1978 PIONEER SX-1280 RECEIVER

"The Gorgeous One"

The 1978 Pioneer SX-1280 has to rank as one of the most beautiful Monster Receivers. The cosmetics are certainly stunning. Rated at 185 wpc, it was second only to the outrageous SX-1980 in the Pioneer line. In fact, the SX-1280 was designed to be the Top of the Line unit to replace the SX-1250, but the Receiver Wars were so intense at the time that the SX-1280 just wasn't enough and the 270 wpc SX-1980 quickly followed. But, while the SX-1980 ultimately developed reliability problems, the SX-1280 went on to develope quite a following. So much so, in fact, that as of February 2002, a nice example typically goes for $600 to $800 on E-Bay.

My particular SX-1280, pictured above, however, is what every audio collector dreams of: a MINT condition, fully operational unit bowing the shelf at a GoodWill for $39.99. When I got this home, I was amazed at its condition. But, not really being a big Pioneer fan at the time, I put it up for auction on E-Bay. The final bid was $849.00, this highest amount ever bid on a SX-1280 up to that time, but even at that price, I realized what a special find this was and decided that I just couldn't part with it. The Buyer was very understanding and we agreed to cancel the auction. That is one mistake I vowed never to repeat.

Pioneer's marketing was always just a "cut above". Roy Prins has been kind enough to provide me with the SX-1280's Sale Brochure, which is reproduced for your enjoyment, in its entirety, below:

Internal View	Specifications	Brochure - Pg. 1	Brochure - Pg. 2

Brochure - Pg. 3	Brochure - Pg. 4	Brochure - Pg. 5	Brochure - Pg. 6

Written by Chris Opfell