Pioneer SX1250 Restoration

[HiFi-Man 262]

Was lucky to find this unit locally in Melbourne few months back. Tested all functions and found everything working good.  Inspected the unit inside by removing the covers to see in what condition the components inside. I can see few leaky caps..power filter capacitors are leaking badly. Almost all light globes needs to be replaced. Got amazed  to see the huge 1.2 KW toroidal transformer and four 22000uf 80v power filter capacitors. Wooden cover came with all scratches. But it came really well after giving a light sanding and applying bee wax. 

 

Checked the DC offset and found to be low which is safe. Hooked them to my Tannoy Ardens. This is a unit which really surprised me with its wide ..deep sound stage and sweetness in sound. 

I'm slowly moving to valve and selling all my solid state units ... but decided to restore this unit to experience the full potential of the unit.

 

Anyway the restoration work started two weeks back.... Pictures attached here are before taking it for the full restoration... 

Will update more details, progress and pictures here...  any suggestions, advice from pioneer experts most welcome.

 

 

 

Edited August 29 by HiFi-Man

[HiFi-Man 262]

 

[HiFi-Man 262]

All covers,  power filter capacitors,  toroidal transformer,  circuit boards are taken out. The chaisis needs a good clean.

 

All metal parts in first photo will get copper plated.

 

 

 

Edited August 29 by HiFi-Man

[HiFi-Man 262]

The base of the big power filter capacitors is cut and open. Got them empty to use them as a cap for the new caps. They are aluminum and will get copper plated. 

 

Cleaned the capacitor covers nicely. It takes approx one hour plus to cut,  open,  empty and clean one capacitor can nicely. It needs further sanding using ultra fine paper and probably buffing before electroplating copper.

 

 

Edited August 30 by HiFi-Man

[lemarquis 239]

Interesting read here on this model. 160 W RMS! 

 

http://thevintagehifishack.com/197677-pioneer-sx-1250/

 

Good luck with the work and interested in the outcome. 

Edited August 30 by lemarquis

[niss_man 577]

What a nice rebuild. I've never seen anyone go to the trouble of electroplating the metal components before. Do you work in the electroplating business?

Should look fantastic with all that shiny copper everywhere. Some nichicon fine gold caps would look nice in there with the copper parts as well.

[HiFi-Man 262]

4 hours ago, lemarquis said:

Interesting read here on this model. 160 W RMS! 

 

http://thevintagehifishack.com/197677-pioneer-sx-1250/

 

Good luck with the work and interested in the outcome. 

 

Thanks. Yes, It believed to be one of the best unit ever made and preferred by many over other exotic models/brands. Both SX1980 & SX1250 share the same power transformer of 1.2 KW. I think SX 1980 was made to compete in the power race during those days where as SX1250 is built for music  .

 

4 hours ago, niss_man said:

What a nice rebuild. I've never seen anyone go to the trouble of electroplating the metal components before. Do you work in the electroplating business?

Should look fantastic with all that shiny copper everywhere. Some nichicon fine gold caps would look nice in there with the copper parts as well.

 Thanks  ... Same, I have never seen a restoration with electroplating metal parts. When I did restoration of my Marantz 2325 this was the only thing which I didn't do. This idea came into mind only after finishing restoring it, still that restoration drained my pocket.

 

No, I'm not working in the electroplating business   hehe. But a good friend of mine who is familiar with electroplating is happy to help me with it.

There are two reasons why I have gone for electroplating copper (especially tuner board covers) .

i) This unit deserves a better look together with its sweet sound.

ii) Electromagnetic shielding,  will be amazing if it helps to improve the sound anymore on this unit. ( here is an interesting read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_shielding )

     

Edited August 30 by HiFi-Man

[HiFi-Man 262]

Few of the copper plated metal parts are ready. Need to give them good clean. Considering some coating on top of this to prevent oxidation and it should maintain the same look. (There is some light reflections in the photos)

 

 

 

Edited August 31 by HiFi-Man

[Smoovie 30]

Looking foward to seeing the results!

[HiFi-Man 262]

 

[HiFi-Man 262]

[HiFi-Man 262]

Finally almost everything got finished on this SX1250. Got busy with work and this restoration job, so could'nt update the progress here for last few days .

All the electronic work is done by Adrian at Analog Audio Solutions, Melbourne. Gone for Elna Silmic ii in 95% of the places to replace electrolytic caps. 

Power filter capacitors used are from Nippon Chemi-Con 22,000uf / 80v x 4. Will post photos here..

 

Next thing pending is the Speaker connection binding post upgrade on the unit and a huge round sticker on top of the toroidal transformer with Pioneer logo.

Edited September 9 by HiFi-Man

[HiFi-Man 262]

 

 

The wedge shapped big LEDs are Amber colour which I found that is giving yellowish colour tone like incandescent globes in room light.  But its a bit orangish colour in dark room.  

 

 

In room light

 

 

Without light in room.

 

[niss_man 577]

Absolutely stunning. 

[TOPSHELF 533]

Wow... I'd love to hear it.

[lemarquis 239]

Looks absolutely spectacular!