Pioneer SX-1050 Stereo Receiver restoration part 1. What a pleasure to get one of these to work on.

The Pioneer SX series of stereo receivers are truly amazing pieces of equipment. I have done a couple before, but this is the first one I'm documenting here. The challenge of getting a vintage piece of gear into perfect shape is one I enjoy, so having one of the best receivers from the golden era (this one if from 1976) as the subject is a true honour.
I must give credit where credit is due. The best restoration videos on this type of amp that I have seen are published on KZbin by a xraytonyb, and the series he has on this specific model serves as a real tutorial for this work. Here is the link to the part 1 of the series:
• Pioneer SX1050 Another...
I don't intend this to be a tutorial, but rather a log on my progress.
Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed doing the work.
Here is a write-up on this receiver:
classicreceivers.com/pioneer-...
You can now support the channel:
/ mcaldeira
paypal.me/macaldeira
#tuberadios #antiqueradio #radiorestoration
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[@xraytonyb]

Thank you for the kind words! I truly admire the fine work you do on your channel as well! I know you will get this unit working like new. Best regards!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks Tony. I’ll do my best. Best regards from Madeira. Stay safe.

[@Wizardofgosz]

XrayTonyB is awesome.

[@saarike]

Oh my, what a beautiful machine you have in the bench! Thanks for intro. Waiting next part.👍

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@moshezaharia4666]

What a beauty! one thing to look at is the circuit glue that breaks down and goes conductive. Good luck, I'm looking forward for the next video!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@andybonneau9209]

I built your dim bulb unit over a year ago and am still loving it. Thanks for sharing. Also nice to see you working on something I recognize. I am also subscribed to Tony's channel. You two have different styles but are both treasures.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

thanks for the kind words

[@mickspencer4171]

Beautiful,I'm looking forward to this series.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

enjoy

[@SoddingaboutSi]

Fantastic receivers. Built to last. Beautiful condition

[@electronicsoldandnew]

It sure is.

[@PhG1961]

Waw, this is indeed a beauty. I remember it very well. This video is a trip down memory lane, great entertainment !

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Glad you liked it.

[@osliverpool]

That's beautiful - looking forward to this one!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Enjoy it.

[@EsotericArctos]

I have always wanted one of these units. They are such a beautiful unit and they seem to be difficult to find anywhere now. I will be checking out Tony's videos after watching this.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

tony has done quite a few pioneer sets like this one. He’s really good at it.

[@kennethiman2691]

Wow! Xraytonyb has an international reputation! From my home state of Pennsylvania.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

He deserves it. Knows his stuff and seems like a great guy.

[@paulbennell3313]

Oh my god that thing is beyond beautiful!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I fully agree.

[@richarddolbec5379]

Hi, it’s very cool to see the interrelation between you guys ( X-ray tonny b, David Tipton, Paul Carlson, Mr Caldeira and those one I forget ). My knowledge is building up day after day. Merci à tous Richard

[@electronicsoldandnew]

pleasure

[@Justplast]

I love this amp have one in my collection.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@reglard]

Monster Reciever I dreamed of owning one of these beauties as a kid.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I think we all did 😊

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

i got one i need to restore sometime thanks for video brother and be blessed

[@electronicsoldandnew]

my pleasure

[@TheStuffMade]

I had one of these back in the late 80s, I think I paid $75 for it, perfect condition, back then it was considered old fashioned compared to the more modern Japanese gear. I sold it on to a friend a few years later, while it's a solid receiver, I wasn't 100% happy with the sound, from what I recall it was a bit on the soft side lacking the punch I was looking for at the time. Replaced it with a large Technics integrated that still have around somewhere.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@stackoverflow8260]

Very cool video! Thanks for posting. Btw, I like your wand! :) (Just for giggles)

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@jdmccorful]

Good beginning.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@Oldgamingfart]

Ooh looking forward to this! Probably a good thing it isn't an SX-1980 as Madeira would probably sink! xD

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I think it’s sunk a little bit already :-)

[@midmodaudio6576]

Great project, looking forward to watching the entire series. There's a diamond on the rear to the right of "Made In Japan" which contains the letters E-P , this indicates it was purchased at a U.S. military "Exchange Post", probably in Rota.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Interesting. I didn’t know that. Thanks.

[@mackfisher4487]

----- Where is all the funny looking glass bottles with the lights in them ---- Kidding aside I love your diversity in projects this will be a fun one to view over your shoulder.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@bob1842ra]

Funny. My first thought was about Tony's videos, and quite after a minute or so you mentioned him. The community seems to be not so big.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

It’s a small world, and an even smaller hobby group 😊

[@Scott-K7sce]

the nast brown glue and the nasty foam padding on the bottam screams OEM. awesome find. Even here in the states a 1050 like this is stupidly rare. we usually find them in pretty bad sorry neglected state..

[@electronicsoldandnew]

That is true. This one is in excellent condition compared to some.

[@mostlyoldthings]

Thanks for another promising series Manuel. The unit looks extremely well made, it was interesting to see all of those wire wrapped connectors. I remember having to wire wrap bead boards with hundreds of pins on them at a computer company in the '70's, not my favourite job I recall! I wonder if the connection between the pins and the wire will have held up after all of these years? There didn't appear to be much tarnishing so hopefully all will be well in that respect. We almost got to see your face before the event of 10k subscribers 🙂

[@electronicsoldandnew]

I actually did wire wrapping during a vacation job at Siemens in South Africa in 1984. I remember it getting boring really quickly 😊 My face ... yes, I nearly slipped up 😊

[@mostlyoldthings]

@@electronicsoldandnew 😁

[@rodsradios]

Maybe the 870 Watt Figure relates to extra connected loads to the 3 mains sockets on the rear ?

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Could well be. I’m not sure.

[@josereinolds7428]

Beautiful amp. I am from Madeira mr Caldeira. I admire your work. I have several vintage amps like Kenwood kr 7100, Akai am1030 and trio ka 6100, Trio ka1500 x2 I wish I was inMadeira now so you could service them all. Regards. Adoro o seu trabalho, ressuscitar essas jóias antigas para dar prazer novamente. Audiophile style. Comprimentos.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

É sempre um prazer saber que um meu conterrâneo também vê os meus vídeos. Onde se encontra no mundo?

[@josereinolds7428]

Electronics Old and New by M Caldeira eu vivo perto de Liverpool in Wirral já a 40 anos deixei a a pérola do atlântico Madeira em 1980. Sempre visito a madeira todos os anos senhor Caldeira. Eu sabendo que o senhor é desse grande calibre electronic aí na mesma ilha fico com grande alegria também. Comprimentos

[@electronicsoldandnew]

abraço.

[@josereinolds7428]

I am looking forward for the next video conterrâneo. Muitíssimo obrigado 😊 You are the best. Regards

[@josereinolds7428]

Electronics Old and New by M Caldeira obrigado igualmente.

[@chiquinhoshaggy]

Tenho um ainda a funcionar. Som espetacular.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊 👍

[@joshshine2489]

I would go ahead and change the orange ones as well, I've been seeing some of them with slightly degraded esr. Yeah they still work now, but for how long. You're in there anyways, so go ahead and change them :)

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@tiagomadeira838]

Gostei da notas finais deste capítulo!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@waynethompson8416]

I have an SX-939 that has quit working...no audio out. Meters work, and the radio appears that it should be working, but no audio out. While watching you work on this one, I thought that you might enjoy working on mine...then I realized how much it would cost just in transit to and from you...I'm NOT that rich! ;-) Of course, you could always come here with your equipment and work on it here... ;-) Seriously, a visit from you would be an enjoyable thing. And I think you might even enjoy it here. But what with the Covid-19, travel restrictions, etc. it would probably not be something that is possible at this time. I think I am going to enjoy this series of videos more than most, and wish you all success in working on this radio! By the way, I may have mentioned this to you before, but I really appreciate the manner in which you tackle the restoration/repair process. I agree with you, if you confirm that the "audio" section is working properly, then a major part of the task is done!

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Yes, living in madeira makes shipping a problem 😊 Thank you for your kind words, and enjoy the series.

[@pisotones2348]

Manuel, do not substitute the lamps for LEDs. There's something "organic" and pleasant in an incandescent lit dial that LEDs simply cannot provide. Just my 2 cents, of course. Regards from another Manuel :)

[@electronicsoldandnew]

thanks 😊

[@moodyga40]

they can be tricky to work on tin whiskers on transistors

[@electronicsoldandnew]

i’m feeling lucky 😊

[@borayurt66]

My late father had a SX-650 together with HPM-40 (or 50) series speakers when I was growing up. I really don't know what happened to them. Maybe he gave them away at some time. Shame really, I should have been wiser and got them from him for myself but I was pretty stupid in my 20's and those things were just old junk to me...

[@electronicsoldandnew]

We all were pretty stupid in our 20s 😊

[@danielsaturnino5715]

I cant help the notice the size or that reciever... looks like size does matter. Audio quality/power wise at least :)

[@electronicsoldandnew]

It’s about size, AND how you use it 😊

[@zexalex]

235v in Madeira? Why??? In Portugal mainland 220 is pretty stable.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

We’re closer to 240v than 220v. Has been this way for quite a while now.

[@alfredneumann4692]

Hell, what a coffin :-)

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@briancoish1695]

made in Feb. 1977

[@electronicsoldandnew]

ok

[@jazzkatt7083]

Not a fan of LED bulbs. I've never seen them look original. All of my units still run the original lights except for one and that one is going to be put back original. Otherwise great work 🙂

[@electronicsoldandnew]

Thanks

[@kingcrunch85]

To my experience ELNA caps age really bad and in my opinion should be replaced completely in equipment that old.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

👍

[@itsGnTO]

This is a beautiful receiver, but anorexic compared to the pioneer sx 1250's components

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊

[@robertdavis5714]

Will never again buy a piece of equipment with a repair sticker on the back, like you much prefer 40 yrs of dust.

[@electronicsoldandnew]

😊