Pioneer SX-x80 stereo receivers (1978–1980) · c. 1978–1980
Pioneer SX-980
$1,850–2,550typical eBay ask
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 3, 2026
PioneerModel SX-980 · Receiver
The story
The SX-980 is the upper-middle model of Pioneer’s SX-x80 range, above the SX-880 and below the larger SX-1280 and SX-1980. Pioneer rated it at 80 watts per channel into 8 Ω (100 W into 4 Ω), 20 Hz–20 kHz, at 0.05% THD, and at about 41 lb it is a much more substantial chassis than the 880. It is also better equipped. The bass and treble controls have switchable turnover points (200 or 400 Hz for bass, 2.5 or 5 kHz for treble) plus a tone defeat switch. There are 15 Hz and 8 kHz filters, two phono inputs, two tape loops, an aux input and a microphone input, along with signal, tuning and per-channel power meters. It is the most powerful SX-x80 model that still fits on a normal shelf, and a good match for less efficient speakers that a 45 or 60 W receiver struggles to drive.
Before you buy
The pre-purchase checklist
Checklist · 6 checks
- 01Ask for a powered-on photo showing the dial, the signal and tuning meters and both power meters lit.
- 02Confirm the protection relay clicks in and both channels play at matching levels with no crackle or hum.
- 03Ask whether the output transistors are original and whether bias and DC offset have been checked, since a 41 lb, 80 W chassis is expensive to repair after an output failure.
- 04Sweep the tuning dial end to end to check the dial string.
- 05Work the turnover, filter and tone-defeat switches and listen for dropouts or noise.
- 06Insist on double boxing with the heavy transformer end well supported, because heavy receivers are often damaged in shipping.
Buying guide · from Oct 3, 2026 listings
Which one to buy
125 results come up for the SX-980, most of them parts (meters, relays, cabinets, manuals); the complete receivers mostly ask $1,850–2,550 delivered. On a 41 lb, 80 W chassis a stated service matters more than cosmetics, so prefer one with a recent professional service and ask any 'tested' seller for all four meters lit, both channels playing and a bias and DC offset check. Red flags: two titles copied across sellers (the 'Professionally Restored 1-Year Warranty' title also sits on another seller's $1,500 auction, and a '4 POWER SAVERS' title appears at $2,000 and $2,500), and a 'working, sold as-is' unit with no shipping stated. The tested $1,325 Best Offer unit with a nicked case is the value buy; the freshly serviced one at about $2,395 is the low-risk choice.
- Listed now
- 125
- For parts
- 1
- Typical ask
- $1,850–$2,550
- Full range
- $1,200–$2,999
Cheapest$1,324.99est. deliveredView on eBay →Tested and working per the title, about $1,325 delivered with Best Offer from a 100% seller, well under the $1,850–2,550 band. The wood case has nicks and $125 of the price is shipping, so offer on the $1,200 item price and ask to see all four meters lit and both channels playing.
Pioneer SX-980 AM FM Receiver 80w Tested Working - Wood Has Nicks See
Best value$1,818.79est. deliveredView on eBay →About $1,819 delivered with Best Offer from a 99.5% seller, just under the band, in its wood case. The title makes no working claim, so ask for a powered-on photo with the meters lit and whether bias and DC offset have been checked.
Pioneer SX-980 Vintage Stereo Receiver AM FM Wood Case Silver Faceplat
Easiest to get working$2,394.99est. deliveredView on eBay →A fresh professional service per the title, about $2,395 delivered with Best Offer from a 99.1% seller, inside the band. Ask what the service replaced and how a 41 lb receiver will be double boxed.
MONSTER Pioneer SX-980 Vintage Receiver Amplifier Fresh Pro Service Ne
Project piece$1,350.00+ shipView on eBay →Listed as working but sold as-is, $1,350 with shipping not stated, Buy It Now, from a 99.3% seller. As-is means the risk is yours, so get a delivered quote and ask what fault, if any, the seller knows of before buying.
Vintage Pioneer SX-980 Receiver- Working/ Sold As Is
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 125 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-980 AM FM Receiver 80w Tested Working - Wood Has Nicks See
$1,324.99 est. delivered
$1,199.99 + $125.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,199.99
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
Tested and working, about $1,325 delivered with Best Offer; the case has nicks.
Seller: forceofnature12
100% positive
- Used
- Best value
Pioneer SX-980 Vintage Stereo Receiver AM FM Wood Case Silver Faceplat
$1,818.79 est. delivered
$1,699.99 + $118.80 shipping
Buy It Now$1,699.99
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
About $1,819 delivered with its wood case; no working claim, so ask for a powered-on photo.
Seller: darnbros
99.5% positive
- Serviced
- Easiest to get working
MONSTER Pioneer SX-980 Vintage Receiver Amplifier Fresh Pro Service Ne
$2,394.99 est. delivered
$2,319.99 + $75.00 shipping
Buy It Now$2,319.99
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
Fresh professional service per the title, about $2,395 delivered with Best Offer.
Seller: lagunaseca1
99.1% positive
- For parts
- Project piece
Vintage Pioneer SX-980 Receiver- Working/ Sold As Is
$1,350.00 + shipping
$1,350.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$1,350.00
Project piece
Working but sold as-is, shipping not stated; the risk is yours.
Seller: soma5375
99.3% positive
UsedPioneer SX-980 Vintage AM/FM Stereo Receiver 80WPC Silver Face - TESTE
$2,177.35 est. delivered
$2,000.00 + $177.35 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 3d 15h
Our take
Tested per the title, a no-bid auction opening at about $2,177 delivered with over three days left.
Seller: fernga_89
99.2% positive
UsedPIONEER SX 980 STEREO RECEIVER COOL
$2,369.95 est. delivered
$2,295.00 + $74.95 shipping
Buy It Now$2,295.00
Our take
About $2,370 delivered with no condition stated; ask whether it has been tested.
Seller: the-vintageaudio-shop
100% positive
Used- Check the seller
PIONEER SX 980 VINTAGE STEREO RECIEVER / 4 POWER SAVERS
$2,689.23 est. delivered
$2,500.00 + $189.23 shipping
Buy It Now$2,500.00
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.
Heads-up: check the seller
Shares its '4 POWER SAVERS' title with another seller's $2,000 listing, the copied-listing pattern; compare photos before buying either.
Seller: isaac251311
100% positive
Serviced- Check the seller
Pioneer SX-980 80WPC Stereo Receiver Professionally Restored 1-Year Wa
$2,999.00 delivered
$2,999.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,999.00
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.
Heads-up: check the seller
Restored with a 1-year warranty per the title, $2,999 shipped from a 99.9% seller, but the same title is on another seller's $1,500 auction; check which is genuine.
Seller: hqaudios
99.9% positive
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-980s 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.
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