Sony stereo - why so cheap?

[merrylander]

Picked up a Sony STR7065 off eBay for a song and I must say that I am impressed. That puppy pulls in stations like a magnet, looks gorgeous (and will look even better after I refinish the case) but like Rodney "They don't get no respect".
Anyone know what the power output is? I suspect somewher in the 75 WPC range, it sure did make those little Pioneer mini monitors I built sing their heads off.

As a side note , there is a Yammie CR-3020 up on eBay but I think it is getting out of my price range - maybe just as well as I don't think I can lift an 85 pound receiver onto the bench

Rob

 

[AlphaLimaXray]

Oh, I can see why you like that '3020. You're right- a 10-day listing starting at $5, which has skyrocketed to over $150 in less than a day- makes it doubtful it'll sell low. Man, I started getting interested in vintage audio a few years too late. :sigh: Oh well...

I'm glad you like your Sony. Have you Googled the model number for info, yet? Make sure Google is set for English and non-Engilsh results; I've often found interesting info on Japanese and German sites. Google will often be able to translate sites (with varying effectiveness) in the latter language.
Good luck. :thmbsp:

Cheers.

-AlphaLima

 

[Brian]

Way back when, Sony audio had US distribution issues b/s of its agreements with Superscope which early in the days sewed up Sony in the US. The company wanted to market the tape gear and high profit low end stuff while promoting Marantz which it had grabbed from Saul and utilize the capacity of Standard Radio in Japan which it controlled. It also developed the Superscope line. By the time Sony got Superscope off its back, its name was mud with audio dealers. It had an excellent audio line equal and better than most others with no distribution. Had to go to the mass merchandisers with lower end stuff to generate the profits to support the limited audio specialist network that supported it. As a result, it did not gain the recognition it should have being overshadowed by the likes of Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood, and Yamaha. Today we tend to relive our youth and give more attention to those marketing successes from that period creating more of a sellers' market for them and hence higher price. Does not mean they are not high quality just not as well recognized. Today I picked up a STR6060F, my 3rd Sony receiver and it is a beauty.

 

[MikeJ]

Would u mind posting a pic of that STR6060F. Thanks

 

[AlphaLimaXray]

Yikes. The Yammie Rob was talking about, with more than 8½ days to go, has already jumped to over $316! Sure, it's still well below what the average '3020 fetches, particularly in this one's condition, but the bidding is off to a good start!

BTW, anyone got some specs for the CR-3020?

Cheers.

-AlphaLima

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Originally posted by merrylander
Picked up a Sony STR7065 off eBay for a song and I must say that I am impressed. That puppy pulls in stations like a magnet, looks gorgeous (and will look even better after I refinish the case) but like Rodney "They don't get no respect".
Anyone know what the power output is? I suspect somewher in the 75 WPC range, it sure did make those little Pioneer mini monitors I built sing their heads off.
Rob

STR-7065 makes 60wpc @ 8ohms and was mfr'd from '73-78. They also made an 'A' model from '75-78, but don't know what the difference might be. You are certainly right about "no respect". I recently picked up a truly mint STR-7055A for $20 and it is just like you stated. Excellent tuner and sound. Is physically smaller in size than Yamaha, but weighs a bit more, if my arms are calibrated. Sony must be the Rodney Dangerfield of vintage receivers. I find that the only receivers that are the equal of the Yamahas from the ~'70-'90 era are those from Sony. IMHO, the STR-V2 to -V7 are the best looking and sounding of all vintage receivers. Especially the -V5, -V6 & -V7 with the green power output meters. I better stop lauding their attributes or our cheap Sony's will no longer be so.

BTW, the last STR-V7 (150wpc) I followed on eBay was something like the Yamaha CR-3020 mentioned above. Listed by a 100% seller as 'near mint' and went for $307, plus shipping. But I paid $27.50 for my -V6 (which is getting a full restoration at the moment by Absolute Sound Lab for my second system - gotta have those green meters and dial).

 

[merrylander]

Yep, I took the 3020 off my watch list as there is no money to be made with that one. I had to hand plane some new ribs for the vent on the Sony's case as three were damaged. Once I get them glued into place and the whole thing stained and oiled it should be real pretty. While the glue is drying I'll go back to rewinding that relay from the Fisher 500C. I could as easily wire it out of the circuit and leave it in 'stereo mode' regardless but it seemed to be worth a shot. The problem is that you can barely see the darn wire it's so fine.

Rob

 

[Toasted Almond]

I had one of those 6060F's and it was built to last. Really noteworthy was the cool man pull down door for some of the controls. Nice little actuator arm. Sounded just fine too.

I still have the STR-6800 at 80wpc.

TA

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Originally posted by merrylander
Yep, I took the 3020 off my watch list as there is no money to be made with that one. I had to hand plane some new ribs for the vent on the Sony's case as three were damaged. Once I get them glued into place and the whole thing stained and oiled it should be real pretty. While the glue is drying I'll go back to rewinding that relay from the Fisher 500C. I could as easily wire it out of the circuit and leave it in 'stereo mode' regardless but it seemed to be worth a shot. The problem is that you can barely see the darn wire it's so fine.
Rob

Rob - Have you tried something like this? http://www.ocwhite.com/html/specification.html There is also one that uses a circular fluorescent bulb with a 6" lens in the center that should be considerably less expensive. I find that they help my old eyes very much. Better than reading glasses for close work as they can be zoomed in and out.

After mentioning an STR-V7 I jumped over to eBay to check for one. Found one and did the BIN for about half of what the last one sold for. Now my fingers are crossed for good packing and an honest listing. Anyone in the market for an Absolute Sound Lab restored STR-V6? If not, it will be time for an upgrade of my daughter's system.

 

[Brian]

Still not into digital - silver halide is my thing. But, I'll see if I can borrow something and take a few shots. Yeah, the flip down door hiding most of the little used controls is neat. Ither companies had similar units I seem to remember. WAF as to leaving it in the living room should be better than say one of the Philips, or the really neat but ugly JVC. Asked Jr. if he wanted to swap it out for the STR-6065 in his room; one look and he ran back into his room to hug the 6065. With the door closed it looks so bare. Power switch, volume control, station selector knob, and input selector and tape monitor switch. 9 other switches/controls are behind the panel.

Ran it all night and 1 driver/output board is slightly warmer than the other so will probably have the tech check it out. Been running some CDs through it for the last few hours, Kenny G, classical, Dark Side of the Moon, Yo Yo Ma, and switching in the Philips 797 to compare. The Philips conveys copnveys more of the CD sound charactor that fatigues me. The Sony os more towards a good vintage tube sound and after 3 hours still not fatigued. The Philips has greater resolution and air but less authority and sounds thinner on the Advents. With the 6060F, the Advents sort of remind me of what I remember the bass on a set of AR3a speakers to sound like in terms of frequency balance to the system. It is more forward than the 797. Now, I have to find the specs and manuals.