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Pioneer VSX-5600 or SX-636?

M

mwillis

New Member
Hey all,

So I'm in the market for a new receiver (maybe), I currently own an old Pioneer VSX-5600 but it's not in great shape. I'm not that knowledgeable in any of the under-the-hood stuff but basically the knobs produce static and there's a short somewhere because I only get sound through my left speaker at a certain position on the volume knob. I'm not super confident about repairing it, and from what I can find it's not a great receiver in the first place so I don't know if it's even worth the trouble.

I have been searching on Craigslist and found a fully serviced Pioneer SX-636 for $120. Would I be better off putting a little elbow grease into the one I have now? There's also a Harman Kardon 330C for $125. How would these all compare to each other? Are there other vintage receivers out there I could find a better deal on and get more bang for my buck? I live in a small town so Craigslist options are limited. There's also not much in the way of Thrift shops around here. All I will be using it for is to power my speakers from my turntable. I have an external phono preamp so a phono input isn't necessarily a necessity.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me!
 
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I'm a bit prejudiced against black faced receivers, surround sound or otherwise. But between those two Pioneers, the 636 is significantly less powerful. Those VSX Pioneers were too busy for my taste and contained features I would never use, need or care about. I never had any interest whatsoever in anything other than two channel stereo. An odd situation as my occupation was selling the stuff and surround sound/home theatre quickly dominated that industry.

Be that as it may, a VSX5600 will likely be better sounding than an SX636. When new, the 636 might have been the bottom of the line Pioneer whereas the 5600 was two or three steps up. Not sure if it was an SX636 I saw a few weeks ago but even though it was $30 (with silver Philips direct drive and PSB speakers) I took a pass because I saw STK power modules inside. I'm prejudiced against those as well.

Personally, I'd stay with the VSX5600 and keep a search going for a silver face Japanese receiver in the 75~100 WPC range with good ol' output transistors. Unless you don't mind paying for the name, it does not have to be Pioneer. Lots of others out there that might not be in vogue but are equally as good or better.
 
Just did a little reading and the 5600 seems to get rather good reviews for 2 channel listening. Also looks like it has preouts for external amps. Like said before the 636 is a low powered unit and has STK packs which are very difficult to find. If it was me I think I would try to fix the 5600.

If your looking for something to replace the 5600 I would look for something with higher power than the 636 like 62vauxhall said.
 
I have a Pioneer sx-636 and an HK 330c, as mentioned by the OP. Both are great sounding receivers in my opinion. The Pioneer is 30wpc, and the HK is 20wpc, but both have a very big, full presence.
I could be wrong, because my knowledge of these things is limited, but I don't think the sx636 has STK output transistors. Here is a pic from the web:

Edit: Oh, and it sounds like the VSX-5600 might just need some De-oxit treatment on the volume control. Could solve all your problems.

20120603-190542.jpg
 
The VSX-5600 has a great amount of sonic quality and will do well with some extremely sensitive speakers like the Yahmaha NS-1000 because of the speakers phenomenal imaging.
 
superdog said:
I had a 636 that sounded pretty good.I like this series of Pioneer as I think they are the best sounding series of vintage Pioneer.
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I had one too, and I really liked it. I also loved that vintage look it has. The SX636 is I believe (without looking it up) an early 70s model with a good bit of heft to it, and a warm sound. No stk’s in it. All discrete components.

I guess it all depends on what you want. I’m biased in my opinion, so I would take the 636 any day over the newer bpc pioneer.
 
All the VSX is some deoxit and that is not hard to do at all. Fix the newer one and buy the old one. The 636 is a great unit. I use vintage for two channel music and a Marantz AVR for TV and home theater. Don't think you need one or the other.
 
I am a fan of the pioneer vsx series. Have several models. Never had any issues and sound is great to me. Also love the ergonomics of these units. Not to mention it helps to have a remote control unit...
 
luxmaster said:
I am a fan of the pioneer vsx series. Have several models. Never had any issues and sound is great to me. Also love the ergonomics of these units. Not to mention it helps to have a remote control unit...
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There are not a lot of fans of the VSX series from the late 80's but I like them too. -5600, -9300, -9500, -9700 etc. I have owned several and they sound great and in particular have very good tuner sections IMO. The display panels are prone to reliability issues. Pre amp out/main inputs are always a plus. The controls can turn some folks away, but once you've used them a bit not a big deal.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
SX 636 sounds better. And discrete transistors.
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To those who prefer single ended capacitor coupled amps from the early 70's I am sure it does. Having never heard a SX-636, I won't dispute you. In general though I'm in the other camp. Late 80's gear sounds better *if* it's 100 WPC or more, like the -5600.
 
Want 100 WPC or more and Pioneer? Then go for a SX 1010, SX 1050, SX 1250, or SX 1280 and don't look back. There's your best receivers Pioneer built which had the power you want. And the best built and performing of that class.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Want 100 WPC or more and Pioneer? Then go for a SX 1010, SX 1050, SX 1250, or SX 1280 and don't look back. There's your best receivers Pioneer built which had the power you want. And the best built and performing of that class.
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I own a SX-1050 actually. But that wasn't the OP's question was it.

I'm just saying if you put that 30 watter SX-636 up against the VSX there there wouldn't be a question on which one is more powerful, and to my ears which one would sound better.
 
For me, Pioneer VSX lines has too many IC chips. is too overdesigned, and too spec sheet engineered. Excellent for what it is. But cheap today for a reason. If it fails, may well not be repairable. Still among the best sounding AVR models. But cost cut compared to the best of the oldies. The last somewhat good Pioneers. .
 
KentTeffeteller said:
For me, Pioneer VSX lines has too many IC chips. is too overdesigned, and too spec sheet engineered. Excellent for what it is. But cheap today for a reason. If it fails, may well not be repairable. Still among the best sounding AVR models. But cost cut compared to the best of the oldies. The last somewhat good Pioneers. .
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Ive never had one fail on me yet. On one of my 9500's the screen flickers when the remote is in use. However because these units go for a very affordable price i do have several working back ups for several models
 
Couple of things about the SX-636.
1.) As Kent and a few others said, it has TO-3 Discrete Output Transistors. NO STK Modules. The STK's didn't didn't come along until the x80 series for the most part.
2.) Contrary to 62Vauxhall's comment, The 636 IS NOT BOTL. it's 1 down from the MOTL, the 737 being the MOTL Unit. There are 2 more units BELOW the 636. And with good efficient speakers will give you hearing loss at a volume setting of 12:00.

lico; Just because it has more watts, DOES NOT MEAN it sounds better. Compare the SX-636 against the VSX within the capbilities of the SX-636, and I think you'll be surprised at the sound from the 636.
 
My Sx-636 can easily drive my fairly large and not too efficient Rectilinear III's, and sound great.
Also, for what it's worth, and for those who put stock in such things, the 636 weighs over a pound more that the VSX...
 
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