Pioneer SX-xx50 series? And a few other options I've considered.

T

Taketheflame

Super Member
Hey all,

I've actually been curious about this series of classic receivers for a while now. I'm looking into a second receiver to have around. As much as I do like my Akai AA-R30 (That sadly, is in need of some love), it would most likely become my bedroom receiver, and I'd be looking to go with something w/extra power and features to use as the main/living room receiver.

I originally had the idea of hunting down one of the bigger Akai receivers (AA-1050/AA-1175/AA-1200), but they're fairly difficult to find in the US (And I'd rather not import a different voltage version), and the 1175/1200 prices are getting pretty high from what I've seen. I also had interest in one of the big Optonica models (i.e - SA-5601/5901), but they're incredibly rare, and I'm not sure I want to keep waiting for one to pop up.

That brings me to some of the easier to find vintage options - Looks like there are a lot of Pioneer SX-xx50 and SX-xx80 models out there, and the ones that aren't TOTL wattage monsters (i.e - SX-1250 or SX-1980) still seem to be able to be had for less money than I expected an old Pioneer to cost. I'm looking into the SX-850 or SX-950 - how are these models in the SX line? And how would they compare to the Akai I have? I've also read to go w/the xx-50 over the xx-80 series, due to parts being difficult to find for the xx80-line, but I'm curious for opinions on this.

In additional to the Pioneer, I've also looked into the Technics SA-x00 line (Specifically, the SA-600, or the 700/800), the Kenwood KR-line (i.e - KR-7050/8050). How do these lines compare to the Pioneer I'm considering in terms of sound characteristics and build quality? How would they all get along w/a pair of Advents?

Thanks!
 
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Taketheflame said:
Hey all,

I've actually been curious about this series of classic receivers for a while now. I'm looking into a second receiver to have around. As much as I do like my Akai AA-R30 (That sadly, is in need of some love), it would most likely become my bedroom receiver, and I'd be looking to go with something w/extra power and features to use as the main/living room receiver.

I originally had the idea of hunting down one of the bigger Akai receivers (AA-1050/AA-1175/AA-1200), but they're fairly difficult to find in the US (And I'd rather not import a different voltage version), and the 1175/1200 prices are getting pretty high from what I've seen. I also had interest in one of the big Optonica models (i.e - SA-5601/5901), but they're incredibly rare, and I'm not sure I want to keep waiting for one to pop up.

That brings me to some of the easier to find vintage options - Looks like there are a lot of Pioneer SX-xx50 and SX-xx80 models out there, and the ones that aren't TOTL wattage monsters (i.e - SX-1250 or SX-1980) still seem to be able to be had for less money than I expected an old Pioneer to cost. I'm looking into the SX-850 or SX-950 - how are these models in the SX line? And how would they compare to the Akai I have? I've also read to go w/the xx-50 over the xx-80 series, due to parts being difficult to find for the xx80-line, but I'm curious for opinions on this.

In additional to the Pioneer, I've also looked into the Technics SA-x00 line (Specifically, the SA-600, or the 700/800), the Kenwood KR-line (i.e - KR-7050/8050). How do these lines compare to the Pioneer I'm considering in terms of sound characteristics and build quality? How would they all get along w/a pair of Advents?

Thanks!
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What sort of money are you looking to spend on the Pioneer receivers?
 
Have you considered separates? I had a lot of classic receivers and only one sounded as good as separates.
 
ET16 - I haven't ruled out seperates, but feel that I may do better w/a receiver on my budget (at least based on what I've seen higher end vintage stuff from the usual suspects going for on eBay/CL). That, and I suppose there is that certain "cool" factor w/big receivers..

Mamrak1 - I'm hoping to score something for $350-400, but would consider pushing it to $500 or so for the right example - since prices seem to be rising fast on classic 70's gear in good shape in recent years.
 
Also - I read that the Technics SA-x00 series do not have properly shielded bottom plates? (No metal). Can anyone confirm or comment on this - or whether the metal really matters?
 
Best bang for the buck is to avoid the common brands that everyone wants. That leads to higher prices for the same type of unit compared to the less well known, probably better sounding units. There is discussion about a Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui Tax on gear because these are the brands folks 'have to have' and they pay more for them compared to many other brands. It really is a unit by unit comparison to find the best value.

Everything seems to get along with a pair of Advents and many pieces can work just fine with two pair wired in parallel to get that Stacked Advent sound magic.

Don't leave the Onkyos off your list. The TX-4500 at 55wpc, II at 60 or the TX-6500mkII) would be fine units and sound very good. Even the TX-2500 II has 40 wpc if that is enough for you.
 
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Blue Shadow - Generally speaking, brand-name tax is why I've tended to shy away from those 3 brands (especially Marantz), but I occasionally spot Pioneer stuff for good enough prices that I figure it'd be worth it to make a move on one if the price is right.

Onkyo certainly isn't stuff I'd rule out, I just don't see it too often. Thanks for the model names.
 
Speaker - amp pairing is one thing to consider, ... some really great pieces can sound horrible together in my experience, magical with the right pairing.

The Pioneer xx50 series is very nice, ... unless you start comparing it to similar-priced non-xx50 gear. I've had a few including the SX-1250, and I like them much better than the xx80 series for several reasons. However, I sold all of them because the SX-1010 simply sounds more musical, and happily you can buy one for much less than the more collectible SX-1050 (power is somewhere between SX-950 and SX-1050).

The "Pioneer tax", "Marantz tax", etc. is really a collector tax. For the money you can buy a very nice Adcom, Carver, (insert your fav here) etc. that sounds better, has more power, is more reliable, and is an all-around better daily-use amplifier. Sure, once completely restored the Pioneer/Marantz etc. will be reliable, .. but that's completely restored which most are not and likely none for < $500. Most of us who have paid good money for silver-face Pioneer and Marantz bought them for the look and nostalgia, not the specs nor the performance/dollar ratio.

If you are looking for vintage power that isn't overpriced, I prefer the Onkyo A10 or a little less money/power the A7. Pretty tough and well built. Their receivers of the era (receivers look nice but are always a compromise in sound) are also very good for much less money than the Pioneer and Marantz. Not as highly collectible, so not as expensive.
 
/\ - I appreciate the input from you both.

Well - part of why I started this thread was because I thought I might have had a lead on a good deal for an SX-950, but it fell through (Seller never got back to me after leaving a message - probably already sold it or changed their mind is my guess - it was listed for a good $250-400 less than what similar condition examples were listed for on the Bay).

Since it looks like (for now) my shot at a "brand-tax free" Pioneer has passed, I think I'll just have to keep my eye out for the right Akai, Onkyo, Optonica, Technics, etc. stuff, and be somewhat patient :p.

And this hobby really is quite the rabbit hole - thinking of trying a big receiver first, and maybe hunting down a set of seperates too - to see what I like more. It's not like backup gear is necessarily a bad idea in the world of vintage anyways :D.
 
SaturationPt said:
The "Pioneer tax", "Marantz tax", etc. is really a collector tax. For the money you can buy a very nice Adcom, Carver, (insert your fav here) etc. that sounds better, has more power, is more reliable, and is an all-around better daily-use amplifier.
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Had to QFT that statement. Correct it is a collector tax but we kinda assign a brand name to it. Collector because of the stereo store lust when folks bought a smaller unit and lusted for the biggun on the shelf when young. Now they have the money and have to have that unit of their dreams.

There is so much more out there and we both mentioned Onkyo, the amps and the receivers as being nice sounding units readily available without the collector tax. If one wants a unit they couldn't buy back then, I don't have a problem with them insisting on the 'taxed' units but if they want the best sound quality for the money, we have both stated it can be had for less from other companies' units. It is all part of the hobby.
 
I have a SX-780, it's a good midline unit. It generally cost 50% more than it should. If I were looking for the best bang for the buck it would be....

Lafayette LR 3500 -75
Realistic STA-120B - 50
JVC vr-5551 -100
 
If you could find one in your price range I’d go for the Pioneer SX-850 and up; in my opinion superior to the SX-xx80 series receiver.
 
So - does anyone have any more info the Technics SA-x00 series?

From what I've read thus far, a lot of people seem to love them - some people even ditching more expensive options in favor of them, but I've also read that the controls can be problematic and difficult to clean - or that they don't sound that good on the top end (a bit harsh/grainy). A few people have also complained of suspect build quality in some areas.

A lot of conflicting info out there on them, so I'm fishing for more opinions. More specifically, say it was a case of a Technics SA-700 or 800 vs the Pioneer SX-850 or 950? Off the bat, the Technics models do offer more power and a midrange knob - but more importantly - will it sound on par with (or better) than the SX?
 
I think the Pioneer SX850/950 are both marvelous receivers.
Conversely I had a Technics SA-800 and thought it was rather flimsy; I never compared them sonically.
IMHO of course.
 
If it were me starting out new, wanting the vintage looks but not wanting to pay big $$ for the desirable upper echelon units, I would get the smallest one that I could find that had pre-amp outputs and couple it with a nice power amp. Best of both worlds.
 
I would start looking at the different receivers/amplifiers you have interest in, (and maybe some you've never considered), on YouTube, and searching info on them in this forum to give you an idea what their pros and cons are...
 
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