I worked at a stereo store in the summer of 1980 while the SX-3500 (or models very similar) were for sale new. They looked so cool with those blue fluorescent power meters and (on the nicer models) the FM digital readout. However, within a year or two, Pioneer changed their product line completely. The new receivers were physically smaller and did not have the shiny metallic trim of the earlier models. And even the lowest power receiver had microprocessor control of the tuner with electronic presets. It was a dramatic change.
It is great how you deliver the info. CRC on the tuner only! I learn a lot watching you and Trevor over on Trevor's Bench. I have saved a ton of receivers from the heap. Im getting into Tuner alignments now. Have tweaked a few oscillators successfully, but now have my scope and tools together.
Thanks for all the info! I've learned a lot from you over the years and have successfully repaired numerous pieces of equipment. I've had excellent luck with SX-3500's and 3900's, but for some reason every Pioneer SX-3800 I come across has been a complete nightmare. From what I can tell, the outputs tend to fail really hard and there seems to be several problem areas throughout the receiver. If you have the opportunity, could you please make a video about fixing one?
Years ago, deoxit relieved me of every single pot in my guitar amp - same vintage. The stops must have been made of that same plastic, it just got soft and failed. Nothing but isopropyl alcohol for me now, as specified in many old tektronix service manuals.
IPA can dry out plastics and rubber which will cause them to crack, this is why i cringe when i see people cleaning pinch rollers with it. where possible i take POTS apart and renew their tracks with an ordinary lead pencil
A refreshing change from all the "King Charles III" BS we have here at the moment, top quality fella. why the hell didnt pioneer fit a plastic cover to the tuning capacitor?
I could be wrong but I've been dripping 91% ipa into my knobs lately. It seems to work perfectly and retain the greese so there's still a resistance when the knobs turned
I have the most beat up sx3700 that still functions. Shes missing all her knobs, except tuner, phono button is smashed out, needs help but she still puts out! lol
Hello. Could you help me out. I have a pioneer SA 408. Left channel is getting alot of "earth loop like" sound coming out to speaker on outlet A and no sound out on outlet B
@ 17:30 I wish you at least showed us what the "special tool" was to adjust the trimmer cap. Those of us that have some alignment tools could at least have a better clue as to if we needed to get another one.
Thanks for your time on this very underrated series that was part of the last hurrah of silver faced receivers. A little tune-up goes a long way!
I worked at a stereo store in the summer of 1980 while the SX-3500 (or models very similar) were for sale new. They looked so cool with those blue fluorescent power meters and (on the nicer models) the FM digital readout. However, within a year or two, Pioneer changed their product line completely. The new receivers were physically smaller and did not have the shiny metallic trim of the earlier models. And even the lowest power receiver had microprocessor control of the tuner with electronic presets. It was a dramatic change.
I just bought an SX3600 and it is mint. Looks like it just came out of the box and sounds amazing.
It is great how you deliver the info. CRC on the tuner only! I learn a lot watching you and Trevor over on Trevor's Bench. I have saved a ton of receivers from the heap. Im getting into Tuner alignments now. Have tweaked a few oscillators successfully, but now have my scope and tools together.
i have the SX-620, its the same model as this but the lights are kind of orange color, not bad. Its a powerfull beast, thanks
Hey JP -- one I can cope with -- back to two channels 🙂 awesome 👍
CRC-26 is a plastic-safe contact lubricant which works great in the controls after cleaning them with their contact cleaner.
I use CRC CO contact cleaner. I've used it for years and years
Thanks for all the info! I've learned a lot from you over the years and have successfully repaired numerous pieces of equipment. I've had excellent luck with SX-3500's and 3900's, but for some reason every Pioneer SX-3800 I come across has been a complete nightmare. From what I can tell, the outputs tend to fail really hard and there seems to be several problem areas throughout the receiver. If you have the opportunity, could you please make a video about fixing one?
thanks for the great video
Years ago, deoxit relieved me of every single pot in my guitar amp - same vintage. The stops must have been made of that same plastic, it just got soft and failed. Nothing but isopropyl alcohol for me now, as specified in many old tektronix service manuals.
IPA can dry out plastics and rubber which will cause them to crack, this is why i cringe when i see people cleaning pinch rollers with it. where possible i take POTS apart and renew their tracks with an ordinary lead pencil
A refreshing change from all the "King Charles III" BS we have here at the moment, top quality fella. why the hell didnt pioneer fit a plastic cover to the tuning capacitor?
From what ive seen so far in my career, only sony did that and inly on their earlier models from the late 60s-early 70s
I could be wrong but I've been dripping 91% ipa into my knobs lately. It seems to work perfectly and retain the greese so there's still a resistance when the knobs turned
CRC can dissolve the grease in pots and sliding controls making them rough which is why some technicians may advise against using it for that purpose.
I have the most beat up sx3700 that still functions. Shes missing all her knobs, except tuner, phono button is smashed out, needs help but she still puts out! lol
Hello.
Could you help me out. I have a pioneer SA 408. Left channel is getting alot of "earth loop like" sound coming out to speaker on outlet A and no sound out on outlet B
@ 17:30 I wish you at least showed us what the "special tool" was to adjust the trimmer cap. Those of us that have some alignment tools could at least have a better clue as to if we needed to get another one.
Buy one of these kits:
a.co/d/hUhhqfq
Cant get it by itself anymore
@@JordanPier Thanks! 👍
That's a nice basic receiver :-D
Meters are always a pain to get right, but i sill love the analog types.
7:09 what is that spray
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