2. amps-preamps
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Anyone done A / B listening to compare vintage stereo receivers with today’s Amps/Preamps?

I bought a Pioneer SX-1050 new in 1977. It was my first serious audio purchase and set me back around $3000 when adjusted for inflation to today’s dollars. IOW, quite a lot.  In 1985 I made my second major audio purchase when I bought Quad ESL-63 electrostatic speakers and a Quad Amp and Preamp. The Pioneer wound up in my closet where it has set until 2018 (34 years) when I put it to work in my second best system, the TV room. Last month I decided to have it refurbished and I have to confess it set me back way way more than I expected, but it does sound very good indeed.  

But I’m definitely wondering if I made a good investment. And how the Pioneer, specifically the SX-1050, but others of similar character,  compares to present day equivalents.  

Has anyone done any comparative listening to electronics in the $3000-$5000 range? How does the Pioneer compare?  

Answering that question would go at least some way to answering the question whether the vintage electronics are as good or better than those designed and built for today. And whether I made a good investment.

My TV System
Vizio 60” Ultra HD
Spendor FL-6 floor standing speakers
Arcam SR-250 two-channel AVR used for video only
Pioneer SX-1050 used for audio only
Video sources:
1 - Dish DVR
2 - Oppo UDP-205 DVD
3 - Roku streamer
4 - Pioneer Elite CLD-99 Laser Disc Player
128x128echolane
echolane's avatar
echolane OP
102 posts
 
To riaa who said this:
As somebody that has had over 100 Vintage 1970's receivers I can tell you that PIONEER...all of them...cant touch the Higher End Sansui's, Sanyo's, Onkyo's or Kenwood's. I mean its not even close. The Sanyo JCX2900K is the biggest bargain of all of them for 400-500 or less in great shape.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I can only respond by saying ignorance is bliss :)
A big reason I had the Pioneer redone was that I already owned it.  I also admit that there was also a big dose of nostalgia involved, after all it was my first big audio purchase back in 1977, and it was also something that gave me a great deal of pride and pleasure at the time.   It’s a looker, too with its real walnut sides and top and a fancy looking front face,  so I’m satisfied for now.  If I should happen to come across something that makes my heart beat fast for its much better sound, I’ve had my fun and I could let it go.  But I have to add that  it would most  likely not be a vintage product.

echolane's avatar
echolane OP
102 posts
 
To ndevamp Who said this. 
Echolane, +1 for moving the switches regularly to keep them working well.
I help maintain a studio mixing console with hundreds of mechanical switches. The advice given in the service manual is to do just that, operate them regularly to keep tarnishing to a minimum. Some of the switches are so stubbornly tarnished though that I have to disassemble the switch and scrape the delicate contacts clean manually. That’s from years of not moving them enough previously.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don’t always live up to my own advice!  I’ve just put a monthly reminder in my calendar so I won’t forget.  I’m glad I don’t have as many switches as you do :-)
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook's avatar
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook
981 posts
 
I wouldnt get rid of your piece either AND I would have done exactly as you did for nostalgia/sentimental reasons. I have a couple of the BLACK FACE SX-1050's (European version SX-5580) which I greatly prefer visually.  I have my original receiver from High School as well....The Technics SA-205. Still works..worth about $50 at best and I wouldnt sell it for $500.
mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 
As I understand the nostalgia thing ( owning some of these products over the years ), the worst of it, ime / imo , are the speaker switching, and the output relays, in most of these units. Yes, convenience, and a way of protection ( same for speaker fuses ), but a no no for SQ. Sorry, just the reality of things.
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