Pioneer SX-x2x - The Mother Lode

[Dr. Strangelove]

Here is the Pioneer SX-x2x line from a 1973 catalog:

SX-424
SX-525
SX-626
SX-727
SX-828

Doc

 

[70salesguy]

I sold a lot of these units back in the day.

RARELY ever had one come back with a problem or complaint.

I believe that these units really were the beginning of the silver-faced legend!

 

[markthefixer]

I have a 525 and 626 in line for some TLC.....

 

[70salesguy]

I never was too thrilled to sell the 424, because I knew the buyer would always wish that he had spent a little more.

Sold a lot of SX-525's though. It was a great centerpiece for a reasonably priced system. Sold a lot of them with a Garrard 42MS turntable with a Shure Cartridge installed. Usually sold them with a pair of house brand speakers, either the 10 inch 2-way units or the 12 inch 3-way units. This system was a lot of great sound for reasonable $$$. :yes:

Quite a few people moved up to the SX-626, few stopped at the SX-727. The TOTL SX-828 made for a great system!

 

[Arkay]

I see a lot of the 424s in the wholesale outlets here, and a few (a lot fewer) of the higher-numbered ones. Seems a lot of people bought those 424s here, and they've been in service until people are still just getting rid of them now. There is a long-established audio parts supplier in the Central business district here (lots of tubes and discrete components) that uses one as the tuner+preamp for their in-shop sound system!

A 424 was actuallly one of my first purchases when I found AK scratch2: Geez, that sounds religious or something! ) and started getting into vintage audio. I listened to it for a couple of months and enjoyed the sound , although it was only really suitable for smaller rooms. When it finally blew an output, I discovered it was cheaper to buy another working used one than to replace four output transistors. :sigh: I gave it to someone who would fix and appreciate it. Never tried any others in the series, since I finallly found an SX-1050 and (most recently) an SX-1250.

This model always gives me a twinge of sadness, as almost no one here wants them, yet they are pretty and nice little vintage units that, given their basic decency as smaller receivers, should be more appreciated.

 

[70salesguy]

One of the things that made the 424 seem cheap was that it didn't have a balance knob. I believe the volume knob was split for left and right channels.

The 12W per channel pretty much limited it to small rooms, as stated. It usually was an easy step-up to the 525 (17W per channel).

I did sell a few 424's with a pair of house brand 8 inch 2-ways (but not to anyone who was going to play R&R).

 

[ferninando]

my 727 is a very fine full featured unit with enough power to wake up the neighborhood. 2 phonos, 2 tapes, pre/main jumpers, 2 meters and a attractive silver face plate.

 

[Destructor]

I love my SX828, just completed an overhaul and refinished the case. It looks and performs like new.

 

[bvk_houtx]

I bought a new SX-828 in 1974. I still have it in use. There are some minor things that need to be looked at but I don't think I will ever part with it.

 

[slow_jazz]

My friend purchased a new Pioneer SX-434 and a pair of Jensen speakers new when I was in High School. At the time we thought it was awesome....

 

[Greg B.]

Interesting scans, Doc, thanks.

Anyone know what the MRSPs on these were back then, and what they typically sold for?

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

SX-424 - $180
SX-525 - $240
SX-626 - $280
SX-727 - $350
SX-828 - $430


Doc

 

[centralflori]

Interesting scans, Doc, thanks.

Anyone know what the MRSPs on these were back then, and what they typically sold for?

I don't know msrp, but I got my sx626 as a trade in (almost new), for $225 if memory serves! May have been a little high, but it looked and sounded good.:yes:

 

[tarior]

This model always gives me a twinge of sadness, as almost no one here wants them, yet they are pretty and nice little vintage units that, given their basic decency as smaller receivers, should be more appreciated.

I know how you feel, I have a few small Pioneer and other brand receivers languishing out in the shop for lack of appreciation.

 

[bully]

I had a new SX-828. It was great sounding and pounded the CS-88A & CS99A long and loud with never a whimper.

 

[cgnman59]

I have a 525 that a woman in our church just gave to me because "it sounds terrible." I carefully brought up the volume and while everything worked okay, she was right it did sound terrible, like it needed new capacitors. I took it home, opened up the case and sure enough the caps are dried out and about half the lights on the dial are out. So that is my project but it will be worth it when finished.

 

[par4golf]

Salesguy's Right

The SX424 had a dual concentric volume knob, outer knob for left, inner knob for right, as I recall. This unit is still in use at my neighbor's cabin after I gave it to him 2 years ago!:yes: