Sam Burden
Active Member
Ok would like opinions on these 3 units. I have all 3 and would like input from others. Pros cons what you like or dislike. Thanks and let the fun begin,
pioneer sx-1250 versus Sansui 9090db versus Marantz 2325
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All very collectible, all have a HUGE following, all easily sell over $1k and all are great receivers.......beautiful to look at. You might be best comparing the SX1050 with the Marantz and Sansui as it's closer to the WPC those two produce....the SX1250 at 160 WPC has certain advantages over the other two units. I've had all three in multiples in the past and enjoyed them all. I sold off almost all my receivers the past few years and moved into separates but I would never turn any of these down again if the opportunity presented itself, but sadly they're all pretty much priced above my budget range for receivers these days. I'm sure you'll get plenty of technical differences opinions but I just wanted to throw my two cents in......
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
I think they are all heavy, higher powered receivers that pack a lot into one box. For the value of these and the difficulty in moving them, I prefer to get separate components. A 20-pound tuner, 20-preamp and a heavy amp (stereo) or two (mono units). I am missing the Knobs, Switches, Buttons and Dials all packed onto one faceplate and use up more shelves for the rig but it is much more manageable for me. Of course, there are those that love receivers and those three are well liked.
When you get a chance, let us know how they sound driving the same pair of speakers. I've only listened to the db and an SX-5580 and a 2238b two way smaller than the ones you have.
When you get a chance, let us know how they sound driving the same pair of speakers. I've only listened to the db and an SX-5580 and a 2238b two way smaller than the ones you have.
Sam Burden
Active Member
I would value your opinion since you have all 3. Have the units had any work done (restore/refurb/recap whatever...)?
Are they sounding as good as they can/should?
I'm also moving into separates, the engineers didn't have the same restrictions on size/space/weight...
KarlK
Well-Known Member
If it's value you're after and if all three are in good condition then the SX-1250 would be on top. It is the most sought-after of the bunch, not necessarily because it's more powerful but just because the 1250 has been popular with vintage collectors for a long time now. It's a fad let's put it that way. Personally I think the 1250 does indeed sound better but that's subjective because I collect Pioneer '50' series and like the way they sound so I may be biased. IMHO the 50 series was Pioneer at its best: well-engineered, looked good and sounded good.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Happy days! You have a fine collection. 9090DB is a little under-powered in this company, a better Sansui contender would be the G-9000.
Of the three on your list, I would rank as follows:
1. 2385
2. 9090DB
3. SX-1250
2385 needs no introduction. 9090DB reputation is well earned. SX-1250 is last because SQ is not to my liking. 1250 was tuned for the ultra-bright HPM-100 line so with most other speakers, the 1250 sounds slow ans lifeless.
IMO and IME. For the record, I have owned all three and many other Monsters. All are gone now except for the Concept 16.5.
Sam Burden
Active Member
The Sansui is original, The Marantz has been fully recapped with Elna Silmicii and Wimas as well as a few diode and transistor replacements for known failures. The Pioneer has been completely gone through. I recieved it with a catastrophic rt channel failure, main outputs, resistors charred and open, some diodes toast and other transistors toast so l rebuilt tge entire right board and then went ahead and did the left and the rest of the unit. So it has had every diode and transistor upgraded using Fairchild and On semis as well as all electrolytics and all mylars replaced. I used mostly Nichicon FGs and Wima polypropylene with a few low leakage and tvx for axial. I have to say it sounds incredible. I think really for it to be a fair test l would need to at least recap the 9090db. I plan on doing that anyway but just too many irons in the fire right now. I actually have 2 9090dbs with one that l repaired and had to rebuild the entire amplifier board. Some one else had replaced components on one side but still would not come out of protection. I fixed that issue and then changed out caps, diodes and transistors to ones more of my liking. So it works now but l am going to finish a full recap and then test it and will end up selling it. Then finally l will recap tge other and change out any known trannys that are failure prone.
Sam Burden
Active Member
Thanks for the reply actually its a 2325 not the 2385. I havnt really done comparison tests so to speak yet. Yhe 1250 has been co pletely gone through see a couple of my replys above for what has been done. I like all 3 but still need to test equally to see for comparisons and l think l would like to do a full recapp on the 9090 so it would be refreshed in that dept.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
Curious what you think when you can compare them all.
Sam Burden
Active Member
Will post comments when l do.
I have had all three here and have rebuilt all three. The pioneer is the best built by far. I fully rebuilt a 2325 and was pleasantly surprised with the results. It sounded very good.
I preferred my stock 9090DB over 9090's I restored.
Hmm, I didn't comment on the sound of the SX-1250.
Rob
I preferred my stock 9090DB over 9090's I restored.
Hmm, I didn't comment on the sound of the SX-1250.
Rob
Sam Burden
Active Member
As in you didnt like the sound of the 1250? Or
l have not done anything with my 9090 l am curious as to what caps you used in the ones you rebuilt. l have another 9090db that l had to repair and completely rebuild the amplifier board as well as replace the outputs. Maybe l will recap it and compare the 2 since l am partly there anyway. l have been using either Nichicon FGs or Elna Silmic ii for my rebuilds and like them both although the Elnas are bigger in physical size than the FGs and in tight spots can be a problem. Also in the one that has been repaired one of the BA312 ics was bad so l replaced both of them with the replacement boards from Sparko Labs so it would be interesting to compare and see.
Sam Burden
Active Member
freQ(*)Oddio
Super Member
1 .Owning Similar models for 30 years the Sansui 9090db always ends up in room 1 , no matter how much i like the looks of the other receivers the 9090 db i choose purely for "eyes shut" sound sweetness, soft around the edges and powerful with real sounding stereo separation. Please be aware all of these receivers tone controls effect different frequencies from one brand to the other, the bass/mid/treble frequency you personally enjoy turning up on one, may not be based on the same frequency on another. This is choice personal. My 9090db is easy to get a good sound out of. 2. Marantz . this is very very close to first not really a true drop to second i guess. This is a very clear neutral sounding Receiver well built, maybe the most impressive build of the three, probably a tie with the pio on Build. The Marantz tone controls i am often adjusting to find a balance of the midrange sound frequency. The Sui is a set it forget it sound, My Marantz receivers can drive me nuts sometimes but they certainly are worth it and sound amazing. I am often stunned by the design and how much time it must have took to make the pots all line up with the same size knobs for the controls, thats top build design and thought of appearance. 3 this is my favorite looking and best knob "feel" and the switches are also amazing, All the aluminum is stunning. I wanted My SX 1050 to be in room 1 many times, also had a 780 that was beautiful. The Sound was good and clear but the treble had a "air" on top regardless of the treble setting, I could not get a warm balanced sound that would remain pleasing with all my sources and music styles , without more tweaking , instead of listening. If you search around you may find more Marantz and Sansui models than Pioneer , used in world class sound settings with Todays top components and speakers. The Pio is incredible HiFi, and i feel was developed for that.
As in you didnt like the sound of the 1250? Or
The SX-1250 is a fine receiver, it just doesn't impress me sound wise. Beautiful build though. I used top quality caps in all the rebuilds. Nichicon, Elna, Panasonic. Replaced transistors and other known parts that should be replaced.
Maybe it would be a different outcome if I had $10,000 speakers. But then again, if I had $10,000 speakers I doubt I would be using any of these receivers.
Rob
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
None of the above. Too overdesigned, not as good sounding as medium powered equipment. I prefer 40-50 watts/channel and more efficient, easier to drive speakers.
Have heard and restored all three. Here's my ranking:
1: 1250
2: 2385
3: 9090DB
1: 1250
2: 2385
3: 9090DB
