M Jarve
Audio Geek and NGE Freak
Here is my inaugural photo series with my new camera. It is a Sony STR-6036A stereo receiver I picked up via the local free shopper for a diminutive $10.00. Of course it had all the problems of an older receiver, and the owner was hesitant about charging anything for it, as we could get nothing but static sounds from any input. I convinced her that it was nothing I could not handle, and $10.00 was all she would take for it (she had originally asked $30.00). She and her late husband were heavy smokers, so the front, top, and sides were pretty well caked in cigarette slime, and even after several cleanings it still smells of stale cigarettes, but it is tolerable. After several months, I still have it airing out in the basement.
I cleaned the pots and installed new light bulbs, one of which was defective from the factory, as it blew immediately. The top/side cover is made of plywood and is veneered in real wood. This was a delightful little surprise, especially because my suspicions say that this unit was at or near the bottom of the line.
Construction quality is very good, and everything is laid out nicely and it is easy to work on. The tuner looks to be of a pretty healthy design. The power amplifier consists of two Sony branded STK-0054’s (one per channel), and the power supply caps are good sized too. Measuring the secondary voltage on the transformer, I am guessing this is about 20 watts per channel ( (V^2/I)/2=P for class AB power method). The transformer and power supply seem to agree with that guess.
For a system with STK outputs, it handles low-impedance loads very well. With my Wharfedale Diamond 7.2ALE speakers, the heatsinks never became more than moderately warm with moderately loud listening over the course of half an hour. The power amp board also contains some sort of vacuum tube protection system (vacuum enclosed circuit breaker?) for each channel.
Listening to it, it is slightly warm of neutral with the tone controls at flat, and the loudness contour on. It can go quite loud and it clips gracefully without hard distortion or other nasties. In general, it is very similar to the h/k 330c in terms of sound and performance. I really like the appearance too.
I cleaned the pots and installed new light bulbs, one of which was defective from the factory, as it blew immediately. The top/side cover is made of plywood and is veneered in real wood. This was a delightful little surprise, especially because my suspicions say that this unit was at or near the bottom of the line.
Construction quality is very good, and everything is laid out nicely and it is easy to work on. The tuner looks to be of a pretty healthy design. The power amplifier consists of two Sony branded STK-0054’s (one per channel), and the power supply caps are good sized too. Measuring the secondary voltage on the transformer, I am guessing this is about 20 watts per channel ( (V^2/I)/2=P for class AB power method). The transformer and power supply seem to agree with that guess.
For a system with STK outputs, it handles low-impedance loads very well. With my Wharfedale Diamond 7.2ALE speakers, the heatsinks never became more than moderately warm with moderately loud listening over the course of half an hour. The power amp board also contains some sort of vacuum tube protection system (vacuum enclosed circuit breaker?) for each channel.
Listening to it, it is slightly warm of neutral with the tone controls at flat, and the loudness contour on. It can go quite loud and it clips gracefully without hard distortion or other nasties. In general, it is very similar to the h/k 330c in terms of sound and performance. I really like the appearance too.
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