Unreal prices

When you have enough old guys with money feeling nostalgic and seeking items that aren't plentiful in good condition, you get a market that can sustain high prices.   

builder3,

I graduated DeVry in 1969. This type of soldering does not scare me. 😀  I watched a YouTube video about recapping a SX-1980. A daunting process just getting to the daughter boards.

Maybe it is time to turn off the TV and fire up the old soldering iron. 

I had a lot of fun doing it, and learned some things. I assumed you had a bit of knowledge on the subject when you mentioned the 'current limiting device'. You have a great receiver, but I'm biased towards the x50 series.
All the best.

Sx1980 tons o problems. Frying the boards due to improper engineering. The 1250 is a much better receiver and the very best one pioneer ever made. I’d still take a sansui g9000, 22000 or the mother of all receivers the 33000 over any of them. The old receivers are really cool and nostalgic but have a very bloated sound compared to today’s equipment imo. High Wpc doesn’t equal better sound. 

If those items are in good condition and good working order they have a lot of features built in that would be costly to replicate today if desired. Also they have lots of lights, look cool, and are collectors items. Unique items. Probably capable of sounding better than ever today with other modern gear on the system.  $5000 for a Pioneer receiver is pretty steep though still.