Name: Pioneer SX 980
Brand: Pioneer

An AM/FM stereo receiver from Pioneer's high-end SX-series, built at the tail end of the 1970s, the brand's golden era for audio gear.

Overview

The Pioneer SX-980 is an AM/FM stereo receiver released in 1978 as part of Pioneer's SX-series, a line known for high-fidelity performance and sturdy engineering. It was a moderate upgrade over the SX-950 and is recognized as the final model in Pioneer's 900 series of receivers. It came out at the peak of the brand's analog audio development, and the design aims at powerful, dynamic sound with precision.

Specifications

Product type	AM/FM stereo receiver
Original price	$600–$700
Power output	80 watts per channel at 8 ohms
Features	separate bass and treble controls with turnover

Design

The SX-980 uses a constant current loaded 2-stage differential amplifier with a direct coupled 2-stage Darlington single push-pull output stage. The output meters read in watts. There is a lot of internal filtering to keep things stable.

Context

Pioneer positioned the SX-980 as a premium receiver in its 1970s SX-series, which is regarded as one of the brand's "Famous Series." It was the last of the 900 series, and it closed out a high-performance line that included the SX-950, SX-1050, SX-1250, and SX-1980. Its release in 1978 put it at the end of a golden era for analog receivers, known for big, dynamic sound with deep bass and wide soundstaging.