Thoughts.. Pro-Ject Debut Carbon FC Espirit Sb paired with Pioneer SX-737

[Nosreppe]

I’m in the US, Maryland, about 15 minutes outside of DC. I can spend up to $300 on speakers. I think I prefer the warm sound of vintage equipment but I’m new to all this so not sure. I like balanced details at low volume levels (I live on the top floor of my apartment building) the listening space would be my dining room/living room area. Roughly 15 foot high ceilings, big open space with furniture all throughout. I listen to a lot of blues, 90’s golden age hip hop, folk and classic rock. I remember the SX-737 from when I was younger and love it. I’m pretty set on pairing it with the Project unless you guys think it’s not a good idea at all. So, should I go vintage speakers or something new? Sorry if this is the wrong spot for this sort of thing or if there’s not enough detail to my questions. Have browsed the forums before but just made this account.

 

[sfox52]

Welcome to AK! Someone who knows modern speakers will have advice for a good match for your SX 737. Older speakers could be OK too, but may need repairs. Good luck!

 

[Nosreppe]

Thanks! Can’t wait to bother all y’all to death. Does that mean you think vintage or older speakers aren’t a good match for the 737?

 

[sfox52]

No, something older like Dynaco A25's or EPI 100's for example would work well. It is likely that older speakers might need refoaming ( woofer surrounds) , or replacement caps in the crossovers. You would be able to buy new speakers within your budget and not need to worry about repairs. What kind of shape is your Pioneer receiver in?

 

[Nosreppe]

Oh, gotcha. I don’t mind putting in work or tinkering with things. I’m an elevator Mechanic so messing with resistors and diodes and the like wouldn’t bother me much neither. The Pioneer is sitting in storage. Has been for 20 years, my uncle had it and kept it in pristine condition until it went into storage. Picking it up from my aunt since he passed. She says it turns on and all the buttons/knobs still work. Can give more info after I get it and open it up next week

edit: there’s also a Pioneer SX 440 I’m interested in. A Pioneer SX 6000. I’m open to using them as well. I know more research on my end would help you to help me but it’s a little daunting just getting into all this audio stuff lik

 

[homebrew]

Lots for $300 and under. Polk, Klipsch, Elac, Warfedale, Q Acoustics 3020i, or JBL have all got good choices. Although sometimes vintage can sound attractive, have a look at new ones with warranties. That should be your first stop.,

 

[MegaGroove]

I have an SX-737 and it's a fun receiver. I've played it through Original Large Advents and they sound good together. There might be better speaker pairings for it, and someone with more knowledge can help you there. I have a Sansui and Marantz that I like a little better than the Pioneer, but the 737 is really cool. It rocks but it also has a nice warm sound.

 

[CarlosDesilv]

Nosreppe, just coupled my vintage, bought new in 1975 Pioneer Sx-737, never been serviced, plays wonderful after all these years. Played daily for years with Cerwin Vegas Model 26s. Now played daily with Wharfedale Linton Heritage 85th.
Love the set up, and the Lintons are very good speakers for the money. Purchased from Crutchfield. Look at you tube reviews for the Lintons. Vintage look also.

 

[noahBH]

Both my Pioneer SX-626 and SX-838 pair very well with my vintage Pioneer HPM-60s. I listen to a lot of the same music genres that you listed. They sound good at low volumes but just as good at higher volumes as well. I'm told the HPM-60's sound similar to a lot of JBL speakers of the same vintage. But you can get the HPMs for quite a bit cheaper than JBLs, at least in my experience.

I got mine for $250 CAD, about a year ago (i.e. not before the boom in vintage prices). Whereas a pair of JBL L36 would cost me closer to $1000 CAD around here.