Pioneer SX 650 Part 1 - eBay Junk Repairs, Restoration (Ep. 23)

Classic Pioneer receiver needs a full restoration. In this part I'll tackle the innards and get it working like new again

[@robnaulty1750]

Thanks for showing all the stuff hooked up to align the radio. I'm still amazed that you brought that Fluke signal generator back to life.

[@martyjewell5683]

This was one sweet stereo receiver. I got mine in 1977 at a Crazy Eddie in NYC for a great price. Rated at 35wpc it seemed like a helluva lot more. The toggle switches had a positive sound and feel, a quality FM tuner, a somewhat useful high filter, two tape monitors with one way dubbing, an aux input and a mic input. Those two large tuning meters and effortless "flywheel" analog tuning. This unit drove my Ohm Acoustics model L speakers to lease breaking levels with enough output to impress, if not annoy the neighbors. Only had it till 1979 when trading up to more power and features. My only caveat??? That damn power switch on the speaker select knob. Really shoulda had a seperate power switch/ toggle or button. The horizontal back plate made access to connections a breeze.

[@SteveMasonCanada]

Had one of these in the 80's Loved it! The knobs seemed to really collect grunge.

[@SkeletorsFerret]

Thank you so much for posting this series of videos! I recently found my grandfather's old stereo and went out and got myself a record player! It was working well there for a while but now something in the interior "Clicks" off and on when I turn the volume up to high but it wasn't previously. Hopefully I can find the issue with the assistance of your video here!

[@PioneerGuy581]

eBay Junk Repairs - My first one is a 828 - I am so deep into the repair, i had it all done then the output transistor/s blew out. ordered a new matched set the TO3 toshiba replacements, the dam preamp board took me a few days to get working. had to rebuild it. I have look at many videos and no one really has a good one on how to do DC off set and Bias adjustments - they just do it with not much explanation on the pins where to hook up your meter. as some service manuals like pioneer have a few backwards, i had to guess on my 737 last night as they had the trimmer pots reversed in the manual. .5 ohm on the darlingtons - good to know...

[@geobrown9413]

Watched it all, thanks for that! I have a SX 550 that needs new power and stereo bulbs.....ordered some yellow wired LED's to install, thanks to your vid. Assume they operate OK on AC, same with #194 LED that I see everyone plugging in (dial lights), with no alterations. I have no real test equipment, but have basic wiring and soldering skills left over from my fifties experience with crystal sets and one tubers.

[@TrevorsBench]

Have a look on your LEDs and see if they wired in a dropping resistor. If they said they were "12v LEDs" they probably do have them. They will run fine on AC but the LED will strobe at line frequency. For some this is no bother but others might notice it and find it annoying

[@geobrown9413]

@@TrevorsBench Thanks, they are on their way from Walmart, they are listed as "Voltage: 5-12V/24V".

[@PioneerGuy581]

amazing you did not get a strke from youtube on those background songs - they always get me.

[@TrevorsBench]

LOL, sometime I upload a video and get a strike. So what I'll do is edit it again and trim a few seconds off the music and re-render it. If I keep the music clip below 7 or 8 seconds, it usually gets by

[@specwill1]

I have one. Great receiver.

[@SBKid58]

You mentioned that you straightened the bent tuning knob. I didn't see that covered in the video. Mine is bent and wondering how you straightened yours. Can you explain how you did it? Thanks.

[@bassthang2277]

Great job. looks awesome. What did you use to get the gouge and scratches out you mentioned at 1:18 mark? I have a SX-550 that has scratches I want to remove. Thanks.

[@TrevorsBench]

I never did anything aside from talking about it. The scratches are still there

[@dhanukadesilva9112]

Appreciate your advice on something!. I have a SX680 receiver which I have brought 2 months ago and seems there's a problem with FM in Stereo. It works great in mono mode when I switch on to MONO/FM MUTE OFF. When I put it back on to STEREO, no proper sound output to the speakers. STEREOLED indicator doesnt ight up too. I could hear it very very low when I turn up the volume but thats all. And seems phono acts the same , very low signal and hearing. Rest works great!. I have an average knowledge in electronics but not up to what you are having. Thank you! :)

[@TrevorsBench]

Hi, The biggest culprit that may affect both issues is the selector switch. It may be dirty or oxidized. Try working the switch through all positions several times to help clear away. No need to spray anything at this point, just work the switch and see if that brings it back. If it seems to help then try spraying a contact cleaner such as Deoxit D5. If Deoxit doesn't help then you have bigger problems at play which can't be diagnosed through the KZbin comments section. Hope that helps

[@arcorob]

This is cool....does the signal generator also show you what you would see on a scope or does one need BOTH ?

[@TrevorsBench]

The sig gen and scope are different beasts. You'll need both

[@JPerzynski]

If you test the fuse while in the fuse holder, in the component you might not get an open (even if the fuse is "blown")

[@suataydemir9144]

Hello, I sprayed oil-free contact spray inside the function keys and then the buttons got stuck. What can I do to fix it? Thanks.pioneer sa-540

[@MrSwt81camaro]

I've had mine for 10 years and it just started hissing and popping now it won't produce any sound. Hope we have success together

[@SDsailor7]

If you use general purpose capacitors in the power amp does it affect the sound output in a bad way? anyone know? Thank you

[@user-ls5oe1oo5v]

Buenas noches.como cambiarle los bombillos del tunner.de cuanto son los watts

[@SBKid58]

Thanks for the video. I have the same receiver. My brother just gave it to me as an early Xmas gift. It was built the year I graduated high school so it has some sentimental value. I am doing some minor restoration of it. Can you tell me how to remove the top 3 lights and where to get replacement LEDs for them? Thanks in advance.

[@SBKid58]

Update. Got the bulbs removed.

[@TrevorsBench]

I have picked up drop-in replacement LEDs on Aliexpress for cheap. The problem is getting them within a reasonable time frame

[@alexvarga1]

Hi great video ,I have the same receiver in very good condition,but it Cutts out if the volume is a bit higher . Did you ever worked on an issue like this ? If yes ,any advice for a solution ? Thank you

[@TrevorsBench]

I have a few ideas but I can't provide any repair advice without a proper diagnosis. If you are competent at electronics, have a look at the output DC offset. It may be going into protect.

[@heavymetl420]

did you figure out what is causing this im bout to tackle my first repair

[@alexvaro8326]

You are supposed to change all electrolytic caps on a radio that is 4 decades old. You don't just change 5 or 6 of them. The whole radio needs to be recapped then aligned.

[@TrevorsBench]

Typically I do but sometimes you run into caps that test like new. No harm done by leaving them alone

[@tigerbalm666]

Restoring a 50 year receiver is NOT EFFING WORTH IT! And it mya not even work after all the hours and 100's of $$ in parts!

[@TrevorsBench]

Thanks for sharing your opinion

[@kurchak]

It's not effing worth what? A bunch of money? It's called a hobby dude. I do it for fun. Any profit that comes from it is just a bonus.

[@afoxatemyinternet4215]

50 year old receivers have a much richer sound than the stuff produced today

[@Alextheampguy]

@tigerbalm666 you must be a real cool guy and the one everyone wants to talk to at a party . Smh

[@fagarock]

Mine have a hum noise in the left channel. And Marks -35volts 😢