I was at a local pub 10 years ago and a patron told me he had a Pioneer receiver that he no longer used. The next time he came in he had a Pioneer SX-1250 in perfect condition. He said he would sell it to me for $100.00. I said I would pay $50.00 if I beat him at a game of pinball, I won the game. I still use this receiver today.
TV Tech, thanks for sharing a story about how you ripped off a naive man. A man with character would have told the guy its worth a “little” more and and offered 200 hundred bucks at least. Now let me share a story with you. In 2008 I was installing a roof attic fan for a customer. He had a Pioneer SX 1250 and offered it to me for free. I told him it was a highly desirably unit and to save it for the future ….he would appreciate it down the road. He was “younger” and grew up in the age of cassettes. I do not regret it, I have many receivers and a clear conscience.
Interesting video. I have had my SX-1250 since purchasing new in 1976. At the time, the list price on this receiver was $900.00, but discounts were available. These were sold at a retailer called "Best Products" (no connection w/BestBuy), at a sizable discount. However, I purchased mine from Pacific Stereo and they price matched. Never have had mine serviced, though there are some minor issues (bulbs out, etc.). Seeing all the work you have done on this example scares me about how much service/repair would cost. Thanks.
I find that all electrolytics can dry out regardless of quality. If I take the trouble to crack the unit open and work on it, I am going to replace them all. Its too cheap not to.
I have all the monster receivers from the Sansui G22000 the Technics SA1000 a Marantz 2600 a Kenwood KR 96000 Rotel 1603 and my Pioneer 1050, 1250, 1280, three 1980s just have so much over the rest.
Masters like him inspired me to do a full restoration on mine. First restoration, I got lucky becuase all went well. Take your time, watch polarities and if possible use a quality desoldering station. A Atlas DCA 55 for checking Transistors is a great tool.
Great stuff Tony. Helped me immensely with my SX-1250. During my restore/recap, I did the front panel LED conversion also. Question is how did you get your front panel so bright? Is there a difference in the construction or layout in model years? My LEDs work and are very bright but the dial is much dimmer then the unit in this video. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks for everything Tony.
Robert Matheson I used to own a Pioneer 1250 and the matching cassette tape deck and turn table in 1977 and sold it in 1990 due to a channel failure. I cried when I sold it when I became frustrated when a local repair shop couldn't get it repaired correctly and was spending too much money at the time. I always wish I could have it back working but it was too late. I didn't want to buy a used unit today as I was afraid that a used unit would give me a bunch more head aches. I didn't know that a full restoration could be done like you have shown me in your video. Your video has me feeling excited that I can again have my wonderful stereo system. I am going to buy a used one from eBay and have it rebuilt by someone what ever the cost and again put a smile back on my face. Pioneer need to again make them again, there is a market for them.
I was lucky enough to buy me 1978 brand new, by that time I was in the army station in Germany, with Bose 901 V with the equalizer, a Technik turntable a dream at that Era. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😂😂😂
I’m proud to own an SX-1250 myself. Yes, it’s a hernia buster! Mine’s in fair shape except for some scratchiness in the switches and pots. I found that I liked the TO-3 transistors’ sound better than flat STK packs (although I wouldn’t turn down an SX-1980).
Tony, I've watched a ton of your videos and bought a couple receivers cheap to see if I can learn this stuff. I also happened to pick up a Owon oscilloscope and parts to make a dummy load. Could you make a detailed but short video on how to connect them for testing? Seems simple enough but I don't want to blow up anything.
Hello I have about 10 monsters receiver from 1970 to 1980 they need to be restored I already emailed you one time I would like to know if you still doing this and where you located please let me know
I had the pleasure of baby sitting this receiver for 3 years for a friend who was in the Navy. What a power house, he also bought the matching speakers. I did not want to give it back to him when his tour was over. This was a great video, I am going to do a recap on my Harmon/Kardon AVR 25II, right channel has low output as does rear and center channels. This is another beast receiver and worth restoring. I am an old point to point builder from the 60's and 70's and am getting back into electronics. Thanks for all the in depth description of the caps, some of them are new to me, like the poly's and film. I just found your videos today and will watch more of them.
I think that the DC offset combined with crossover eŕror maybe actually masking distortions when operating at low signal levels as in your measurement. It's kind of a class A amp in that case. Anyway, I do very much enjoy your video.
I wish I still had my SX-950 the wife wanted to downsize which is a good idea I don't like hoarding but dang I had my Pioneer gear since 76. I weighed my SX-950 once if I remember correctly it weighed in at about 45 pounds. I really appreciated the quality of craftsmanship in my Pioneer gear.
@@mac11380 As someone else who posted an SX-1980 restoration video said, sure, you could sell it, but then all you have is money. It's not like you could put it toward a modern replacement as some sort of upgrade.
What represents a few ohms in a circuit operating into 10 to 100K impedance..what is the reason to worry about that?.... even if you have hundred of them in series will be a ridiculous low effect into your audio patch...what really worries you...please, answer this question as i am a 70 years old audio amplifier designer and i cannot see the point to worry about that... I'm Destroyer X into diyaudio forum... i am making this question because despite i have made hundreds of well succeeded audio amplifiers, distritbute whole world, i cannot see a good reason to worry...so...as i do not know i am still thinking in snake oil or something alike...because mine own ignorance maybe..do not know..reason why posting question.
Hey Tony...I own a Pioneer SX-1250 Stereo Receiver/Amplifier. The unit needs repair and restoration…badly. Are you still in business and will you repair & restore my SX-1250?
Thomas, what state are you located in? This guy is well known for fixing the Pioneer receivers and all those classic large receivers from the 70s like Sansui, Yamaha, Sony, Etc. He's in Texas.
Definitive video on SX-1250, Just found your channel from a tech that said he learns from you. My idea to throw out there on that cut wire that was soldered back in, they did have these all hand assembled, mostly by women, back in the 70s on an assembly line, I think every receiver comes a little different, and sometimes what you think of as work done to the receiver, could very well came from factory.
I appreciate the work and passion. I own a Pioneer sx1250 the front aluminum panel is perfect but the black lettering has faded. How can someone restore the letters....thanks much appreciated
My brother bought one of these in a pawn shop for $400 back in 1981. We had some killer parties with it on a pair of Technics SB-7000A speakers back in the early to late 80's.
On the AWH-048A Power Amp board, can you provide suitable transistor substitute part numbers for Q7 (2SC1904A), Q8 (2SA899A), Q9 (2SD610) and Q10 ((2SB630-R) ? Thanks in advance.
back in the day I was an electronic technician. I learned a little trick when soldering on pc boards and that was to use print kote solvent after you were done. The reason was my job out of tech school was working on motorola pagers and 2-way radios. Pages had very tight pin and foil layouts. The flux left behind after soldering could potential mask a solder bridge or dot. The PKS made any issue plainly visible and you knew what you had. Also a bit of a pride thing to see your work so clean and perfect. I miss those days of component level repair. Now I program so my work is all virtual.
so old caps giving a high esr at higher frequencies is possibly why some old amps sound muddled and lack good HF or distorted? or in effect , can cause anything for bad sound?
I just finished adjusting stab board and am boards per service manual. 0 at speaker terminal but heat sinks run hot. 105f both sides. Do u run less then 65 on stab board, or less then 100 mv on amp boards? Seems much warmer then my other two which run at 77f and 85f
I just saw your restoration of your Pioneer SA 9800. I would like to send you my SA 9800 to do for me I just need an address and a price. You do very through work. You impressed me!
I loved your style as you went through this receiver and explained everything through the components. Having gone through technical school I think you'd make a great teacher and I find you very mesmerizing. I would have loved to see the assembly line that these receivers were built, how long it would have taken, and the final testing before they were boxed and shipped. People of your "level of skill" are rare and valuable to those who need these masterpieces refurbished. Thank you!
I was lucky enough to find one of these monsters a few years ago (before prices went through the roof) and it is my pride and joy. It took couple of trips to the local vintage electronics repair shop before it was fully functional, but this thing is beyond great. I can't imagine ever wanting to sell it.
I’m the second owner of my 1250 and know the first, it works fine....but the fm is starting to drop out. Everything else works fine and the radio rarely drops out.
Wow. I just looked up the "Toe Jam" song here on RU-vid, and I have to say I think it sounds better coming through your microphone after being played through that receiver and your setup than it does coming straight through my speakers from the internet!
Nicely done, I notice that you used alot of Wima cap replacements. When do you typically use Wima's & how can a novice know when to use them to replace electrolytics?
Thanks for your instructional videos, I follow you devotedly. Perhaps you can advice me how to upgrade or substitute the softstart of my SX1250. The resistor is burnt and I’m having trouble finding a replacement. Thanks
Check my first video series on the SX-1050 restore. I think replaced the soft start in that one. I think the video is a bit choppy (didn't process correctly when I uploaded it) but you can see what I did. It's one of the older ones.
Hello, thank you for the great video…. I ordered a cap kit from eBay…… Deff missing things your replacing… the .22 caps specifically, i have ordered some that say bipolar? Will this be a issue?
I find your videos highly entertaining and very educational. I bet the capacitor manufactures love you. My late Father had more than 60 years experience in the electronics trade his career started in the army in the 1950's. He never had the sort of fancy test equipment you have just the basics Avo 8, single beam 5mhz scope, Simple home made signal generator. He still managed to design & build things and had the pleasure I say loosely of repairing things like this back in the day when they were new. He had to rely on his ears more than fancy test equipment.I wonder if you would still be able to do the job with only the basic test gear?
I want one! Fully restored would be nice but a working unit in need of service will do! Just don’t know where I can find one! Great job great video cheers… Keith
Any of those mid-70's Pioneers are worth looking for! I used to find them on Craigslist, and you hear stories about garage sale finds that would make you cry. I got an SX750 that was great. Another good brand from that era is Sansui, and I think the prices on the Sansui receivers are lower than brands like Pioneer or Marantz. I don't like the Sansui speakers from that era (I'm really sold on Advents) but the receivers really work ... I have a Sansui 3000A, and it is a killer. I love the way it sounds.
I stumbled upon your channel last fall(2017) when the electronics bug hit me again after a 13 year absence(I had the classic car restoration bug). Of all the electronics/repair/restore channels on youtube you are in the top two. Thank you for renewing my interest in a much cheaper hobby. last Christmas(2017) my kids bought me a Pioneer SX-1980...only slightly broken- blown fuse. In their mind(my kids), the SX-1980 is supposed to replace - three Pioneer SX-1050's, 4-channel reel-to-reel, couple turntables and a few speakers...all had to be sold to make room(and money) for our rapidly expanding family....next up -- a Marantz 2230 that is just a mess, close to 20vdc at the speaker terminals---someone needs to make a restoration video on this old girl.
You need to completely rebuild the regulated supply board in the SX1980, the 80V, 30V pass transistors all need to be relocated onto the main heatskink, I have done this, and basically it takes a lot of the heat away from that board. There is another mod for the +/-80V current sources, factory uses this underwhelming circuit to achieve it, and there is a nice circuit you can build up on perf board and mount onto the existing board. Don't run the 1980 on an unrestored regulated supply board!!
