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Sony Experts - info needed

bobdod

bobdod

Super Member
I mentioned in an earlier post that I’ve added an STR-6120 to the restoration queue, and as I wait to get to it, I am wondering about the “center channel” output on this and other Sony gear of the period. A look at the owner’s manual shows the following:
BA2874DC-BA52-44AD-9995-36B40F145DF4.jpeg

So my question to the Sony experts out there is this: Did Sony make a mono amp that would be contemporary to the STR-6120? And if not, what would Sony have recommended one use for this mono center channel amp?

I could see using this receiver for a 2.1 system with a passive subwoofer, and I’d like to keep it all Sony, or at least as Sony would have intended at the time.
 
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I'm not a Sony expert but I was wondering if you tried hooking up a powered subwoofer to it. It seems like you would accomplish the same thing.
 
FauxHall said:
There's a mono amp that fits - TA -3130f

It's half of a TA-3200f
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The 3130F is a two channel power amplifier, not a monoblock. Sony sold an active crossover unit back then. Allowing you to control woofers, midrange and tweeters. Basically what they are showing in that drawing with the high and low filters. It was adjustable. Those small form amps like the 3130 could be used with the active crossover. I saw a Sony drawing once depicting the TA-2000F preamp, a TA-3200F power amp, the crossover unit and a couple of the small form amps all connected together. The speakers we're tri-amped.
As already suggested, a powered subwoofer would achieve the same thing.
 
Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I know a powered sub would work, but I was just curious about what Sony had originally intended with the center channel mono output. If one was putting together a full Sony system at the time, I wonder what they would have used. Sounds like Sony didn't have an amp that could pair with several units featuring mono output center channels.

I am aware of the ta-4300 active crossover and the use of the shoebox amps with it, but that setup is all stereo and not compatible with the str-6120, which lacks pre-outs needed to use the ta-4300.
 
FauxHall said:
Darn! You're correct. I've long seen photos of the half-width amps and assumed they were stereo.

Sorry for adding confusion.
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It would be cool if Sony had made small form monoblocks. I like the small footprint. The Marantz model 16 and 16B stereo amps are acually two compact 80 watt monoblocks bolted together and screwed to a single faceplate. I restored and recently sold a model 16. One has a short power cord that plugs into the other one. They were sold as monoblocks also as the model 16M.
 
bobdod said:
Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I know a powered sub would work, but I was just curious about what Sony had originally intended with the center channel mono output. If one was putting together a full Sony system at the time, I wonder what they would have used. Sounds like Sony didn't have an amp that could pair with several units featuring mono output center channels.

I am aware of the ta-4300 active crossover and the use of the shoebox amps with it, but that setup is all stereo and not compatible with the str-6120, which lacks pre-outs needed to use the ta-4300.
Click to expand...
Is there a center channel line level output on the STR-6120? If so it can be used like the drawing suggests. I've had a couple preamps with a center channel output with a gain control on the back for them. They work great for connecting an amplfier for a sub. If not, Y cables from the pre-out will work. You may need to add a volume control between the 6120 and filter though.
 
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