Upgrade......or downgrade ?

From this Pioneer SX-980....



to this Marantz PM-7004



My amp is currently pushing 35 years old and it's flawless but for the phono selector having to be jogged to worked properly every time I use it. P.O. had it on AUX for years for use with a cd player. Several technicians told me it cannot be accessed for cleaning/contact restoration. No big deal according to them but I'm very OCD and it's driving me bonkers so think it's time for a change.

It will be new....but will the sound be better, or at least equally good ?

I really like it, and could get for some U$ 1350 down here. The shop doesn't carry any Klipsch speakers to audition it, so JBL would be the closest thing. Amazon is selling the current model PM 8005 for 1250; sellers down here import the older models so they can sell them a lower price/make more profit, but I know they are very similar. Any insights ? Seems like a very nice amp, has nothing but rave reviews, it's said to be warm-sounding (which is a must to pair it with Klipschs) and I've always want to have this brand. I can get good money for both my vintage amps (prolly cover more than 50% of the Marantz pricetag at the very least)

Any insights ?
Are they dependable ?
What will I be gaining/loosing ?
NO I cannot afford a more expensive unit, so please don't suggest them, and I'd rather keep my current used one than to risk buying another used one, better as that might be.

I am currently on vacation at a seaside resort with the missus with limited internet access so will not be as responsive as usual, but every opinion (yes even the sarcastic ones from the usual sus')

Oh; sorry about the long rant !!

 

The Marantz amp is a lot more refined, but it's also a lot less lively. The same goes for the phono section. It works well, but it's nothing to write home about.

I really dig the Marantz. It does a lot of things right. In most ways, yeah, it would be an upgrade. For one thing, it's a lot less grainy than those old Pioneers. That might be a real benefit with your speakers.

It may not be as much fun, though. Give it a listen.

If you don't like it, remember that the pushbutton switches for the Pioneer go for about eleven bucks on ebay. You should be able to get some working replacements that a tech can swap in for you.

 

Interesting... I have a very clean, 100% original SX-780 in the living room (found it for $50 on Craig's List last year), and the phono selector was acting up this evening.

Most of the time I just use it to listen to the radio, but tonight I wanted to play a record but the left channel was distorted. I thought maybe the phono pre was going bad, but the problem went away once I rotated the input selector knob back and forth.

 

You're going to need a lot more amp and a lot more money to beat the SX-1980 across the board.
BTW, there is no such thing as a part that cannot be accessed in order to clean it.

http://www.cnet.com/news/how-can-30-year-old-receivers-sound-better-than-new-ones/#!

 

For better or worse, you're probably not going to live long enough to have to worry about replacing capacitors on the Marantz!

It really comes down to personal preference, but as my morbid snark above implies, less maintenance is a generally a good thing unless you enjoy refurbing gear as a hobby.

 

Love that Pioneer!!!

 

I have a Marantz integrated and couldn't be happier. And the fact that it won't require service for ages is peace of mind. I'm sure the Pioneer is fun but if you're wanting to spend some money, the Marantz won't disappoint.

 

The sealed volume pot in Sansui's AU-717 might challenge that...!

 

I think it is likely to be different. Whether that is better is another matter your need to decide on. In terms of reliability, you shouldn't have a problem with it.

 

Bring the new one home and listen to it. If it doesn't suit, return it.

 

Pioneer is a beautiful piece of gear!

 

Could buying a phono stage to add to the pioneer be the answer? If you like the Pioneer for other formats why change? Maybe second hand Quad 34/44 Pre & Quad 405 could be good. I reckon the Marantz will sound under powered compared to what you are used to. Consider the Denon PM1510 or 1520 amp as well

 

I have an SX-850, I was having trouble with my phono selectors too, usually the left channel cutting out on One if the two phono inputs. I just switched to the other and haven't had the issue as often. I really like the sound quality of my Pioneer and would definitely seek a repair rather than a switch.

 

I’m not into vintage gear but that Pioneer you have is beautiful, I can remember when
they hit the audio shops way back when. If that was mine, I would see if it can be fixed
or get a phono stage. Good luck with your choice.

 

Thanx for your insight man !!. But I don't get it. ¨grainy¨sound ? I read a whole thread here on that topic and there was no consensus about what that meant. And why less fun ?

No techy down here wants to touch that button, and I wouldn't know where to start on EBay, so I'm f...d. Plus, I'm terrified that the capacitors start making noises someday soon and I should recap the whole thing; a true nightmare. The monster is nearly 40 pounds.

Right I'd miss the vintage looks, the power meters, the rear power outlets and the decibel scale of the vol pot but a remote, a 70-100w (4-8ohms) against 80-90w ??!!. Not to speak of a damping factor of 20 vs, a whooping 100 !! (dynamics anyone ?!). I will audition it with Klipsch speakers at a downtown store in Jan when I'm back from the holidays. I'd love it to outlast me (or at least my audition) . I can get insane money down here for both the Pioneer and my Technics SU-V5 to recover from the expenditure (think at least U$ 800).

Plus I'm awaiting word from a guy that is my audio guru. Thanx everyone for their opinions. I would have thought there would be consensus if not unanimity towards one or the other but it's your opinion that befuddled me; not that I don't appreciate it, mind you.

 

Grainy sound... if you were sitting here, I could demonstrate it. I'm staying the hell away from describing it. Basically, it's not a technical term, but more of a way to approach both the texture of the sound and the resolution. Like pornography, you know it when you see it.

As for less fun... the Pioneer has retro cool, buttons that go thunk, and an energetic, bouncy presentation. The Marantz is a black box, is a little more measured, has microdynamic chops the Pioneer lacks, and doesn't quite have the whole Pelvic Thrust thing going on for stompy rock. The Marantz might just be too boring for you, honestly. It's good, but it's a well-behaved, button-down kind of good. I have no idea if you'll like it. It has a completely different sound than the old Pioneer.

 

Thanx; could you PLEASE link me to the spare part I'd need to buy ? Cannot seem to find the exact part. It's the phono selector. Will give the Marantz a listen but bearing your description firmly in mind. Will NOT set for anything sounding boring definitely.

 

Get the service manual from hifiengine.com, and search ebay for the right button. I don't remember which one it is. I think it's on the right side button board, so that should pop up pretty quickly if you search for "SX-980 push button" on ebay.

 

OK thanx !!!

 

I have a Marantz SR7008. It drives Proacs with great aplomb. It also has a remote control, a standby mode, Internet connectivity and all sorts of good stuff. Sounds amazing too. I'd upgrade.

 

I agree with The Good Guy on getting a phono amp and connecting it to a spare line in on your Pioneer. That seems the simplest and cheapest option.

Which phono amp is the next question!

 

The 980 is worth keeping.
Think of it in car terms,they all need a tuneup (cleaning) once in a while.
Looks like you need to find a real electronic tech.
Or get a can of Deoxit and do it yourself.
I have a 980 myself that I use daily.

Dennis

 

Only non insanely-priced phono stage among the few available down here is a Behringer. Dont think it will be on par with the one thats built in in my receiver

 

Hope this helps
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=203631

 

I had a 717 and liked it a lot!