Pioneer SX-780 thrill and heartbreak

[kermit z]

Hey guys, Well, finally score on CL. This a.m. I do my usual morning scan on CL. I see an add for a Pioneer SX-780 and it's listed at 20 bucks. I email immediatly. Its been posted for 26 minutes since it was posted, so I figure it is probabley gone. In a few minutes, my girlfriend says, "You have an email". I look and its from the seller. She says to call "Dave". I call and its still there. I tell them I'll be there. I get there in an hour and 26 minutes. Nice couple have it hooked up in the garage to some Baby Advents. Seller says the FM is not as smooth as he remembers. But sounds fine to me. They said they had 4 other callers but told them I was the first one. If I didn't want it, they would check with the next in line. I wanted:yes: He was the original owner. He said it was his first reciever from back in the day and he had kept it for sentimental reasons. But it was time to clear it out.

Here it is...

It was pretty dirty bit I cleaned the switches and pots. I replaced 1 bulb. But unfortunatley, while removing the knobs to clean, I broke the glass on the dial:sigh:. Guess I'll have to keep and eye out for another.

Anyway, this goes to show you, there are still decent CL sellers who keep their word:thmbsp:

 

[andy]

Any glass shop should be able to cut a new dial glass for $10-$20. Just tape it back together and tell them to copy it.

 

[kermit z]

Any glass shop should be able to cut a new dial glass for $10-$20. Just tape it back together and tell them to copy it.

Thanks Andy:thmbsp: Thats good to know.

 

[johnda]

Sorry about the glass, but you have a nice unit there! Congrats!

 

[Steelman]

Best $20.00 you'll ever spend :thmbsp:

 

[Jailtime]

Nice! Scoring on CL is great, isn't it?

 

[ccheath]

How did you break the dial glass? Is it just by pulling the knob out? I worked on several Pioneers of my own and broke none of them while removing the knob. It is good to know to watch out.

 

[JonL]

Very nice looking receiver there. Congratulations!

 

[kermit z]

How did you break the dial glass? Is it just by pulling the knob out? I worked on several Pioneers of my own and broke none of them while removing the knob. It is good to know to watch out.

Being careless really. I was trying to get the tuning knob off which was being a bear. Tried wiggling back and forth, then tried pulling and wiggling all at once. Then crack. Still did not get it off either:sigh:

Thanks for the kind words all. I have to say that it seems to sound stronger than 45wpc. I have it powering some KLH 17 and it sounds great:thmbsp:

 

[Mark W.]

The knob is held on with 1.5mm allen head set screw. Loosen this and it should slip right off.

 

[lha1992]

Sorry about the glass but that is one great score you got there!

Congrats!

 

[EchoWars]

I seem to remember that the 780 tuner knob simply pulls off.

 

[kermit z]

The knob is held on with 1.5mm allen head set screw. Loosen this and it should slip right off.

I seem to remember that the 780 tuner knob simply pulls off.

Mark, that was my thought in the beginning when it would not budge. On my SX-3700 it simply slids off. I cannot seems to find any screws in it. Looking at the service manual, I think Echo is correct since it just states to pull the knobs off. Unless its hidden which is of course possible.

 

[ccheath]

Being careless really. I was trying to get the tuning knob off which was being a bear. Tried wiggling back and forth, then tried pulling and wiggling all at once. Then crack. Still did not get it off either:sigh:

Thanks for the kind words all. I have to say that it seems to sound stronger than 45wpc. I have it powering some KLH 17 and it sounds great:thmbsp:

Hmmm.... The wiggle part is what I don't do. I just pull hard. Fortunately, my SX-780 didn't require that. Sometimes, I used both hands (1 finger and 1 thumb each) to pull stubborn knob out in some receivers.


The 780 does have plenty of power. I use it at my bedside for a sleeper receiver. I preferred my 780 over my 980 as a sleeper for the sound. 980 "sounds" better but I like the 780 sound. You got a good receiver. Enjoy.:guitar:

 

[Sam Cogley]

I don't know about the 780, but I have a 750 and there is no screw on the tuner knob. It slips on and off.

 

[Cogsinister]

Broken glass is a bummer but at least it can be replaced fairly easily.......

Lovely bit of gear for 20 bucks........

 

[bisonguy]

Definitely no screw on the tuner knob. I have two 780 receivers sitting here. Unusual that it would be so difficult to remove but replacing the glass is a minor thing.
Since the glass is already broken don't give up til you get the knob off. Now is the time to use some deoxit and faderlube to ensure it will keep on working fine.

 

[pustelniakr]

I just checked. The 780 tuner knob slips off, unless it has been glued by somebody (seen it).

Enjoy,
Rich P

 

[KT88Lover]

Frozen knobs and buttons on 20-30 years old silver faced electronics,
= popsicle sticks and wood shims, clean dry fingers and a lot of patience,
AND cussing. :yes:

Pressure should be applied squarely, try to avoid wiggling or applying force to just one side. For two reasons; a square pull will yield quicker results and much less chance of screwing anything else up, including the pot or switch.

One in particular on this KENWOOD I've just been working on was a real SOB, but with a little effort (a lot actually, took 15 minutes to get it off without marring the faceplate or the knob itself) it finally let go; they all will, even when glued. And on this particular receiver, although all the knobs and buttons are the standard style snap on friction fits, they still added a nice little bit of adhesive just to be sure. They were all extremely snug, and this always seems to be the case on models with LOTS and LOTS that need to be removed. The inserts are a nylon type material which is pretty much impervious to any sort of glue, and they will let go. The trick is just don't be in a hurry or you will be sad :yes: And clean the splines thoroughly as part of your routine before you put them back on. Once any old adhesive and dirt is wiped away, they'll behave much better the next time.

Sorry about your dial.
Jim

 

[kermit z]

Thanks guys. I'll spend some time on it today when I get home. I've worked on a few that were tough, but this one beats all.