[kstuart]

  And a follow up, what would be a fair price for a minty Pioneer SX-850? Seen prices range from $150 to $350 Whats a more realistic price?

Whatever you can get it for !
 
And depends on the condition.
 
Certainly worth $150, as it is part of the upper tier line of Pioneer Receivers, made in Japan, in their best year for build quality (and some say sound quality as well).

 

[Meewoo]

  Actually, the KA 907 is recapped. The ebay seller I purchased it from did the work himself. I have no idea of his skills or the quality of his work, but the amp sounds real nice. However, I have to give the nod to the 600. It's quite excellent. Both are pretty neutral, detailed and dynamic. The 600 punches harder. It's more transparent and I hear the textures of the instruments like no other amp I have. 
 
Even though both amps have been recapped, it still might not be a fair comparison given they were worked on by different  people. Echo Wars over at AK has a great reputation.

 
Yes, my 500 is more punchy at low end than ka-907 even though it has less power. It made me think 500 is a hair warmer than 907. Thanks for your impression!

 

[Meewoo]

  I decided that I liked the sx1050 enough to get a restoration done. So today I drove to Knoxville TN to drop off the 1050 with Terry Dewick who is somewhat reknowned for his vintage restorations.

 
So SX-1050 wins over SX-1280 and Suii 9090DB?

 

[Skylab]

And a follow up, what would be a fair price for a minty Pioneer SX-850? Seen prices range from $150 to $350 Whats a more realistic price?

That is a realistic range depending on condition although for $350 it should be stone mint and working perfectly.

Thanks,


:evil:

I decided that I liked the sx1050 enough to get a restoration done. So today I drove to Knoxville TN to drop off the 1050 with Terry Dewick who is somewhat reknowned for his vintage restorations. The other photos are the other restorations he is working on. They are all Mac's, very early. 

Very excited about having a completely restored receiver. It will be my first. 

Nice! Good move

 

[DemonFox]

 

  And a follow up, what would be a fair price for a minty Pioneer SX-850? Seen prices range from $150 to $350 Whats a more realistic price?

Whatever you can get it for !
 
And depends on the condition.
 
Certainly worth $150, as it is part of the upper tier line of Pioneer Receivers, made in Japan, in their best year for build quality (and some say sound quality as well).

 
So then is $300 to much?? I'm looking at others that have sold and average price is $225 so not really sure what to do?? I also found a SX-750 for $150 locally. Is there that much of a difference between the two?? Excuse the noob questions please. I'm a lot better with newer amps  
 
 
Thanks,
 
 

 

[moodyrn]

Wow soo many nice scores since I last visited. Congrats everyone. Claybum I think it's really awesome you got one restored by echowars. People say the magic he performs not only brings them back to like new, but much better than new. I guess there's a reason why he's backed up two years out. I saw a model 500 he did go for 2500 once(ouch). I hope one day he can pencil me in.

 

[claybum]

Thanks moodryn. It was clear upon first listen that the 600 was special and better that I hoped for. I think I will be in discovery mode with my music collection for a while.

 

[claybum]

   
Yes, my 500 is more punchy at low end than ka-907 even though it has less power. It made me think 500 is a hair warmer than 907. Thanks for your impression!

 
Thank you. Your impressions validate what is happening with my amps. The bass on my KA 907 is detailed and textured but has a slightly soft presentation that occasionally goes deep. It's not ramped up or super punchy. It's a unique presentation and I like it.

 

[MattTCG]

   
So SX-1050 wins over SX-1280 and Suii 9090DB?

 
Head to head and unrestored I favor the 1280 over the 1050 and the 1050 over the 9090db. I don't listen to speakers often, so I comes down to how the receivers are able to reproduce music on hp's mostly, especially he-4 and MD. The planar magnetic hp's just seem to love the Pioneers. 

 

[Oregonian]

The planar magnetic hp's just seem to love the Pioneers. 

This. Alpha Dog on my Pioneer Spec amp is unreal. Bass is comparable to a D7000. Never would have believed it. :eek:

 

[MattTCG]

Agreed. I keep telling the guys on the MD and AD thread that they haven't really heard what those hp's can do until they put some old steel to them. 

 

[Skylab]

So then is $300 to much?? I'm looking at others that have sold and average price is $225 so not really sure what to do?? I also found a SX-750 for $150 locally. Is there that much of a difference between the two?? Excuse the noob questions please. I'm a lot better with newer amps  


Thanks,


:evil:

The 850 will be a notable step up over the 750, yes. $300 is at the upper range of what an 850 should cost, but again, if it is really mint and works perfectly, and you can pick it up so no shipping cost, then it's not a bad price, and it's certainly a very nice receiver.

 

[ssrock64]

Agreed. I keep telling the guys on the MD and AD thread that they haven't really heard what those hp's can do until they put some old steel to them. 

I, for one, heeded that advice.

 

[Silent One]

  Agreed. I keep telling the guys on the MD and AD thread that they haven't really heard what those hp's can do until they put some old steel to them. 

 
Expressed right eloquently... 

 

[jasonb]

My Pioneer SX-750 I only paid $40 bucks for. For those that don't know already, I gave the pots a good De-Oxit cleaning and that is all. It sounds magnificent as is, but I was wondering if anybody thinks it's worth it to have it checked out professionally. If so, how much is too much to spend on a 750? Is the 750 not worth a restore or at least a checkup? Should I keep looking for something bigger? 
 
There is a local place called Elite Audio Repair that I was told is good. I was thinking about having them at least test it to see if everything is in spec if the price is right. I would just hate to spend the money and not notice any difference in sound. The only real issue I have is that there is some random channel imbalance for the first 5-10 minutes which goes away completely after it is warmed up. It's not a dirty pot, I've confirmed that, but I don't know enough to go any further on my own. Honestly when listening to it, I can't imagine it getting any better, but I've said that about past equipment and had to eat my words.