I TESTED 1-STAR VINTAGE STEREOS 

I think there comes a point in time that we don't even care what they sound like, we just want them to look cool. LOL

Your video was tongue in cheek I know, but it truly shows how two different people could look at the same piece of gear and come up with two radically different reviews. Well done!

Hello Captain Sub: Thank you Lenny for this vintage stero receiver video. Every viewer of this video can hear the loving passion in your voice & we can see your emense depth as you demonstrate the features of each & every piece of history. Captain Sub when a Audiophile customer sees the enthusiasm as well as the passion for all types of audio gear that every employee in your store proudly exhibits there is no wonder why IMHO you have the best audio store on the East Coast. God Bless Lenny & also your crew. TMP from N.J. .

The 1250's were built like tanks and were made to be serviced. They were the best Pioneer made before they started cheaping out on the *80s series.

Just lugged out my SX-850. Had the urge to hear Ride the Lightning on vinyl. Reminded me of how good it sounds. Almost broke my back lifting her out of hibernation!

I think the SX-1010’s were great “work horses” as well.

With all the Pioneer that I tried from x50, x80 series, I think the sx 939/1010 has the smoothiest tactile experience you can get from those control knobs and switches not mentioning the power and sound which is impeccable.

That 5580 with the black finish is off-the-hook! I was teen in the 70's and into hifi and was always drooling at nice and high-end gear and I don't recall seeing that black beauty ever, or even in print.

Love when everything make sense and it's all here. Ty for the share.

Was able to make a check on my bucket list, by going to the store and experienced the holy grail in person. Kudos to Mickey who was very nice and helpful even staying after 5pm on a Saturday to complete the purchase of a VM 750 SH cartridge/needle.

I just serviced an 828. Nice unit.

I always preferred my QX-949 - loved me some quad sound back in the day.

I'm enjoying how much love the 980 is getting now. As far as the lifestyle I grew up in, that was as good as it could get. I was priced out of that market being a young fella. To this day, I've only seen or toched (1) 1980,

Grew up with an SX-939 and JBL L100s in dads living room on speaker A and 4311b's on speaker B. The blue glow of the radio meters and the orange fiberoptic -ish station pointer were magical. I still own the 4311's as my main speakers ❤️ I loved the tactile feel of the toggle switches so much i just bought an SX-780 and will likely be hooking it up this weekend in my office. Trying to decide which speakers will get connected. I Have Sansui SP-2000s, Advent 3002's, and Boston A60's sitting around not being used.

I bought my SX1250 -78, looks and sounds great. I put a small fan on top of it to keep it cool, otherwise makes a lot of heat which kills components

I'm amazed that you guys spend all your time looking at your stereo. I'm kind of thinking you're missing some of the point of stereo. In 1976 I had a Dokorder 7140 reel to reel connected to my SX1250. I also had a TEACK 450 cassette recorder connected to the Pioneer. I had 2 zero 100 c turntables. Today I'm using Cerwin Vegas. as I did back then. We had lease busting parties! Thank God for sympathetic land lords. We were in our early thirties. Just a thought. Play them!!!

pioneer sa 8800 the Japanese edition..does anyone have any idea about this model...

I must say I love the Pioneer SX-1250 most of all. I now have 2 of them. Just Audio is refurbishing my 2nd Pioneer SX-1250 now. The Pioneer SX-1250 is beautifully simple without the power meters. Technically the Pioneer SX-1250 does not need power meters because my the time I crank it so high you blow quality speakers I'd be deaf! IF I were going to invest in a Flouroscan Pioneer it must be the Pioneer D-7000 @ 130 watts per channel. Has a sort of retro sci-fi look that isn't a knock off of 19's era receivers. I don't see vintage pioneer weight as a negative. Light weight usually means less quality. Heavy Transformers, Huge Filter CAPS, wiring and old world craftsmanship just weigh a truss straining TON!

Those 80s receiver's were beast. I remember when you'd turn it on the lights in the house would flicker 😮😮

I have a SX-1980 and I will be keeping it till the day I die.

My advice, as a tech who has rebuilt hundreds of Pioneer receivers, buy a working 1250 that's cosmetically nice and rebuild it. It will keep you happy for many years.

Great video! Is there any way to find out, how many HPM 900 speakers were made? I always hear about the 150. The tweeter is the only difference, if I remember right.

Sir Lenny the Pioneer SX 1980, if it was remade today would easily retail for over $30,000. That amplifier is out of this world! You will never see anything of that build quality and specification, remade again today! You are a great presenter, have a fantastic voice, great on camera and great seller!

I had a 780 in great condition rescued from a recycling center. Took it into a shop for a tune up, couldn’t get the DC offset in spec Also worried about the availability of STK Darlington power packs. He had a 3700 that just got off the bench. 780 stayed at the shop. Best part of the Floroscan meters is you can see those beautiful meters from across the room.

Are there any radio shack ( realistic) receivers you like from this era?

Very nice video 💕

This was great. Cant wait to see what other brands get the 1 and 5 star treatment. You could almost call this the Good Bad and Ugly. I was almost thinking you would try really really cheap stuff like a Craig all in one or something with 8 track, LP and tuner. To tie into that, would you ever go thrifting for stereo gear?

I own several receivers and the Pioneer SX 3700 is the best sounding of the bunch( Kenwood KR 5400, Onkyo TX 3000, Realistic STA 90 and STA 850, all driving pair of Realistic Optimus 5B and Dynaco A25 wired in parallel, they all sound great, the fav is the Pioneer, keep these vid's coming.

When I was in the Army stationed in Germany, I had both the SX-5590 (SX-1250) and the SX-1980 ( payed under $1200 at PX). Why oh why did I sell these off in the 80s?

Could you please do a video on the best pioneer for the money? As in most options and best sound without breaking the bank?

Love the Black Rifle Coffee Cap!

What is that gold amp with the vu meters on it?

That SX1980 remionds me of my Sony GDM-FW900 crt monitors... my friends refused to help me move, they helped in everything instead on those 2 beasts.. :D I feel you lol

My fave was the SX-850 and I still have it.

where is the first reel and best sounding? the King sx-1010?

Lenny, I’ve got a SX-3700 it’s not as powerful as the 3900, but I love the sound paired with my ADS L780s. 5 stars.

What about the SX-6000

The1974 SX-838 was not the first receiver you could hook up 3 pair of speakers. I have a Sansui 7000 from 1971-72 that has that feature

Fun fact: Many receivers back then used push-pull transistor power amps without transformer coupling to the speakers. They also didn't have proper protection circuitry other than fuses. Many component failures would not blow the fuses, but would put out a lot of DC current to the speakers and destroy them.

Love the black faceplate version

Awesome!

Goes to 1974, and doesn’t mention the QX-949. Good day sir. I said good day! LOL!

Nice Raiders joke. Gotta tell it to Raider fan neighbor

You can listen to these receivers for hours without the fatige that quckli sets in with more modern samples. I was a young A/V tech when these were released, but didn't see that many on my bench, which at least saved my back! They were expensive when new, and now they are very expensive, just ensure that you don't buy one with bad switches and pots, switch cleaner only provides a temporary cure.

My Mac MA-6600 weighs 90 pounds. I also have a SX-1010, SX-950, and Sansui G-8000 which are fairly hefty as well.

I love my Pioneer SX1080 because of the VU meters

You can run low imp on vintage pioneer. Just dont max the bass knob and dont clip the amp..ive run my project one mark xxi integrated at 3.2 ohms a side for years..no issue.. yup..3.2 ohms a side.. i dont over use the tone controls or turn the volume past where its clean.. and i dont crank it for long periods of time..believe me it gets loud really soon on the dial... haha..it puts out big power at 3.2 ohm..yes i increased the fuse value. But i respect my audio..yes i repair audio and design and build for a living

My SX-1980 is my five star ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I don’t move this heavy ass thing around! It just stays in one place and kicks ass….😊 🎶

As far as pure sound quality, get a 1050, recap it and replace ALL of the sst's. Even better than the 1250. And i love the 1250's.

I have owned multiple 1250s and own two 1980s. To me the 1980 sounds and looks better. However I know the 1250 was built better and I will own one again. The 1980 is not so much better than the 1250 to justify the price increase. Love pioneers

Hey l’ll drive there and we’ll put that 1980 on my f150 one time so boom fixed that whine😂 fyi I’ll make room next to my two Carver receivers🎉

Why doesn't anyone ever mention the pioneer sx-1080 It like it does exist?

If you need me to help you move that 1980 I’ll gladly move it for you but then I’m not giving it back. 😆

Holy cow! My A21 only weighs 60 lbs, and its a pain to move, The big dog Pioneer comes in at 80 lbs!!!!! Yeah I'd never move it either, lol.

50 watts of distortion are exponentilly more harmful than 1000 watts of clean power.

yamaha v1 try it

I am an Analog man. Carver did it right. I can’t afford it.

Nah, you can keep the 80 series, I'll take any of the 50's.

I dont get the purpose of this video? Love the channel tho :)

Who's constantly moving their stereo equipment around? And if you're always bringing it in to the repair shop, why own it?

Sorry, the 1250 is better

I'll help you move the 1980...to my house

SX1280 Rules!!! I give it a ONE STAR , PLUS 4, And I've heard Both the 1250 and 1280 , the sound is Better in th 1250??????????? No No NO, The biggest issue us the Build because "Some People" Say the build is Different.

Rule #4 Stop your annoying accent.