SX-780

[Swath]

Already have the bigger brother (980) but this thing is surprisingly impressive. Now just to find the big daddy (1280) and the Grandpa (1980).

The 780 seems minty in performance so far and surely is in appearance. A slim CDN $80. Well worth it!

 

[Lavane]

I picked up a very clean sx780 at a thrift for less than $15. I was surprised at how good it sounded. On my bench now for a recap. Im not a receiver guy, but these are pretty with those black meters.

 

[Swath]

I picked up a very clean sx780 at a thrift for less than $15. I was surprised at how good it sounded. On my bench now for a recap. Im not a receiver guy, but these are pretty with those black meters.

MY GOD!!! Score! I wish my local thrift stores had more vintage volume. Doesn't seem to be the way here in the great white North. Awesome find Lavane

 

[Lavane]

MY GOD!!! Score! I wish my local thrift stores had more vintage volume. Doesn't seem to be the way here in the great white North. Awesome find Lavane

Its rare here too. I saw silver and swooped right on over to It. It looked so out of place surrounded by black plastic crap. I couldn't let it stay with such company.

 

[larryderouin]

When you connect your speaker wires, twist each one TIGHTLY, and then solder the wire. This will prevent any unraveling and possible shorting of the power packs. They are highly sensitive to shorts. This is one way to keep it healthy!

 

[mxthunder]

Nice score! I also have a 980 and a 780 and it is amazing how impressive the 780 is compared to its bigger brother.

 

[Lavane]

when you connect your speaker wires, twist each one TIGHTLY, and then solder the wire. This will prevent any unraveling and possible shorting of the power packs. They are highly sensitive to shorts. This is one way to keep it healthy!

The power packs sound fine. But like other equipment Ive owned with them you cant abuse them. Like larry stated no stray wires.and no messing with them while powered up. They dont scare me like they do others. There are pl3nty of 780's like mine still humming along nicely.

 

[larryderouin]

I've got a 790 and it has it's original power packs. I intend to keep it that way. I soldered 1" pins to the wires which i use for all the units with spring or locking connections on the back. Parts express has them. https://www.parts-express.com/gold-12-awg-speaker-pin-connector-pair-solder-type--091-300

 

[easycraig]

-its hard to not love the classic lines and styling of an SX-780. They sound great too ! ec

 

[larryderouin]

https://www.parts-express.com/gold-12-awg-speaker-pin-connector-pair-solder-type--091-300 I use these solder pins on all of my Pioneers (except the 626 and the Allied 399 (SX-1000TA)with the funky speaker connectors) They have a set screw but work best soldered to the wire.

This is my SX-790 with the original power packs. It's been completely recapped, new larger heatsinks on the regulators, uprated regulator transistors, trouble-prone transistors replaced, new emitter resistors, new trimmers for the offset, power supply components lifted 1/4" to 3/8" off board . The side panels are solid 1"x 8" oak cut down to fit. Top panel is 1/4" Handi panel Cut to fit. Sanded and stained. 2 coats of clear poly.



In 1979 the GERMAN Version of the SX790 came out as the SX790W4. What the W4 signified I have no idea. Maybe it was the black case.



And for you guys who's SX-780 is older than you are

 

[Awesomeaudio]

I picked up a very clean sx780 at a thrift for less than $15. I was surprised at how good it sounded. On my bench now for a recap. Im not a receiver guy, but these are pretty with those black meters.

I am always shocked at how you guys over there get these amps for a pittance from these thrift stores.
Haven't they heard of ebay ?
Don't they want to know what they are really worth and hence maximise their potential profit ?

 

[Lavane]

Every now and then one slips through cracks and misses the bay.

 

[Awesomeaudio]

That would never happen here unfortunately.
Our equivalent to your thrift stores is a place called Cash Converters and they are as cunning as a dunny rat

 

[Lavane]

Most here are the same. The only things in their stores are big things like washing machines and racks and racks of clothing, not much else. Anything of value gets auctioned off.

 

[larryderouin]

Yeah they have, but you then have the stores where they don't care about the E-PREY prices and price them low so they can get more repeat customers. A lot of my early stuff I used to get at Value Village until they learned about CL and E-PREY. But they still didin't raise their prices much, usually just enough to show a profit. I paid $20.00 for mine back in 2007.

 

[beatcomber]

I have two SX-780's. One has been re-capped and re-veneered in genuine walnut. It sounds very crisp and clean!

The other is 100% original and in 8/10 condition (it would be 10/10 except for some lifting vinyl veneer on the sides). I bought for $50 on Craig's List a couple of years ago.

Great units!

 

[Arthur Smith]

I bought mine, in mint condition, for $14.99 at Goodwill. Truly a prized possession. Talk about slipping through the FleaBay cracks!