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SX-980 Recap list

bisonguy

bisonguy

Active Member
I have put together a recap list for an SX-980 using the service manual and mouser part numbers. I am fairly comfortable with changing capacitors (LCD monitors only and their boards are easily accessible) but I am far from being really knowledgeable on electronic components. I have attached imy list here in two parts because of size restrictions. If anybody sees any glaring errors I would sure appreciate the advice before I place an order. My 980 is working fine right now but I want it to keep working for many more years so I have decided to take the challenge of re-capping.

I wanted to crawl before I run so I picked up an SX-780 to practice on first. I realized after opening it up that it is a lot simpler than the SX-980 but its a start. Unfortunately, the service manual for the 780 is nowhere near as complete as the 980. The 980 manual indicated all capacitors that are electrolytic whereas the 780 does not. So, to dive in I visually identified all the electrolytic capacitors on the tuner board and then removed them. It went very well using a 15 watt iron and copper braid. I attached my tuner cap list for the 780 as well with physical dimensions for the caps I removed. I haven't yet sourced part numbers for these caps. Hopefully, it will be of use to someone else. I will keep a log of all caps removed on the 780 as I progress and post it later.
 

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Let me know how recapping goes!

I, too, have an sx-980 and think it's one of the most beautiful receivers ever made, along with tank-like construction and controls. I had mine worked on by AudioLab in Cambridge, MA and he did a hell of a job cleaning it up, aligning the tuner. But . . . it's never had the bass nor loudness switch response I feel an 80 watt Pioneer should have.

Has this been your experience too? Would recapping improve the bass response? It still cranks, mind you, and the sound is clean as a whistle.

Your ambitious project seems worth it for such a fine rig; let us know how it goes!

Cheers,
Birchoak
 
I have SX-980. The bass was never as I like as much as I would with my SX-1010. My SX-1010 really throbs. :yes: It's going through recap and it does improve the sound quality. I plan to do my SX-980 probably next year after I fix my 1010, 1250, 1000TW and my SS Fisher 201.

As for the SX-980, I wonder if I'll retune the loudness. :scratch2: :D
 
Hi Birchoak,
I originally had an SX-939 that I bought in Germany in 1976. I find the SX-980 very similar in bass response (not overly great). However, I have an SG-9800 equalizer connected between the pre-amp out and power amp in on the 980 and I find that this works nicely.
As for the re-cap, I was just notified by Mouser to-day that they are shipping my order of capacitors. I don't intend to rush the job on the 980 but I will post results and amend my 980 list if required.
They are such a beautiful machine. My son-in-law wants me to leave my Pioneer system to him in my will. I got rid of my SX-939 many years ago when it started acting up. If I knew then what I know now about maintaining these rigs I would never have let it go. Thank goodness I kept all my other Pioneer gear in storage until I happened upon this wonderful forum.
 
Service manual for sx780 does identify electrolytic in the code for the cap type. CEA get replaced with Nichicon UPW, and CEANL are low leakage (Nichicon UKL). Look at the Pioneer Tuning Fork sticky. Post 11 has the cap info and code explanation.
 
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I am subscribed to this thread, please keep us updated on the progress. I have an SX 980 that i saved from going to the dump 7 or 8 years ago. It has been sitting since. I am super excited to get it all cleaned up and re-capped. I have never done a restore like this but i have done a little bit of soldering here and there on speaker crossovers and some tube amp kits. I am so happy to see your Cap list! Thanks a million
 
Sorry for newbie question and old thread but I like to have few question con Re-cap. My sx980 does sound great after burn in for but if i turn on still cold. The sound is horrible , do I need to recap where do I start?
 
Hi, I too have the same problem, have to warm up, when cold no sound or terrible sound, what would the first board be to recap?
 
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