Pioneer SX-525

Pioneer SX-535

The SX-525 was introduced in 1972 and manufactured through 1973. It was rated at 17 watts per channel but this was actually quite adequate for most listeners looking for a receiver with the SX-525's list price of just under $240.00. It was finished win vinyl woodgrain with solid walnut trim.

The SX-535 the follow-up model to the SX-525 and was introduced in 1974 and manufactured through 1975. Output per channel was bumped up slightly to 20 watts per channel RMS. Controls differed from the SX-525, and all pushbuttons were now aluminum instead of plastic. It had a list price of just under $300.

Pioneer SX-550

The SX-550 was the all-silver successor to the SX535. It was introduced in 1976 and was produced through 1977. The analog tuning dial was silver with clear plastic face, as other Pioneer receiver models were in the late 1970s. It was rated at 20 watts per channel RMS. With a list price $250.00, it was a very affordable and popular receiver in Pioneer's line. Pioneer achieved the lower price by moving production of its lower-end receivers to the Republic of Korea.

Pioneer SX-580

The SX-580 was introduced in 1978 and actually had a lower price than the SX-550 with a list price of only $225.00 and was Pioneer's entry-level receiver. The price climbed back up to $250.00 in 1979. This 500 model was still rated at 20 watts per channel. The primary difference from the SX-550 was the change to a more readable black signal strength meter. It was produced through 1980. Interestingly, the SX-580 lost weight; it was the lightweight of the Pioneer receiver line at 18.25 pounds.