Pioneer SX-850 Photo

[unclebort]

Because of the new Pioneer Audio forum, I have decided to celebrate by posting a picture of my SX-850. It is the nicest Pioneer I have.

Tom

[unclebort]

Also my SX-980.

[Retro Stereo]

Beautiful, just beautiful. That my friend is what it is all about! Those Pioneer's look like they are brand new. You are a very lucky man. You are also a fantastic photographer to boot. What kind of camera do you use?


Retro

[Trawlerman]

Damn, those are really really nice.

I think I just drooled in my keyboard.

[HokieVT]

I think I need a cigarette. So sweet!

[jdarmo]

Wow! Those are 2 beautiful receivers. I have the TX-9800 seperate tuner..Real sweet!


Joe<----Have to go change my underwear now.... :)

[unclebort]

First of all, thanks for the kind words. I used a Canon Powershot G2 4 megapixel camera, mounted on a tripod. I had the camera set on automatic, with the flash turned off. The camera did all of the work, I just pressed the button!

The 850 is my favorite. I paid $89.00 last November, but it had a few minor problems. First of all, all of the switches and pots needed a good cleaning. After that was done the right channel would intermittently drop out. Adjusting the volume would bring it back. I cleaned the volume pot again, checked for cold solder joints and loose connections. I finally tracked the problem down to dirty contacts in the protection relay. After cleaning the relay, it has been working and sounding great. At that time I checked the DC offset. 12-15mv on each channel.

My goal is to use the 850 as the centerpiece of a silver face vintage pioneer system. I have a CT-F950 cassette deck that I sent out for servicing. Basically it needed belts and an alignment. I also have a SG-9800 equalizer and a PL-516 TT. Maybe one day I will pick up a RTR.

Tom

[gyusher]

The SX-850 was the receiver that put me on the map so to speak. . . I have bought and sold over 200 SX-780/850/980/1050/1250s in the last two years, the 850 being my primary focus after about 100 SX-780s most off eBay to private partys. After I got going I actually had a waiting list for nice ones.

After all this time and so many different 850s, each with its own special personality they are still my favorite receiver. I started with the 780 and went through countless pieces then kinda graduated to the big boys like my first 1250 and many 1050s, I couldnt see the forrest for the trees. . . Thanks to Retro telling me how good the 850 sounded and the three or 4 I bought from him (all mint BTW)


Funny story. . . Retro had a 850 up on eBay, needless to say it was about the finest one on the planet and I was going to have it. . . Got in a little bidding war that continued after I won the auction for 459.99 or some such. The other bidder kept after me untill he paid Retro 650.00 for it and I got a mint 1050 out of the deal. . . Good night for me and Retro. . . And the buyer who paid 650.00 for a 850. . . Well you could not have given him a brand new Cadillac and made him any happier. . .

Towards burnout if I sold a 850 for under 300 bucks it was a rough one. . . Yes the 850 has been good to me. . . About time now to get back to basics, sell all my newer gear, find more 850/1050s and get back to work. There are buyers out there waiting who want true turnkey systems and are willing to pay for them. . .

You would think I would be a little jadded after all these receivers but I have a 5590(1250black) comming Tuesday and I am just as excited about it as I was the very first time I bought a major leaque Pioneer receiver. I cant wait to get at it. . . I have a place ready for it. . . A couple RTRs waiting. . .


Back to basics. . .

[gyusher]

BTW put some lemonoil and beeswax on those walnut cases and watch out. . . Recently I have been using orange oil and beeswax that you can get at Home Depot. . ."HOWARDS" I think is the brand name. . .Please no clear varnish or such. . .but the oil and beeswax will amaze you how much it brings those beautys back. . .

One final thing I have found with the silver face Pioneers is WAF.. . no other receiver has such a high rating with spouse approval, they love em. . .

[Parky50]

Wow, those are about the best specimens I have seen to date.
You have a couple of fine pieces there for sure Tom, thanks for sharing a peek at them :thmbsp:

[e2e4c7c5]

Originally posted by unclebort
First of all, thanks for the kind words. I used a Canon Powershot G2 4 megapixel camera, mounted on a tripod. I had the camera set on automatic, with the flash turned off. The camera did all of the work, I just pressed the button!

The 850 is my favorite. I paid $89.00 last November, but it had a few minor problems. First of all, all of the switches and pots needed a good cleaning. After that was done the right channel would intermittently drop out. Adjusting the volume would bring it back. I cleaned the volume pot again, checked for cold solder joints and loose connections. I finally tracked the problem down to dirty contacts in the protection relay. After cleaning the relay, it has been working and sounding great. At that time I checked the DC offset. 12-15mv on each channel.

My goal is to use the 850 as the centerpiece of a silver face vintage pioneer system. I have a CT-F950 cassette deck that I sent out for servicing. Basically it needed belts and an alignment. I also have a SG-9800 equalizer and a PL-516 TT. Maybe one day I will pick up a RTR.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Very nice looking receivers!! :) Now don't forget some Pioneer speakers, like the HPM100s, they would look & sound nice with any of those receivers you own!!! :)