Haven't got the main system up yet but brought out my long neglected Pioneer SX-1250 and replaced the Onkyo TX-8511. Kenwood KD-5066 DD TT with new Audio Technica cartridge (replaced a Denon DP-52F), Sony 608ESD cdp, Sony T-444ES cassette. Hooked up JBL L-112, Klipsch Forte and Klipsch KG 3.2. Wow, the Onk is a good performer but the SX-1250 remains something else. Sound was sonically clear maybe so clear it was a little icy. Using he cdp the KG 3.2's were awesome and perhaps the best using that source. Vocals were clear as a bell and the low end lacked for nothing. This may be due to the fact that they are up about 30" sitting atop the Jamo's. The Fortes and the L-112's were as good as ever. Put the Graceland album through the Fortes before time ran out. Very good sound. I was getting some hum from the Denon if I cranked the volume without an lp but the Kenwood is dead silent. I now have the CD, LP and cassette of the Graceland album so when I find the time I plan on doing an A/B/C of the sources. Probably drive my family and neighbours to drink.

I almost bought rstsagas (not sure of spelling) re-capped SX-1250 last month. I kinda regretting that now...

Is your Sony T-444ES cassette deck a 3 header?

Sony made some very underrated 3 head decks.

I would love to hear one of those 70´s Big Pioneer ( 1250 - 1980 ) receivers someday.

Like you Jorge I would like to hear one, the biggest of the Pioneers I have listened to is the SX-950, a far cry form an SX-1250.

I have G-8000 still below the SX-1250 but a very underated brute of a receiver.

Jim

Sam I lucked out when I bought this unit. I had just gotten into this as a hobby, had a Craig and Yamaha CR-820 to begin with, when I was told about the chat sites by someone who came by to purchase some computer parts. After several months of reading about thrift store scores I decided to go by a couple. As I was leaving the second GW I saw silver knobs poking out behind some boxes sitting on the warehouse floor. Asked to take a look and saw the 1250. Honestly didn't know what it was nut it sure was pretty . Harassed the pricer to price it, when she finally rolled it out I took a look at the price, $34.99 , and kept right on rolling it to the checkstand. I believe it was a drop off and, thank heavens, did not come through warehouse delivery. I was leaving the next day for a Thanksgiving visit so I wasn't able to check it out for a week. Has been working flawlessly for 2 years. I see you have some rather nice totl equipment so you know it's always great to find the best. Curiously, I paid a little more for a non-working unit that is missing the glass. Find it has a bad stabiliser board but it is something I have yet to get to. I hear rstgas does some awesome work and have always wondered how any newly capped unit sounds.
Jorge, yes the Sony is a 3 head. It's marked on the cassette holder behind the door so I didn't know it was a 3 head until I took a closer look. It is part of the ES stack I got off CL. I posted a picture of it in action under my Onkyo TX-8511 thread.
Jim, I've had a G-9000DB (and 9090DB) for about a year and yet to give some playing time. The bigger Sui's are no slouches in performance. It is back breaking work moving these things around. Are we having fun yet?

Awesome score on your SX-1250. I'm glad a true enthusiast got it and not some hack who is going to abuse.

Rstgas wanted $600 for his re-capped SX-1250, which I thought was a decent deal. I used to have a SX-1250 but it wasn't in top condition so I let it go.

IMO, the SX-1250, Sansui G-9000DB, and Concept 16.5 are the top three 160 wpc class receivers.

BTW, My buddy almost talked me into selling him my L-112's. Sure glad I didn't.

Good call on the L-112's (IMHO). Still my favorites. The Fortes are awesome but I don't think that the L-112's are as picky about placement. They sound excellent just about anywhere and that is their plus, again IMHO.

The SX-1250 was my first thrift score. Unfortunately, it got me hooked and addicted.

From what I've seen, lot of work in recapping one of these beasts so he probably just about breaks even in time and material leaving someone with one helluva unit.

On a side note, I played the L-112 back to back against the HPM-100. They are quite different with the L-112 trying to be neutral and the HPM-100 being as big and fun as ever (which is bright and bassy). My friend thought the L-112 lacked in the upper treble but it is hard to "clear the ears" after hearing the HPM's brightness. I gave the L-112 the nod because of better composure and balance. So, my friend tool the HPM's. No worries, I still have two pairs of HPM's. The L-112's are going into the LR set and will be driven by my Marantz 2385.

About a year ago I did some selling and swapping of speakers with an Elvis impersonator who was once a manager of a stereo chain store back in the day, pumped him for any brochures or lit but he was sorry that he didn't save anything, and we got to talking about JBL. I traded some speakers I fot free for a set of newly refurbished L-26. He told me that the high frequency pot on the L100 should start at off and then just cracked to open up at minimum sound. I tried this and it seems to work at all volumes to tame the brightness. Did the same with the L112's.

I tried the L-112 with my 2385. I was not happy with the result. The bass was heavy and muddy. With the 2385, I was surprised how badly the L-112 did compared to my recently departed HPM's. I suspect something is not right.

Not right with the speaker or the combo? Experienced the same with Wharfedale W-70D's. Belive it was a Sony DTR-7055 I first used and did not like the sound at all but when I used a Pioneer SX-3800 it made a world of difference. Surprisingly, lost all harshness and a sloppy sound. Very mellow sounding combo but rumour has it that they can rock some.

BTW when I put the SX-1250 back in I had to take the HF on the L-112's down some. Could cut glass at first.

Pic of the la-*test*-('") stack. Added the BIC Beam Box and Adcom speaker switch. Figure if I get the urge to switch again two sets of wires are easier than six.