COMPLETE RESTORATION SVC--PIONEER SX-1050 AND OTHERS!

NOTE: ATTENTION! READ THIS FIRST!!! This listing is a service listing. We are selling the services required enable the Pioneer SX-1050 and other models to perform brilliantly and to give you great musical pleasure. This listing applies to the SX-1050, 1080, 950, 980, 850, 1010, 939,and the European equivalents of these model numbers. If you have one of these, it needs this service. If you plan to purchase one, it needs this service. Comprehensive and complete service as described here is the only path you will find to optimum performance and reliability for one of these models.

The remarkable thing about Pioneer SX-850, 950, and 1050 is just how good they are. I have on occasion done performance comparisons of these versus really fancy separate amps and preamps, and they stand up better than they have a right to. Besides that, they are very solidly built and very pretty. So for a retro stereo of considerable virtue, they are a very good choice. Sure, there are other options, some new and some retro, but a great many of them cost much more than these lovely Pioneers. So if you have ones of these Pioneer receivers......and it hasn't been run over by a truck.....restoring it to premium condition is the best thing you can do. And as I said above, if you are looking to buy one off the net or whatever, don't expect it to work really well right out of the box. These come in two styles, those that have recently been restored, and those that need it. The key to complete restoration is the knowledge of what they need to take care of all of their "time related" problems and the attention to detail required to carry it off.

Sure it sounds good to have your favorite stereo back in premium condition.....but you have a question or two.......You ask: "Why does my baby need a complete restoration?...Why not just fix it?"......Fair question! When a stereo is somewhere between 20 and 40 years old, it has a very established track record. The things that fail tend to be predictable to someone who has seen enough of them. Add to that things like cleaning, resoldering, alignments, lamps, and cosmetics and you have a complete restoration. The objective here is to obtain maximum performance and reliability.....and beauty. The key is experience and attention to detail.

OK.....then you say: "How do I know that my unit will fall into the usual pattern? I don't want to authorize a significant repair without knowing for sure that it will come out well." Fair enough. We don't want to launch into a complete restoration before the unit is qualified. Call or write and tell me what the model number is and what it is doing wrong. I'll tell you whether it is promising or not. If it looks good, then buy the eBay listing for the restoration. However, if there are any complications or if we lack confidence in the outcome, then purchase my eBay store listing: "DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE---VINTAGE AUDIO COMPONENTS". By purchasing this option, you get to receive a complete evaluation of the condition and requirements of your unit before you are fully committed to it. In the end, your cost of restoration remains the same. Be aware that most of these work out, they rarely have flaws that are not cost effective to repair.

Well, that is certainly straightforward, what a deal! But here is another question: "Oh tell me guru, if I have a lovely machine that is similar to the one listed here, but it isn't exactly the same, am I then cast into the outer darkness?" Oh no, my child....you are made for the light....as is your stereo. If you have a similar model, call or send me an email. I am able to do complete restorations on many units for which I haven't written specific listings. In such cases, the diagnostic service listing is an easy way to initiate dealing with your situation and for it to flow smoothly through eBay. You are cast into outer darkness only if you have a "no no machine", one of those that should not be restored for whatever reason.

Now, some of you reading this might be curious as to just what a "Complete Restoration" is. Since it is unlikely to be magic or paranormal, there must be a bit more detail avialable. By all means, let me give you a sense of the procedure. The first step is bench evaluation to establish the starting point. We test it on all functions, to see what works, and what doesn't. Frequently, it is a good idea to run the machine for a day or two to see if it has any intermittent failures. Once all of this is done, we know exactly what is needed. The next step is to disassemble the unit down. We remove the case, the front panel, all the knobs, and are left with the chassis alone. At this point, it is appropriate to clean and deoxidize all of the switches and controls and the tuning capacitor. Then parts replacement begins. The critical areas on stereos of this vintage are the regulated power supply, the amplifier section, the phono section, and the protection circuit. In all of these sections, the electrolytic capacitors are replaced wholesale. These capacitors over time change their value so their replacement makes a big difference in both performance and reliability. Besides the capacitors, various models contain transistors which have high failure rates, so these are routinely replaced. The entire unit is scanned for bad solder joints, especially in areas where it runs hot, and these are re-soldered. When all of this has been done, the overall function of the unit is confirmed to be within spec, and alignments are done. The unit can then be burned in for a day two to confirm proper function over time. This is done before reassembly so everything is still accessible. By this point, we are satisfied with the overall function of the unit, so it is time for lamp replacement, cosmetic cleaning, and reassembly. The unit  should look sharp and its functional condition should be very close to original. So look your old baby over carefully, and consider how you would like to having it in very premium condition. You know that its original performance was very good indeed, so it is very appealing to have it that way again. I shall be happy to help you with this project. If you have any questions about this service, feel free to call me at 512-294-5635. Thanks, Bill