Pioneer SX-x80 stereo receivers (1978–1980) · c. 1978–1980
Pioneer SX-780
$625–1,000typical eBay ask
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 3, 2026
PioneerModel SX-780 · Receiver
The story
The SX-780 belongs to Pioneer’s SX-x80 generation, which replaced the x50 receivers in 1978. Pioneer rated it at 45 watts per channel into 8 Ω from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at no more than 0.05% THD, a much tighter distortion figure than the older SX-650. The x80 receivers also switched to black meter faces with white markings, and they are noticeably lighter than the x50 models they replaced. Inside, the SX-780’s power amplifier is built around Pioneer’s STK-0050 hybrid power modules rather than a fully discrete output stage, and Pioneer marketed the amp section as “DC with a Difference.” The feature set is straightforward: AM/FM tuner, one phono input, aux, two tape loops, bass and treble with loudness, a 15 Hz low filter and A/B speaker outputs. Original list was around $325. It is a good-looking, moderately powered receiver for a modest room and efficient speakers.
Before you buy
The pre-purchase checklist
Checklist · 6 checks
- 01Ask the seller to play both channels at moderate volume, since the output stage uses hybrid power modules and a failed module means sourcing a replacement part.
- 02Confirm the protection relay engages after warm-up and that neither channel cuts in and out.
- 03Check the dial and meter lamps in photos, and ask whether they are original bulbs or LED replacements.
- 04Sweep the tuning knob end to end to make sure the dial string and pointer move cleanly.
- 05Listen for scratchy volume and balance pots and intermittent selector or speaker switches, which usually respond to cleaning.
- 06Ask whether any capacitors have been replaced, and get a description of the work rather than just “serviced.”
Buying guide · from Oct 3, 2026 listings
Which one to buy
121 SX-780s are listed, six for parts, and most complete ones ask $625–1,000 delivered. The amp uses hybrid power modules, so ask the seller to play both channels and to describe any service rather than just saying 'serviced'. One seller, mortstv2010, has three serviced SX-780s under the same title at $1,000, $1,000 and $1,300 shipped, so ask which unit you get and why one costs $300 more. Red flags: a copied title shared by four sellers (the zero-feedback one is shown here), and $200 shipping on an otherwise mid-band tested unit. Bargain hunters can watch the no-bid $471 auction; the serviced $1,000 unit is the low-risk buy.
- Listed now
- 121
- For parts
- 6
- Typical ask
- $625–$1,000
- Full range
- $350–$1,300
Cheapest$470.69est. deliveredView on eBay →Listed as working, a no-bid auction opening at $350, about $471 delivered with almost four days left, from a 100% seller. $121 of that is shipping and it will likely climb; a cap near $625 delivered keeps it under the band.
Pioneer SX-780 Vintage AM/FM Stereo Receiver WORKING
Best value$699.65est. deliveredView on eBay →Listed as fully tested and working, about $700 delivered with Best Offer from a 100% seller, in the lower half of the $625–1,000 band. $200 of that is shipping, so offer on the $500 item price.
Vintage Pioneer SX-780 Stereo Receiver – Fully Tested & Working – Made
Easiest to get working$999.95deliveredView on eBay →Serviced, cleaned and tested, $1,000 with free shipping, Buy It Now, from a 100% seller, at the top of the band. The same seller lists an identical one at the same price and a third at $1,300, so ask what each service covered.
PIONEER SX-780 VINTAGE AM/FM STEREO RECEIVER - SERVICED - CLEANED - TE
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 3, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ; eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
Snapshot captured · listings may have ended
8 of 121 listedLive on eBay right now
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 3, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ; eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
- Used
- Cheapest
Pioneer SX-780 Vintage AM/FM Stereo Receiver WORKING
$470.69 est. delivered
$349.99 + $120.70 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 3d 18h
Good buy
Working per a 100% seller, no bids yet at about $471 delivered; worth a bid if it stays under the band.
Seller: rf05082
100% positive
- Used
- Best value
Vintage Pioneer SX-780 Stereo Receiver – Fully Tested & Working – Made
$699.65 est. delivered
$500.00 + $199.65 shipping
Buy It Now$500.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Fully tested and working, about $700 delivered, though $200 of that is shipping; offer on the item price.
Seller: naneani
100% positive
- Serviced
- Easiest to get working
PIONEER SX-780 VINTAGE AM/FM STEREO RECEIVER - SERVICED - CLEANED - TE
$999.95 delivered
$999.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$999.95
Good buy
Serviced and cleaned, $1,000 shipped from a 100% seller; one of three same-titled units from this seller.
Seller: mortstv2010
100% positive
UsedPioneer SX-780 stereo receiver. Classic silver face model w/ analog wa
$822.65 est. delivered
$749.99 + $72.66 shipping
Buy It Now$749.99
Our take
About $823 delivered, right at the median, but the title doesn't say it's tested; ask before buying.
Seller: stereobooklets
99.7% positive
UsedPIONEER SX-780 AM/FM Stereo Receiver 45 WPC New LED's Quality Sound EX
$866.50 est. delivered
$780.00 + $86.50 shipping
Buy It Now$780.00
Our take
New LED lamps at about $867 delivered; ask the LED color if you want the original look, and what else was done.
Seller: bearmountainvintage
100% positive
ServicedPIONEER SX-780 VINTAGE AM/FM STEREO RECEIVER - SERVICED - CLEANED - TE
$999.95 delivered
$999.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$999.95
Our take
Identical title and $1,000 price to the picked unit from the same seller; compare photos and pick the cleaner one.
Seller: mortstv2010
100% positive
ServicedPIONEER SX-780 VINTAGE AM/FM STEREO RECEIVER - SERVICED - CLEANED - TE
$1,299.95 delivered
$1,299.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,299.95
Our take
Same seller and title as two $1,000 units but $1,300; ask what justifies the extra $300.
Seller: mortstv2010
100% positive
Used- Check the seller
Pioneer SX-780 Vintage AM/FM Stereo Receiver
$544.95 est. delivered
$488.50 + $56.45 shipping
Buy It Now$488.50
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Heads-up: check the seller
Zero-feedback seller using a title four sellers share, the copied-listing scam pattern; the low $545 price is the bait.
Seller: mel_643841
No feedback yet
Prices and availability change daily. The full, current search on eBay shows every matching listing, including new ones since Oct 3, 2026.
See all current listings on eBay →After you buy
Search supplies on Amazon →Service supplies
Most SX-780s need their controls and switches cleaned, and many need dial or meter lamps. Contact cleaner is the first thing to buy; leave internal adjustments and recapping to the service manual or a technician.
Step up, step down, or stay in the family
