PIONEER SX-3900 RECEIVER -120W per Ch "SWEET" Last of Silver Era Monsters – Beautifully Restored Start Price USD 150.00 Current Price USD 400.00 Time Left - Bid Count 12 Buy It Now Price USD 525.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 End Time Sunday, September 07, 2008 Location Mooresville, NC See more about 'PIONEER SX-3900 RECEIVER -120W per Ch "SWEET"' Description I am offering for your consideration a rare vintage Pioneer SX-3900 Stereo Receiver. This was the last of the Silver Era’s High Powered “Monster Receivers”, and one of the finest examples of Pioneers Non-Switching Technology from the mid 70’s to early 80’s. It offers 120W per channel @ 8ohms of pure listening pleasure; the other specs are available on-line if that’s important to you or ask me and I’ll provide them. But, the most important spec is the warm, clear sound of the “silver series” line Pioneer offered in this era. If you are like most, I bet you forget how beautiful and full these amps sounded “pure ear-candy”. Plus, the blue dancing fluorescents look really neat.   The tuner section is equally impressive, a true analog tuner with Quartz Locked stability. Tune in you favorite station using the analog dial or digital readout and the tuner will “lock” in the signal and never drift.   Quoting a couple of websites:   Pioneer Fluroscan Receivers - Pioneer components were analog and mechanical devices up to the start of the 1980's. Moving forward, components would be computer controlled and fully digital inside. The fluroscan receivers were the brief transitional link between these two eras. They have analog tuners with mechanical tuning mechanisms, but feature those beautiful blue fluorescent displays. These were the last of the silver beasts where you flipped switches and twiddled knobs to make things happen. After this series, the user would forever have to push program buttons and ask a computer to take action on their behalf.   SX-3900 Receiver — the 3900 was the top of the line Pioneer Fluroscan receiver. It featured the Pioneer Non-Switching amplifier, this time delivering an earth-shaking 120 watts per channel with less than 0.005% total harmonic distortion. It offered a number of additional features over the 3800, including 2 high pass filters, tone turn-over controls for bass and treble, an adapter loop switch, FM de-emphasis, tape duplicate, and 2 phono inputs. As far as silver iron goes, this was it, the best of the last, weighing in at 44 pounds. The SX-3900 was available from 1980 to 1982 at an $800 suggested list price.   About this one:   This SX-3900 has been painstaking restored to its original performance condition. More than just blowing out the dust and cleaning the pots. The faceplate was removed and everything cleaned, polished, adjusted, & lubed. All switches and cables cleaned, light bulbs replaced with correct v/w. The performance is absolutely 100%.   A friend, after seeing & listening to this receiver said it best: "Reminds me of a classic "57 Chevy with its beauty and performance".   I will include a copy of the operation manual.   The Bose 901 users will love the Adaptor Loop feature. This feature will allow you to connect the Bose EQ without using one of the tape loops and if you are driving another type of speaker (without the EQ) simply select the proper speaker switch and turn off the EQ – neat.  Also, the Adaptor Loop is great for sound processors, (RG-2, SR-303, etc.)   Don’t hide this one away in a cabinet! I removed the plastic “contact paper” from the case, repaired a couple of small cracks/dents and refinished. Using real walnut veneers with 3 coats of poly and buffed to a furniture like finish. Look at the pictures – stunning. The original faceplate & knobs are near perfect with all lettering intact. All the knobs and switches are smooth and firm. The imprefections are a couple of minor "scuffs" to the silver top (typical stacking of equipment) I tried to capture in pictures.   I have been driving two sets of speakers (Bose 901 & Pioneer HPM100) HPM's with 12” woofers at insane volumes, I talking “take the glasses off the selves” levels with total clarity. If you are in the market for this type of equipment don’t let this one get away, I don’t think you’ll find a better example.   This is a vintage piece of electronics, so it is being sold “as is” with no implied warranty other than it is guaranteed not to be DOA and as I described. It is over 25 years old and working like new so there is no reason the buyer will not enjoy it another 25 years and then pass it on. Check out my feedback and buy with confidence. Please pay within 3 days of auction close.   The shipping calculator should be correct for the 48conus only. Canada buyers should ask for a shipping quote. Shipping insurance is a must. Remember this is a heavy unit 44 lbs. (no plastic in this puppy). I do add $10.00 for packing materials (that stuff is expensive) but, I do not inflate handling & shipping charges. I generally pay more than you pay.   Thanks for looking Place a Bid!