Sony STR-7800SD: Any Comments?
- Thread starter vintagestereo
- Start date
axel said:Chris,
The 7800SD is part of those units Sony puts out every now and then, very discreetely, not really bothering to market them, let alone actually sell any.
All proportions kept, it's exactly like the CDP-R10 and DAS-R10 I posted today on TVK - nobody knows about these units, let alone that they trounced just about everything else then and they probably still do.
For example, I believe that using a toroid trans (in a receiver!) in 1975 was quite way ahead before most others "majors" got to that kind of stuff - typical Sony, except nobody knows about it. It isn't something one needs to know to be happy and have a healthy love life but examples abound with that brand...
More clearly: you now have one of Sony's typical "we did it just for the pleasure of doing it" units, a real Sony raritiy, and a very good one at that! It's like owning a TA-N7B, a TA-8650, a TC-880-2 or any of the pre-Esprit/ESPRIT units - you know what you have: rare, excellent and, best of all, nobody will try to steal it from you because it's only a Sony after all - it can't be that good!
I'm not saying the 7800SD is the equivalent of a CDP/DAS-R10 combo, either price-wise or quality-wise, but the attitude behind them units is the same - just for that I say kudos to you! And just for that I say send it to me
Brian,
I have a very funny bone (perhaps even several) but I'm afraid that said bone expresses itself better in french
Axel - After I'm done enjoying it......I JUST MIGHT!!!! You're such an asset to AK!!! :yes:
I have the advertising literature for all of Sony's STR-x800SD and STR-Vx receivers in electronic format. Send me your e-mail address via a PM and I'll send along the STR-7800SD stuff as an attachment. In color, no less.
Terrific receiver!! 5-gang tuner, mostly discrete components. Exceptional build quality. A worthy sucessor to the STR-60xx line, IMHO. Lack of shielding is the only drawback. But, circuit designs change and the need for shielding is reduced by the use of ICs, etc. Definitely worth the effort to restore.
Like Tom, I have a pair of 6800s, and, also an STR-V7.
Terrific receiver!! 5-gang tuner, mostly discrete components. Exceptional build quality. A worthy sucessor to the STR-60xx line, IMHO. Lack of shielding is the only drawback. But, circuit designs change and the need for shielding is reduced by the use of ICs, etc. Definitely worth the effort to restore.
Like Tom, I have a pair of 6800s, and, also an STR-V7.
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Yamaha B-2 said:
After the STR-V7, the next Sony on my listis the STR-6120. Any comments about her?
axel you're cracking me up! 
Say what, hey, I remember the Sony from their day. Pricier than the competion and not discounted. Up their with Marantz gear. Good stuff, but just as good or better was available at better prices.
I looked at a lot of gear before settling on the Pioneer SA-9100 integrated, but I couldn't swing the cash for the TX-9100 tuner, so traded in for the SX-828 receiver. It was one hellacious nice sounding receiver and sported a solid 54 wpc. Actually came with PIoneer test paper and she was 58 and 61 wpc. That's about 10% over rated output.
Anyway, I did have an audio friend that had a big Sony, probably the STR line. Good stereo but remember we were sucking down cold ones and maybe smoking a thing of two to make the stereo listening an experience.
Say what, hey, I remember the Sony from their day. Pricier than the competion and not discounted. Up their with Marantz gear. Good stuff, but just as good or better was available at better prices.
I looked at a lot of gear before settling on the Pioneer SA-9100 integrated, but I couldn't swing the cash for the TX-9100 tuner, so traded in for the SX-828 receiver. It was one hellacious nice sounding receiver and sported a solid 54 wpc. Actually came with PIoneer test paper and she was 58 and 61 wpc. That's about 10% over rated output.
Anyway, I did have an audio friend that had a big Sony, probably the STR line. Good stereo but remember we were sucking down cold ones and maybe smoking a thing of two to make the stereo listening an experience.
Brian said:
Brian -- OK, gentlemen first!! But, please let me know when you get yours so I can get mine.
axel
Super Member
bully,
I didn't say the 7800SD was the masterpiece of the century, nor of the decade, but that it was (is) a typical Sony odd-piece: it looks (almost) exactly like a regular 6800SD, has the same features but is completely different inside. One could see this a a sort of "SE" or "KI" edition before the times - without advertising it as such or adding a flashy badge. And that's what I like about it. Sure there was better quality/price ratios around - no doubt, even within Sony's own lineup for sure! But that is not what I was talking about.
And, "the stereo experience" is highly subjective - we all have different ears, listening rooms and accompanying sources and setups.
I didn't say the 7800SD was the masterpiece of the century, nor of the decade, but that it was (is) a typical Sony odd-piece: it looks (almost) exactly like a regular 6800SD, has the same features but is completely different inside. One could see this a a sort of "SE" or "KI" edition before the times - without advertising it as such or adding a flashy badge. And that's what I like about it. Sure there was better quality/price ratios around - no doubt, even within Sony's own lineup for sure! But that is not what I was talking about.
And, "the stereo experience" is highly subjective - we all have different ears, listening rooms and accompanying sources and setups.
Am sure you will find the STR-6120 to be another example of Sony's excellent design/build quality of the time. My LR system consists of an STR-7055A pushing a pair of the Sony SS-M3ES speakers. An excellent match that has a very high WAF :thmbsp: . I would like to find an STR-6200F to replace it with, though. Might even go for an STR-6060/5 if Brian would stop buying all of them.
Brian
An Old Geezer
Hey, I only have 3 6060s (well, there is a 4th if the guy ever gets it back from his tech). I'll lay off anymore just for you. Anyway I think I'm going to seriously look for the 6120 now. I only have 1 6065 and that's been with for close to 20 years.
Axel, I compared the 6060FW tuner to 5000F photos tuner and no, not the same boards but there is a commonality in the design. I was not surprised to find out the 6060 has a 5 gang front end and 8 filters. Rather serious parts inside and not designed on the cheap.
Axel, I compared the 6060FW tuner to 5000F photos tuner and no, not the same boards but there is a commonality in the design. I was not surprised to find out the 6060 has a 5 gang front end and 8 filters. Rather serious parts inside and not designed on the cheap.
axel
Super Member
Brian,
given the difference in price, it was unlikely the 6060 would have offered a whole 5000F plus a preamp, plus an amp for less money than a 5000F! Philantropy is rare in this area
I sure wish I could compare the 5000F to my Denon TU-850! The 5000F remained available almost 10 years in Japan so it really must have been special!
given the difference in price, it was unlikely the 6060 would have offered a whole 5000F plus a preamp, plus an amp for less money than a 5000F! Philantropy is rare in this area
I sure wish I could compare the 5000F to my Denon TU-850! The 5000F remained available almost 10 years in Japan so it really must have been special!
Finally!!!
I found the ad for the STR-7800SD:
I found the ad for the STR-7800SD:
This is the actual advertising brochure and has the spec's.
Brian
An Old Geezer
I agree not the same as the 5000 but some companies do use the basic circuit designs in other components. For instance McIntosh's tuner/preamps were based on the circuits from their tuners and preamps of the same period but did not use the same boards and simplified them. I am finding a similar pattern in the Philips receivers I but with these the boards are the same and the circuits are the same with minor differences. So the 797/796/787/786 are the same boards, the 787/797 are the same circuits, the 786/796 are the same circuits and the differences are in the PS, output devices, lack of ANSC in the 786/796 a few other looks like minor differences. The boards are actually laid out for multiple receivers. I'f like to see the interior and manual for the 6120 and 6200 as well as the 5000 service manuals to make comparisons.
This Is What Happens When You Pack With Newpaper
The STR-7800SD arrived......with cosmetic damage. It was single box and stuffed with newspaper, despite my request that it be double boxed and heavily bubble-wrapped. The left front corner took a hit. Fortunately, I was able to find a guy who couldn't sell his non-working STR-5800 on E-Bay and he sent me the front and rear to his unit, which just happen to fit mine!! I'm going to have the side panels re-done in solid walnut, and the Receiver otherwise works fine, so it could be a happy ending afterall.
The STR-7800SD arrived......with cosmetic damage. It was single box and stuffed with newspaper, despite my request that it be double boxed and heavily bubble-wrapped. The left front corner took a hit. Fortunately, I was able to find a guy who couldn't sell his non-working STR-5800 on E-Bay and he sent me the front and rear to his unit, which just happen to fit mine!! I'm going to have the side panels re-done in solid walnut, and the Receiver otherwise works fine, so it could be a happy ending afterall.
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Yamaha B-2 said:
Yamaha B-2: I sure would love to get a nice color copy of that Brochure for my collection. PM me if we can work out a "deal". :thmbsp:
Reread post #23.
Sorry to revive such an old thread, but just found the 7800 owner's manual and the copyright is 1977!!!
Free Audio Service Manuals - Free download sony str 7800 sd owners manual
Read or download sony str 7800 sd owners manual PDF with 14 pages. No login, no charge and no limit.
www.audioservicemanuals.com
I also hesitate to re-revive such an old thread (would be surprised if the OP and other posters from 20+ years back are watching this thread) but I just acquired this beautiful monster about a week ago and it is an absolute BEAST. Almost too loud on the first notch, even with muting. 
Thank you, @ring, for the link! Love the PDF owner's manual. Even though I was born prior to this Titanic being made, I may need an um, refresher, on some of the switches.
Anyone have a service manual, by any chance? From what I am reading in this and other threads, this isn't exactly a common model so perhaps they didn't publish an official one?
edit: I just noticed most of the original users on this thread are banned. I don't expect a lot of replies.
Thank you, @ring, for the link! Love the PDF owner's manual. Even though I was born prior to this Titanic being made, I may need an um, refresher, on some of the switches.
Anyone have a service manual, by any chance? From what I am reading in this and other threads, this isn't exactly a common model so perhaps they didn't publish an official one?
edit: I just noticed most of the original users on this thread are banned. I don't expect a lot of replies.