Share what you know about the sx-3400

[yesacs]

I'm calling on the collective knowledge of Head-Fi to find out some info about this receiver I just bought. Any info you could drop would be greatly appreciated.

Last night I picked up a Pioneer sx-3400 receiver on craigslist for $25. No reason really, I just wanted it. I know nothing about it except what's posted here: Legendary Audio Classics: Pioneer Model SX-3400 Receiver and that is was made around 1980 or 1981. I have listened to it only for a few minutes last night, so I haven't had a chance to really listen to it yet, but everything seems functional and very clean as well. I will most likely be using only headphones.

So, anyone own this? What did you think about it? Is the headphone jack enough for my HD580s? How does the phono stage compare? What the hell is "Loudness" supposed to do? Any other info you know?

I'm still really new to the game, so anything else you want to share would be great. I already know that it doesn't have the volume balance issues that my Xiang Sheng 708B has

If it makes a difference, I have an Onkyo dx-c340 cd player plugged in the aux port.

Thanks

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesacs /img/forum/go_quote.gif Last night I picked up a Pioneer sx-3400 receiver on craigslist for $25. No reason really, I just wanted it. I know nothing about it except what's posted here: Legendary Audio Classics: Pioneer Model SX-3400 Receiver and that is was made around 1980 or 1981. I have listened to it only for a few minutes last night, so I haven't had a chance to really listen to it yet, but everything seems functional and very clean as well. I will most likely be using only headphones.

If the controls are quiet i.e no graunching/static/crackle when you turn them then you have a good bargain.

Quote:

So, anyone own this? What did you think about it? Is the headphone jack enough for my HD580s? How does the phono stage compare? What the hell is "Loudness" supposed to do? Any other info you know?

I have driven 580s off a vintage Marantz receiver, similar spec to your Pioneer with no problem, try it and see. Loudness is a built-in one setting EQ, it is designed for low level listening and boosts low frequencies that would otherwise be too attenuated when you turn the volume down, our ears are more sensitive to low frequencies when the volume is high and mid frequencies when the volume is low(Aperion University - The Perception of Sound - Aperion Audio).

When used at normal listening levels you get artificially boosted bass

 

[yesacs]

Thanks for the info! The loudness thing makes perfect sense now. In fact, I kinda wanted something like that

There was initially some static sound in the right channel when I changed the volume, but that seemed to go away as the unit warmed up. Is this a sign of failing circuitry?

Glad to hear you tried the 580s in a similar setup. Any idea about Grado 225s?

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesacs /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the info! The loudness thing makes perfect sense now. In fact, I kinda wanted something like that There was initially some static sound in the right channel when I changed the volume, but that seemed to go away as the unit warmed up. Is this a sign of failing circuitry? Glad to hear you tried the 580s in a similar setup. Any idea about Grado 225s?

Its only a problem is it doesnt go away

, it is the same on my PA2V2 it crackles for the first minute or so.

I had a longer term problem with my Marantz but I took it apart and used a contact cleaner spray to clean the knobs and buttons, this took most of the noise away. Some parts such as capacitors can fail after a quarter of a century, though you can replace them if you are DIY inclined and can find the parts.

Grados, dunno, not a Grado chap myself, they hurt my ears too much.

 

[onyu]

Pioneer Fluoroscan Series Receivers

not much info here but i love silver pioneer

 

[Herandu]

The SX-3400. If I remember correctly that is the one without the fluoroscan dial? It was the cheapest one in the SX-3000 range and has 15W per channel. Not bad a choice considering the price.

Mind you, a pity it wasn't the SX-3900 you had picked up. Now, that was the enemy of many a burglar. Fantastic sound, but it needed a good strong rack with its 44 pounds weight.
Then of course you had the SX-D7000 in the same range. One on the list of my all time greatest receivers ever built. The SX-1250 is also on that list.

 

[yesacs]

thanks for the great info everyone!

Listening to it some more tonight, it is noticeably more powerful than my 708B and with a wider soundstage. It might actually be warmer than the tubes? It's not absolutely silent through the headphones, there is a very slight hiss which becomes more pronounced as the volume is turned up, but isn't noticeable during music playback.

I need more time to figure it all out, but I think it was definitely worth $25. But now I'm really liking the look of those fluoroscans...