The Pioneer SX-1250 receiver was the top of the line in the late 1970's. It is solidly built (weighing over 64 lbs) with wrap-around heat sinks on the sides and back. It was made in the days before Pioneer (and almost everyone else) started making equipment almost entirely out of plastic. It was conservatively rated at 160 watts per channel into 8 ohms (200 w into 4 ohms). In 1989 (i.e., after it was at least 10 years old, having never needed any repairs), mine was tested by someone from McIntosh (at a local stereo shop giving free analyses of equipment when I was living elsewhere). Because it was easier for the guy doing the testing, he had the amp delivering 200 watts continuously into 8 ohms for the tests. It produced only about half of the rated distortion at a power level that exceeded what Pioneer claimed it would do! It has an excellent tuner (analog or 'dial' type) that is so accurate that one can (if one knows the station's frequency) set the dial with the power off, turn it on, and the station will be heard! It pulls in stations cleanly that most new receivers can only get with horrible static (the usable sensitivity is 8.7 dBf). It has lots of features, too numerous to mention, but to give you some idea, it has THREE tape monitors (one is called "ADAPTOR" because Pioneer figured that it might be used for some sort of processor rather than a third tape deck), two phono inputs, FOUR tone controls, THREE sets of speaker outputs, preamp in/out, also set up for (with an additional adaptor) Dolby FM and Quad FM (remember, it was made in the 1970's).
Similar models are the SX-1280 and the more powerful SX-1980, both from, I think 1980 after the SX-1250 was discontinued. (Unfortunately, the SX-1280's heat sinks do not wrap around to the back; I do not know about the SX-1980.)

It sounds fabulous. The controls are logically laid out and easy to read. Too bad they don't make them like this anymore.

Clean sound and power

If there are any I sure don't see them

I picked this reciever up for fifty bucks a few years
back. At the time it was totally dead so I spent a little
time and rebuilt the power supply board. After
I got it up and running I was very impressed with the
quality of sound that this reciever was able to deliver.
Before I was running a JVC Model RX8V the SX1250 made
my JVC sound like a pile of junk. Currently I have this
beast hooked to a set of Cerwin Vega DX9 speakers.
I have also been very impressed with the amount of power
this reciever can deliver. I have blown fuses on my
cewin vegas more than once which is no small feat
especially when you take in account that it requires more than 300 watts to do this and this coming from a reciever
thats rated at 160. I it is also very good looking reciever
too the controls are laid out very well and easy to use.
I have recieved many good comments about it anytime somone
sees it. In finish I really like the way this reciever is
built this unit weighs close to 65lbs needless to say
they don't build them like this anymore.

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Ages Well.. lots of inputs and tone controls

small speaker post.. lack of db uv unlike to 1280 and 1980

I have been interested in the Pioneer SX-1XXX series sense my friend purchased the Sx-1980 new and 4 15” cerwin-vega’s!! Which rocked the windows loose… I purchased a Sx-1250 from a old friend 20 years later who did not use his 1250 for about 15 years this thing did not have a scratch on it. I cleaned the contacts and took it for a test-drive it sounded great. It would have blown me away if I had not been using a Marantz 2330 “130 watts” for about 6 months. The Marantz seamed to produce much cleaner sound than the 1250. I was very shocked at the difference when using headphones listing to vinyl. The 1250 is a good receiver but not my favorite of all I have used. I am currently auctioning the sx-1250 on ebay from 3/19/01 to 3/19/01 if anyone is interested here is the link.. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1223337238 or it is item # 1223337238

Thanks,
Cody

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer SX-1280, Pioneer SX-1980, Marantz 2330

Great Power, Beautiful Classic Look, Clean sound

# of inputs for dolby 5.1, need high wattage speaker

I pulled this receiver out of the basement when I came to college. I purchased a pair of Cerwin Vega LS-12's, and found that their rating of 300 watts per channel is not high enough for the beast. I have had it hooked up to my fraternity's house system and drove two Klipsh 15-inch commercial loudspeakers and a pair of Yamaha 12-inch commercial loudspeakers past a volume anyone could tolerate. I can't imagine what the Sx-1980 could do. This amp is beautiful and I am currently repairing the seals on the subs of some Infinity Monitor II's that my dad purchased with unit back in 1977. I am expecting that it they will have a little higher quality sound than the Vega's which were only a little over $400 for the pair. If anyone has a manual I would appreciate an email. If anyone has any suggestions on some speakers I could pick up to complement the SX-1250 I would appreciate it.

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superb sound quality, fantastic build quality ,extremely versatile ,beautiful to look at and awesome power.

Difficult to accept thick speaker cable.

i purchased my Pioneer sx1250 in 1978. For the last 22 years this superb piece of equipment has been in constant use. I have used a variety of speakers with it over the years currently Mission753 freedoms.The sound quality is detailed and crisp with excellent imagery and tight bass. Its power is awesome but it is equally superb at low volumes. Unfortunately it has stopped working and iam unable to repair it. I would love to get it working again as i have never come across anything which sounds and looks as good as my beloved Pioneer. A true classic! If anyone knows where i might get it repaired please contact me on david.freeman6@ntlworld.com

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audiolab 8000 series,quad 405,33 ,jvcjr300, goodmans150 .

Massive Clean Power.....Multiple speaker selections..Pleanty of component add on spaces

The FM tuner....well it was before the digital age...but still works fine with an antenna

One of the best receivers I have ever owned....It has never failed in over 30 years of use...You can not say that anymore....Even today's Pioneer equipment is not that good anymore.

I'd like to agree with _____ from LA.
I bought mine - new - back in the early '70's and it still performs as well as it did the first day (it's never been opened up other than to blow out the dust every year or two).

This big fella got the cops called on me several times when it was cranked up at parties and today it still produces the softer music preferred by a guy ... now 25 years older ... with the same enthusiasm. It's been a loyal friend!

Everything

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This pioneer sx-1250 reciever has all the gut you could possibly wish for, a perfect combination with Wharfdale E-90s. It drives things with a lot of power whilst giving a clean and collective sound. It has a crisp bass and is built very solidly.

I bought my beast eight years ago i teamed it up with a pair of Bose 901"s series six and straped myself in.No other receiver can deliver the quality sound and awsome power this unit puts out. I will own this baby for a long time. P.S. I do have a copy of a owners manual somewhere and a Penthouse picture ad for SX-1250,circa 1977.

Smooth massive power output, uncompromised build quality, beautiful unit and my SO was impressed

Absolutely zero.

Purchased unit from original owner which had in storage for nearly 15 years. When I initially powered up the unit, the right channel was quiet as a mouse. I removed all covers and carefully cleaned the unit inside and out woth DeoXit D5, specially all switches. I also replaced all five fuses which are located at the bottom and towards the rear of the unit. Viola! The unit powered up perfectly after a bit of maintanence work. All knobs ans swithches operate smoothly and as new.

I have Dynaudio Audience 70s which are not the easiest of loads to properly drive. The SX 1250 powers them with ease and with tons of authority. Compared to my HK which retailed for $1,600.00 when introduced, there is simply no comparison. Acoustic guitars, violins, drums and pianos are crystal clear which much more depth and clarity. The Danes totally opened up and low end slam is much improved and controlled. It felt as though a quality 8" sub had been added to my system. It is difficult to fully describe the performance of this unit but let's just say that one one have to spend some serious dinero to achieve this type of sound quality, IMHO.

BTW, my better half was also totally amazed by the performance of the SX and she normally makes no comment on my audio equipment. THE WAF acceptance factor is also very high. Simply a gorgeous piece of equipment that can be enjoyed by simply looking at it.

I have aslo connected TV and VCR to the SX via the tape play inputs and this works very well. DVD may be next :). It also outperforms the HK in the HT department and not by a small margin. Very nice low end slam.

If anyone has a copy of the owner's manual that they would like to share, please contact me at sbalbona@aol.com. Thanks.

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