Well, we’re half way through 2012 and I thought I’d review the sale prices for some of the high end vintage Pioneer receivers. I would expect that the poor economy has affected values negatively or perhaps the fact that the world is ending in December of this year might put downward pressure on prices as well. My guess is that the economy is having the larger affect to this point.
I’ll start off with the what most people see as the ultimate vintage Pioneer receiver the SX-1980. I know that it does have some engineering issues and that some feel that the SX-1250 is a better unit but the SX-1980 is still a “holy grail” monster receiver and should reflect the state of vintage receiver values fairly accurately. The first sale I saw was for a unit that was in full working condition and pretty good cosmetic condition.
The wood case had a few scratches and blemishes and the top of the faceplate had a couple scratches as well. Probably a 7 out of 10 overall. That unit sold for $2000.00 in July of 2012. I’ve seen these sell for upwards of $4000.00 in the past, in excellent condition of course, so $2000.00 might show some loss of value over the last few years.
Another SX-1980 was listed as a Buy it Now item for $3200.00 in July 0f 2012. The receiver was in perfect working order, being just recently serviced, and had only a few minor flaws cosmetically. You could possibly rate this unit as a 9 out of 10. It did not sell. It had offers but no sale. So, obviously the $3000.00 range is a little high for these receivers in this market.
Another insightful non-sale was another July auction for a unit with a faceplate in excellent condition, nothing missing, fully functional, with just some mild wood case wear. This unit was bid up to $1276.00 but did not sell. The unit had even been recently completely serviced by a Pioneer guru. Obviously there was not enough interest to bid the price up any further. The buy it now price for the auction was nearly $4000.00 which the final bid did not even come close to.
Another auction is currently under way for a very nice SX-1980 and it is currently at $1125.00 with a few days left to go. I’ll update this post once it ends. It looks very nice so it should sell for a decent price.
Update: Ok, so the Pioneer SX-1980 shown above sold for $2025.00 (8-11-2012). It basically needed nothing and had been fully serviced. Cosmetically it is very nice. Just over $2000.00 is pretty cheap relative to prices a few years ago. I guess the moral of the story is that if you want an SX-1980 now is the time to buy one.
Update 2 (Sept. 2012): A Mint condition SX-1980 just sold for $3838.00. Definitely one of the higher recent sale prices for this unit.
Update 3: Fully restored SX-1980 sold for $5000.00 on March 25, 2017.
Update 4: 4 SX-1980 sales at beginning of 2017 for $2900.00, $2977.00, $3150.00 and $3500.00
Update 5: March 2023 a fully serviced SX-1980 with recapped power supply sold for $12,500.
Udpate 6: April 2023 an SX-1980 in excellent condition sold for $7,488.
I sold a Pioneer SX-1980 Feb. 23rd 2012 on Ebay for $2,700.00.It had been serviced late 2011 by Circle Stereo in Dripping Springs,Tx.It is a 1980 year model,X being the first letter of the serial #.Naturally,it was in excellent working condition in beautiful cosmetic shape.The new owner is in Pioneer Heaven today and enjoying it very much.
Good Luck keeps coming my way.I just purchased my 4th Pioneer SX-1980 today(Sunday 10-21-2012)on Ebay for $2,400.00.It should arrive later this week.It looks to be in great shape from the photos in the listing.It’s been serviced with a tuner alignment and most caps changed.So it should perform very good and with great FM reception.I sold my first two,the first in 2009 and my second Feb. this year for $2,850.00.This one is my second bought this year.I’ll hold onto them as long as I can and maybe leave them for my Son and Daughter.Now I have to get down to business and sell more on Ebay like a mint Pioneer SX-950 in an original box.Plus several Bose radio/CD players and some Technics SL-1200MK2 turntables to help recoup some of the doe I shelled out today.I can hardly wait to see this 1980 when it arrives.How lucky can you get.I’ll probably never get to hear a Technics SA-1000 or a Sansui G-33000,but I have plenty to keep me very busy.
Nice! That’s a good price for an SX-1980! Especially if it lives up to its description. Once the economy turns around those units should start heading up in price. Good time to buy!
I just received my 2nd SX-1980 this year on Friday Oct. 26th-2012.After unpacking the UPS shipment,it arrived ok with no damage to the receiver,thank goodness.UPS did do a great job with the packing.I quickly checked the FM and inputs and all is working as it should,no problems to report.It sure sounds like an SX-1980 should sound.Now I’ll just sit back and enjoy the beautiful sounds this MONSTER produces.The picture of the 3rd one down on this page is the one I bought.It’s the picture with the headphone adapter plug still plugged in.Also,the cosmetics are terrific.Definetly worth the money I have in it.
A beauty of an SX-1980 just sold on Ebay for $3175.00 plus shipping.
I have two SX-1980s still in working order and being used in a 4-channel setup. One of the features of this receiver is the adjustable magnetic phono input. Also, the adjustable roll-off contour switches for the bass and treble and the separate variable bass and treble. I have the original boxes and manual. I also have two SX-9000 being used in a 4-channel setup with a JVC 4-channel signal decoder. Unfortunately, trying to find a stylus replacement for my Audio Technica cartridge has been a disappointment. I now have to use recordings I made onto an Akai 4-channel reel-to-reel.
I’ve decided to part with both units: Pioneer SX-1980, yes two of them. I have them on consignment with Revivals – Palm Desert. Revivals is the thrift shop which supports the Desert AIDS Project. The have some minor scratches on top. The units have been in storage for over 15 years in their original box. They are selling for $2500 each.
Still works and so do all the lights. Does not include shipping. If interested call 760-285-1081. Leave a message with your phone #. No reasonable offer refused. If you are interested in both units, make an offer.
i have a sx-1980 im trying to sell goout 2000 if interested.
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE PRODUCTION NUMBERS ON THE SX 1980 .THE LAST GREAT POWERHOUSE.
sx1980 for sale as is 1500.00
sx1980 pioneer receiver for sale 1500.00 228 596 7782
I’m waiting for 1 to pop up @ 1 of the local GoodWills.
good luck man. I hope one comes in for ya
Iām in MD looking for one. I have 1280, 1250 and 1050 all redone by Stereo rehab in Chicago. Casper is a genius with these units!
It’s December 2022 and I just purchased a Pioneer SX1980 for $3,500 on Ebay. The seller was very smart and knew what he had. They just wanted it sold. I was very blessed to get a Pioneer SX-1980 for $3,500 and I know it. I was just in the right place at the right time. I see Pioneer SX1980’s for sale on EBay now and everyone wants north of $6,000 for them. One seller had a a $5,000 bidder but that amount did not meet the reserve.
Seller was looking for $8,000 on his buy it now. With inflation being crazy and money being very tight $8,000 for a vintage receiver is a LOT to ask. Eventually someone with deep pockets will buy it but that promises to be a LONG WAIT! People have to remember collecting vintage receivers is a hobby not a necessity. I’m immune I have money enough to buy my toys and no wife to tell me no I can’t have what I want!