Pioneer SX-780 Stereo Review
A great stereo receiver that never gets old. What a workhorse. When I was a teenager I sold an old 1969 Grand Prix to the junkyard just to get up the cash to buy this stereo. I wasn’t sorry. It was underrated for power at only 45 watts per channel. I used it to drive some big 15 inch AAL (American Acoustic Labs) speakers that were soon replaced by Infinity RSA speakers and eventually some Infinity RSB stereo speakers.
After about 5 years of use I was able to replace the old Pioneer with some sweet Phase Linear Series II stereo equipment. 25 years after I first owned the Pioneer SX-780 I purchased one on eBay. I now use it as my home-office stereo along with a pair of Infinity RSA speakers I also picked up on eBay. You just can’t beat the sound per dollar of the vintage Pioneer SX-780 stereo reciever (intentionally spelled wrong so we don’t discriminate).
the best
I absolutely love this receiver. Nice to look at, nice to listen to,fairly easy to get your hands on and relatively easy on your wallet. To me this unit represents everything that is “right” about vintage audio.
I absolutely love this receiver. Nice to look at, nice to listen to,fairly easy to get your hands on and relatively easy on your wallet. To me this unit represents everything that is "right" about vintage audio.
I just purchased a used sx 780 after reading countless good things about it. I also have been listening to a Phase Linear series II for over 25 years. The sx 780 doesn’t come close to the Phase Linear. I find the bass to be harsh and overwhelming even on flat. The treble is lacking and has to be almost to the max. Lacks midrange. It is clean sounding and very powerful though. Also good looking. I am just spoiled with the Phase Linear. If it is a 10 the Pioneer is a 5. I will keep it for my shop because it was cheaper than a new I-pod!
Pablo, you shouldn’t be comparing the two. The SX-780 is a multifunction receiver, amp, tuner, for moderate listening with moderate speakers. You would usually see the Pioneer in use with $300-$500 speakers. The Phase Linear Series II equipment is/was state of the art individual stereo separates. You would often see the Phase Linear Series II equipment powered by a Model 400 driving something from the Polk SDA series or some Infinity RSII or similar speakers. That’s equipment deserving of a listening room not a bedroom or den like the SX-780.
Hi, David. Great site. We had this receiver when I was growing up, and I later had a 1980s Pioneer receiver. I recently acquired a wonderful SX-780 (yay!) and the only speakers I currently have to connect to it are Sony SS-B3000 (max input is 120 watts and the output of the SX-780 is 150 watts). I’ll probably never push it very hard, but I’m wondering if the combo of this receiver and these speakers is OK, at least for the time being. Will either be damaged? What other speakers might you recommend? Thanks.
Those look like a good match for the SX-780. The Pioneer is rated at 45 Watts continuous so I don’t see any problem. Crank it up! When the music starts distorting then it’s too loud, I have over-driven plenty of speakers with a Phase Linear 200 watt amp and as long as I didn’t pass the distortion point I never had a problem. That doesn’t mean you should push your luck though
David, I’ve had my SX-780 since new. Great unit. Been having problems lately with speaker channel (mostly right) cutting out. If I move the switches and levers it will come back on. Would you recommend a light application of tuner cleaner on the switches or is it time to replace the old girl?
I would give it a shot (or two). It’s Usually the balance or volume control. Try tapping on each to see if you can narrow it down. I’m not a repair expert but I can say that I had one that was doing the same thing and just pulling off the knobs and spraying cleaner did not fix it. But, I set the unit face up and sprayed the cleaner down the post while I turned it back and forth and it cleaned it up. Obviously the correct way to fix it is to take it to an electronics repair shop and let them take it apart and clean it or replace as needed. You can buy the volume control POT on the web if you trust yourself replacing it. Whatever you do don’t trash it, put it on eBay and let the legacy continue.
Ok Pablo, your Phase Linear II costs how much more than the Pioneer SX-780? How about we make a different comparison? How about a Phase linear II versus a Pioneer SX 1980? Care to look at the numbers with the total harmonic distortion? .09 versus .03. Watts per channel? 120 versus 270.
That’s what I call EXTREMELY one sided. What’s that? That’s not fair? Keep equipment comps in their class. I think for the money, the sx-780 can’t be beat.
Hi.
after months of searching here in Argentina I just could get my hands on a SX-780!!!
I can’t believe how good it sounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and it is a very pretty receiver.
I can’t be happier and even my kids think that it sounds good and looks great.
just like the good old days at SIU Carbondale, Il.
Hi David,
I was walking home from Liverpool Lil’s in San Francisco about 10 years ago when outside of an auto repair shop there was a SX-780 sitting on a pair of old Pioneer speakers at the curb with a sign on them that said, “Free”. I didn’t want the speakers, but I loved the silver box. So I shamelessly picked up the receiver, put it under my arm and took it home thinking it wouldn’t work.
After cleaning it for about an hour, it looked fantastic. So, I hooked it up to my gear, plugged it in, crossed my fingers, and what do you know, it worked. Anyhow, I use it everday now in my office and I love it. However, I have been thinking about replacing the speakers as I have the old Cambrige sub-woofer set up, and quite frankly, I don’t like it.
So, to keep a long story short, would a pair of Bose 301 bookshelf speakers do this little guy any justice?
Thanks,
Tony
@Anthony – Nothing beats a free Pioneer, well maybe a free Carver amp but…
As long as you aren’t looking for the low end you might get with some vintage Infinity speakers then I think it’s a good match. The Pioneer will be able to push Bose 301s with little effort so distortion will be in check and you will have a nice clean sound. I would avoid adding in a cheap subwoofer because you will just muddy up the sound that Bose has worked hard to achieve in such a small package. I hear the 301s will grow on you so pick out some good tunes and “let it grow”.
[...] read its good for low impedance/high current. Also my dad has an old Pioneer stereo amp, similar to this that he would probably give me. Would the front 1/4 in. headphone out provide amplification? I [...]
I bought my 780 on ebay a couple of years ago because I wanted a vintage receiver from the 70′s and couldn’t afford a used G-9000 or 1280. What a terrific buy it was! The guy I bought if from had serviced it (cleaned the pots, changed the bulbs and the speaker relay). Except for the odd little scratch it is in very nice cosmetic shape and functions perfectly. It takes a regular 4 or 5 hour beating every Friday night out in my mancave, playing through either an old pair of Technics 3 ways or an even older pair of Polk Audio Monitor 5′s, depending on my mood. Never misses a beat and sounds great. I might pick up a second one to mothball just in case mine ever does give up the ghost!