Re: PIONEER RECEIVERS: Which One Do I Keep?

"Mark D. Zacharias" <mzacharias@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:cFCTj.1462$To6.54@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "Trevor Wilson" <trevor@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
> news:687dftF2ri8k5U1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>
>> "EADGBE" <hwbosshoss@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>>
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.  I 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.  What is the difference?  Does the difference
>>> matter, either in sound quality or longevity?
>>
>> **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 
> vintage solid-state equipment cannot run and sound fine almost 
> indefinitely,

**Nonsense. Electros wear out. Switches and pots, ditto.

> provided mechanical controls and switches etc are clean and functioning 
> properly, and there could be maintenance issues such as needing to 
> resolder regulators (these Pioneer models were famous for this). The
tuner 
> sections were better than most modern models,

**Nonsense. I recently acquired a 5 year old Denon tuner. The sound
quality 
is nothing short of astoni****ng. FAR better than my beloved Yamaha T7. It
is 
even better than the highly regarded Yamaha T2. Even better, the tuner
does 
not drift. Old Pioneers will often do so.


 and the audio performance is generally
> fine.

**ASUMING the switches, pots and electros have been replaced - yes. Also, 
assuming you are only using 8 Ohm speakers. Those old Pioneers were
hopeless 
at driving anything other than a resistive 8 Ohm load.


 They wouldn't beat a top-of-the-line modern separate power amp, but
> that's an apples vs. oranges comparison.

**Agreed.

>
> 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

> to get one should you need it.

**Yep. They're both over-rated and over-priced. Sell them and buy
something 
decent.

Trevor Wilson