Phase700b
AK Lurker & Kinsman
* Pictures Just Below *
I'm posting this mostly because I sure wish I had a similar comparison between late 70s era receivers such as these when I was considering a purchase. And, to hopefully highlight a few high points of each. Indeed, on appearance alone, both of these receivers are impressive, and even more so, given the modest price they can be obtained for. . . at least as of this writing. This will by no means be a comprehensive technical review, but rather some observations I made over a 3 month period when I pulled these both out of my collection to play in two different rooms and two sets of speakers.
To begin with, both the Technics SA-600 and Pioneer SX-780, offer similar features and are mid powered receivers with +50 to +70 RMS watts per channel. Not the powerhouse models of their day, but they both are more than competent and beauties to gaze upon if a vintage experience is what you are looking for. Both offer the same array of input/outputs with a phono, dual tape I/O monitor, Aux., and Tuner inputs; as well as dual speaker outputs that can handle a 4 ohm load, at least according to specs. Both have single ganged Bass and Treble tone controls, Loudness switch, Hi/Lo filters (the Technics has added Hi/Lo Boost), as well as FM muting and speaker output selection.
Both units consist of a beautiful extruded champagne/silver aluminum front panel, with the characteristic large knobs and many buttons, along with the thin, vinyl veneer cabinets common on lower priced units of the late 70's. I'm not sure that $350 to $500 was all that "low end" back in 1978!
Indeed, consider what this type of construction would cost today. I found both these units have their merits and are well worth consideration for those who may want to return to a vintage experience and listen to some LPs or FM Stereo again, yet do not want to break the bank. On a side note. . some very nice Sony models such as the STR-7065, STR-7055, and even older STR-6065/55 can be found for similar prices or a bit more and have real wood veneer cabinets and arguably better performance.
Now on to some differences and comparisons. Both units have power output indication with dual black faced meters on the Pioneer SX-780 and a colorful LED display on the Technics SA-600 with the plus of added dual range mode so that you can have a light show even at lower volume. The Technics also has both an FM/AM signal strength meter as well as an FM tuning meter. The Pioneer SX-780 only offers a center tuned FM meter , so a plus goes to the Technics SA-600. The speaker connection on the Technics, however, are a bit unique. They are a barrel type terminal with red/black color for speaker + and - and operate by inserting a bared speaker wire inside the connector and turning it 1/4 turn thereby pinching the wire internally to make the connection. Even 3/4" of bared wire leaves no chance of external shorts. They are a bit quirky to get used to though, as I was never sure how far to insert the speaker wire and not sure of durability. I think a little silicone spry or dry lube in each connector would help. The Pioneer offers a push and release type of speaker connection, but care must be taken to not strip too much insulation off the the speaker wire as bared wire can remains outside of the connector.
As mentioned earlier, used both of these fine mid priced receivers in two different rooms as well as side by side using the same speakers. I happen to have two pair of Advent large speakers re foamed and in fine shape. I also connected up a paid of Playback (EPI) Model II A 8" 2-way speakers w/ 1" soft dome tweeter, and a pair of American Acoustic DS-88 speakers with dual 8" drivers and 1" tweeter with acoustic lens tech (actually a pretty good speaker for the $$). I used each receiver in both locations as well as side by side with the Advents and switched receivers into the locations. Why these speakers? Well, I do have a set of B&W DM 603 S2 and DM 640i and have connected the Pioneer SX-780 to them, but reasoned the fore mentioned speakers are more representative of what most people buying a mid priced receiver would use. Besides, with the B&W the same basic sound characteristics were noted and are in my main system use and difficult to make connections.
The short take is that the Technics has a great low noise phono stage and that makes it a good choice for someone wanting to get back into vinyl and possibly dubbing some tapes or ripping to a computer from the receiver tape outputs. The Pioneer uses an early IC phono stage which were noted for noise and not the best in some other regards. That said, if the Pioneer is used with a higher output phono cartridge of 4.5mv or higher, acceptable performance is obtained. The Technics is better period for phono use.
On the other hand, the Technics SA-600 seems to have a more forward sound to it, but sounds detailed and jazz, classical and rock sound really good on it in my opinion. It seems to run a bit more on the treble and mid frequencies, which seems to work well for jazz and classical revealing a lot of musical detail. This unit seems very well suited for background listening at a distance, such as a for daily use with the FM Tuner section. Vocal and mid range material carry a long distance with the Technics. Old time Big Band sounded very nice on this unit. Also, if you just want plain LOUD rock on it for party, it also would serve well. It's well suited, though, with both a bass and treble boost as well as loudness control to find a sweet spot for your speakers.
The Pioneer seems to have a warmer over all sound more suited to intimate listening and offers a smooth, detailed and clean sound from any source be it vinyl, FM stereo, tape or CD. It is better suited for close up, serious listening and is a pleasure to spend time with. No matter which speaker I used with it, the sound was full and warm, yet soft detail was present in all music whether it was U2, Coldplay, Linda Ronstadt and Nelson Riddle, Sting, Micheal Buble, or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Yes, over all for sound, even with the somewhat noisey phono stage, I prefer the Pioneer. But neither would I through out the Technics.
The Pioneer SX-780 is closer to the warm sound produced from units such as the Sony STR-6065/55, STR-7065/55,STR-6200 and some others. These Sony units are also overlooked by many people and when found in good shape or restored offer a very clean tube like sound. Yes, they are among my favorites and often found with those great wooden cases.
Which brings us to power output. Both will deliver all the sound volume needed to have the neighbors complain if you want that. Perhaps the Technics a bit more, but all in the mid range and high end. If you want unit with warmer bass, then Pioneer has that and without being boomy or even having to move the bass control off dead center, except in possibly some program material (this is with or without using the Loudness switch).
Technics SA-600
Pioneer SX-780
I'm posting this mostly because I sure wish I had a similar comparison between late 70s era receivers such as these when I was considering a purchase. And, to hopefully highlight a few high points of each. Indeed, on appearance alone, both of these receivers are impressive, and even more so, given the modest price they can be obtained for. . . at least as of this writing. This will by no means be a comprehensive technical review, but rather some observations I made over a 3 month period when I pulled these both out of my collection to play in two different rooms and two sets of speakers.
To begin with, both the Technics SA-600 and Pioneer SX-780, offer similar features and are mid powered receivers with +50 to +70 RMS watts per channel. Not the powerhouse models of their day, but they both are more than competent and beauties to gaze upon if a vintage experience is what you are looking for. Both offer the same array of input/outputs with a phono, dual tape I/O monitor, Aux., and Tuner inputs; as well as dual speaker outputs that can handle a 4 ohm load, at least according to specs. Both have single ganged Bass and Treble tone controls, Loudness switch, Hi/Lo filters (the Technics has added Hi/Lo Boost), as well as FM muting and speaker output selection.
Both units consist of a beautiful extruded champagne/silver aluminum front panel, with the characteristic large knobs and many buttons, along with the thin, vinyl veneer cabinets common on lower priced units of the late 70's. I'm not sure that $350 to $500 was all that "low end" back in 1978!
Indeed, consider what this type of construction would cost today. I found both these units have their merits and are well worth consideration for those who may want to return to a vintage experience and listen to some LPs or FM Stereo again, yet do not want to break the bank. On a side note. . some very nice Sony models such as the STR-7065, STR-7055, and even older STR-6065/55 can be found for similar prices or a bit more and have real wood veneer cabinets and arguably better performance. Now on to some differences and comparisons. Both units have power output indication with dual black faced meters on the Pioneer SX-780 and a colorful LED display on the Technics SA-600 with the plus of added dual range mode so that you can have a light show even at lower volume. The Technics also has both an FM/AM signal strength meter as well as an FM tuning meter. The Pioneer SX-780 only offers a center tuned FM meter , so a plus goes to the Technics SA-600. The speaker connection on the Technics, however, are a bit unique. They are a barrel type terminal with red/black color for speaker + and - and operate by inserting a bared speaker wire inside the connector and turning it 1/4 turn thereby pinching the wire internally to make the connection. Even 3/4" of bared wire leaves no chance of external shorts. They are a bit quirky to get used to though, as I was never sure how far to insert the speaker wire and not sure of durability. I think a little silicone spry or dry lube in each connector would help. The Pioneer offers a push and release type of speaker connection, but care must be taken to not strip too much insulation off the the speaker wire as bared wire can remains outside of the connector.
As mentioned earlier, used both of these fine mid priced receivers in two different rooms as well as side by side using the same speakers. I happen to have two pair of Advent large speakers re foamed and in fine shape. I also connected up a paid of Playback (EPI) Model II A 8" 2-way speakers w/ 1" soft dome tweeter, and a pair of American Acoustic DS-88 speakers with dual 8" drivers and 1" tweeter with acoustic lens tech (actually a pretty good speaker for the $$). I used each receiver in both locations as well as side by side with the Advents and switched receivers into the locations. Why these speakers? Well, I do have a set of B&W DM 603 S2 and DM 640i and have connected the Pioneer SX-780 to them, but reasoned the fore mentioned speakers are more representative of what most people buying a mid priced receiver would use. Besides, with the B&W the same basic sound characteristics were noted and are in my main system use and difficult to make connections.
The short take is that the Technics has a great low noise phono stage and that makes it a good choice for someone wanting to get back into vinyl and possibly dubbing some tapes or ripping to a computer from the receiver tape outputs. The Pioneer uses an early IC phono stage which were noted for noise and not the best in some other regards. That said, if the Pioneer is used with a higher output phono cartridge of 4.5mv or higher, acceptable performance is obtained. The Technics is better period for phono use.
On the other hand, the Technics SA-600 seems to have a more forward sound to it, but sounds detailed and jazz, classical and rock sound really good on it in my opinion. It seems to run a bit more on the treble and mid frequencies, which seems to work well for jazz and classical revealing a lot of musical detail. This unit seems very well suited for background listening at a distance, such as a for daily use with the FM Tuner section. Vocal and mid range material carry a long distance with the Technics. Old time Big Band sounded very nice on this unit. Also, if you just want plain LOUD rock on it for party, it also would serve well. It's well suited, though, with both a bass and treble boost as well as loudness control to find a sweet spot for your speakers.
The Pioneer seems to have a warmer over all sound more suited to intimate listening and offers a smooth, detailed and clean sound from any source be it vinyl, FM stereo, tape or CD. It is better suited for close up, serious listening and is a pleasure to spend time with. No matter which speaker I used with it, the sound was full and warm, yet soft detail was present in all music whether it was U2, Coldplay, Linda Ronstadt and Nelson Riddle, Sting, Micheal Buble, or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Yes, over all for sound, even with the somewhat noisey phono stage, I prefer the Pioneer. But neither would I through out the Technics.
The Pioneer SX-780 is closer to the warm sound produced from units such as the Sony STR-6065/55, STR-7065/55,STR-6200 and some others. These Sony units are also overlooked by many people and when found in good shape or restored offer a very clean tube like sound. Yes, they are among my favorites and often found with those great wooden cases.
Which brings us to power output. Both will deliver all the sound volume needed to have the neighbors complain if you want that. Perhaps the Technics a bit more, but all in the mid range and high end. If you want unit with warmer bass, then Pioneer has that and without being boomy or even having to move the bass control off dead center, except in possibly some program material (this is with or without using the Loudness switch).
Technics SA-600
Pioneer SX-780
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