I bought 1 back when they 1st came out. 42 years before I blew up !!! Now I have a Pioneer 750, 50 watts per channel You will get years of enjoyment out of it trust me !!!
Sweet deal. I am just getting into vintage receivers. I paid full dollar for my receiver: Nikko NR-719 35 Watt (built like a tank, just like the Pioneer and Marantz) :) I enjoyed your vid. I would be up to see and hear more of your how to fixing on your gear for new comers like me. Very clean job on gluing your woofers! . :)
Thanks for the comments and welcome to the vintage audio hobby. My channel has lots of vintage audio videos. I'll try to remember to keep newbies in mind when making future videos.
I still have those speakers with only one original tweeter and midrange...thanks to my 3 year old daughter at the time lol...replaced the blown speakers with more powerful ones and still rockin...going to upgrade the massive crossover that came with these real soon.
My opinion of those speakers has improved since I posted the video. They sound really good, excellent base. I have them currently mounted in my garage and listen to them frequently.
You still have it? I just snagged one today for $30. Some slight peeling of the vinyl here and there, scratchy dials and a lot of dust. Looking forward to cleaning mine up. Thankfully is complete with no damage and it's fully working (including all lights)! Tested on the spot and it sounds great for a 35 watt/ch receiver! Not a fan of those particular Pioneer speakers though.
I do still have mine. It's paired with a similar vintage Pioneer PL-115D turntable and a pair of 90's vintage Paradigm tower speakers. System sounds great. I agree, the Pioneer speakers aren't great. I'm currently using them as end tables for my basement listening chair, not connected. I've been trying to find a home for them, no luck yet. Congratulations on your purchase. The Pioneer sx50 series are great sounding 70's vintage receivers and highly collectable. The downside to the SX-650 is the STK audio output modules. It sounds like your are working so take care of them, rare as hens teeth for OEM units!
My manager just gave me one of these. Works great though he said it didn't. I'm going to go through and clean everything but it seems fine otherwise. Does need the bulb for the power indicator changed. I did notice the tuning dial is a little off too, do you know if that's difficult to fix?
Check to see if the AM and FM dial is off by the same amount. If so, it may be just a slipped dial indicator on the dial string. You may be able to just slide the indicator until it is properly aligned again. The SX-650 is a great sounding little receiver. Mine is still in use in the family room paired with a 76 vintage Pioneer PL-115D turntable. The power/speaker switch is a weak point. I've had to rebuild mine after making the video. Good luck with the restoration of yours.
@@mguess thanks for the info, I’ll have to try that when I get it apart. I have noticed my power switch will create some static when you wiggle it while the unit is powered on but it seems I may not get that lucky.
I haven't really restored this unit yet. I just cleaned the controls and replaced the old light bulbs with LED's. When I do a full restoration I'll be sure to make a complete video.
Ah, the pioneer SX- 650. First let me get the complaints out of the way. I really liked the blue dial lights of the 30 series (SX-636) much better, but have to admit there's something sexy about the silver face plate. The chicks (women) I had over loved the shiny front panel. The biggest problem was with the power switch on a rotary knob with the speakers. The SX- 650 had no muting delay when powered up, this COULD lead to switching noise. A push button or toggle switch would have been better. Speaking of toggles, the front panel toggle switches on the SX- 650 have a very positive feel (and sound) when flipped on or off, nice touch! Good things about the SX- 650? You bet. It offered 35 wpc and in 1977 that was neat. Also had a very good FM front end for a unit in its price range. Two tape monitors and an aux input plus high filter (only 6db/oct but helpful) and a mic input. Only one way dubbing was possible, but hey most other 35 watt receivers only had one monitor. Got my SX- 650 in 1978 at Crazy Eddie's in NYC. When I added a pair of Ohm Acoustics Model L speakers my Bay Ridge, Brooklyn apartment really came alive, WOW. Enough output to impress if not annoy the neighbors! Don't be fooled by its age, the SX- 650 is still a formidable unit. If you don't agree check out the prices on E-bay. Not my main amp anymore, but there's nothing to apologize for with the SX- 650. Thanks for letting me rant.
Marty, thanks for the comments. I really like the SX-650 receiver. Since completing the lite restoration last summer I have gotten many hours of use out of this thing. I have my turntable connected to it and have been listening to a lot of vinyl records lately. Great sound with plenty of volume. As I mentioned in the video I am able to get 45 watts per channel without distortion. I have the receiver connected to the restored Pioneer speakers that came with the unit. They sound pretty good. I have a pair of Boston Acoustics A70 speakers connected to the B outputs, also sound good. I like the looks of the Ohm Acoustics Model L speakers that you mentioned. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a pair of those.
Yeah, 45wpc sounds about right as the old Pioneer SX- 650 receiver usually had some headroom of about 10wpc. I think it also gave more power into 4ohms than into 8ohms. Don't forget that in 1977 35wpc was pretty damn good. The FM tuner was quite good for a mid level unit. I lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and there were some fantastic stations. WNEW FM (102.7) was king from 1975 into the 80's. Got some nice interviews on cassette back then. Still have them. The only reasons I traded up from the 650 were more power and I had to have bidirectional dubbing,as the 650 only had one way dubbing. I had (and still have) an ADC Sound Shaper Two IC equalizer, a Pioneer RG-2 processor, two cassette decks (Yamaha and Technics), a TEAC X-3 open reel deck a Pioneer PL- 518 turntable and a Sony CD player, CDP- 212 I think. The ADC EQ has two tape monitors and bidirectional dubbing. So, two cassette decks plugged into the EQ and the EQ into tape mon 1 on the receiver. the open reel deck plugged into the RG- 2 and that into tape mon 2 on the receiver. Talk about flexibility!! In addition to the OHM L's I have EPI- 180's, EPI- 100's and Boston Acoustic A-40's. The Boston's have superb sound as you know with your A-70's. Didn't intend to be so long winded.
I'm not sure how the fuses could affect the sound. The fuses are not in the signal path. All of the fuses in this unit are in the power supply and are there to protect the power supply from an overcurrent condition.
@@mguess I can't explain it either, until I started replacing the fuses in my vintage Pioneers, Sansui, and Kenwood. It sounds like they are livelier and stronger! Som tings are just magic...like how does a rotating plastic disk sound better than even modern technology...once you go ceramic...
I agree, very lucky. I found the Pioneer about 6 years ago and have been looking for another silver face receiver at a thrift store since then. I finally found a Technics SA-700 recently for $25 at my local Goodwill. Here is a link to that video if you haven't seen it yet. th-cam.com/video/zJzwR7y1cmY/w-d-xo.html
I'm a garbageman, and I found one of these in the trash last week. It's my favorite receiver so far.
Great find. Does it work ok?
I bought 1 back when they 1st came out. 42 years before I blew up !!! Now I have a Pioneer 750, 50 watts per channel You will get years of enjoyment out of it trust me !!!
The old Pioneer is still sounding great. I'm listening to it right now.
In 2006 I found a Pioneer 737 receiver at this great store Goodwill. Congratulations !
I'm still looking for another deal on silver face stuff at the thrift stores, no luck yet. I use the SX-650 just about every day. Still works great.
Sweet deal. I am just getting into vintage receivers. I paid full dollar for my receiver: Nikko NR-719 35 Watt (built like a tank, just like the Pioneer and Marantz) :) I enjoyed your vid. I would be up to see and hear more of your how to fixing on your gear for new comers like me. Very clean job on gluing your woofers!
. :)
Thanks for the comments and welcome to the vintage audio hobby. My channel has lots of vintage audio videos. I'll try to remember to keep newbies in mind when making future videos.
Good find , silver face always sells
I still have those speakers with only one original tweeter and midrange...thanks to my 3 year old daughter at the time lol...replaced the blown speakers with more powerful ones and still rockin...going to upgrade the massive crossover that came with these real soon.
My opinion of those speakers has improved since I posted the video. They sound really good, excellent base. I have them currently mounted in my garage and listen to them frequently.
I'm still using these speakers in my garage. Great sound, excellent base.
Nice score. I just got a 1979 Pioneer SX 580 that's very clean. 😀👍
Good luck with your receiver. Hopefully it doesn't need too much work. Mine was easy. Still using the receiver and speakers.
That was a great find. I haven't found any more 70's silver face stuff since.
Just sold one for $200. Got it for $25 at a garage sale. Had it for 30yrs.
Now that's big Pimpin like a muthafucka!
Love those connections. If only Harman Kardon did that part.
What a steal!
I agree! I found that deal at a local thrift store a number of years ago. I've yet to find another silver face receiver in a thrift store.
Good find
Sometimes you get lucky.
You still have it? I just snagged one today for $30. Some slight peeling of the vinyl here and there, scratchy dials and a lot of dust. Looking forward to cleaning mine up. Thankfully is complete with no damage and it's fully working (including all lights)! Tested on the spot and it sounds great for a 35 watt/ch receiver! Not a fan of those particular Pioneer speakers though.
I do still have mine. It's paired with a similar vintage Pioneer PL-115D turntable and a pair of 90's vintage Paradigm tower speakers. System sounds great. I agree, the Pioneer speakers aren't great. I'm currently using them as end tables for my basement listening chair, not connected. I've been trying to find a home for them, no luck yet.
Congratulations on your purchase. The Pioneer sx50 series are great sounding 70's vintage receivers and highly collectable. The downside to the SX-650 is the STK audio output modules. It sounds like your are working so take care of them, rare as hens teeth for OEM units!
My manager just gave me one of these. Works great though he said it didn't. I'm going to go through and clean everything but it seems fine otherwise. Does need the bulb for the power indicator changed. I did notice the tuning dial is a little off too, do you know if that's difficult to fix?
Check to see if the AM and FM dial is off by the same amount. If so, it may be just a slipped dial indicator on the dial string. You may be able to just slide the indicator until it is properly aligned again. The SX-650 is a great sounding little receiver. Mine is still in use in the family room paired with a 76 vintage Pioneer PL-115D turntable. The power/speaker switch is a weak point. I've had to rebuild mine after making the video. Good luck with the restoration of yours.
@@mguess thanks for the info, I’ll have to try that when I get it apart. I have noticed my power switch will create some static when you wiggle it while the unit is powered on but it seems I may not get that lucky.
I wish you would have filmed your restoration of this receiver.
I haven't really restored this unit yet. I just cleaned the controls and replaced the old light bulbs with LED's. When I do a full restoration I'll be sure to make a complete video.
Found myself one of these a week ago finally gonna’ put it to use! Definitely needs some love that’s for sure! Haha It’s not looking as good as yours.
Good luck with the Pioneer. Great sounding little receiver.
I found a perfect electrophonic receiver and speakers in my attic, but the record player I found was broken.
Ah, the pioneer SX- 650. First let me get the complaints out of the way. I really liked the blue dial lights of the 30 series (SX-636) much better, but have to admit there's something sexy about the silver face plate. The chicks (women) I had over loved the shiny front panel.
The biggest problem was with the power switch on a rotary knob with the speakers. The SX- 650 had no muting delay when powered up, this COULD lead to switching noise. A push button or toggle switch would have been better. Speaking of toggles, the front panel toggle switches on the SX- 650 have a very positive feel (and sound) when flipped on or off, nice touch!
Good things about the SX- 650? You bet. It offered 35 wpc and in 1977 that was neat. Also had a very good FM front end for a unit in its price range. Two tape monitors and an aux input plus high filter (only 6db/oct but helpful) and a mic input. Only one way dubbing was possible, but hey most other 35 watt receivers only had one monitor.
Got my SX- 650 in 1978 at Crazy Eddie's in NYC. When I added a pair of Ohm Acoustics Model L speakers my Bay Ridge, Brooklyn apartment really came alive, WOW. Enough output to impress if not annoy the neighbors!
Don't be fooled by its age, the SX- 650 is still a formidable unit. If you don't agree check out the prices on E-bay. Not my main amp anymore, but there's nothing to apologize for with the SX- 650. Thanks for letting me rant.
Marty, thanks for the comments. I really like the SX-650 receiver. Since completing the lite restoration last summer I have gotten many hours of use out of this thing. I have my turntable connected to it and have been listening to a lot of vinyl records lately. Great sound with plenty of volume. As I mentioned in the video I am able to get 45 watts per channel without distortion. I have the receiver connected to the restored Pioneer speakers that came with the unit. They sound pretty good. I have a pair of Boston Acoustics A70 speakers connected to the B outputs, also sound good. I like the looks of the Ohm Acoustics Model L speakers that you mentioned. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a pair of those.
Yeah, 45wpc sounds about right as the old Pioneer SX- 650 receiver usually had some headroom of about 10wpc. I think it also gave more power into 4ohms than into 8ohms. Don't forget that in 1977 35wpc was pretty damn good. The FM tuner was quite good for a mid level unit. I lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and there were some fantastic stations. WNEW FM (102.7) was king from 1975 into the 80's. Got some nice interviews on cassette back then. Still have them. The only reasons I traded up from the 650 were more power and I had to have bidirectional dubbing,as the 650 only had one way dubbing. I had (and still have) an ADC Sound Shaper Two IC equalizer, a Pioneer RG-2 processor, two cassette decks (Yamaha and Technics), a TEAC X-3 open reel deck a Pioneer PL- 518 turntable and a Sony CD player, CDP- 212 I think. The ADC EQ has two tape monitors and bidirectional dubbing. So, two cassette decks plugged into the EQ and the EQ into tape mon 1 on the receiver. the open reel deck plugged into the RG- 2 and that into tape mon 2 on the receiver. Talk about flexibility!! In addition to the OHM L's I have EPI- 180's, EPI- 100's and Boston Acoustic A-40's. The Boston's have superb sound as you know with your A-70's. Didn't intend to be so long winded.
Thanks for the long message
My secret is to replace all fuses with ceramic! You will notice a gud improvement in sound...
I'm not sure how the fuses could affect the sound. The fuses are not in the signal path. All of the fuses in this unit are in the power supply and are there to protect the power supply from an overcurrent condition.
@@mguess I can't explain it either, until I started replacing the fuses in my vintage Pioneers, Sansui, and Kenwood. It sounds like they are livelier and stronger! Som tings are just magic...like how does a rotating plastic disk sound better than even modern technology...once you go ceramic...
What do you use to clean the knobs and switched
I remove the knobs and soak them in Formula 409 or similar all purpose cleaner. Internally the pots and switches are cleaned with Deoxit D5
I remove the knobs and soak them in Formula 409 or similar all purpose cleaner. Internally the pots and switches are cleaned with Deoxit D5
I use Formula 409 cleaner. I usually soak them for a while in 409 and then wash them off with water.
Where did you order your parts from?
The only parts I needed were for the speakers. I ordered the foam surround kits from Simply Speakers.
I have the same unit...bought it new.
Congratulations! That's a very nice vintage receiver. I still have my original Akai AA-1150 receiver that I purchased new in 1978
@@mguess Had it paired with HPM 60 watt speakers. Speakers are long gone but receiver is still good! 😊
I prefer the black face way more.
There's lots of good black face receivers and amps out there. They are generally cheaper to acquire than the older silver face stuff.
Goodwill all trash today you got lucky
I agree, very lucky. I found the Pioneer about 6 years ago and have been looking for another silver face receiver at a thrift store since then. I finally found a Technics SA-700 recently for $25 at my local Goodwill. Here is a link to that video if you haven't seen it yet. th-cam.com/video/zJzwR7y1cmY/w-d-xo.html
No wi-fi or ethernet?
No, none of that fancy streaming stuff. This is a vintage receiver from the time when vinyl records and FM radio ruled.
Too hi?
U a gotta b kidding pal ,right?