pioneer sub-forum but only got one reply. I wouldn't normally double post, but I am going back to the store today to ask some questions. More help would greatly be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Yes I would say it's very similar to a Dual TT. At it's age, it likely needs repair even if it still works. Once repaired it is much better than what you have. The question is whether it's worth $150 plus a bench fee to you. Pioneer lovers will hate me for this but I'd pass.

Oh and take online prices with a grain of salt. According to ebay completed listings the sx-1080 is worth about $350-500 after being serviced or about $180 as it sits at your local store. Ebay is probably the most expensive way to by vintage audio. Figure out what you want and check craigslist daily. Something will turn up. Also if you can find a local audio club, these guys likely have tons of extra equipment they are willing to let go cheaply to fund their next purchase.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your help. The "bench fee" is probably my biggest concern in this situation because I don't really know what to visually look for inside. If there's three of part X and one looks different I might could theorize that it's broken. Also not having any experience with circuitry or soldering or a bunch of salvageable parts puts me back.
When I go back today, I'm going to ask some questions and see if I can have it tested.
I do try to check Craigslist frequently in and around my town, but it's usually just two times a week. It's always junk. I live in a small country town and I've just always assumed there would be no audio club.
 
Texas Rookie said:
Thanks for your help. The "bench fee" is probably my biggest concern in this situation because I don't really know what to visually look for inside. If there's three of part X and one looks different I might could theorize that it's broken. Also not having any experience with circuitry or soldering or a bunch of salvageable parts puts me back.
When I go back today, I'm going to ask some questions and see if I can have it tested.
I do try to check Craigslist frequently in and around my town, but it's usually just two times a week. It's always junk. I live in a small country town and I've just always assumed there would be no audio club.
Click to expand...

There may not be anything you can see with the naked eye. Again given the unknown I would pass. If it can be tested and it works, then it may be worth it but how long will it work? One day or one decade? It's a gamble without a proper inspection. Like I said others will disagree with me. Especially those that believe vintage gear at today's prices is still a steal compared to the current gear. I've not found that to be the case. What I found was that I spend $100-$300 on a piece that needed another $300 in repairs. At the end of the day I would've been much better off buying brand new or slightly used Cambridge Audio, Peachtree or similar gear. Like I said this is my opinion it's not right or wrong it's mine.

On the craigslist and audio club, don't be afraid to travel. I've driven several states away for the right piece of gear. The audio club that I joined mostly met around 70 miles from my home. I'd go about twice a year, always had a blast and always learned something. Most of the time I would come home with some vinyl or a piece of gear and often got rid of a few pieces too. Those relationships are priceless.
 
Last edited:
Do you know of anyone close that can check the receiver out? Won't take a good repair shop long to inspect the caps and functions to make sure everything works. Also DeOxit works wonders. If you do test it in the store, be sure the FM stereo light comes on. blownsi brings up some good points but if you find a good shop close you shouldn't be out much money to have it checked out. Local guy here in Lexington charges $40 an hour and is excellent.
 
Last edited:
I don't know of anybody that could check it out. There is only a Radioshack and a few computer stores. I already found a nice thread on here yesterday about deoxit and have read it and bookmarked it.
Is it bad news if the FM stereo light doesn't come on, or is that probably something that deoxit can fix? Thanks.
 
Texas Rookie said:
I don't know of anybody that could check it out. There is only a Radioshack and a few computer stores. I already found a nice thread on here yesterday about deoxit and have read it and bookmarked it.
Is it bad news if the FM stereo light doesn't come on, or is that probably something that deoxit can fix? Thanks.
Click to expand...

If the FM stereo light doesn't come on it usually means 2 things. The bulb could be burned out which isn't a big deal or there are issues with the FM section which isn't so good. Someone else can chime in if they have more to add.
 
Am I reading this correctly? 150 bucks? DUDE grab it! Then send it to Mattsd, Echowars, or any of the fine techs here, let them restore it, and then have your socks blown off.
 
onwardjames said:
Am I reading this correctly? 150 bucks? DUDE grab it! Then send it to Mattsd, Echowars, or any of the fine techs here, let them restore it, and then have your socks blown off.
Click to expand...

^^This. That is a good price for that receiver.

What's the worst that can happen? It doesn't work and you part it out or sell it as unworking for the same or more money..
 
Well I bought it! :D
IMG_2702.jpg
IMG_2703.jpg
Not a scratch on the wood. Glass is clean. All the knobs and switches work. All the lights work. So far it's only flaw is that the power switch is slightly bent to the right. I'm pretty pleased.
Thanks for all the help! It's great to have a nice, community of smart and caring people like yall! :D
 
Texas Rookie said:
Well I bought it! :D
View attachment 621852
View attachment 621853
Not a scratch on the wood. Glass is clean. All the knobs and switches work. All the lights work. So far it's only flaw is that the power switch is slightly bent to the right. I'm pretty pleased.
Thanks for all the help! It's great to have a nice, community of smart and caring people like yall! :D[/QUOTE

Great buy, well done Enjoy.

Best-

Boozehound
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom