DR #42 - Pioneer SX 1980 Classic Audio Receiver Restoration - Chapter 1

In chapter 1, I go over the basic layout of this Pioneer SX-1980. I service both amplifier boards and complete a modification for the unobtainable output transistors.

[@JImmY1982MinG]

It's one thing to read the threads on AK knowing there are experts out there that can make magic happen with their knowledge; I tend to appreciate the video here more because it takes way, way more time and passion to learn about the stuff, put it to actual work, at the same time record it on video and edit it for us common folks to see. It takes considerable amount of effort and time to create videos with such detailed explanation, and it is even more difficult to keep all videos in the same style. This channel is becoming one of my favorite audio channels, I wish you were in Houston, Texas (where I live) so I can take all of my gears to you. I've collected quite a few pieces of gears that need TLC over the years, thinking I was going to be able to restore all of them by myself, but now it is becoming clearer that it will take me a life time to do it. I hope you keep the channel going also making some profit for yourself man, you deserve it.

[@roberthayes5037]

After watching this video I have come to the conclusion that you are the kind of technician I would want working on my vintage amplifier restoration. I really like your approach and attention to detail. I will contact you for my next restoration project. In the meantime I am enjoying your videos. Thanks

[@peterwikvist2433]

Mighty fine work. Thank you for sharing.

[@TravelOutlook]

Those custom mounting blocks were truly an inspired solution. Looks good Nick, looking forward to volume 2 of this repair.

[@musictypefoundry7345]

Fantastic work as always, Nick!

[@Phantomas2011]

Love to watch u work! Love the aluminum brackets and the way it turned out

[@paulb4661]

Had to improve convection on some modded power amps, the only way forward was to double the area of ventilation slots and hope it'd be enough to keep the sinks below 50°C at idle. Sent the top cover to a cnc workshop recommended by a colleague of mine, a week later they called to let me know it was too large to fit into the laser, so ... they were making a new from scratch. They would cut the apertures first, inductively weld the grating on the inside and bend it into a "C" afterwards following with a paint job. We're talking 1.5mm steel folks, so I thought, oh well, since you insist. Then it arrived. Not only is it an absolutely perfect fit, but the quality of paint job exceeds that of the original! Mind blowing what these Guys and their toys can do. You could literally spend months working by hand and wouldn't even get close to the level of precision and flawless finish achieved by skilfully programmed machines.

[@tomasvalentin6896]

Wow, great job, can’t not wait for the next one

[@pantelisEVs]

Great video with a great piece of vintage audio that needs some care. Looking forward for final result!

[@ElectoneGuy]

Those output transistor mounts are the bomb. They looks fabulous and probably dissipate heat better than the stock mount.

[@Tommy_Untiedt]

Looking great and you're welcome!!

[@Kevin-wj4ed]

You are good!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@user-ov9hd2sz3k]

❤❤❤❤

[@andymouse]

Nice attention to detail, but I don't like the soldered ring terminals it just it's not what they are for and it looks that way but electrically it will work just fine as you know, that is till the next guy down the line feels like me and rip's the lot out moaning ! however Kudos for the Brackets you might start selling those and if you do I'm up for 4 please !......cheers.

[@davidodonoghue3450]

Weren't the original outputs special ring emitter transistors? How can you replace with conventional?

[@DavidBerquist334]

Nice I got a Harmon kardon receiver for 40 dollars pristine condition it is hk560 40 Watts per channel is it a good one

[@brekanderson6691]

I have a sx 1980 that needs repair. I am the original owner and have not used it for about 10 years.

[@danhorton6182]

I use those same outputs, well the MJL1302 and MJL3281 as their voltage are more than high enough for most anything vintage solid state. Nice work! Is it possible that you could provide the g code for the brackets you made?

[@petenamlook18]

Given the scale of the restoration, it might have been worth replacing the bias pots on the amplifier modules.

[@DavidBerquist334]

I saw some body hose out a receiver to clean it out I think it would ruin it do you think it would be ruined

[@dualityrepair4770]

I would think so, unless it was completely dried off quickly.

[@ALLMIGHT_PLUS_ULTRA]

Those Sanken transistors were actually better.

[@dualityrepair4770]

Probably. But the work done was garbage so I didn’t trust them. And as I said I want the amps to be identical if possible.

[@bobbybiggs4348]

Did x-ray Tony do one of these?

[@dualityrepair4770]

He did. Multi-video series a few years back. And did a good job as always.

[@bobbybiggs4348]

@@dualityrepair4770 yea he is good. So are you though. Was interesting to see your approach to this

[@theaustralianconundrum]

@@dualityrepair4770 I still have one of these in it's original carton with owners manual etc. 10/10 cosmetically and it looks amazing but damn it sounds awful! A $50.00 thrift store amp would sound better. From Australia. Good channel!

[@alexkay1874]

Interesting but not a fan of your ring terminal solution you have just doubled the number of solder joints and therefore potential issues . also since this is now a modded amp why not eliminate another potential issue that being the push on connectors just solder the wiring to the board much more direct connection . Good luck

[@andymouse]

Soldered ring terminals look wrong to me as well, a place for everything and everything has its place.

[@dualityrepair4770]

O well. Can’t please everyone. It’s a reasonable solution and I stand by the decision.

[@alexkay1874]

@@dualityrepair4770 That's good you should own a decision like that knowing you will have a future repair and another episode when that amp section Blows onto a Million Pieces . Good Luck 😆

[@TravelOutlook]

@@alexkay1874 Duality repaired something of mine to an absolutely superb standard. I would think Nick has thought this through completely.

[@alexkay1874]

@@TravelOutlook Yes I guess he is omnipotent well done .