Stereo equipment buying was at it's peak in 1980. New styling, (the blackout dials had disappeared for the most part), there were linear phase time aligned speakers, more efficient speakers with passive radiators, experimentation in driver materials (paper was made for writing), the power wars were still on, discount houses in magazines were doing good, and could cut you a great deal, if you liked your local dealer or not. Speaker cables gained in importance, and that they could make a nice improvement was beginning to gain acceptance. Sonic holography and other spatiality technology made an entrance. Digital also made an entrance. There was an occasional digital lp offered. There were digital time delay systems. Things digital were making their appearance in audio. People who bought their first stereos back in the 1960s were open to upgrading. Some out of desire, some out of need. Equipment doesn't last forever. As far as Sony (in the US), it was still hanging around, but despite previously releasing the best sounding amplifiers (by far), the V Fet integrated amps and Power Amps, they somehow weren't as chic as Pioneer, Technics, Sansui and Marantz. Advertising played a big part; mostly magazine advertising, but occasionaly TV too. Pioneer was the most aggressive. They recruited The Allman Bothers to pitch their equipment. Later, they took out the only magazine ad I can think of, which had pictures of competing company's speakers. Their ad had a picture of The Advent Loudspeaker, the JBL 100, and the AR LST with a musical instrument behind each of them, pertaining to the frequency range each of those speakers were known to excel at. At least according to Pioneer. Pioneer portrayed them as specialists in the midrange, bass, and highs, while touting their own speakers as great AT ALL frequency ranges. Besides the V Fet amps, which to this day, many believe are still the sweetest sounding transistor amps ever, Sony also made an SS-U line of speakers which were by far the least colored speakers, compared to Pioneer, Technics, and Sansui. Japanese coloration was a reality back then. Those with good ears went for speakers more natural sounding.The V Fet is the sweetest sounding transistor ever. I didn't know what to expect the first time I listened to a Sony V Fet amp. Within 30 seconds I remember saying to myself, "There's no TIM, it's perfectly smooth. No audible grain at all. Further listening revealed a purity of tone I'd never heard before and a free flowing effortless musical quality which made other amps sound decidedly mechanical. V Fets got too expensive to manufacture, and some models developed a few other problems which were made worse than the situation really was. There were no V Fet receivers that I know of. Sony was one of the biggest audio companies before brands like Pioneer took over the limelight. Sony regained some of their former glory with the advent of cd.
My first audio component ever was a Sony TA-1130 integrated amp that I bought in 1975. This has kind of the same feel. The 70s Sony gear was awesome. Did yours have an IF wide/narrow band? I couldn't quite tell. I do a little FM DXing and I would love that.
I have an STR-VX750 from 1983. I’m stunned by how different the design is between 79 and 83! Do you have any knowledge of it? I don’t know much about it and don’t know if it’s a good amp or not.
@@stereonichegracias pero ya a mis 70 años mi audición está muy deteriorada, ya no percibo los agudos, por ejemplo un concierto para violín, solo escucho la orquesta y algunas notas del violín. Igual tengo gratos recuerdos de juventud con la música y la alta fidelidad. Saludos.
@@claudioriquelmerodriguez726exacto, ni por nada. Son equipos eternos, fieles y potentes. Me las he llorado todas por esa tontera de haberme deshecho de semejante equipo, independiente que le saqué buen dinero.
@@stereoniche I'm betting it's because they're supporting 2 sets of speakers which would work out to 4 ohms if both were on ... Two sets of 4 ohm speakers would end up at 2 ohms, which maybe they couldn't deal with.
@@stereoniche In the U.S. the manufacturers can be off on the nominal impedence spec by 15%. They are given that much leeway by law. So connecting 2 pairs of 4 ohm speakers could result in say a 1.75 ohm load, which can result in damaging the amp section or sound terrible or make the amp shut down.
Another great review! Those Sony's were very nice! I had two STR-V5's and they sounded awesome, very punchy, I can only imagine the 7!
Thanks for watching!
Stereo equipment buying was at it's peak in 1980. New styling, (the blackout dials had disappeared for the most part), there were linear phase time aligned speakers, more efficient speakers with passive radiators, experimentation in driver materials (paper was made for writing), the power wars were still on, discount houses in magazines were doing good, and could cut you a great deal, if you liked your local dealer or not. Speaker cables gained in importance, and that they could make a nice improvement was beginning to gain acceptance. Sonic holography and other spatiality technology made an entrance. Digital also made an entrance. There was an occasional digital lp offered. There were digital time delay systems. Things digital were making their appearance in audio. People who bought their first stereos back in the 1960s were open to upgrading. Some out of desire, some out of need. Equipment doesn't last forever.
As far as Sony (in the US), it was still hanging around, but despite previously releasing the best sounding amplifiers (by far), the V Fet integrated amps and Power Amps, they somehow weren't as chic as Pioneer, Technics, Sansui and Marantz. Advertising played a big part; mostly magazine advertising, but occasionaly TV too. Pioneer was the most aggressive. They recruited The Allman Bothers to pitch their equipment. Later, they took out the only magazine ad I can think of, which had pictures of competing company's speakers. Their ad had a picture of The Advent Loudspeaker, the JBL 100, and the AR LST with a musical instrument behind each of them, pertaining to the frequency range each of those speakers were known to excel at. At least according to Pioneer. Pioneer portrayed them as specialists in the midrange, bass, and highs, while touting their own speakers as great AT ALL frequency ranges.
Besides the V Fet amps, which to this day, many believe are still the sweetest sounding transistor amps ever, Sony also made an SS-U line of speakers which were by far the least colored speakers, compared to Pioneer, Technics, and Sansui. Japanese coloration was a reality back then. Those with good ears went for speakers more natural sounding.The V Fet is the sweetest sounding transistor ever. I didn't know what to expect the first time I listened to a Sony V Fet amp. Within 30 seconds I remember saying to myself, "There's no TIM, it's perfectly smooth. No audible grain at all. Further listening revealed a purity of tone I'd never heard before and a free flowing effortless musical quality which made other amps sound decidedly mechanical. V Fets got too expensive to manufacture, and some models developed a few other problems which were made worse than the situation really was. There were no V Fet receivers that I know of. Sony was one of the biggest audio companies before brands like Pioneer took over the limelight. Sony regained some of their former glory with the advent of cd.
Early 70s Sony receivers like the 1971 40w str-6055 sound amazing.
Sony has made some great gear.
Very nice retro looking Receiver and in beautiful condition, shame away things changed just after the late 70's
It certainly took a turn for the most part. Some real gems later, like Kyocera, but very few.
solid and well built receiver, from the end of the hifi era
Certainly falls into the "they don't make'em like they used to" category.
I ❤vintage Sony. Have had the v3. Currently i own the ta 1130 and 5130 tuner. My Dad’s 6065 inspired my receiver addiction.
Vintage Sony is not easily found, I don't think they were sold in great volumes at that time.
Wow... major nostalgia trip .... The Sony and Luxman of that era .... (heavy sigh)
I would like to find more of both Sony and Luxman.
It'd be great if you could do some shots with the cover off. Thanks.
Very true. I need to figure out a good way to do that.
It's actually pretty ugly inside. You're not missing anything it looks like wire spaghetti
My first audio component ever was a Sony TA-1130 integrated amp that I bought in 1975. This has kind of the same feel. The 70s Sony gear was awesome. Did yours have an IF wide/narrow band? I couldn't quite tell. I do a little FM DXing and I would love that.
I do not see one on this series.
I have an STR-VX750 from 1983. I’m stunned by how different the design is between 79 and 83! Do you have any knowledge of it? I don’t know much about it and don’t know if it’s a good amp or not.
I do not recall ever seeing that model myself, unfortunately. And yes, the 80's were quite a dramatic shift across the audio industry.
Thank you for the response!
Was shocking to see no 4 ohm speaker support.
Tuve un V7 y la peor estupidez que cometí fue venderlo. Arrepentido de por vida.
¡Oh, no! Espero que encuentres otro algún día.
@@stereonichegracias pero ya a mis 70 años mi audición está muy deteriorada, ya no percibo los agudos, por ejemplo un concierto para violín, solo escucho la orquesta y algunas notas del violín. Igual tengo gratos recuerdos de juventud con la música y la alta fidelidad. Saludos.
Tengo uno v7 ni lo vendo ni muerto una joya ❤
@@claudioriquelmerodriguez726exacto, ni por nada. Son equipos eternos, fieles y potentes. Me las he llorado todas por esa tontera de haberme deshecho de semejante equipo, independiente que le saqué buen dinero.
MAKINON ❤
Wonder why not 4 ohm capability? Strange.
I was surprised by this as well.
@@stereoniche
I'm betting it's because they're supporting 2 sets of speakers which would work out to 4 ohms if both were on ... Two sets of 4 ohm speakers would end up at 2 ohms, which maybe they couldn't deal with.
@@stereoniche In the U.S. the manufacturers can be off on the nominal impedence spec by 15%. They are given that much leeway by law. So connecting 2 pairs of 4 ohm speakers could result in say a 1.75 ohm load, which can result in damaging the amp section or sound terrible or make the amp shut down.
I've never found the Sony brand to be visually appealing.
It is a bit unique.
They take LEDS well. Big improvement