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OK, so what's with STK amplifier modules?

gadget73 said:
Rarely do you get complaints about how they actually sound, the complaints are more about them being a bit fragile and/or difficulty of replacing them when one fails.
Click to expand...

Seems to be the consensus - which I was very surprised to hear for myself considering the STK use in "lower end" Sansui gear. It was good to read some experience and strategies here and some other threads for keeping the STK driven units healthy and running - efficient 8 ohm speakers and moderate volumes (describes my situation). I plan to re-up the thermal paste on mine and keep listening. Actually picked up a Sansui 331 and 441 as well - I am interested in hearing more variations of this architecture. Thanks.
 
I am surprised by the quality of the sound from the Sony str 5800 receiver which employs modules in its output stage.
Anyone knows if these modules were built by Sony.
 
The STK modules are really just the bias circuit, drivers, and Darlington pair outputs on a single matrix. The only problem with them is that Sanyo no longer makes them and the "chinese copy" ones are highly variable.

One thing to note, they ARE very sensitive to proper cooling, and many of the reproductions work just fine but do not fit flat on the heat sink either because the plastic cover sticks up or the back isn't flat. Very much worth taking a very sharp mill bastard cut file and draw filing the back of the module dead flat (really just get rid of high spots) and then make sure you have the correct amount of heat sink paste and it sits dead flat on the heat sink. Make sure there aren't burrs on the heat sink too.
 
Technics have a proprietary line of power ICs (SVI) while some are pin compatible with some STK lines the internal build is much more discrete components (smd) rather than film resistor
See these two - these have same power amplifier pinouts

the STK (STK2058IV)

A4E62A4E-34E0-4843-9277-AF30ACB3E7A1.jpeg


and the SVI (SVI2004A)

64100209-E507-4FF1-959E-29D2C045E4C6.png
 
Why are people so shocked at how stk's sound? I don't understand the hate with them. Are they finicky with heat, and overload... absolutely. I think they are super easy to replace, and sound awesome. High quality stk's are pretty reliable too.
 
Indeed ime the Technics V4X is a front runner in the Power IC amps…. It’s sound is quite breathtaking….. robust too… I’ve had these doing looong hours in wild conditions
 
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