Sony STR-5800

[ScooterMcTav]

So have been looking for a vintage piece to sub out a Musical Fidelity a3.2 from my second system. I’ve owned this same integrated twice, and although I love its gobs of power, I hate that I need to use an EQ with it for decent bass in my room.

My local vinyl guy posted a vid today showing the new LPs and TTs he’s added, and I saw this neat looking Sony in the vid. After getting the model number (STR-5800), it sounds like a nice vintage piece, so I’ve bought it, and will be picking it up tomorrow.

Any feedback on it? It’s closest contemporaries I’ve owned are a Marantz 2252B, Pioneer SX-950 (wish I’d hung on to it), and a JVC R-S7. I’ve had Sony pieces I’ve liked, and wouldn’t have minded MC capabilities. However, my last vintage integrated that had MC capabilities (Technics SU-V9) sounded like trash, and I’m OK with adding an outboard MC preamp.

Welcome the opinion of others and their experience.

 

[ScooterMcTav]

Well here it is:

Love the look.

It also allows me to drop two pieces of gear (tuner and EQ) and it sounds pretty good after an initial listen.

I think the MAs are a pretty good pairing as well.

Initial thoughts are that it is as solid sounding as my former 2252B (at a fraction of the price) but not as dark/warm.

Much better than I remember my R-S7, and markedly better than the overrated SU-V9.

Really an excellent value in vintage.

 

[dshoaf]

One of my favorite lines from Sony was the STR-x800 series. The tuners were excellent, they didn't go overboard on the controls (some monster receivers did) and the styling was tasteful and low-keyed.

Too bad they turned the product line over in just over a year. This accounts for their 'rarity' - low selling numbers.

Cheers,

David

 

[Andyman]

I've had one that I found filthy in a garage years ago for $10. I grabbed it after I powered up as I loved its looks; the same as the Sony TA-2650 amp I had 40 years ago.
But something was awry with it at home and I got no sound from it and assumed the notorious STK pacs were bad on it. In one of my purge moments, I revisited it with no avail and moved it to deeper storage.
This week I'm on vacation and in full purge mode, so out it came to strip parts off. For some reason, I decided to try it again to see if I could isolate the issue to the pre or power section, and it's alive!!

It's crackly and all, so I hit the switches and pots with DeOxit and FaderLube, and brought it up to the bedroom to see how I like it on the ADS L300s. It sounds great on the local jazz station and most likely will displace the Sherwood S7100A I recently installed there.

An hour isn't a long listen, but I've had enough moments of clarity and epiphany that I'd be surprised if I changed my mind. I'll bring up a CD player tomorrow to dig deeper, but this one may be a keeper now.

I appear to have lost the wooden side panels for it, but I have a garage full of tools, veneer, and hardwood, so replacing them with some even spiffier ones should be a simple task.

 

[THEWEREWOLF]

Just got a Sony STR-5800 receiver. Is the Sony STR-5800 receiver any good. I like the unique look of this receiver. 50 watts per channel is on the less powerful side in my collection but it is a fun little thing. I just got this because it looks different. I also did not have a vintage SONY receiver.

 

[jwhvt]

Just got a Sony STR-5800 receiver. Is the Sony STR-5800 receiver any good. I like the unique look of this receiver. 50 watts per channel is on the less powerful side in my collection but it is a fun little thing. I just got this because it looks different. I also did not have a vintage SONY receiver.

I really liked mine! Built like a tank and plenty of punch for my needs. Really liked the 6800 I had as well. The only x800 I have left is a 7800.