Super Noob
Super Member
Project Pioneer: SX-1010
In my neverending quest for 70s silver face bliss, the adventure continues.
There was a post in BT for a somewhat local unloved Pioneer SX-1010 with more than a few operational & cosmetic issues. This was my first purchase off BT since my status was updated to subscriber more than a year ago.
@reardonp6 = thanks Pat.
As you may know, have much love for all things 70s stereo related, and this was a chance to get into a unit that was arguably the first shot fired in the 70s power war. With 100 watts per channel at 20 Hz @ 8 Ohm - the SX-1010 was a game changer for sure.
The birth year of the SX-1010 coincides with mine = 1974. My patient though was a very late production unit with a serial number of "VL" = December 1975. It has some nuances that are untypical of the early models.
Over the last three years or so, I have rebuilt so many units but have always found the Pioneer equipment had exceptional build quality and always responded great to recaps / rebuilds. SX-1250 (2), SX-950 (1), SX-850 (1), SX-750 (1), and SX-727 (1). The SX-727 was a lower wattage unit that showed me early Pioneer gear (prior to the SX-xx50 line) were worthwhile. In fact many folks here - in the know - feel that the SX-1010 is one of the best sounding Pioneers ever built.
The patient was in non-functioning state with front glass busted, no top cover, missing knobs and switch covers, busted power toggle, speaker switch 'A' non-functioning. I would consider my 1010 a "barn find" with some light corrosion and definitely a basket case; however, I do enjoy testing my limited skills and patience that non-working units present.
My boy Issac - @ivandezande - hooked me up with a top cover and some knobs. Thanks Dude!
The following posts will breakdown my rebuild that occurred over the past few months. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to be safe and tackle a build in the future. Most of the lists utilize the work previously done by @markthefixer @EchoWars & @zebulon1 @kevzep @larryderouin @mattsd. These folks are inspiring and extremely charitable with their years of knowledge = thanks.
In my neverending quest for 70s silver face bliss, the adventure continues.
There was a post in BT for a somewhat local unloved Pioneer SX-1010 with more than a few operational & cosmetic issues. This was my first purchase off BT since my status was updated to subscriber more than a year ago.
@reardonp6 = thanks Pat.
As you may know, have much love for all things 70s stereo related, and this was a chance to get into a unit that was arguably the first shot fired in the 70s power war. With 100 watts per channel at 20 Hz @ 8 Ohm - the SX-1010 was a game changer for sure.
The birth year of the SX-1010 coincides with mine = 1974. My patient though was a very late production unit with a serial number of "VL" = December 1975. It has some nuances that are untypical of the early models.
Over the last three years or so, I have rebuilt so many units but have always found the Pioneer equipment had exceptional build quality and always responded great to recaps / rebuilds. SX-1250 (2), SX-950 (1), SX-850 (1), SX-750 (1), and SX-727 (1). The SX-727 was a lower wattage unit that showed me early Pioneer gear (prior to the SX-xx50 line) were worthwhile. In fact many folks here - in the know - feel that the SX-1010 is one of the best sounding Pioneers ever built.
The patient was in non-functioning state with front glass busted, no top cover, missing knobs and switch covers, busted power toggle, speaker switch 'A' non-functioning. I would consider my 1010 a "barn find" with some light corrosion and definitely a basket case; however, I do enjoy testing my limited skills and patience that non-working units present.
My boy Issac - @ivandezande - hooked me up with a top cover and some knobs. Thanks Dude!
The following posts will breakdown my rebuild that occurred over the past few months. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to be safe and tackle a build in the future. Most of the lists utilize the work previously done by @markthefixer @EchoWars & @zebulon1 @kevzep @larryderouin @mattsd. These folks are inspiring and extremely charitable with their years of knowledge = thanks.
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