Yura Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 This is my latest addition to the vintage (70s) set which now consists ofthe three AM/FM receivers with integrated AMPs . Pioneer SX-780 is rated at 45w per channel, but as well known - old wattswere much healthier than the ones in the new electronics. So it has no problempushing my speakers. I can't really turn the volume knob past about 25% as Istill need my hearing. The FM reception is excellent and locks in into stereosignal easily. One fun feature of the unit is the power meters for the speakers - i canspend a lot of time just watching the needles jump. One can also get visualconfirmation of music playing in stereo as they start moving just slightlydifferent. The unit is quite unmolested and had power packs upgraded, all lampschecked, all knobs cleaned, all contacts cleaned. While I love the "blueface" look of the older Pioneers and Marantz units, there is somethingvery appealing about the simple lighting in this Pioneer and all silver face. If you open it up (or even lift it up) you will quickly understand that it'snot a miracle that vintage gear works for a long time. Equipment made back inthe day is really solid. Most of it is slightly to seriously overbuilt. It'sall real steel, aluminum, wood, well space components and attention to designand detail. At first I've got the "good sound" bug. Then it was the Klipsch bug and now it is retro receivers and AMPs. Oh boy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennie Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 She's a Beauty Yura! [<)] And your right, it does look good with the soft white lights and it is always fun to watch the power meters! [] Very nice, thanks for posting the Pictures!! Dennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornman Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 "This is my latest addition to the vintage (70s)" Yura, I can defiantly relate. A few years ago when a man could still often find vintage SX & other assorted "Works of Art" at reasonable prices I had a thrill playing with all the great old receivers. Finally one day I looked around the room & I said what in the ----- or you doing...it looks like some strange hoarder lives here with receivers stacked up all around the room. So I belled out of the collection & dedicated my self to having one exceptional system that I could be happy with ( at least for a while [] ) But oh my do I have some fin memorizes of those days- the thrill of the hunt for a new acquisition!!@@ Cornman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmako Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 Righteous unit. The dude loves vintage 2 CH stuff. Congrats and most importantly......enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 have this same receiver with original box and manual i got from my dad who just went into a nursing home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxx Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 From a guy who has a great appreciation for Pioneer gear, congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyhawg Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 That is a great looking receiver. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deafbykhorns Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 That was my first HiFi receiver! It was used to power a pair of homemade speakers using radio shack drivers and horns Nice find! -----Budman Your making me feel old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxx Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 Remember the day when Radio Shack actually had speakers to sell. Some were excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yura Posted May 6, 2010 Author Share Posted May 6, 2010 Thank you all for the comments. I'm always curious to hear what people have to say about the vintage gear. I'm in the process of restoring another old Pioneer. Right now it is 90% done. When I get some time - i will take pictures of the other units i got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Great find Yura, it looks like new. Back in the late 70's I purchased a Pioneer SX-980, had it for several months and sold it when the SX-1980 was on clearance as a discontinued model. I still have and use my SX-1980 but I am bi-amping it with my Dynaco ST-70 tube amp. My receiver is 30 years old and my tube amp & pre-amp are over 50 years old, gotta love that vintage audio gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runninshine Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Its beautiful! I want one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EM3 Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Thank you all for the comments. I'm always curious to hear what people have to say about the vintage gear. I'm in the process of restoring another old Pioneer. Right now it is 90% done. When I get some time - i will take pictures of the other units i got. I love the vintage gear. I frequent another site and a lot of people there have vintage gear. There is something special about the glow of the lights and swinging needles. I remember an older quadraphonic outfit my dad had that had 2 sliders for front and rear speakers as well as left and right. Not to mention the tunner was in a valley and mountain formation. I would love to have it again. Keep up the good work restoring the vintage gear! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I have an Old 80's Sansui G 5700 that I cleaned up and gave to my Son. He runs RB 3 and loves the sound. I would love to find an Older Pioneer Unit.....................[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yura Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 Yes - I think these mid 70s units sound great with Klipsch speakers. They also look a lot better than anything on the shelf at audio store. The good looks also have to do with the good condition i've found it in. I very little bit of clean-up and a few small upgrades made it simply perfect. I need to find some time to refinish the wooden cabinet for my Marantz and take pictures of both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnatnoop Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 that'll make your sticker peck up [H] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normalnorman Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 Hi there, I own the same receiver and I really enjoy it. I am curious about what you said about upgrading the power packs. I am interested in upgrading my receiver but I have no DIY experience with electronics. My receiver does not have the darlington power packs. Was this the case with yours? Did you upgrade to the Darlington packs or something else? Did you do any other mods/upgrades? Was the upgrade a DIY? Sorry for all the questions...your post just sparked my interest. Thanks, Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quadklipsh Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 thats a brand new one !!!! wow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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