SX-737 goodness

[loweran]

This year I rebuilt an SX-737 and then an SX-1010. I find myself listening to the 737 more than the 1010. The 737 is in my office, and I have been working on fixing up a Dual 1229q that's currently hooked up to it. The 1010 is in the main living room so there is always competition to get to listen to it.

My SX-1010 system has Epi 110s and a Pioneer PL-112D

My SX-737 system has B&W 602S2s and the Dual 1229Q

The 1010 defiantly takes 1st place on power, and it sounds super sweet, but the 737 is also very smooth and enjoyable. I think the office is a perfect space for the 737 since it's just 14X13. The living area is open to the kitchen and has tons of volume.

 

[larryderouin]

The 737 has a magic concoction internally that none of the other models in the x2x or x3x series has. I don't know what the hell they did, but PIONEER did this one right, either by accident or on purpose. It's just a GREAT sounding Receiver. Great Looks, Very good layout internally, and just the right mix of parts that gets the blood stirring when I listen to it with the Right speakers. Bozak 207receiverss'(IIRC), 12" 25W Coral's with Horn driven tweeter's, KLH 17's OR most anything from Klipsch. And the Recording selector is the ONE THING I wish PIONEER put in more rigs. Just the 737 and 838 got it. .

You want Bang for the Buck? Get a 737. 35WPC rms (and that's conservative as mine was tested using the 1974 FTC pre-conditioning test, and still put out 44W on the LEFT Channel, and 43W on the Right into 8 ohms @ 20Hz to 20,000Hz. Single frequency 1kHz was IIRCabout 40w 8ohms both channels driven. This was right after I rebuilt it, and has On-Semi MJ21193G/MJ21194G for output's. But all it tells me that there is plenty of headroom for Cannon fire when playing the 1812 Overture, or any other piece that has a lot of dynamic changes. Low level listening is great, Headphones is good (I'm using Koss Pro-4A from 1969) into an impedance of 250 ohms I believe. Gotta get some headphone with a bit lower impedance. I feel that the Pro-4A's use up a lot of power just to get decent playing levels. But it could be some hearing loss too. The only thing it doesn't have is PRE-OUT / MAIN IN Jumpers. It's one of those Goldilocks and the 3 bears things. Not too big, not too small, JUST RIGHT!

 

[loweran]

Well, I don't have a lot of experience with these things, but it just sounds so nice. It makes you want to put another record on.

 

[loweran]

Also, I thought I wanted a Marantz, but after this, I really don't have the desire. I may just get another 737 for my daughter to take to college.

 

[PapaBear]

I had a 1010 new. Got a 737 when I returned to Golden Era Solid State a few years ago (based in part on Larry's advice). I was rather skeptical of 35wpc having had 100+ for 40 years. I love this baby. In my space (12x12 main listening area; 12x28 full room) you would never think it was only 35 watts. And the sound is absolutely mesmerizing. It is a "they are here" experience. Amazing stage. My speakers are Boston A40s and a Polk powered sub. Other than the occasional source needing a little tweaking, I run flat and without an eq.

So glad Larry nudged me to get it.

 

[gizzyman47]

I have one also. I haven't used it in a long time now, but I do remember it sounding very musical with the right speakers. I may have to dig it out and put in in the rotation again.

 

[onemug]

I don't know what the hell they did, but PIONEER did this one right,

Agree. Sometimes the "sum of the parts" in a particular model just seem to come out especially right. I love mine.

 

[peerson]

Hey! Don't be a "Dissin'" on my 1010! It does a "Fair" job, too

 

[charles 1973]

Every once in a while a company managed to build a stereo receiver's that hit the ball out of the park. Not only in terms of value/$, But in flat out performance when kept out of clipping. IMO Pioneer's sx 737 is one of them, or at it is least a home run. Marantz and Sansui come to mind as others brands that have done this too with some models.