Pioneer SX-424

Pioneer SX-434

The SX-424 was introduced around 1972 and manu- factured through 1973 but these dates are not certain because Pioneer's own literature doesn't even list this model, which was probably just an oversight. It was Pioneer's most affordable receiver, listing for around $200. It's rated 15w per channel was deceptive having adequate power for driving practically any speakers. It had separate fuses for left and right channels and was wired for four channel sound; you could run four speakers simultaneously.    

The SX-434 was introduced in 1974 to replace the SX-424 and built through 1975. It was also rated at 15 watts per channel. It featured the addition of a channel balance knob which was sorely needed on the SX-424. Pushbuttons were now aluminum, not plastic. The SX-434 listed for $239.95, but it was not Pioneer's most affordable receiver. That was given to a virtually unknown receiver in Pioneer's 1974 line, called the Sound Project 300, with a rating of 7 watts per channel and a price of $189.00.

Pioneer SX-440 

The SX-440 was manufactured in 1970 and may have been offered in 1969 as the LX-440A, (shown here). It was rated at 15w per channel. With a list price of $199.95, it was a great first receiver for that young high school grad going off to college.

The SX-450 was introduced in 1976 as the entry-level receiver of Pioneer's line. It also benefited from the new total silver look. It featured 15 watts per channel, and for most first-time buyers, this was adequate. Its performance specifications were nearly identical to the SX-650, except for the output per channel. It was offered again in 1977, with a list price for both years right around the $200 range. Unlike the more expensive receiver models, there was no SX-480 to supercede the SX-450.