Was Pioneer the most progressive?

It seems to me, that – especially in the early and mid 70ies – Pioneer made receivers and amps which were more progressive than those of other manufacturers. As well technically as concerning the features or the optical appearance. Especially with the launch of the SX-x2x receivers, Pioneer was able to get ahead their competitors. Do you agree or am I wrong? I mean, for example a Pioneer SX-525 had more of everything than a Kenwood KR-3130, a Sony STR-6046 or a HK 330. Isn't it so – just more progressive.

I think all manufacturers had their own "thing" - mostly marketing but sometimes translating into a marketing advantage.

Kenwood - leveraged their background in RF techology and made some great performing FM gear.

Harmon Kardon - First, the "Twin Power" line, then the ultra-wide band stuff. Generally good, creative engineering during their heyday.

Sansui - power supplies put Sansui on the map in the 1950's and early 60's, and ultimately gave them some advantages in their receivers and amplifiers. Tuner design also became an advantage for Sansui.

Technics - some really nice offerings earlier on - receivers, integrated amps, tuners, amps, etc. Their earlier offerings had a very clean sound that appealed to many. Farily progressive on the turntable front as well - at least in their attempt to mass market decent quality turntables, and push "direct drive".

JVC - The SEA graphic equalizer drove a number of other manufacturers to offer some type of equalizer on their units, replacing standard tone controls for a while on some entry level units.

Pioneer - probably best known for lighting the fire under the size/watt war, also had some great tuners in their gear - both seperates and receivers.

You also had Akai and Teac duking it out for primacy in RTR and cassette tape machines. I also think that the innovation in speaker manufacturing and design reached a zenith during the late '70's and early '80's. Infinity's EMIT tweeter, ESS Heil's Air Motion driver, OHM's Walsh designs, Pioneers HPM line. I could probably go on and on here.

These are just some examples off the top of my head. I'm sure others have better memories than me.

Not so sure I'd call them most progressive. I don't think that any of the technical advancements that occurred have been attributed to Pioneer. They seemed to take others acheivements and incorporate them into their designs. Did they actually have any firsts? Would agree that they probably moved the industrial visual design more than others but, I think the inovator even here was Marantz. Look at the 18, 19 and 2x series. Fisher with the 600 (combo tube/SS receiver) and even earlier 500-C and 800B showed the beginnings of the line for the future look of the silver faced crowd. The Pioneer vis-a-vis the Lafayette LR1500T and LR1000T were visually a crossover from the Fisher early ss receivers (500T, etc.) and what we'd probably term the vintage Japanese receiver look.

They sure went downhill fast in the early 80s. Maybe they were the fastest. No, maybe they tied with Marantz for fastest decline.

sure went downhill fast in the early 80s. Maybe they were the fastest



There are mikllions of mid 80s Pioneer receivers out there and then came the ELITE line to carry the torch. . .

I think changed is more appropiate than went downhill. . .

Pioneer had their moments but Yamaha built some great receivers in the CR series. CR800 and CR1000 are the high water marks.

Ron-C

Whell, That was an excellent synopsis of early vintage receivers, but I think you left out one major contender back in the 50's and 60's and that was Sherwood. It was probably one of the higher end models in those days and I think one that Japan wanted to emulate. Their "compartmental" way of designing components was probably one of the major innovations of that time. Separating FM/AM, pre-amp, driver boards etc, from one board to many eased production costs and also made repair easier. Since they had reportedly the first all solid state receiver they definitely were one of the major innovators of vintage equipment. I sometimes think of Pioneer as the "Microsoft" of stereo's. They probably had the best marketing, McIntosh was always considered to be one of the holy grail makers, and Sansui always had very solid equipment.

Sorry Gyusher.
I guess I am being rude.
But I just don't see how a company could be building something great like this:
(borrowed pic)

And then be building something as cheap looking and ugly as this in such a short period of time.

then be building something as cheap looking and ugly

We are in agreement there but I think all the big players went through a big transition during this period and Pioneer with its Elite gear went in the right direction in my mind, where some of the others never really came back. Sony came out with "ES" Yamaha never really stumbled as far as I can tell, Marantz lost it for awhile and I cant say exactly when they came around untill recently (last 4 or 5 years)JVC, Fisher never really came back. I am talking off the top of my head and I am sure I am missing something.

I do remember going straight from the 50/80 series to the Elite gear as most people I knew never touched anything untill Elite, they were still blowing out 80 series gear right up to around 85, many people ignored the SX-6 completly along with the first black boxes like the SX-1300 etc. . .

I did not leave Sherwood out without purpose. I was discussing the looks evolution rather than the technology. Sherwood looks from the tube days and 1st gen ss days was dead ended. IMO, I still think the look is 1 of the best with the slim height, white face and gold ring. I seem to be an extremist - give me McIntosh or give me Sherwood. As for technology they introduced the FET front end which deadended the Fisher varactor and passive front end of the Marantz 18 for future generations as well as producing the first all silicon transistor amps.