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TX-4500 MKII vs. Sx-980

SpaceBalls

SpaceBalls

New Member
Alright, long story short, I've got both an Onkyo TX-4500 MKII, and a Pioneer SX-980. Both of them have just been completely gone through and are in amazing shape, but I can't keep both. Which one should I hold on to, and why?
 
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I'd keep whichever one you like more. Did you buy both to audition or just end up with them?
I'm a bigger fan of the Onks personally but there are a ton of Pioneer fans here.
 
OMGCat! said:
I'd keep whichever one you like more. Did you buy both to audition or just end up with them?
I'm a bigger fan of the Onks personally but there are a ton of Pioneer fans here.
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The Onkyo I've had for a while, the Pioneer was just recently given to me by a family member. Since the Onkyo was due for a good going through, I had the Pioneer serviced as well, but I can't keep both.
 
I'd set aside an evening of listening to your favorite albums and switch between them to see which one you like best in that case. Having two recently gone through receivers will make it even better as you don't have to worry about either giving up the ghost any time soon.
 
OMGCat! said:
I'd set aside an evening of listening to your favorite albums and switch between them to see which one you like best in that case. Having two recently gone through receivers will make it even better as you don't have to worry about either giving up the ghost any time soon.
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Now, this may be better asked in Dollars and Sense, but have you any idea what the ballpark going rates of these receivers are?
 
It never hurts to have a Plan B. If one of your receivers has an issue you have another that you can use. I know that this isn't the answer you're looking for, but I've found it useful to have an extra.
 
Bonkers60 said:
It never hurts to have a Plan B. If one of your receivers has an issue you have another that you can use. I know that this isn't the answer you're looking for, but I've found it useful to have an extra.
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I already have a backup, an early 90s Sony. I can't think of the model off the top of my head, as it's been boxed up for a few years.
 
I love my Tx-4500 II. It's never given me a problem in 10+ years, although it's probably time to go through it and clean it up.

They are huge though. A plus in my book.
 
Joshua! said:
I love my Tx-4500 II. It's never given me a problem in 10+ years, although it's probably time to go through it and clean it up.

They are huge though. A plus in my book.
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Yeah, the 4500 is a pretty wide receiver. I've heard the Onkyo TXs have a reputation for being overbuilt though.
 
You'll get more for the Pioneer selling it, but as far as sound and overall quality go, they are pretty equal. People like to say the X80 series Pioneer doesn't have the build quality of the X50 series, but that's really unquantifiable, not a lot of people on here have had a bad experience with either.

Your call!
 
Not sure of the outputs of the Onk, but the 980 uses STK powerpacks which are getting harder to source for non-fakes. Seel it to someone who needs the name.
 
The SX-980 does not use STK outputs, though the outputs are hard to find, they are replaceable with off the shelf transistors with a little work.

The SX-950 is better built than the SX-980, IMO. I have an SX-980 here at the moment.

I would keep the Onkyo for the SQ and tuner.

Rob
 
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