My Pioneer SX-1050

[Elite-ist]

Hi all,

Off it came from the shelf and I'll put it into duty this weekend, in replacement of my SX-D7000. I'm the 2nd owner of this "pussy cat", as Sam calls it. I have all the original documentation, less the invoice.

Nando.

[Dazen1]

Looking good Nando. *check*

[Socal Sam]

Nando, your SX-1050 is a gem. It looks like it is being taken out of the box for the first time. Mine needs a coat of Howard's for the top to look tip top. Unfortunately, the RCA's have slight surface corrosion to tell me that my SX-1050 has spent its life outside of the box. Look forward to your sound impressions vs. the SX-D7000. I've heard the SX-3900 which is the model before yours and has a similar amp section.

[Warped Bezel]

Take the blue plastic stuff off your oven before making the pizza!

Fill me in on where the D7000 went? I lost track or didn't eat my Wheaties!

[Rat44]

That's a beauty.
The 1050 is a great receiver.
I have heard that they give up little to the 1250.

[Socal Sam]

That's a beauty.
The 1050 is a great receiver.
I have heard that they give up little to the 1250.

120 vs 160 wpc, which is indistinguishable in home use with 8 ohm speakers. Both are toroidal powered.

[Elite-ist]

Take the blue plastic stuff off your oven before making the pizza!

Fill me in on where the D7000 went? I lost track or didn't eat my Wheaties!

Hi WB,

Don't worry, nothing untoward has happened to the SX-D7000. I just wanted to compare the sonics between it and the SX-1050. It may be closer to Monday or Tuesday before I patch it in, as I've been called into work this weekend. While at the vintage stereo shop (IAVS), yesterday, I asked about some parts for your receiver, namely the volume knob. Nothing yet, but I will keep trying.

Hah, no pizzas quite, yet! The protective blue plastic on the oven will be peeled off shortly, as I've been busy for the past 2 months with a rebuild of the kitchen and dining room. We've been living out of our makeshift kitchen downstairs, until at least next week, or longer. I'm determined not to take over the new kitchen until it's absolutely completed.

Nando.

[Elite-ist]

Thanks for the compliments, guys. The accompanying components, which I bought as a package deal from the original owner, were of equal condition with all the packing cartons and documentation. The Pioneer PL-570 gets somewhat regular use, but I haven't used the Akai 4000DB much. The elderly Japanese couple insisted I was buying good products not "made in China". He was a cellist in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and they were downsizing as they moved to a small apartment. This was the one time I didn't even hint in offering less than his asking price, and he threw in a Sony cassette deck, Sony SW radio, microphones with mini stands, records, spare reels and reel tapes, a huge wooden stereo stand (which I gifted to the father-in-law), and on and on. I should take a better look inside the 2 boxes he filled.

Nando.

[Socal Sam]

Thanks for the compliments, guys. The accompanying components, which I bought as a package deal from the original owner, were of equal condition with all the packing cartons and documentation. The Pioneer PL-570 gets somewhat regular use, but I haven't used the Akai 4000DB much. The elderly Japanese couple insisted I was buying good products not "made in China". He was a cellist in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and they were downsizing as they moved to a small apartment. This was the one time I didn't even hint in offering less than his asking price, and he threw in a Sony cassette deck, Sony SW radio, microphones with mini stands, records, spare reels and reel tapes, a huge wooden stereo stand (which I gifted to the father-in-law), and on and on. I should take a better look inside the 2 boxes he filled.

Nando.

Nice story Nando!

Here is a bit of SX-xx50 trivia. Not all of the indicator lamps are equal. Most use 8v bi-pin except for the Stereo indicator which is only 6v. The IC chip that drives the Stereo indicator cannot put out enough voltage.

[Elite-ist]

Nice story Nando!

Here is a bit of SX-xx50 trivia. Not all of the indicator lamps are equal. Most use 8v bi-pin except for the Stereo indicator which is only 6v. The IC chip that drives the Stereo indicator cannot put out enough voltage.

Hi Sam,

Thanks for breaking some ground for me, if I should need to change out that bulb. And while on the subject of Pioneer receivers, I spoke to Gordon who runs Innovative Audio. He has a 2nd owner SX-1980, in similar condition to my SX-1050, and has been offered up to $4000 for it. I was a little slow out of the gate buying one a few years back. However, it needed some work and was being sold for $600. He says the sound is incredible from his SX-1980 through his HPM-150s. I, also, have the HPM-150s but paid way less than he did at $50 each from my local Mini Flea Market.

Nando.

[Socal Sam]

Hi Sam,

Thanks for breaking some ground for me, if I should need to change out that bulb. And while on the subject of Pioneer receivers, I spoke to Gordon who runs Innovative Audio. He has a 2nd owner SX-1980, in similar condition to my SX-1050, and has been offered up to $4000 for it. I was a little slow out of the gate buying one a few years back. However, it needed some work and was being sold for $600. He says the sound is incredible from his SX-1980 through his HPM-150s. I, also, have the HPM-150s but paid way less than he did at $50 each from my local Mini Flea Market.

Nando.

Nando, the SX-1980 is an icon and as such is a potential centerpiece for any serious vintage collection. If you have a chance to get one at a reasonable price, sell off some stuff and do it!

OK, if your tech is offering a SX-1980 that needs work, $600 is a decent price depending on what is wrong. For starters, the transformer must be good. More importantly, the Darlington output transistors must be good because replacements are unique and no longer available. Aside from a couple of IC chips in the tuner, everything else has new parts available. (IC chips are not impossible to source and can be found in other Pioneers.) --Sam.

[Elite-ist]

Nando, the SX-1980 is an icon and as such is a potential centerpiece for any serious vintage collection. If you have a chance to get one at a reasonable price, sell off some stuff and do it!

OK, if your tech is offering a SX-1980 that needs work, $600 is a decent price depending on what is wrong. For starters, the transformer must be good. More importantly, the Darlington output transistors must be good because replacements are unique and no longer available. Aside from a couple of IC chips in the tuner, everything else has new parts available. (IC chips are not impossible to source and can be found in other Pioneers.) --Sam.

Hi Sam,

The SX-1980 I missed out on was being sold through the "Buy&Sell" weekly classified ads about 3 years ago, and not through the tech. He would have hoarded it away for himself. It was quickly scooped up the day the ad appeared. I really don't think I'm going to find one here, locally, but I do appreciate your technical advise in case one pops up in at, let's say...the St. Joseph's drop off. Believe me, I've found some real gems in the most unlikely of spots. Is there a Barrett Jackson equivalent for vintage stereo equipment?

Nando.

[Socal Sam]

Nando, one more SX-1980 buying tip. Be sure to get the late production model. See my photos here for details:

http://www.tapeheads.net/showpost.php?p=97443&postcount=36