Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver

Posted by rnhood (A) on September 19, 2004 at 16:14:16

In Reply to: REVIEW: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver posted by jaconde on September 19, 2004 at 01:19:17:

this is a good sample of the maximum feedback era in amplifier design. The output transistors did not have the linearity of today's newer output devices or lower capacitance so lots of feedback and compensation was required in order to meet the marketing imperative of "low, low, low, vanishing low distortion". TIM (transient intermodulation distortion)was not a chic topic of the SX-1980 era so this was the accepted comprimise associated with lots of global feedback. Of course I am not trying to argue the merits, or demerits of TIM but, the fact is that these older high feedback amplifiers likely exibited it along with some higher order harmonics which tended to make the sound "hard" - although this is debatable. They also had a bad habit of exibiting large amounts of crosstalk - especially recievers.

Nevertheless, the SX-1980 era amplifiers generally encompassed one attribute that is becomeing more and more rare these days. That is, it encompassed an all discrete design - preamp to power output. In other words from the input to the output the amplifier signal path is engineered using only discrete componentry. No op-amp shortcuts are employed. All discrete circuitry does not guarantee superior sonics but, if properly engineered the risk of inferior sonics is indeed quite low. The newer NAD amplifiers attest to this. The little NAD C320 BEE is superb as an amplifier especially considering it's cost.

But back to that SX-1980 reciever, yes, it is a brute especially when low impedances are avoided (< 4-ohms). Beware of problems at it's age though. The years will take it's toll on pc relays, electrolytics, and even transistors.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - REVIEW: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - jaconde 01:19:17 09/19/04 (23)

If you see men in blue coats hollering at you, go to them. They want you to come back home where you're safe. nt. - Kristian85 10:50:40 09/23/04 (1)

Re: If you see men in blue coats hollering at you, go to them. They want you to come back home where you're safe. nt. - jaconde 10:12:49 09/24/04 (0)

great setup - he's got the Bose speakers as well! (nt!) - pburke 17:51:17 09/20/04 (0)

Who taught the trolls to register? (nt) - suits_me 17:10:22 09/20/04 (0)

The Da Vinci Code...I think this guy - srayle 13:21:19 09/20/04 (2)

Re: The Da Vinci Code...I think this guy - jaconde 18:00:45 09/20/04 (1)

Re: The Da Vinci Code...I think this guy - Crazy Dave 07:58:46 09/21/04 (0)

My 1980 died around 1995 - Gregg 13:07:15 09/20/04 (1)

Re: My 1980 died around 1995 - Crazy Dave 07:28:16 09/22/04 (0)

Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - rnhood 16:14:16 09/19/04 (3)

Re: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - Robert C. Lang 19:15:07 09/22/04 (0)

Re: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - Maxxc 05:01:12 09/20/04 (1)

Re: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - Crazy Dave 08:07:32 09/21/04 (0)

This is not a review - Alex F. 11:06:50 09/19/04 (9)

Re: This is not a review - Wayne White 05:37:01 09/20/04 (1)

Re: This is not a review - jaconde 17:01:20 09/20/04 (0)

Re: This is not a review - jaconde 21:58:11 09/19/04 (4)

Re: This is not a review - Alex F. 06:53:40 09/20/04 (3)

Re: This is not a review - jaconde 17:04:06 09/20/04 (2)

Re: This is not a review - Alex F. 06:21:11 09/21/04 (1)

Re: This is not a review - jaconde 22:12:11 09/21/04 (0)

On the contrary.... - chris.redmond2@bushinternet.com 14:39:57 09/19/04 (1)

Re: On the contrary.... - jaconde 07:23:02 09/28/04 (0)

Follow Ups

Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - rnhood 16:14:16 09/19/04 (3)

Re: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - Robert C. Lang 19:15:07 09/22/04 (0)

Re: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - Maxxc 05:01:12 09/20/04 (1)

Re: Pioneer SX-1980 Receiver - Crazy Dave 08:07:32 09/21/04 (0)

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