Sony STR-V7 worth collecting?

[MavC]

Yeah, they are HEAVY suckers to haul any distance! MavC, those pics look great. Congratulations on getting such a nice receiver! With the usual TLC, you'll have it glowing and singing with great aplomb, for may years to come!

you bet - parking lot > flight of stairs > home - me no ironman:yuck:
got to rest like an hour before i could do anything.

My other post references the VX series (my error) so it's gone. Oh, yeah, this should clean up nicely. Well done!

I like to use a solution of about 50% ammonia and 50% water with a couple of drops of detergent (or, just use blue Windex) and a toothbrush to scrub and clean knobs like that.

I also use it on the panel, with a cut-off cheap glue chip brush (cut down to about 1/2") as the scrubber. The bristles are just stiff enough to get into the grain, yet won't scratch. Then rinse with clean water. Some folks don't like using ammonia, but I have never had any trouble.

I soaked them in "windex" kitchen cleaner and use the remaining for cleaning the faceplate - so far so good

Unfortunately, they don't have the knob I am looking for... So the search continues...

I will be asking the guy whether he could make the knobs - will keep you update.

 

[slowpat]

Keep us updated. Also - let us know if FM works well with V7. On my V5, in FM Stereo mode, it gets a little noisy (lots of white background noise) even by adjusting the antenna, and we have pretty good FM signal in the Bay Area here. When I switched to FM mono, that white noise quieted down, so I am still scratching my head trying to figure that out. The FM tuner in that series is something like a massive 5 gang tuner with a couple of filters, and should be able to compete with some other FM tuners of the time.

 

[Sam Cogley]

Luckily my buddy has hook me up with a CNC machinist who can fabricate the "plates"(knob holder, washer?) in aluminium - will be handing over the plastic parts next week. Now my last but not least remaining problem is the volume dial holder with all the numberings on it - the numbers were imprint on a circular piece of aluminium and pasted onto the plastic. any suggestion how i could remove it?

Maybe you could slide an Exacto blade in there to pop the number ring loose from the base. The ring is angled a bit, that ill help get get something under it.

 

[Raynald]

Slowpat, your tuner section probably needs cleaning or aligning. I had a V5, great receiver but it would only work in mono on FM. This seems very common with the V5/V6/V7 series based on what I read from owners. Something about them seems to drift off more than some other receivers of similar vintage and mono only or noisy FM ones seem to be almost the norm as found.

 

[MavC]

Keep us updated. Also - let us know if FM works well with V7. On my V5, in FM Stereo mode, it gets a little noisy (lots of white background noise) even by adjusting the antenna, and we have pretty good FM signal in the Bay Area here. When I switched to FM mono, that white noise quieted down, so I am still scratching my head trying to figure that out. The FM tuner in that series is something like a massive 5 gang tuner with a couple of filters, and should be able to compete with some other FM tuners of the time.

v7 has very clear FM, stereo mode or mono works perfectly. infact it's the clearest of all others that i currently own - sansuiTU777(1), pioneerTU606(5 = lousy reception), yamaha rv440(2) and vintage blaupunkt(3)+loewe(4). Apart from the sansui517 that i have just collected. Perhaps you need to send the v5 for re-alignment/tuning?

Maybe you could slide an Exacto blade in there to pop the number ring loose from the base. The ring is angled a bit, that ill help get get something under it.

oh yes, havent think of that...will try that. a friend suggested i go look for some "lubricant/oil" to "dissolve" the glue....have no idea what kind of "lubricant/oil" is that...WD40?

 

[Sam Cogley]

oh yes, havent think of that...will try that. a friend suggested i go look for some "lubricant/oil" to "dissolve" the glue....have no idea what kind of "lubricant/oil" is that...WD40?

I'd be afraid that anything strong enough to dissolve the glue would do the same to the numbers. If at all possible, mechanical methods of removal seem best.

 

[MavC]

I'd be afraid that anything strong enough to dissolve the glue would do the same to the numbers. If at all possible, mechanical methods of removal seem best.

oh yes, will try the pen knife first.

 

[SoCal Sam]

here's the update

I nearly DIED while bringing it home....this anvil is at least 40-50lbs

Congrats! I think the IEC equipped versions are early production units. Later V7's have fixed cables.

If Sony had spent just a few bucks more on cosmetics, the V7 would be even more of a classic. IMO, the plastic knobs and the vinyl top are a let down for a TOTL receiver.

 

[MavC]

Congrats! I think the IEC equipped versions are early production units. Later V7's have fixed cables.

If Sony had spent just a few bucks more on cosmetics, the V7 would be even more of a classic. IMO, the plastic knobs and the vinyl top are a let down for a TOTL receiver.

agree.
knobs are aluminium, the spacers are plastics. the smaller knobs are very very thin aluminium.
the "windows" for VU/signal and tuner are PLASTICs also

 

[MavC]

Keep us updated. Also - let us know if FM works well with V7. On my V5, in FM Stereo mode, it gets a little noisy (lots of white background noise) even by adjusting the antenna, and we have pretty good FM signal in the Bay Area here. When I switched to FM mono, that white noise quieted down, so I am still scratching my head trying to figure that out. The FM tuner in that series is something like a massive 5 gang tuner with a couple of filters, and should be able to compete with some other FM tuners of the time.

manage to capture the stv7 in action(tuner section) - using my mobile phone.
video starts off with STEREO mode on - then i turn it to MONO. Then turned back to STEREO again.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Sony also skimped on the tuner. The gangs and adjustments are exposed so they corrode and gum up easily. Cleaning the gang and trimmers will get rid of a lot of static.

 

[Sam Cogley]

agree.
knobs are aluminium, the spacers are plastics. the smaller knobs are very very thin aluminium.
the "windows" for VU/signal and tuner are PLASTICs also

That's not uncommon. My KR-9400 has a plexi window over the tuning dial. It would be nice if it was glass, but what can you do at this point?

 

[MavC]

That's not uncommon. My KR-9400 has a plexi window over the tuning dial. It would be nice if it was glass, but what can you do at this point?

sorry, i mean the "window frame".
I am still very happy with the sony despite of the plastics.

 

[FDWheelMan]

Agreed...

Aluminum knobs, plastic plated spacers, plastic backing plates.

Just as a reference though, I took the knobs off of my dead Kenwood KR-8050 the plastic spacers/backing plates off of the Sony, and they do fit... They just look out of place.

I noticed that, yes the Display window is plastic, but so are the windows on my Kenwood KR-7600, and the KR-8050. Mine is not scratched in ANY way, so...

I'll have pics of my V5 posted soon...

Currently, it's undergoing restoration. Out of the shop and working VERY nicely. Now it's on to cosmetics. Going to redo the wood sides, the current ones have a decent gloss black paint on them, but I want to temp redo those while I have custom worked polished stained black sides coming from my brother-in-law...

 

[Toasted Almond]

I would think it was collectible myself, but I've had a cosmetically perfect one (STR-V7) for sale here at AK for a few months now. I saw one recently go here for more than twice my asking price, so I figure maybe I've got it priced too low.

 

[Jon S]

The one thing I do not care for on the V7 is the volume attenuator. If you have efficient speakers, the volume will not likely go pass 9 or 10 o'clock. The gradation of the knob is very course in that area, maybe 6-8dB per click (the attenuator is stepped). That means you cannot control the volume in smaller steps.

The mute control is of no use as it does not reduce the volume by -20B like on other Sony receivers but actually mutes the output.

Last but not least, there is no pre-out/in jacks in the back.

 

[MavC]

Agreed...
I'll have pics of my V5 posted soon...

pls post the pics when you have time

I would think it was collectible myself, but I've had a cosmetically perfect one (STR-V7) for sale here at AK for a few months now. I saw one recently go here for more than twice my asking price, so I figure maybe I've got it priced too low.

how much were you selling? perfect condition...hmm

The one thing I do not care for on the V7 is the volume attenuator. If you have efficient speakers, the volume will not likely go pass 9 or 10 o'clock. The gradation of the knob is very course in that area, maybe 6-8dB per click (the attenuator is stepped). That means you cannot control the volume in smaller steps.

The mute control is of no use as it does not reduce the volume by -20B like on other Sony receivers but actually mutes the output.

Last but not least, there is no pre-out/in jacks in the back.

yet to try the mute function as well as connect my other speakers to the sony. will see how bose301ii perform tonight.

 

[cchean]

Yes, yes, yes...

 

[Bbyaka]

Can we go back to the time when this receiver could be found for $150?!

 

[RocketFoot]

Can we go back to the time when this receiver could be found for $150?!

Man, I wish!! I have a V4 but I'd love to add a V7 Sony Monster Receiver!