Former audio snob humbled; Pioneer SX-1010 question

[Jim B]

I confess I was somewhat of an audio snob, feeling that my Harman Kardon and NAD equipment was a cut above Pioneer. But I recently got a good deal on a Pioneer SX-1010 receiver; it was so massive, I couldn't resist. Whoa! It is the best amp I've ever had. Great, powerful clear sound. Better than my HK and NAD receivers. I was wrong!

One questions though, it is in excellent shape, but I noticed that the tuner needle seems to drag a little. It still turns pretty smoothly, but I hear a very faint "scritch, scritch" sound as it moves along the dial. The top of the needle seems to move first, then the bottom of the needle pops loose and catches up with it. Nothing major, but it's hard to really tune it precisely. The bottom of the needle may be dragging lightly against the number dial.

Before I open up the case, I wondered if anyone had any experience with this.

Also, the red light at the tip of the needle is not lighting up.

Any tips on how to fix this?

Thanks for any help.

[markp]

Tighten up the string and spray lube the guide for the pointer without getting the string wet. The light at the end of the pointer is usually a bulb behind the back end of the pointer and the light conducts down a plastic rod to the end of the pointer.

[Enzo]

DOn't know if I should help someone from Ann Arbor, but here goes.

It sounds like your tip is draggin on either the screen or the dial face. Do the stuf Jim suggested. Rather than spray, I usually squirt my oil on a Qtip and wipe it on the surface. No overspray then. If the runner is gliding on the track smoothly and freely and is not sloppy. You might need to gently bend it to a new angle.

I don't know that model, but some shine on the plastic, and some even have a bulb mounted to the cursor with long wires trailing back to the board.

If the bulb is not lighting and you need to replace it, Measure the voltage when it should be ON. Then select a bulb for a slightly higher voltage. That is, use a 12v lamp if the circuit is 10v.

SOme receivers only light the cursor when the radio functions are selected, and others control the brightnes of it to indicate a station is present. In either case, the bulb is controlled as opposed to just lit all the time, and there is possibly trouble in the control circuit. Or it could be something simple like a dirty contact on a function selector switch on the panel.

[Jim B]

I'll take good advice, even from a Spartan! Actually I'm a MSU grad myself, and really enjoyed my time in Lansing.

Thanks too, markp.

From what I can see, Pioneer isn't as good about posting old owner's manuals on their web-site so it's nice to have forums like this.

[nuvistor]

Check out audiokarma.org , they have forums "vintage solid state" and "Pioneer"