[sunseeker888]

The Pioneer SX650 utilizes thick-film-hybrid output devices. They are early integrated circuits, the Sanken SP-40W. These outputs contain the final stage as well as the bias stage.
 
Do not run 4 ohm speaker loads with an sx650 if you're heavy-handed with the tone controls/loudness, or of you've got something atop the unit.
 
That being said, I owned no less than 3 of these, and they're a definite 'sweet-spot' in the pioneer sx-x50 line!
During my tenure with the 650 as my main stereo, I ran Celestion speakers and sennheiser HD555 cans off it.  very nice sonic presentation IMO.
I recently had a mint-with-manuals-and-warranty-card Pioneer SX-1280 taken away from me in the hurricane. I couldn't care less, though since despite it's beauty and power meters and high output, it lacked finesse in the 'nth-degree' . It was more of a brute, and nothing like an sx-1250 in terms of sonics.
Hell of a fun unit though!
 
Favorites of mine in the vintage SS arena include:
Sansui 4000 receiver, 45wpc
Sansui 3000A receiver (watch out for hack mods and unrestored ones since they can set a woofer VC on fire) 48wpc
Kenwood KA-8100 integrated amplifier 75wpc
Fisher 500T receiver ~40wpc early silicon and germanium
Akai AM-2800 integrated 80wpc
Yamaha CR-2020 receiver 125wpc
Luxman R-1070 receiver 70wpc (Lux gear exudes quality, even to this day with their current offerings)

 

[GenpattonJames]

How about this:
I have a pair of Hitachi HMA-7500 Mosfet Amps I use to power my subs in my home theater system and on a lark one day over Christmas I took one of the amps, plugged it into the output of my DAC and plugged in my audeze LCD-2 headphones into the headphone out of one of those amps. I was pleasantly surprised! That amp is 1978 vintage! I wondered afterwards if they were running the headphone directly tapped from the outputs as the volume was pretty good!
 

 

[sunseeker888]

most vintage integrateds and receivers run their headphone output directly off the final stage of the speaker amps via dropdown resistors. This configuration can supply a vast amount of power. However, as with most things, there is a drawback. Depending on your headphones, the output impedance may not be totally synergistic with your can. For instance, many headphone outs on vintage gear measure from 40 ohms nominal all the way to 150 ohms nominal.
Damping of the driver is less critical with headphones than with speakers(arguably, since there is less surface area and no crossover) but it is less than ideal to run, for instance, a 32 ohm can off of a 100 ohm jack.
 

 

[Lee Harvey]

Sunseeker888, Sorry to hear that you took damage from Sandy.  If I lost a mint SX-1280 I would probably be crying.  Hope things work out for you.

 

[sunseeker888]

Thanks, we are back home now but there is still a lot of work to do. Believe it or not, the 1280 was among the least valuable of the electronics I lost. I can't even think about what went down. Hindsight....
 

 

[basementdweller]

Thanks for the replies.  I really am enjoying the sx650.  In fact I haven't even really tried the 780 yet and that was the one that I went to buy.  Judging by the many internal pictures on various forums, I also suspect that the 650 was recapped at some point, but I can't be sure until I open it up and I am too busy actually using it to bother.

 

[niten]

How are marantz 2285(b) and like receiver prices nowadays?
Have they come down from their lofty $600-$900 price tags?
 
A peek onto eBay didn't turn up much.

 

[Rawrbington]

You could maybe find one on craigslist for cheap.
 
I htink i remember a really nice one selling in about a day over at AK's Barter Town for about 450.

 

[Skylab]

It depends so heavily on condition. Prices on both the 2285 and 2285b range from $350 on the low to over $1K if restored, has wood case, etc etc.

 

[wotts]

I just saw a 2285 for $500 in a 'local' (about an hour from me) CL ad. It seemed to be in good shape. They are out there, but I've been watching for one for quite some time. Of course I can't go get it now, ha!

 

[niten]

True, condition is almost everything when it comes to the pricing of these things.
I have also been keeping half an eye on ebay/craigslist since late summer, but haven't had anything catch my eye as a deal.

If one turns up ~$550 or lower I would certainly give it some serious consideration. A little diy fix-up job (nothing too extreme) could also prove rather fun.
I wonder how easy it would be to recreate one of those wooden enclosures you see on the vintage Marantz receivers.

Well, in the end just got to be patient and hope that the opportunity presents itself at the right time.

 

[sunseeker888]

Personally I'd never pay anything near 1k for a Superscope Marantz made in Japan. The true Marantzi are the tube units which justify that kind of coin. I did however, spend many happy hours listening through a 2250B...It was a great piece but then again i got it for free on the curb and fixed it up. Man I miss those days. (2001-2008 were such solid years for finding goldenage equipment on the curbs of NYC)
 

 

[wotts]

Quote:

True, condition is almost everything when it comes to the pricing of these things.
I have also been keeping half an eye on ebay/craigslist since late summer, but haven't had anything catch my eye as a deal.

If one turns up ~$550 or lower I would certainly give it some serious consideration. A little diy fix-up job (nothing too extreme) could also prove rather fun.
I wonder how easy it would be to recreate one of those wooden enclosures you see on the vintage Marantz receivers.

Well, in the end just got to be patient and hope that the opportunity presents itself at the right time.

 
 
This cat http://mcintoshcabinets.com/  does replacements. He's got pricing and such listed on the site.

 

[tipo33]

I have a chance to buy a Marantz 2245 for $250.  To fund this I would have to sell my pioneer SX-580.  I have read a lot of praise for the Marantz 22xx recievers, but mostly the 2230, and 2252b. Is this a good deal, and worthwile upgrade?  Does anyone have any opinions on the 2245 specificaly?  Thank you.

 

[Rawrbington]

The 2245 is my favorite receiver.
 
ill be more specific.
Ive had a few marantz.  5 i believe.
Ive heard a few more including the 2252B.
Haven't heard a 2230 but have owned the 1060 which is very similar to the 2230.  I think its the same thing minus the AM/FM section.
 
The 2245 is my favorite.
I'd sell my 2270 before i'd sell my 2245.
 
i prefer the 45 with headphones over all the others i've listed.
I prefer it with speakers too.
However this can be due to them all having hundreds of variables inside of them, being the electrolytic caps.
 
Currently i've got a sansui, a kenwood, 2 yamahas, and a pioneer.
I'd sell all before i'd sell the 2245.
 
But again, it depends.
Maybe i scored a 2245 that had just somehow managed to stay in good shape(although i did recap the power supply board).
Or maybe all my other stuff hasn't aged as well.
i just cant say.
 
250$ isn't too bad for  the marantz if it has no issues.  200 would be better.
For me personally
i'd pay 250  for a super clean  100% working 2245.
others may call me crazy