Pioneer SX-780 Opinions?

[GerryC]

Hello, I'm just looking for opinions on the Pioneer SX-780 receiver. I have an opportunity to get one very affordably in perfect working order. Are they good receivers? How is the tuner? What speakers would you suggest pairing with this for under $400 a pair? (45 wpc) Any opinions are appreciated as I'm somewhat new to the hobby. Here's a pic. Thanks

[willhowl]

Howdy, Gerry C.... You will find a ton of opinions on this Pioneer receiver, and others in its line.......

Most of them are favorable......these are well liked.

You may also use the AK search located in the third blue bar down from the top of your screen......plug in Pioneer SX-780, and have at it!!!!

soon, others will respond to this thread, and you'll get TOO many opinions.....but that's okay.....willhowl

[thunderroad]

I've just recently acquired the little brother to your receiver, a Pioneer SX-680, that I came across at the SA and, so far, it appears to be a very nice receiver. Like all of the older Pioneers that I've used, the tuner is excellent and performed very well on a simple dipole antenna. So far, I've listened to the tuner, and several other high-level sources through it for several hours using four different speaker systems. I haven't used the phono stage yet, but based upon my SX-626, I expect it to be pretty good too.

The speakers I've used with mine are my Pioneer CS-R700's (3-way, circa 1971), Baby Advents (2-way), Wharfedale W60's and a pair of JBL 2-ways. In all four cases, the receiver sounded excellent, but I clearly favored the JBL's and the Advents. Truthfully they all sounded good, but since my SX-680 only has around 30w/ch, which is real close to the 27w/ch of my older SX-626, I've tended to favor the 2-way speakers over the 3-way. This was because my older SX-626 used to run out of power, when I pushed it to a moderately high volume level with the CS-R700's, so I've tried to avoid that. So, to date, I've done most of my listening to the SX-680 with the 2-way speakers.

Since the SX-780 puts out 45w/ch, I would expect it to drive the 3-way speakers without any issues at all. If you can get it for a reasonable price, I'd say go for it! It's a nice receiver and a good start on a nice system.

[kermit z]

They are very nice receivers. I have one that is currently out of rotation while I use a Pioneer SX-3700 in its place. As to speakers used, I have used some KLH Model 17's, Smaller Advent Loudspeakers, Original Advent Loudspeakers, Pioneer CS-88's and Boston Acoustic A-60II's. It plays them all well, but I prefer the Advent sound on it. Do a search, you will find more info than you can imagine.

[gatorvrx]

I currently have an SX 780 hooked up to some Klipsch Forte's.......

You can't go wrong with a 780.

[mjennens]

The SX-780 was the first real receiver I bought, back in 1980. I LOVED it. I eventually upgraded and sold the 780. Not sure that was the right thing to do.
Fast forward about 28 years...

I picked up one a few weeks ago. It's in very good shape; some veneer needed replaced and the switches deox'ed.
I LOVE it still. I ran my first one with a pair of JBL L40's. Fortunately, I still have them and that's what I run once again. Great set-up!!!

I'd say to get the 780, especially if the price is right.

Mike

[audios]

The SX-780 is a great receiver. I use it as the heart of my garage system. It's hooked up to some Realistic Nova 6's. Between its tuner, CD player, dual JVC cassette deck and Ipod that are connected to it I've got plenty of music!

[Dr Tinear]

I have its big brother, the SX-880 (60 WPC). It's a great-sounding receiver, even on very revealing modern speakers. The tuner is superb, too. If I were looking for another receiver and ran across a clean SX-780 at an affordable price, I'd grab it in a heartbeat.

[Mark Walters]

I love the Pioneer SX-780. I had one and sold it. I still kick myself in the ass for that! Very dynamic punchy sound with a nice tuner. Besides, you gotta love the cool power meters!

[krowmagnum]

I'm just a humble caveman but I like my SX-780 a lot.

I just bought my SX-780 a few weeks ago and it's a great classic. One of the best Pioneer receivers (or any brand) for the money in my opinion. For a $100 (or less) receiver I don't think it can be beat. And I've tried similarly priced Marantz, Sansui and Yamaha vintage receivers and I prefer the Pioneer SX-780.

I have a pair of Pioneer CS-99A's hooked up to it and the set-up sounds very nice to me. I play lots of different music from the occasional classical to a lot of blues and hard rock. Any of the early model Big CS speakers from the 99's down should sound good with the SX-780 and the classic look of the CS speakers with the lattice grilles can't be beat and they are Pioneer. The HPM series Pioneer speakers would be a good match too.

I use mine for everything including movies and mp3's on the computer hooked up to the tv in the cave.

Here's a photo I took today of the set-up:

[ddanrr]

I had a 780 for a while. I really liked the look of it, and that it had meters, usually not found on units of this wattage. The sound had very nice clear, detailed mids and highs, but I found the the bass output was lacking for the sound I liked. Compared to an SX-850, the 850 has a much warmer sound with deeper lows, the 780 was more sterile sounding. Not sure if the darlington power packs have anything to do with it.

[just dave]

Hi and welcome to the hobby.The sx780 is a great receiver, not a lot of power but great sounding and a very good tuner.As for speakers go with somthing efficient like Klipch.Just a tip,don't waste your money on expensive cables and speaker wire, not worth it.Anyway have fun.

[nadude98]

My son's neighbor saw the the SX-636 that I gave my son and found out I like to play around with restoring (not real good at it but hey!) and gave him a couple of old receivers and a pair of speakers to give to me. One of them was a 780 in mint but dirty condition...... it looked beautiful after cleaning and sounded fantastic after deoxiting the controls and it now sits in my bedroom powering a pair of ADS L520's.... I don't think either the speakers or receiver are going anywhere anytime soon.... or later! They sound very good together!!!!

[jocko_nc]

I have three of them. They must have been very popular. Nothing wrong with it at all, a decent entry-level receiver that was affordable but nice.

[bsujeep]

I have an SX-580 and SX-980. The 980 is hooked up to a set of Klipsch Forte's in my bedroom, great sounding receiver with a nice tuner. I have the 580 hooked up to a set of Baby Advent II's and they sound great as well.