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Pioneer SX Model Numbers?


wldrns1

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One thing I do think is that the ones ending with 80 are the same as the ones ending in 50, except the 80's have watts meters in addition to the tuning meters. eg the sx-1250 and the sx-1280, or the sx-750 and sx-780. The problem is they sometimes have different output ratings.

 

The first number(s) do indicate the power, but there doesn't seem to be a direct correlation to them and the rated power. The sx-1080 is 120 watts X  2, and the sx-1980 is 270 watts X  2.

 

Here is what I found. For some reason, many times the 50 is rated at 5 watts more than it's 80 counterpart. At other times, the 80 is more. For instance, the sx-1280 is rated at 185 watts X  2 where the sx-1250 is 160 watts X  2.:

 

sx-450/80 = ~15 watts X  2

sx-550/80 = ~20 watts X  2

sx-650/80 = ~35 watts X  2

sx-750/80 = ~50 watts X  2

sx-850/80 = ~65 watts X  2

sx-950/80 = ~85 watts X  2

sx-1050/80 = ~120 watts X  2

sx-1250/80 = ~160 watts X  2

sx-1980 = 270 watts X  2

 

All I have concluded is that with 50 and 80 models, the first numbers indicate power. I haven't looked into options and build quality, or even price. It is all very confusing.

 

Here is a rundown of the prefix numbers and the corresponding wattage:

 


4 = 15 watt

5 = 20 watt

6 = 35 watt

7 = 50 watt

8 = 65 watt

9 = 85 watt

10 = 120 watt

12 = 160 watt

19 = 270 watt

 

Other suffixes on silver series are:

 


24

27

28

34

36

37

38

39

40

 

They seem to intermix with the 50 and 80, with wattage rating in the first digit(s) like the 50 and 80.


Edited by mustang guy
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XX50 series no watt meters

XX80 series watt meters

 

That's really about it. The 80 series are lower distortion, more bandwidth. Which is better? I prefer the 50 series over the 80 series myself. I think they sound better and are definitely built better.

Edited by paul79
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Better specs came about in an attempt to dazzle the consumer with numbers to sell more product, with a completely different marketing technique. Same crap still goes on today. They have to come up with something to make sales. What really happened though, is the addition of more feedback in the designs to improve those spec numbers.

 

In doing this, I believe this further detaches one from the source, adding more complexity that is not needed. This is why I believe the 50 series to be superior. They just sound more like the real thing to me. Specs mean doodoo. It's all about what you hear.

Edited by paul79
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Better specs came about in an attempt to dazzle the consumer with numbers to sell more product, with a completely different marketing technique. Same crap still goes on today. They have to come up with something to make sales. What really happened though, is the addition of more feedback in the designs to improve those spec numbers.

 

In doing this, I believe this further detaches one from the source, adding more complexity that is not needed. This is why I believe the 50 series to be superior. They just sound more like the real thing to me. Specs mean doodoo. It's all about what you hear.

All Posts very helpful. If I understand correctly, any SX- x50 or SX-xx50 would be the series of choice based on whatever your wattage needs are. Right? 

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Here is a nice search string for all known 80 watts X 2 (or higher) Pioneer receivers for ebay. Just copy and paste in the Ebay search field.:

 

pioneer sx (1980,5590,1250,1050,950,1280,1080,1010,980,939)

 

This string will remove about 90% of the clutter:

 

pioneer sx (1980,5590,1250,1050,950,1280,1080,1010,980,939) -shirt -magazine -LED -knob -manual -switch -board

Edited by mustang guy
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Classic-audio.com has all the specs for classic Pioneer gear.

Powering just my HSM's, I don't know how much is too much. Any such thing? The SX-850 looks to be the lowest power with bass/treble turnover. Useful feature?

A receiver isn't needed now but will keep an eye out for those gathering dust in somebody's garage. Suggestions about the 850 or is any x50 what to watch for?

Edited by wldrns1
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