PushedGlass
New Member
I just got my Pioneer SX-880 receiver back from Brent Huskins/Crossed Paths Vintage today, 16 months after shipping it off and after he charged me $450. The restoration was supposed to cover a recap, replacement of known problem components, and alignment of the tuner section. The handwritten note that he included in the package with the receiver said "After the restoration the unit was fully calibrated and both tuners were [unintelligble] and aligned." He also said "We" finished with a full output bench test that showed the power amp making about 71 watts per channel (spec is 60).
I have tested the power section from the AUX input and I've got good-sounding function through a pair of JBL two-ways up to very roughly one watt.
However, I took gut shots of the receiver with the cover removed before I packed the receiver for shipping so that I could verify what work was done. All I have been able to determine so far is that only two mid-size electrolytic caps were replaced. I haven't really been able to evaluate the AM/FM tuners because the dial pointer gets stuck about a third of the way from the right end, although without connecting an antenna I was able to tune one FM station which it had trouble doing before because of misalignment. He drew lines on top of just about all the electrolytics including the two he replaced but the rest, best I can tell, are 100% original. The two big 15,000uF/50V power supply filter caps are the originals. The glass of the dial lamps is darkened and therefore can be assumed to be original.
For the past four months I've been getting after him about the receiver; long story short, when he responded at all, he kept telling me he was finishing it up. I told him I was preparing to go the law enforcement route to recover my property (I in fact did contact Burleson, TX PD; they said to initiate a complaint locally but also, the officer called me back and told me there have been multiple complaints). I told him I was preparing to dispute the credit card charge and I requested and received paperwork to do that.
The faux wood applique on the cover took some wear and tear that I don't think was there when I sent the receiver but unfortunately I hadn't taken exterior photos. The upshot of all this is that after a year and a third, barely any restoration was performed. At minimum, my receiver needs to have the dial travel fixed. I am relieved to have at least gotten my receiver back without physical damage or anything horribly wrong. I should probably take a more careful look but I don't believe any of the electrolytic caps are leaking or bulging.
I know that restoring one of these things is not trivial. I could do some of the work myself but I don't have the equipment to align stereo FM. I was willing to pay good money to get this one-owner receiver back into shape, but I am done dealing with Brent Huskins and Crossed Paths Vintage. Because something was done, any attempt to dispute the credit card charge is likely to come down to discerning what fraction of $450 is replacing two caps and twiddling some trimpots and slugs worth and I doubt satisfaction lies down that road. That being said, I've got documentation of my experience (photos included) if and when it's needed.
I have tested the power section from the AUX input and I've got good-sounding function through a pair of JBL two-ways up to very roughly one watt.
However, I took gut shots of the receiver with the cover removed before I packed the receiver for shipping so that I could verify what work was done. All I have been able to determine so far is that only two mid-size electrolytic caps were replaced. I haven't really been able to evaluate the AM/FM tuners because the dial pointer gets stuck about a third of the way from the right end, although without connecting an antenna I was able to tune one FM station which it had trouble doing before because of misalignment. He drew lines on top of just about all the electrolytics including the two he replaced but the rest, best I can tell, are 100% original. The two big 15,000uF/50V power supply filter caps are the originals. The glass of the dial lamps is darkened and therefore can be assumed to be original.
For the past four months I've been getting after him about the receiver; long story short, when he responded at all, he kept telling me he was finishing it up. I told him I was preparing to go the law enforcement route to recover my property (I in fact did contact Burleson, TX PD; they said to initiate a complaint locally but also, the officer called me back and told me there have been multiple complaints). I told him I was preparing to dispute the credit card charge and I requested and received paperwork to do that.
The faux wood applique on the cover took some wear and tear that I don't think was there when I sent the receiver but unfortunately I hadn't taken exterior photos. The upshot of all this is that after a year and a third, barely any restoration was performed. At minimum, my receiver needs to have the dial travel fixed. I am relieved to have at least gotten my receiver back without physical damage or anything horribly wrong. I should probably take a more careful look but I don't believe any of the electrolytic caps are leaking or bulging.
I know that restoring one of these things is not trivial. I could do some of the work myself but I don't have the equipment to align stereo FM. I was willing to pay good money to get this one-owner receiver back into shape, but I am done dealing with Brent Huskins and Crossed Paths Vintage. Because something was done, any attempt to dispute the credit card charge is likely to come down to discerning what fraction of $450 is replacing two caps and twiddling some trimpots and slugs worth and I doubt satisfaction lies down that road. That being said, I've got documentation of my experience (photos included) if and when it's needed.
