Pioneer SX-828, Sherwood s-7310 Heaven

[scimitar12]

I recently picked up my first vintage Pioneer off the auction site. The unit works great, at least from my initial playing with it for a week or so. Even came with al three pairs of speaker jacks. The sound it produces reflects everything I read on this site. The mids and highs are very clear with a slight warming tone. The bass is very impressive. So much so that I don't feel the need to engage the loudness switch. I have not removed the wood case but I definitely get the impression the build quality is excellent. All functions work except I do not have a turntable so can't test the phonos.

I wasn't really looking for a mid to lower powered received as I have several others with the Sherwood currently in rotation. In doing initial comparisons between the two I find the Sherwood is no slouch and holds its own very well against the Pioneer. The Sherwood's sound is close to the Pioneer except the Sherwood is a bit warmer. I have never had a Marantz but I can't help feel the Sherwood leans in that direction. The bass from the Sherwood, although not as deep as that from the Pioneer, is very good. Sound is excellent without being boomy. The tuners from both are very good. Neither has any advantage over the other than the sound qualities noted above.

The Pioneer is hooked up to Polk RT7 speakers. Good match but the Polks tend to have a deep bass which partially explains the impressive bass from the Pioneer. The Sherwood is hooked up to a pair of Advant 1s. To be fair I had the Sherwood professionally cleaned and serviced. I have not had any work done on the Pioneer and I do not know its history. Anyway I am not judging these receivers, just having some fun playing with them. I have a Kenwood KR-7400 that is having its tuner cord restrung. When I get that back I will run it up against the SX-828 to see how it stacks up.

 

[Robisme]

Pop that side cover off the Pioneer and see if you have the very hard to find MC transformer.

Nice receivers.

Rob

 

[scimitar12]

Pop that side cover off the Pioneer and see if you have the very hard to find MC transformers.

Nice receivers.

Rob

Yea, I was going to but it I was afraid I might snap it as it does not seem to want to move. Isn't the transformer an add-on supplied by Pioneer?

 

[Robisme]

Yes, an accessory that plugs in.

I have had a few SX-828s but none had the transformer.

Rob

 

[scimitar12]

Yes, an accessory that plugs in.

I have had a few SX-828s but none had the transformer.

Rob

Is this it? I popped the lid. I have no idea what I am looking at. Sorry for the less than stellar pic.

Edit: Upon further research on this site it seems what I have in the pic is something with a handle that is used to cover the device the MC transformer plugs into. It appears I do not have the transformer.

 

[larryderouin]

That's the Jumper plug. The Transformer looks like can cap (shorter and black tho) with an Octal plug on the bottom. VERY RARE and VERY EXPENSIVE if you do find one. I saw one on E-prey a few years ago that went for something like $300. Someone had more Money than Brains.

 

[audiojones]

Yeah I've never even seen one of those mc transformers after all these years. Probably not a popular selling item BITD considering how many excellent MM / MI cartridges available at the time to satisfy the typical receiver owner. The SX-828 is an excellent unit, TOTL at the time!

 

[larryderouin]

Here's a screenshot from the SX-828 Brochure. Part # and all if anyone with an 828 wants to hunt one down.