Heavy, won't blow away in a wind storm

Replacine panel lights is a big job especially when you can't find a replacement bulb

This sk-828 was given to me because the left channel had a popping noise. I blew out all the dust and found a small heatsink rattling around inside having the ceramic screw shattered. I re-attached it using a plastic screw and the popping noise is gone. It appears to be a nice unit. My main gripe is the funky panel lights that look like a common 1/4 x 1 1/4" round fuse 8V @ .3A number IKOH. Who makes these bulbs that look like a fuse? I have been in the business for over forty years-never saw one. I am crusing the web site now looking for these silly bulbs.

quality build
internal components covered with RF shielding
incredible sound
beautiful astetics

none yet after over a year of use

I was fortunate enough to find my Pioneer SX-828 in mint hardly used condition. All I had to do was clean the controls because the unit sat over the years with little use. I can't say enough about this receiver. It is terrific quality throughout. All the electronic components are logically placed and all with the exception of the big caps and transformer are shielded with metal RF covers (believe me this does make a difference in noise and sound quality). The controls have a solid tactile feel on the switches and the rotary controls are smooth and sure. The tone and balance feature click stops. Each function has an indicator and the faceplate and tuning dial are beautiful. This was Pioneers top of the line at the time and it shows. FM section is very sensitive and quiet with excellent selectivity. I'm not sure what the power is on this unit (probably 50 watts a channel) but it packs a punch and it is clean and undistorted with a wide open soundstage. This is all the receiver the average audio enthusiast needs and then some. If you can find one of these working and in reasonable shape buy it. This receiver is a sleeper.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer SA-9500 II
Pioneer TX-9100
McIntosh MR-73

I've read some reviews of some classic components a few time and thought I'd put my two cents in. WHAT A FIND
I found the SX-828 on a shelf at a store that was going out of business.They were playing Muzac through it and hadn't touched it only one time. I jumped on it but they wouldn't part with it till the store finally closed down.
I used it as my primary reciever for several years and loved it. It's got 2 phono inputs (MM & MC),a Quad tape input,analog tuning dial and puts out 180 watts of pure tube pleasure.It even has half inch solid wood sides! At the time my speakers were junk so I didn't know just how good this baby was.
WAVE OF THE FUTURE
I finally got into HT and got the top of the line Sony pro logic. I loved the new bells and whistles and the pro logic, but after a while I hooked the Pioneer back up to my new speakers and was floored. It sounded heavenly.
I sold the poineer to my father and it sit in his shop for about 2 years before I finally begged him to sell it back. It made a great bedroom system. I run two Peavy monitors in the bedroom so it wasn't quite audiophile sound or nothin',but it still rocked.
THE PIONEER GETS REBORN!!
I recently bought the Kenwood VR-2080 (see review). Dolby Digital just sounded so much better than Pro logic. I love the Kenwood but it bit the dust and is in the shop for repairs. So I hooked the ole Pioneer back up to my main system.I run Energy 4.1e's for the fronts,Energy 3.1e's in the rear,Energy AC-300 center and an M&K V125 Sub. All I hooked up to the Pioneer was the 2 front speakers and once again I was dumbfounded. It blew the Kenwood totaly out of the water on music. I didn't know my Energy's could sound so fabulous.And the bass it put out just blew me away. I even checked to make sure I didn't hook the sub up,I couldn't believe it. Finally I unplugged the Sub just to be sure. Holy cow! I just got a loner Harmon-Kardon AV55 digital reciever from circut city and it doesn't hold a candle to the ole Pioneer.
As soon as I get my Kenwood back from the shop, I'm hooking up the Pioneer to run the fronts through the pre-in inputs in the Kenwood. Life is good. I'm sorry I neglected you for so long.