I'm a newb also, only been in the hobby for a few months now. I started just with the old stuff I'd accumulated many years ago, one of which is a Pioneer SX-434 given to me in 1979 when I was 14. (The other two are vacuum tube console stereos.) It's only been in these recent months that I've learned that this is an entry level model with just 15 Watts per channel. Never knew that, never cared, still don't. I've always loved it, it sounds good, and plenty loud. It came with 2-way speakers to match, rated at 40W max. I rarely turn the volume knob past 1/4 of its travel. So I know that Wpc doesn't necessarily track with sound quality, and in some cases all those extra Watts can get in the way of good wound quality. So I'm perfectly happy buying several lower powered units of other brands to see what they sound like, all for less than buying a single "monster" unit. I'd recently bought a Harman/Kardon 330B (20 Wpc, my most powerful so far, LOL!) and just love listening to it. I'd like to try a Sansui, and maybe a couple others too. Maybe add a subwoofer to try.
I’ve never heard it but I’ve seen a couple of SX-434’s and they look super cool! I’ve also heard nice things about it. I’ve seen a few pop up on Marketplace for around $100-150 but they’ve all been a few hours away and by the time I was able to take a road trip they had all been sold. I don’t crank my volume up too much either, this set up is in my office/art studio that’s like a 10x12 foot room. It’s usually turned up to 2 or 3 unless I’m in another room and want to listen, then u might turn it wayyyyyy up to 4 haha
