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Prettiest SX Receivers?

SimplerTimes

SimplerTimes

Super Member
Hi and Happy New Year everyone! I have a question about which Pioneer receiver series is the most attractive? On looks alone, what are opinions on the prettiest Pioneer SX receivers? I have pondered this for awhile as I have been collecting Pio’s over the last few years. I own or have seen in person the following: SX-2500, x3x, xx50, xx80, 3x00 and D5000/7000 Flouroscans as well as the “Communication” series i.e. SX-8,9 etc. One series I have not seen in person however is the x2x series. Looking at pictures though, these receivers look stunning to me! Even more so than the xx50’s which are currently my favorite based on looks as well as a whole lot of other reasons too. Anyway I was wondering what are others’ opinions on the best looking SX’s? Are the x2x series as pretty in person as photographs show?
 
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My favorite is the SX-55xx series. Black versions of the SX-xx50 series. Nobody ever commented on my 1050 or 1250 but as soon as I rotated my 5580 into use a few months ago I started getting compliments on it.
 
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Externally the x2x series and x3x series are what they would consider in some states closer than kissing cousins, but not quite brother and sister. The x2x's knob's are very similar to the SX1000TW/sx2500/SX9000 types or the previous gen. Dial and meters are all BLUE in one tint or another. The x3x knobs are a metal shell with a plastic insert for the splined shafts. the X2X's are generally solid metal. The dial's and meters on the x3x's have white on the meters, while the function lamps have different colors.
For me the x2x look a little less than the x3x's. Look past the face, and listen to a 626 727, or an 828. Less analytical than the x3x's, X50's, or the x80's. And they sound surprisingly tube-ish. I consider the X3x's, upgraded x2x's. Pioneer got the sound right here. I have a 790 (black dial 780) and play it on ocassion but it get fatiguing after an hour. My 939 sounds a lot better, less fatiguing. And it gets mistaken for 1010 a lot (838,939,1010 share a faceplate).
 
Another vote for the black face SX-xx50.

What was the SX-1250 in black, SX-5850?
She rocks.
 
SimplerTimes said:
Hi and Happy New Year everyone! I have a question about which Pioneer receiver series is the most attractive? On looks alone, what are opinions on the prettiest Pioneer SX receivers? I have pondered this for awhile as I have been collecting Pio’s over the last few years. I own or have seen in person the following: SX-2500, x3x, xx50, xx80, 3x00 and D5000/7000 Flouroscans as well as the “Communication” series i.e. SX-8,9 etc. One series I have not seen in person however is the x2x series. Looking at pictures though, these receivers look stunning to me! Even more so than the xx50’s which are currently my favorite based on looks as well as a whole lot of other reasons too. Anyway I was wondering what are others’ opinions on the best looking SX’s? Are the x2x series as pretty in person as photographs show?
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I'm partial to the SX-650 I grew up with, but it's hard to beat the SX-980. That is a beautiful receiver.
 
I have always been drawn to the X50 series. The bright, low contrast faceplate always looked clean and stylish to me. Those were the ones I remember lusting after at a Team Electronics store in my early teens. Looks are so subjective and it seems nostalgia plays a big part for most. That said, I'm finishing up a restoration on a 727 and boy, does that thing sound great after replacing the caps and a few transistors!
 
Personally, I don't think the SX-5590 and other black face ones in that range look as good as the silver face. Oddly, I really like the black faced versions of the Sansui 9090 and Marantz receivers.

I think I've grown to like the *50 series over the *80 series because they're more understated.
 
I have the SX-1050 as my main squeeze, but I'm now admiring an SX-838 that I refurbed last year (after a year+ wait for parts). After the refurb I ran it for a bit to confirm my work then set it aside waiting for my son to take it. He's not ready for it yet, but I recently brought it out for an extended run to make sure its ready for prime time.

I didn't really notice while working on it, but say, that's a handsome unit!
 
I personally own a 636, 1050 and a 3700.

I'm born in the 70's, but my most impressionable years growing up were in the 80's, so the SX-3700/3800/3900 are my favorites. I love the juxtaposition of the machined aluminum panel lit by incandescent lights and the blue VFD displays. Best of both worlds.
My SX-636 in very nearly in a tie with my 3700, I love the blacked-out, backlit dial and meters. The lighted needle really looks good. I think the x2x series, although similar, look a touch better than the x3x series, I especially like the white-text meters on the x2x.
My SX-1050 is a respectable 3rd place in my collection. The clean machining of the aluminum, the warm incandescent lighting, it's very classy. I can see why people love the x5x series. However, I think the specs and serviceability of this generation stand out more than it's restrained looks.

Also, I think it's criminal to put colored LEDs into the silver-faced receivers. There's something about the way the anodized, machined aluminum plays with the rich, warm light of incandescent. Colored LEDs are monochromatic, so it just washes out the best part of these machines. However, my SX-636 looks real good with LEDs in it.
 
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