Restored SX-1010 Vs. Original SX-1250

[Ben Rothman]

Hello everyone, I’m faced with a big dilema. A couple weeks ago, I had my grandfather’s pioneer SX-1010 rebuilt from the ground up and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I recently got an sx 1250 for an unbelievably cheap price(too good to pass up), but it’s all original. Despite being all original, it sounds great and cosmetically is in perfect condition. I honestly don’t know which to use. They both sound great but with the 1010 I have the piece of mind that i can use it for 30 more years without issue. The 1250, I don’t know how long it will last being all original. Any help would be much appreciated

 

[Grenadeslio]

Hello everyone, I’m faced with a big dilema. A couple weeks ago, I had my grandfather’s pioneer SX-1010 rebuilt from the ground up and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I recently got an sx 1250 for an unbelievably cheap price(too good to pass up), but it’s all original. Despite being all original, it sounds great and cosmetically is in perfect condition. I honestly don’t know which to use. They both sound great but with the 1010 I have the piece of mind that i can use it for 30 more years without issue. The 1250, I don’t know how long it will last being all original. Any help would be much appreciated

While the 1250 is more powerful many prefer the sound of the monster receiver granddaddy that started it all, the SX1010.

 

[Ben Rothman]

While the 1250 is more powerful many prefer the sound of the monster receiver granddaddy that started it all, the SX1010.

Yeah I’ve heard that as well. I’m actually listening to it right now, it sounds so good.

 

[PTL-Pioneer]

Keep them both just use the sx1010 for however long it takes before you have to scratch the itch to get the sx1250 restored. I sold my sx1010 and regretted it so much I bought another one.

 

[bandg69]

You have a beautiful sx 1010 to listen to while the 1250 is in the shop. Enjoy them both.
BTW: If I had to pick just one, it's the 1010

 

[Joe Nardy]

Ben,

I own a restored SX-1250 and it is a great unit. Although I've never owned an SX-1010, I did some work on the one owned by @bandg69. It is also a great sounding unit. If I had to own just one, either would suffice. It's probably not fair to compare a restored unit with an original unit. If it were me, I would have the SX-1250 restored to the same level as the SX-1010 then do some comparing. I would probably be heavily swayed by the fact that my grandfather had owned the SX-1010 but that might not be the case for you. Since you got the SX-1250 for a great price you likely won't lose any money if you sell it, even if you have it restored. For me, aesthetics are part of the joy of ownership and I'm partial to the SX-1250 over the SX-1010, but not by a big margin.

It's really up to your personal preference. Both are TOTL units and are both highly regarded by most vintage audio enthusiasts. You can't go wrong either way. If it were me, I'd keep both if I possibly could.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Super Noob]

Both rebuilt with all the proper goodies...

 

[Ben Rothman]

Keep them both just use the sx1010 for however long it takes before you have to scratch the itch to get the sx1250 restored. I sold my sx1010 and regretted it so much I bought another one.

Yeah I’m listening to the 1010 right now and it sounds great! I’m definitely going to use the sx 1250, but and if it starts having problems, I’ll definitely, have it repaired properly

 

[Ben Rothman]

Both rebuilt with all the proper goodies...

They’re both great looking! Doesn’t the sx 1250 get hot with that 1010 on top?

 

[Ben Rothman]

Ben,

I own a restored SX-1250 and it is a great unit. Although I've never owned an SX-1010, I did some work on the one owned by @bandg69. It is also a great sounding unit. If I had to own just one, either would suffice. It's probably not fair to compare a restored unit with an original unit. If it were me, I would have the SX-1250 restored to the same level as the SX-1010 then do some comparing. I would probably be heavily swayed by the fact that my grandfather had owned the SX-1010 but that might not be the case for you. Since you got the SX-1250 for a great price you likely won't lose any money if you sell it, even if you have it restored. For me, aesthetics are part of the joy of ownership and I'm partial to the SX-1250 over the SX-1010, but not by a big margin.

It's really up to your personal preference. Both are TOTL units and are both highly regarded by most vintage audio enthusiasts. You can't go wrong either way. If it were me, I'd keep both if I possibly could.

Thanks,
Joe

Yeah I’m definitely keeping both. One day I’ll have the sx 1250 restored to the same level as my 1010

 

[Ben Rothman]

You have a beautiful sx 1010 to listen to while the 1250 is in the shop. Enjoy them both.
BTW: If I had to pick just one, it's the 1010

Yeah I’ll definitely get the sx 1250 restored

 

[PabloX]

I had a SX-1010 that wasn't completely restored but it was substantially refreshed. My SX-1250 was fully restored but at one point, it had a problem and had to go out for repair. It wasn't a big deal or expensive, but I was glad to have backups while it was out.

It was actually that event that led me to sell the SX-1010. Don't get me wrong, I liked it a lot but I decided I had one too many receivers and it ended up being low man on the totem pole for a variety of reasons. If I had gotten it from a family member like you did, I'd definitely have kept it. As for the SX-1250 being original, as long as it's restored well, using proper components and the cosmetics are original, I don't think there's much value to originality.

Anyway, congrats on finding a SX-1250 for a great price. That's very rare these days. Also, congrats on having the 1010 handed down like that. I think your grandfather would be happy it was restored and being used.

 

[peerson]

I have both. I would not want to have to choose between them. Both are keepers. Good thing I don't have to make that choice

 

[Nautiker]

I have both - the SX-1010 has been fully restored, and some of the SX-1250 has been replaced... The SX-1010 goes back to my college days, and was one of my first audiophile pieces of equipment, given to me by an uncle... If I could keep only one, it'd be the SX-1010... I'm using it now with a restored pair of Braun L810s, and they sound fabulous...

 

[james may]

looks like i got into the dilemma quite a few pioneer totl owners hit, going from a 1010 to 1250, what is there to look out for as i have owned a 1010 for several years, dusting a sx-3900, and equaling a 4400 Marantz in many category. it really brings a heavy heart to remove the og look of a 1010 for the sterile face the 1250 offers. by no means do i believe the 1010 is superior, but id like to know how similar sounding they are.

 

[Fairlane]

Having owned both, the 1250 is still here, a beautiful sounding beast. The 1010 was also beautiful but the power supply slowly cooks itself to death.
The 1250 is way easier to work on too. Just one mans opinion.

That said I would keep both in your shoes. I needed to move some gear along in the interest of domestic tranquilty.

 

[james may]

Having owned both, the 1250 is still here, a beautiful sounding beast. The 1010 was also beautiful but the power supply slowly cooks itself to death.
The 1250 is way easier to work on too. Just one mans opinion.

That said I would keep both in your shoes. I needed to move some gear along in the interest of domestic tranquilty.

i thank you for your comment, and also advise others there are aftermarket psu boards you can populate, or buy right out, and they are a modern update that do work, but yes, the 1010 boards burn on the relay circuit parts especially "rebuilt 3 psu boards"

 

[Sharpstik]

I had 2 restored 1010s . 2 . Both left. Weren’t being used. My 850 and 939 are just as good. But the 1250 is a stunner.

 

[peterp1]

For those of you who have had an SX-1250 restored -- it would be helpful to the OP and of general interest to hear your impressions of sound quality before and after the restoration.

For me, given that the original SX-1250 sounds as good as the SX-1050, I'd definitely not get it proactively restored. If it has an issue later, or sound quality degrades, then definitely do it then, but comparing it against the restored SX-1050 should be a very good benchmark.

 

[stereofanboy]

If it were me I'd keep the SX-1010 simply  because it is restored. I'm slowly divesting myself of anything really old that hasn't been and won't be restored.