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Calling All "Vintage" Integrated/Receiver Owners
Mar 10, 2016 at 12:39 AM Post #15,646 of 19,143
Narrowed down the list after doing some more reading on the Marantz amps. Won't be looking for a Marantz as that might be a bit too warm.
I love the 9090 and will keep it, I don't even think of upgrading to one of the higher G models.
Reason: 2 phones out, pretty rare to find in vintage amps, a dream for comparing.
And I will add a Pioneer anyway so in my eyes this will be the perfect team.
Still keeping my little Aiwa as well, no use to sell it, it's just too good for what I paid for it.
 
So it comes down to this: I can get an SX-1280 in a few months or I can wait for an SX-1980.
It will be used for phones of course but also to drive the Kappa 7As and maybe a nice pair of Diatones later on (around 200W).
Any advice on this choice for my final vintage amp?
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 1:13 AM Post #15,647 of 19,143
sirmarc said:
Nice man! Hook up a good dac or Turntable up to it and let me know what you think with a good pair of cans. I'm jealous, mine is still out for service. With my Thorens turntable and hd650's it sounds ridiculously good...
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I don't have a turntable.
I never had many records, about 20 or so, when I was younger I recorded albums from my friends on cassettes.
My father had about 100 records and a bunch of reels but I gave all that stuff away.
I am thinking of adding a turntable later on but I'm not in a hurry for that.
So for now it will be FM and my Marantz Dacs.
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 8:53 AM Post #15,648 of 19,143
appleheadmay said:
   
 
I don't have a turntable.
I never had many records, about 20 or so, when I was younger I recorded albums from my friends on cassettes.
My father had about 100 records and a bunch of reels but I gave all that stuff away.
I am thinking of adding a turntable later on but I'm not in a hurry for that.
So for now it will be FM and my Marantz Dacs.
Click to expand...

 
I listen to mostly FM.  The tuner section in the 1250 is astonishingly good.  An so is my restored Kenwood KT-7550.
 
Recently got a near mint Pioneer PL-518 to match up with the 1250.  Sounds great!
 
Also got a totally restored Pioneer PL-516 with Ortofon 2m Red for my main system.  Like it very much!
 

 
The 2M Red was added after the pictures.  Nice belt drive TT with excellent speed control and easy setup.  Love it!
 
Edit: the updates include new dust cover, African Rosewood veneer, new low vibration feet, new belt, new RCA plugs, and a complete clean and lube.  I added the 2M Red and will be doing a recap just to be safe.
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 9:14 AM Post #15,649 of 19,143
speakerbox said:
I listen to mostly FM.  The tuner section in the 1250 is astonishingly good.  An so is my restored Kenwood KT-7550.

Recently got a near mint Pioneer PL-518 to match up with the 1250.  Sounds great!

Also got a totally restored Pioneer PL-516 with Ortofon 2m Red for my main system.  Like it very much!





The 2M Red was added after the pictures.  Nice belt drive TT with excellent speed control and easy setup.  Love it!

Edit: the updates include new dust cover, African Rosewood veneer, new low vibration feet, new belt, new RCA plugs, and a complete clean and lube.  I added the 2M Red and will be doing a recap just to be safe.
Click to expand...

Looks good man!
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 9:14 AM Post #15,650 of 19,143
Thanks SirMarc.  Very happy!
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 9:31 AM Post #15,651 of 19,143
Have you ever considered an AT 440mla? For years I was a Blue Point Special guy, but when it came time for a new cart, my dealer recommended the AT. At first I was a bit snobbish, MM? No way. Anyway, after seeing one on Amazon for under 200 bucks I said what the hell. Long story short, I love this cart and have no regrets. Does it sound as good as my BPS? Who the hell remembers, but its at least close, for way less money. This is on a Thorens td145 by the way.
On a side note, looking at those pictures, I really need to break out the wood oil lol.
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 10:22 AM Post #15,652 of 19,143
Never did consider the AT.  I had read quite a bit about successes using the Ortofon 2M Red on the 516 - so I went with it.
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 11:58 AM Post #15,654 of 19,143
SpeakerBox That TT looks awesome man, congrats!

AppleheadMay The 1280 is every bit as good sounding as the 1980. I had a restored 1280 and loved it. I freely admit I stepped up to the 1980 just because I wanted to. There really wasn't any real sonic benefit.
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 12:01 PM Post #15,655 of 19,143
skylab said:
@SpeakerBox That TT looks awesome man, congrats!

@AppleheadMay The 1280 is every bit as good sounding as the 1980. I had a restored 1280 and loved it. I freely admit I stepped up to the 1980 just because I wanted to. There really wasn't any real sonic benefit.
Click to expand...

 
 
Thanks Skylab. Will be looking out for one of both then.
 
Mar 10, 2016 at 10:45 PM Post #15,657 of 19,143
appleheadmay said:
  Narrowed down the list after doing some more reading on the Marantz amps. Won't be looking for a Marantz as that might be a bit too warm.
I love the 9090 and will keep it, I don't even think of upgrading to one of the higher G models.
Reason: 2 phones out, pretty rare to find in vintage amps, a dream for comparing.
And I will add a Pioneer anyway so in my eyes this will be the perfect team.
Still keeping my little Aiwa as well, no use to sell it, it's just too good for what I paid for it.
 
So it comes down to this: I can get an SX-1280 in a few months or I can wait for an SX-1980.
It will be used for phones of course but also to drive the Kappa 7As and maybe a nice pair of Diatones later on (around 200W).
Any advice on this choice for my final vintage amp?
Click to expand...

  I would also recommend that you should also consider the pioneer sx -1250 receiver . Consider that the sx-1250 has a reputation for being more reliable than either the sx-1280 or sx 1980 . You should  check out the my favorite receiver site on the net . It is interesting but according to the my favorite receiver site the power supply on the sx-1250 and the more powerful sx-1980 actually have the same 22,000 microfarad power supply capacitor rating . Which makes the sx1250 and its somewhat lower power rating the more over engineered receiver . Hence the more reliable just for the higher  capacity power supply for its' rated power. The sx-1280 has lower capacitance power  supply caps than the sx-1250 .
   Do check out the my favorite receiver website on the net there  are a lot of receivers listed on the site with valuable information about them . Another good site is the classic receiver website on the net there are a lot of receivers listed on this site as well actually there are more listed on this site . Good luck on your hunt for the best receiver .
 
Mar 11, 2016 at 8:02 AM Post #15,658 of 19,143
Another interesting piece of info on the 1250 - it has roughly the same measured WPC output into 4 ohms as the 1280 at clipping.  Having worked on two of these, the build quality is amazing.  Literally built like a tank and assembled in a way that is very easy to work on.
 
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:17 PM Post #15,660 of 19,143
buson160man said:
    I would also recommend that you should also consider the pioneer sx -1250 receiver . Consider that the sx-1250 has a reputation for being more reliable than either the sx-1280 or sx 1980 . You should  check out the my favorite receiver site on the net . It is interesting but according to the my favorite receiver site the power supply on the sx-1250 and the more powerful sx-1980 actually have the same 22,000 microfarad power supply capacitor rating . Which makes the sx1250 and its somewhat lower power rating the more over engineered receiver . Hence the more reliable just for the higher  capacity power supply for its' rated power. The sx-1280 has lower capacitance power  supply caps than the sx-1250 .
   Do check out the my favorite receiver website on the net there  are a lot of receivers listed on the site with valuable information about them . Another good site is the classic receiver website on the net there are a lot of receivers listed on this site as well actually there are more listed on this site . Good luck on your hunt for the best receiver .
Click to expand...

 
speakerbox said:
  Another interesting piece of info on the 1250 - it has roughly the same measured WPC output into 4 ohms as the 1280 at clipping.  Having worked on two of these, the build quality is amazing.  Literally built like a tank and assembled in a way that is very easy to work on.
Click to expand...

 
Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciated.
Indeed, I already read about the overbuilt SX-1250's power supply and the general better build quality and maintainability of the 50 series compared to the 80 series, except maybe for the SX-1980.
The reasons I am leaning more towards the 1280 than the 1250 is the looks and more watts. You're really making it harder for me. 
tongue_smile.gif
 
 
Am I right in thinking that if I want best of both worlds (watts, looks, power and build quality) I should actually get an SX-1980?
We are talking about a whole different price class then.
 
frahengeo said:
  I couldn't agree more regarding the SX-1250.  I have a 9090db, and the SX-1250, and wouldn't hesitate to let go of the Sansui before the Pioneer.
Click to expand...


You like the sound of the Pioneer better?  
I thought both brands were highly regarded for both SQ and quality components.
I didn't take the DB though, to avoid the problematic Dolby board.
 
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