Thinking Of Buying A Pioneer SX-1280? - Everything You Need To Know! [My Favorite Receiver]

In this video, we take a closer look at the features of this gorgeous vintage Pioneer SX-1280 receiver!
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Contents of this video:
00:00:00 Overview
00:03:19 Specs & Features
00:13:54 Wrap-Up
#vintageaudio #pioneersx1280 #vintageelectronics

[@secondaryunit]

The output transistors can be found fairly easily for the 1280. I have collected enough to replace two full sets of units. The 1280s are amazing!!

[@TinkeringWithT]

They are definitely out there!! That’s awesome! Nice finds! Yes they are, definitely my favorite receiver!! Thanks for watching!

[@cambriabrann2434]

very good video!

[@santiagokgarcia8887]

I have one,and i love it!!!!

[@TinkeringWithT]

They are awesome receivers! Keep on jammin'!!

[@samb8996]

I enjoyed your review

[@TinkeringWithT]

Thank you!!

[@lucaspatterson]

Any chance you could make a video regarding the conversion you did for the bad output transistors? I’d love to see the details. Also, which thread on AK did you follow? I have an SX-980 so I am very interested in knowing the process to have in my back pocket in case of an emergency.

[@outofcomms]

Lucas, I was having a yard sale this past weekend and a friend of mine stopped by and we got to talking. I told him I seek out vintage receivers and he said he had two one of which is a Pioneer and the other a Sansui. He said they both powered up, but had no output. He brought them to me two days later the Pioneer is a SX-1280 and the Sansui is a G-8000. Long story short I got them both for $300. I figured out the 1280 only needed cleaning of the face plate switches and re-soldering of wire connections to there post. I now have a fully functional SX-1280.

[@TinkeringWithT]

WOW! What a great deal you got!!! How do you like the 1280? It’s one of my favorite receivers! Did you get the Sansui working too? That’s another beast of a receiver! I’m jealous! I’ll give you 500$ for both!😂

[@outofcomms]

@@TinkeringWithT $500 Wow, let me think about it, Not! The 1280 is working awesome after some electronic lube. The G-8000 is in protection mode and may need more attentive care than I can provide. Thank you for your response.

[@TinkeringWithT]

@@outofcomms Haha! I don't blame you. Glad to hear the 1280 is working well! A fantastic sounding receiver! I'm sure you'll figure out the Sansui in no time! No problem!

[@jeffm1896]

OK, that's just digusting! You stole those. So jealous!

[@Lyingleyen]

My Dad had one of these back in the day. It was part of a retirement present from his place of work.

[@TinkeringWithT]

Wow! That would have been the best retirement present! Where did he work??

[@Lyingleyen]

@@TinkeringWithT With the UK Atomic Energy Authority in the accountancy department. They paired it with a Pioneer turntable and allowed him to choose his own speakers: Celestion DL6 Series Two, which I still own. After retiring he added a Philips CD player - the second model available to the public.

[@TinkeringWithT]

That is so cool! Your dad had excellent taste. Sounds like he had quite the system when he retired! That's cool you still have the speakers! I bet they kick out the jams pretty good!

[@Lyingleyen]

@@TinkeringWithT Yep, they do pretty well. I'm thinking of adding a vintage NAD amplifier at some point to capitalize on the warm sound of the Celestions. Have you got any recommendations?

[@TinkeringWithT]

Good call! I don't have a ton of experience with NAD, but I've heard that the 3080 was pretty good. It's a cool looking amp as well. it also has 2 large wattage needles on the front which is always a plus! I think it put out around 90W per channel!

[@mrcasey69]

Loudness switch is for low level listening. It adds some tone boost to the base which accentuates the bass at the lower volumes. Not an "always on" button as it can introduce significant distortion at louder volume levels.

[@TinkeringWithT]

Good to know!! Thanks for the info. I didn’t know it helped to accentuate the bass at lower volume levels! Makes complete sense in my mind.

[@mrcasey69]

@@TinkeringWithT It can also work for higher levels (if you like the sound); however, you will encounter some limits and have distortion at higher levels. Very nice video. Thank you for sharing.

[@TinkeringWithT]

Good to know! Thanks for the knowledge and for the kind words, I appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[@jeffm1896]

Hi, great video. I have a Luxman R-1120 reciever and it's inside a console. I'd like to find a fan to cool it like the one you use in this video. Do you have a source/brand I can look into getting? Thanks! Years ago I had a Sansui 1000A with a fan mounted to the back of it, but I no longer have that unit.

[@TinkeringWithT]

Thanks! That's an awesome receiver! The one I use on my 1280 is made by AC Infinity. They make a few different styles in different shapes and sizes depending on your application, but the one I used was this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LVW4SLP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Thanks for watching!

[@jeffm1896]

@@TinkeringWithT Thank you for the info!

[@ultravolt1359]

@TinkeringWithT Hey T, do you know what model/brand of double fan you have there for the sx-1280? I'm having a hard time finding something similar it on Amazon.

[@TinkeringWithT]

Yes! It’s made by Infinity. It’s the perfect size, and stays nice and quiet. Here’s the link! www.amazon.com/gp/product/ BO1LVW4SLP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title? ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@TinkeringWithT]

The link copied weird, but just copy and paste it into your browser and you’ll see it.

[@baronofgreymatter14]

How would this work with the Klipsch Cornwall IVs...Damping factor is 30 on this receiver

[@TinkeringWithT]

First off, I’m jealous that you have some Cornwalls!! Those are on my list of speakers to own one day! I’ve thought of this as well. I think they’d pair pretty well. There was someone on audio karma who did a little review with either a 1080 or 1280 hooked to Cornwalls and they loved it. I’ll see if I can find it and I’ll link it. But I think they’d sound pretty good paired with the 1280.

[@baronofgreymatter14]

Thanks for the reply!

[@craiglaing2417]

I inherited my 1280 😎 Btw, what is that fan setup called?

[@TinkeringWithT]

That’s awesome! Congrats! You’ll love it. It’s an amp fan I got off Amazon. The brand is called AC infinity

[@markhill8882]

I also have a 1280. Does the cooling fan help cool the power supply board? Can you notice a difference? Thanks for your time

[@TinkeringWithT]

Awesome receiver! Definitely one of my favorites. I don’t know how big of difference the fan makes, but I do know that when I have the volume cranked for a while, I can feel it pulling the hot air out of the inside. If anything I’d recommend one just to keep the air moving! The 1280’s like to run hot!

[@markhill8882]

Ok thanks for getting back to me. I recently picked up one that is all original. Has never been serviced other than myself checking the dc offset and idle. All functions work and sounds amazing. Just wondering if I should have it restored. It’s a super clean receiver with no damage or marks at all. Thanks again

[@TinkeringWithT]

Of course! No problem. That’s awesome! Congratulations! They are one of the best receivers. I love mine. Nice work dialing in the offset and idle current. I’d say if you had no issue adjusting either of those into spec, and it sounds great I’d leave it! No use in tearing it apart just yet! Once it starts to act up, or a channel disappears then I’d opt for a full rebuild . As for now just enjoy it and keep on jammin!

[@markhill8882]

@@TinkeringWithT Thanks so much for your advise. Really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work man

[@TinkeringWithT]

No problem!! Thank you, I appreciate it!! Let me know if you ever have any questions! Thanks for watching!

[@allhartfidelity]

Yes, its veneer. The only solid wood is the front corner blocks.

[@TinkeringWithT]

Good to know!! Thanks for watching!

[@delta3garcia]

Link for the fans?

[@TinkeringWithT]

Here you go! www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Top-Exhaust-Receivers-Components/dp/B01LVW4SLP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2LUIVHKX9E8FQ&keywords=receiver+fans&qid=1650676791&sprefix=receiver+fans%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-3 I have it plugged into the "switched" outlet on my receiver, so the fans are controlled by the power switch on the receiver. very convenient!

[@andifolino8022]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@craiglarge5925]

10 years ago maybe $2000.00 for a recapped and re-lamped unit ;greed today.

[@TinkeringWithT]

I agree. Some of these prices are getting really out of hand!!