Re: PIONEER RECEIVERS: Which One Do I Keep?

On May 5, 8:00=A0am, "Mark D. Zacharias" <mzachar...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
> "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
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> news:687dftF2ri8k5U1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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> > "EADGBE" <hwbossh...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
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>news:d47f7092-6b7d-4e52-b4a0-5a358e5b9c58@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> For a few months now, I have been using a vintage Pioneer SX-780
> >> receiver in pristine condition. =A0I have really enjoyed using this
> >> receiver and really like its excellent, warm sound for both analog
and
> >> digital sources.
>
> >> But now fate has smiled upon me and I have just discovered a vintage
> >> Pioneer SX-750, also in pristine condition.
>
> >> I will keep one of these receivers and sell the other one.
>
> >> But my question is: Which one should I keep?
>
> > **Neither. A a lot of people are paying ridiculous prices for these
old
> > clunkers. Sell them both and buy a modern amp.
>
> >> I thought I would ask some of you kind people, since it is very
> >> possible that you know some details about these receivers, technical
> >> or otherwise, that I might not know.
>
> >> I understand that the power amplifier section is slightly different
> >> between the two models. =A0What is the difference? =A0Does the
differen=
ce
> >> matter, either in sound quality or longevity?
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> > **Nothing of consequence. Both will require replacement of most (all)
> > electrolytica caps. Any OP amps used will be extremely primitive and
> > topology will not be anything great.
>
> >> I must admit that I haven't listened extensively to either one of
> >> these receivers, and I certainly haven't made a "head-to-head"
> >> comparison, but I will say that they both look and sound fantastic.
>
> >> Which one would you keep and why?
>
> > **Neither.
>
> > Trevor Wilson
>
> We've had this discussion before - but there is no reason that most
vintag=
e
> solid-state equipment cannot run and sound fine almost indefinitely,
> provided mechanical controls and switches etc are clean and functioning
> properly, and there could be maintenance issues such as needing to
resolde=
r
> regulators (these Pioneer models were famous for this). The tuner
sections=

> were better than most modern models, and the audio performance is
generall=
y
> fine. They wouldn't beat a top-of-the-line modern separate power amp,
but
> that's an apples vs. oranges comparison.
>
> In the specific case of the SX-750 or SX-780, there is little to choose
> between them. The 780 was simply the next model year that's all. They
both=

> use STK0050 output devices, and personally I favor discrete output
> transistors. The 0050's were so common however, one should still be able
t=
o
> get one should you need it.
>
> Mark Z.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Yes, the stk's are still around in all sorts of wattages.  I still
have a technics amp with a couple of them and it sounds decent.  I had
to replace one of it's regulator transistors last year.  Nothing
memorable about any of the vintage amps with the stk's though.  Other
than optional protection circuitry the output stages are pretty much
identical.

Now a 1250 or 1280 and you're talking serious vintage.