Sony STR-7800SD

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alexrw3

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Just picked up this old girl for $50 with a money back guarantee if I don't like her. Deoxit on the controls and alcohol cleaning for the tuning cap and she is singing like a bird driving a pair of Smaller Advents. Sounds great and will probably replace the Realistic STA-2100D I have been using. Lamps for meters are burned out. Now I have to listen to all of my favorite music again before I start my tax return.

Pictures are not the greatest but I broke my tripod and my hands are still shaking.
 

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On my wish list to join my STR 5800 and 6800. That was a great price! Very warm sound and stout wpc. Good tuner, decent phono section. Lots of hook-up versatility.
 
Very nice receiver. And I will bet that it has one of the best tuner sections of any vintage receiver and better than lots of stand alone tuners.

I have a STR-7065 receiver and ST-4950 tuner and they really pull in the stations. Overlooked and underrated.
 
Bordeno - I have a Yamaha T-85. I am most anxious to do a comparison.

I checked the DC offset before firing up the Sony. 6mv on one channel and 12 mv on the other. Think I will leave it alone for now.
 
alexrw3 said:
... and alcohol cleaning for the tuning cap...
Click to expand...

I have my "new" Sony STR 7055 open today for cleaning. What is this tuning cap and how do you clean it?

Ken
 
I'm eargerly awaiting some solid walnut side panels for my STR-7800SD. It's such a well made bird I dont understand why Sony elected to go with such tacky looking vinyl on the side panels. :scratch2:
 
vintagestereo said:
I'm eargerly awaiting some solid walnut side panels for my STR-7800SD. It's such a well made bird I dont understand why Sony elected to go with such tacky looking vinyl on the side panels. :scratch2:
Click to expand...

... and why it was distributed so sparingly and on so very few markets, too :(
 
Wonderful receiver!! Congrats!! Next to the STR-6200F, is my favorite.

KeninDC said:
I have my "new" Sony STR 7055 open today for cleaning. What is this tuning cap and how do you clean it? Ken
Click to expand...
Very, very carefully. The tuning cap and associated trimmer caps are easily damaged by liquid cleaners of any type. Is best to simply use a very soft camelhair brush and little bit of air or vacuum be done with it. Many a tuning cap has been damaged with injudicious cleaning. I recently cleaned my STR-7055A inside and out and did so without touching the tuning cap.
 
vintagestereo said:
I'm eargerly awaiting some solid walnut side panels for my STR-7800SD. It's such a well made bird I dont understand why Sony elected to go with such tacky looking vinyl on the side panels. :scratch2:
Click to expand...

That must've been the one cost saving, 'cause they sure didn't skimp on the insides.
Good point because my STR-7065 I believe has a real wood case - not just walnut veneer. Beautiful unit. Also heavy as hell for its size.
 
I had one alexrw3, a great receiver. From the sounds of it sofar, I don't think you'll be excercising that money back guarantee if I don't like her option. :thmbsp:
 
NICE !!!
Mine is in need of some attention.
Don't spray Deoxit on your tuner.
You won't like it.
What can I say, I was totally new at this.
Still getting up the nerve to try and clean it.
I believe servicemanuals.net has the service manual.
Thanks for the pics !!!
 
krazyknuc - I have successfully cleaned several dozen tuning capacitors. Using a fine paint brush, rubbing alcohol and compressed air has worked most of the time. Merrylander gave me this tip.

I also apply just a drop of Deoxit (actually I have some of the earlier version called Cramolin) at each of the contact points with a toothpick and work the dial back and forth several times. This combination has never failed me. One must, of course, be gentle and not bend any of the tuning fins or disturb the variable trim capacitors.

I once sprayed Deoxit directly into a capacitor. The tuning alignment was thrown off until the Deoxit dried completely, which took about a day. No permanent harm done and the tuna worked fine afterwards.
 
alexrw3 said:
krazyknuc - I have successfully cleaned several dozen tuning capacitors. Using a fine paint brush, rubbing alcohol and compressed air has worked most of the time. Merrylander gave me this tip.

I also apply just a drop of Deoxit (actually I have some of the earlier version called Cramolin) at each of the contact points with a toothpick and work the dial back and forth several times. This combination has never failed me. One must, of course, be gentle and not bend any of the tuning fins or disturb the variable trim capacitors.

I once sprayed Deoxit directly into a capacitor. The tuning alignment was thrown off until the Deoxit dried completely, which took about a day. No permanent harm done and the tuna worked fine afterwards.
Click to expand...

Great information. THANK YOU for sharing. I'm getting ready to add a page about the 7800SD to the Monster Receiver web site. Just waiting for the panels to get finished so I can do the photography. Can I post your info. there?

-- Chris
 
Yes, please feel free to post the information. I hope it helps some other AKers.

As a side note, my STR-7800SD came with solid wood (walnut?) side panels. They were off when I took the pictures.
 
Thanks for the encouragment alexrw3 :thmbsp: .
I had read and saved that thread regarding the cleaning of tuners and am working up the nerve to try it when time allows. :scratch2:
What did you use to get in between the "fins" ????
Re: deoxit - I was not so lucky with mine.
The tuner already required a calibration as 107.1 was at about 108, but after spraying with deoxit I can't get my Toronto classic rock station anymore and only a few other stations even come in.
Live, make more work, and learn (that's the plan anyways) :yes:
Would be nice to get my 7800 sd and my work in progress Marantz 2325 operational and do some comparison listening.
That sony really rocked when it was working.
Maybe take both receivers and my Mach 1's to the park and crank it up, get some unbiased opinions. :D
I wish everyone hear at AudioKarma a great day !
Thanks everyone !
 
Krazyknuc - I have been told that dust between the fins does not degrade their performance. (Other opinions welcome.) Being a bit anal, however, I usually do a light cleaning between the fins with the paintbrush and a little alcohol followed by drying with compressed air. The critical area to clean is where the shaft makes rotating contact.

I would suggest cleaning your capacitor with a fine paintbrush / rubbing alcohol / compressed air dry. Perhaps the Deoxit dried creating some type of bridge between the fins and thereby changing their capacitance. Don't know for sure. Good luck.
 
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