Pioneer SX-1280 restoration part 1: Why you need to replace filter capacitors.

A look at one of the finest receivers ever built.
At 1:27 I should have said "rectifier circuit post transformer".

[@craigm.9070]

Looking forward to the restoration videos! SX-1280's are a beast; excellent brief on what a filter cap's job is, all those downstream components like a nice smooth current feed so they can do their assigned task. Sound check at the finish should be awesome!

[@PackardDog]

Thanks Craig. Yes, these are a beast indeed! One of these days I'll pick one up for myself. 👍 On smooth current!!

[@jaghifi]

very nice restoration! I myself have a working 1280 that is in excellent conditon. it has been serviced but nothing major. A few caps replaced on the power card. I want to replace the power card with a new one that is available out of Canada. I also want to recap the whole unit and replace other components that need it. Im a extreme hobbist and have done other 780s and a few Marantz units. Any advice on where I should start on the 1280? since its working I planned on doing a board then test then another board and so forth.

[@PackardDog]

Thanks. Power supply first. Then speaker protection then follow the sound path. Be very very careful!! The output transistors are Unobtanium, you don't want to short anything out. power down, unplug and wait before removing and installing cards. Make sure you get all you caps, trany's and resistors from either Digi or Mouser. I had a hell of a time with counterfeit trany's. An like you said test after each card. Use a dimbulb!

[@jayjenkins8561]

Can you give an estimate on what a restoration like this would cost? thanks

[@PackardDog]

For parts, your looking at 3 to 4 hundred. Quality filter caps are a big chunk of that. I'm using 22000 uf 100v Kemmet caps which are 50 a pop x4. Slot of the audio path caps are being replaced with film, which are double or triple the cost of electrolytic. Power supply is all Elna Silmic II. Transistors and VR's are replaced as needed. Some are mandatory replacements. Labor varies. For full restoration you can expect over $1000.00. There are slot of hours in this process. Labor is not cheap. Since this a friend's system, he is paying significantly less than that...friend and family pricing.