Pioneer SX-1250

This is another of the Pioneer classics. It’s the Pioneer SX-1250. As you can see it has the trademark Pioneer styling of that era with silver knobs and white meter face.s It was introduced in 1976 and, at that time, was Pioneer’s top of the line receiver. It put out 160 watts per channel and was priced at around $900.00. It weighs around 73 pounds!

It also features:

  • Step Attenuator Volume Control
  • Shielded FM Section
  • Dual Power Supply with Step-Start Circuit
  • Toroidal Power Transformer
  • 5-Gang Tuning Capacitor
  • Signal strength meter
  • Tuning meter
  • AM/FM/Phono1/Phono2/Aux

The Pioneer SX-1250 sells for over $3000.00 in excellent working condition and they are extremely popular with collectors today. In fact, this may be one of the most desired vintage receivers out there.  In terms of looks, engineering, name recognition and performance it’s hard to beat.

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21 thoughts on “Pioneer SX-1250

  1. NEXT TO THE PIONEER SX 1010 THE 1250 IS NOT AS WARM BUT HANDS DOWN BETTER SOUNDING THEN MODELS AFTER THE 1250.THE SX 1250 IS A GREAT RECEIVER YOU CAN GET MORE POWER FROM OTHER RECEIVERS BUT AFTER ALL ITS ABOUT SOUND QUALITY SO CONSIDER THE SX 1250 ONE NOTCH ABOVE IS THE SX 1010 .

  2. I own some of the best sounding pioneers to my ear the sx-850 sx -1010 and last but not least the sx-1250 and I have to say the warm clear sound of these I love the sound but there is no pioneer other than the sx- 1980 can match the power of the 1250 it has all you want and more. from low to high volumes . so if you want one. you better make sure you have the speakers to back it up. I am running 4 hpm-100s on it and I cant get past half volume . in fear of blowing them . but the sound remains true and clear. not like most that fall off at higher volumes. with 4 22000uf caps . it has the power to back it up. trust me I am a believer .

  3. I see that the picture shown of the back of the sx 1250 has a detachable ac power cord. Was this one only made a certain time? limited

    1. I’m not sure but I think the detachable power cord was for the 220 volt model SX-1250 (non-US). All the 120 volt models I’ve seen have the built in cord. Just a guess.

  4. acabe de comprar un pioneer sx 1250 totalmente original que sonido tan espectacular valor en colombia $4.000.000

      1. Hello Perry,
        Have you made a decision regarding the sale of your SX-1250? I am interested in knowing more about your unit. Please let me know as I am looking for one now. Thanks, Terry Frizzell, Lexington, SC

        1. Hi Terry, I wanted to know if you were able to buy the Pioneer SX1250 receiver ?
          If not I will have one for sale here as soon as I finish restoration of it. Walter is my name

  5. Can you still buy replacement caps and output transistors for the 1250 ?
    Looking for my last power receiver ?
    I just don’t want to eventually wind up with a rather large door stop.

  6. I purchased one on this locally as shipping one to me would be costly. It was in original condition and operational. I immediately started a re-cap job on it as this was going to take the place of my SPEC system because I need to downsize some. So far, everything is easy to get to, but that 106 board is a pain to re-cap. Very time consuming. Mainly because one needs to rework that board as it runs hot. The 048 and 091 boards are pretty easy to do. Looks like this was a well thought out receiver with excellent build quality. If you get one and plan on a re-cap, it’s gonna take you awhile as you don’t want to rush it and it needs little tweaks here and there to improve the heat issue these big units put out.

    1. I disagree the SX1250 was and still is a great receiver, it’s a pleasure to own one, we’re all in titled to our options and they should be supported with some technical reason, not many share your opinion, when I hear statements like yours its generally coming from a brand buyer

  7. I DISAGREE .

    THE SX-1010 WAS A BEAUTIFUL AMP WITH LOTS OF POWER .
    THE SX-828 WAS ALSO A BEAUTIFUL RECEIVER WITH QUALITY .
    I HAVE OWED THESE RECEIVERS AND I KNOW.
    THE SX-1280 SOUNDED BETTER THE SX 1980.
    I HAD THESE RECEIVERS.

  8. I did a full restoration on my SX 1250. I bought a new 21st century stabilizer bd and now my SX1250 is like a brand new reciever. Don’t have to worry about heat problems. I run it as if I bought it new from the factory. I make sure volume is at 0 when powering on and off, but that’s it. Like new…..People ask if I plan to sell it. No way.Goes to my nephew when I pass….

  9. I had an SX 1250 driving a pair of JBL L65’s and have broken my leg several times trying to kick my own A** for ever getting rid of them.

  10. Back in the days when McIntosh was still running their Walk-In Clinics, I took my SX-1250 in for a look. At first, the Mac tech made a comment like “Oh yeah, Pioneer….all the kids have those”. But when he went to heft it up onto the bench, and felt it`s weight, he began to get the idea. Once he pulled the cover off, he got VERY interested. “WOW !” he remarked several times, and began pointing out things like the giant transformer, four huge filter caps, discrete point-to-point wiring, the massive heat sinks, and more.
    After testing (it clipped at 194 watts per channel !), he said to me “This is a VERY good receiver, you should never sell it !”
    I took his advice, still own it today. Around 5 years ago, I had it completely restored by one of the resident techs on Audio Karma.com, he had previously done several dozen of them, and really knows them inside-out.
    Just as a side note, it seems like most of the guys who repair & restore these things agree that they prefer the 50-series units, compared to the 80-series, stating that the build quality is better on the 50-series.
    I use mine to drive 2 pair of HPM-100s, stacked and wired in parallel. The soundstage is HUGE, and absolutely jaw-dropping when playing back a good recording at substantial volume.
    While I agree that GOOD vintage gear is not exactly cheap, I just look at the last Christmas catalog I got from Music Direct, and see the crazy prices of their equipment. I am thankful for what I have.
    Rock on !

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