What the... (SX-1280)

J!m

J!m

Veteran and General Yakker
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I know. What the heck is wrong with me. (my wife asks me at least once daily)

The SX-1980 is the "ludicrous" option, and priced accordingly. I think it's cool looking, with the larger meters, but I think it's getting into "gaudy" territory. And they are over five grand.

I honestly think the 1280 is the sweet spot at the upper end. Real wood veneer, shielded tuner components, plenty of power, variable cartridge loading (!), it's a great looking piece.

1641587368561.png
(file photo)

So, I tracked one down in CA. Lives with a tech, who will go through it and replace only what is needed, and set it up ready to go. Not a "full re-cap" job, which I think is generally unnecessary most of the time. Not really advertised on the open market, so probably not going anywhere unless I buy it.

Price: $3,800 (or so) shipped to me. That's not an insignificant amount of money, but very low compared to the blue book, er, eBay pricing currently.

There is one here in CT for $4,375 that has been totally gone through (although the main filter caps are still black, so I question what exactly was done) Take away fees and the seller would net a bit over $3500.00 This might be a reasonable option- meet in person to avoid shipping damage and pay ca$h for the best possible deal. That's not an insignificant amount of money either. (but it has the original box and papers, which I like!)

Just thinking out loud I guess. If anyone knows of another not on the open market, for a more affordable price, my ears are open!

Feel free to try and talk some sense into me as well...
 
These weigh more than money. Certainly more than paper money. Possibly their weight in silver (I need to figure that out now)

Hang on...

SX-1280 weighs 922.396 Troy Ounces...

Not silver. That would be $20,569.52

Copper $276.47... Too low.

Nickel $596.78
 
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My vintage audio philosophy was inspired by a TH member, SoCal Sam, and it's in line with my wife: Sure, you can buy that stereo piece you want, but first sell other stuff to finance the purchase. I've been doing that since 2012 and that's how I bought my Pioneer SX-1980 and a lot of other great components.

fe5b092c-9bd6-400a-9d45-5e591a58e17b_zpsmns5yunv.jpg

Nando.
 
SX-1980 back in the day:

...rated at a staggering 270 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms, both channels driven. However, in the September 1978 issue of the magazine Audio,[4] Leonard Feldman performed a specification test on the SX-1980 and concluded that the rating of 270 watts RMS per channel was too conservative. He stated in his report:

Though the new [IHF mandated] "Dynamic Headroom" measurement is specified in dB, it should be mentioned that based upon the short-term signal used to measure the 2.3 dB headroom of this amplifier, it was producing nearly 460 watts of short-term power under these test conditions!

At an official rating of 270 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms[1] with a measured 2.3 dB dynamic headroom,[4] this makes the SX-1980 Pioneer's most powerful receiver, as well as being one of the most powerful receivers ever manufactured in the world, to date. It was also tested in the December 1978 issue of Stereo Review.[5] Some results were:

With both channels driving 8-ohm loads at 1,000 Hz, the outputs clipped at 300 watts per channel (IHF clipping headroom equals 0.46 dB). The dynamic headroom was 0.63 dB. ... The distortion at 1,000 Hz was nearly unmeasurable at any power level. It was no more than 0.003% from 0.1 to 100 watts output, rose to 0.0045% between 200 and 290 watts, and reached its maximum of 0.008% at 300 watts, just before clipping occurred. The intermodulation distortion (IM) was about 0.03% at most power levels up to 100 watts and reached 0.045% at 300 watts.

Nando.
 
I’ve got that covered with my balanced mono block conversion of four KSA-50 boards, remember?

Disdipating global-warming levels of heat.

Still pales in comparison to the planetary destruction caused by making Prius batteries. And when they die? More Prius batteries.

Carry on.

Nando: it seems just about every vintage amplifier was “underrated” at the time. I was just watching an overhaul of a 980 that was producing clean power (under clipping) well beyond specifications. The 980 is affordable too… (comparatively)

I also learned the regular deoxit (red can) is bad news for carbon comp pots. Only use green can “fader lube” in the carbon pots , or if you don’t know their composition.

Selector switches are fine but you should probably wash out the D5 after the switch is working right.
 
J!m said:
Thing is, a DOHC engine with variable cam phasing is far easier for me than an amplifier.
Click to expand...
Same here, I can rebuild a small block Chevy in my sleep, electronics baffle me. When I build a amp I often have to do things over until I'm satisfied. And that's building from a superbly engineered kit with copious clear instructions. I need photos before I can even begin.
 
I think it’s silly.

For the longest time I wanted a Studer cassette deck. Still do, but I refuse to pay the going rate. If one comes along I can afford; fine. Otherwise, I’ll be happy with my Tascam, Kenwood and (now) Nakamichi decks.

The Kenwood “tower” I built is quite nice. Their best tuner from the late 70’s; best (mainstream) integrated amp; best cassette deck (two of those); their best (mainstream) turntable.

Their TRUE best was the L series. Not available outside Japan but the L0 turn table and mono block amplifiers were stellar. The L07 FM tuner is still one of the best tuners ever made. I didn’t go there. My “main” system is attempting to occupy that rarified air.

Which brings us back to the receivers. The 880 I have represents the top of the bottom end and the 980 represents to bottom of the top end. I think a 980 would be more than sufficient (particularly considering how well the bottom of the low end 580 I’m now rocking is performing). Beyond bragging rights, there is no point for me to spend money needlessly, for wattage I don’t need; features I won’t use and a beast that’s too damn big.

Now I’m going to crack a cold snack and set up my KD-5070 so I can spin records while I rebuild my Rega.
4E643CB9-7F6F-4089-84FB-60485172687C.jpeg
 
You just need to get the Counterpoints and Thiels out of storage (basement?) and teach the kid to leave the stereo alone. Edit: easier said than done but doable.

I have two daughters who learned early on that dad's stereo was not to be fooled with - nor were the records to be touched. Until they were old enough to enjoy reproduced music. Then they got their own stereos - decent ones, I might add - which included turntables and they've been off to the races since. They're teaching me about music I should be listening to - and their choices are good.
 
The boy is all over CDs. I make “mix CDs” for him all the time. Today it was PJ Masks cartoon audio… he has a couple portables in two rooms and he sings along with the Beatles or President songs.

He can absolutely amaze you with how well he does; and then, 20 seconds later, amaze you with the destruction he unleashes.

Just turning on the big system in the wrong order can destroy a driver. My wife didn’t even mess with it other than changing CDs and adjusting volume ( and her dad worked for Mark Levinson), so…

It gets to a point it’s too friggin fiddly to enjoy. I accept it because the payback (listening) is worth the effort to me. Maybe I’ll get the Kenwood tower working up here (need a CD player) and see if they destroy anything…
 
J!m said:
Hang on...
Click to expand...

J!m, you're calculating with wrong elements! Use veritasium and then it all falls into place - settling on the "baby"-Pioneer, instead of SX-1980, means a minimum of 1.2K profit.
Now take that and go with a "baby"-Studer for 1.1K...

J!m baby Studer.JPG

...which leaves you with yet another 100 in profit.

At the end of the day you have two pieces of great gear and 1.300 smackaroones in loose change. Surely your wife can appreciate that.
 
I have to draw the line at about 2 grand for a nice receiver. These guys out there think they are wearing golden panties and I can't indulge them. I too am in the market for a killer receiver but I won't pay over 2K. You can score a nice one for that. You may not win the Dick Measuring Contest but life would suck if you always did.
 
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