My understanding of the 6060 series is the STR-6060 had the same front end as the ST-5000 tuner while the STR-6060F/FW had the later ST-5000F/FW front end and the cumulative production run changes incorporated into the STR-6060. There are 2 theories as to the difference between the first and FW. The first was the FW was the F packaged with the wood cabinet. The model came with the 2 boxes and could be separated by the dealer or left combined allowing a way of discounting from the requirement that Sony could not be discounted. I was not observant back then but remember Cramer would get the same number of 6060s and cabinets with each order. The company did not do the same with other companies and even Sony models that optioned the wood cabinets.
The second was the FW had circuit changes to better conform to the new FTC rating system. When it came in many companies had problems as the amps tested rather embarrassingly. I do not have the SM anymore for the 6060/F/FW so can not confirm.
The 6060, 6120 and, 6200 are an amazing trio of receivers and honestly and I honestly I can only think of the Marantz 18 and 19 for an alternative company putting out such high quality receivers sequentially.
I had the 6060 at the same time as the 6120 so could compare and it was a tossup for me which I liked better. Each had its sonic advantage and the build quality of the 6060 is amazing, we'll up to the best ever assembled. The 6120 in some was built on the 6060 as to design, look at the tone controls for instance but build quality showed some pullback such as reduced shielding. Soundwise the 6060 is more Mc classic tube sound than the 6120 that showed movement from that voicing but not all the way to the classic Sony SS sonics of the 6200 and later receivers. I found I tended to listen to the 6060 more than the 6120. However the 3 (yes, I had 3) 6060s went to a single buyer who wanted them so, the 6120 won by default.
I had not heard a 6200 in years but the receiver owned longer than any other is a 6065. The 6065 as good as it is and it is very good, dicing the much vaulted Marantz 2270 IMHO easily missed the mark compared to the 6120. It in absolute terms is a very good receiver but simply outclassed in almost every way by the 6120. I finally had a short time to try a reworked 6200 against the 6120 that also had been gone through. Tuner to tuner, I found no difference nor with the phono preamp. So, it boiled down to the preamp and power amp. As they can not be separated they can not be individually tested except as a complete unit. I can easily see why people who have tested both can favor one over the other and some have the same quandary I did with the 6060 and 6120.
The 6200 with its direct coupled amp moves the sound towards the Pioneer side of the scale, faster, somewhat more air, more analytical. You could say more towards the perceived sound of typical ss amps. The 6120 with its cap coupled output seems a bit slower, not as analytical and somewhat less detailed. Seems like I am knocking the 6120 but, I am not. It is for me the better of the two. I find the 6120 is like listening to an acoustic piano vs the 6200 that reminds me of listening to an electronic keyboard piano. I found the 6200 did better with rock, etc. While the 6120 did better with acoustic instruments, classical and jazz with the speakers we used. I did not test the 6200 against the 6065 but to me it sounded like a better 6065 while the 6120 was a better 6060.
Right now I am still downsizing. The 6120 is still here running up against the Philips 797 but Philips did such a poor packaging job, the Sony wins on looks by a mile. It does count for something. Up against both is my little Sherwood S9500c amps and S3300 tuner. Half the power, much smaller, less complex under the hood and right up there sonically. I suspect it will come down to the Sony and Sherwoods in the end with the final decision being based on the speakers I end up with.
A problem with Sony model numbering is depending on the country a model may be in the catalog, not introduced yet or kept in while in other locales It has been replaced. Some units obsoleted in the US were still marketed in Japan for years after and some variants such as those with smooth knobs in some countries were supplanted with models with different suffixes and knurled knobs. Sony seemed very responsive to differing market trends. So, be a might careful using non-US catalogs, etc. In pulling the data together as you are doing so for the US market.
Additionally Sony like some other companies had different model for different distribution systems. But, it did not use different branding such as Panasonic and Technics and Marantz and Superscope. Hence, in a model year you will units with what appears to be overlapping markets such as the STR-3600 and STR-6045. The former was for companies such as BuyRite while the STR-6045 where for the audio salons.
Just my 2 pennies worth on the subject.
