PIONEER SX-1980 (1978) - The Monster Receiver

PIONEER presents the greatest DC power story ever told. It's a simple fact of life that the more pure pure power a receiver possesses, the easier it can reproduce music without straining. And at 270 watts per channel, even the most demanding piece of music will hardly cause the SX1980 to flex its considerable muscle. Each channel, for example, ha a separate DC power configuration that helps to provide richer and more accurate bass. Pioneer has developped a 22 pound toroidal core transformer that's far less susceptible to minor voltage variations. So you get cleaner, clearer sound. Instead of pushing power transistors to their limits Pioneer invented new transistors that last longer and eliminate the need for fans that can cause electrical interference. All these inovations give the SX1980 a total harmonic distorsion level of less than 0.03% from 20 to 20,000 hertz. Inside the SX1980 there's a quartz crystal generating the perfect frequencies of every FM station, so as you rotate the tuning dial, a special integrated circuit compares the station you're trying to tune to it's perfect frequency. When the station is tuned exactly right (all this takes about half a second), a "fine tuned" light comes on; the receiver then senses when you let go of the tuning dial and automatically "locks" onto that broadcast. Technical data: 270 W/ch (min. RMS, 8 ohm 20-20,000 Hz, no more than 0.03% THD) Dimensions: 560 W x 211 H x 497 D mm Weight 35.4 kg.

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SONY TC-R7-2 (1977) - Two Track Magic

Sony's hi-fi components line has to be heard to be believed. With the lowest wow and flutter of any deck Sony ever built, a duo of tape recorders were introduced in 1977. These were the Japanese market SONY TC-R6 and SONY TC-R7-2. The same models were available worldwide as SONY TC-765 and SONY TC-766-2. They both share the same construction but while the R6 is a 4 Track Stereo Recorder running at 9.5 and 19 cm/s the R7-2 is a 2 Track Stereo Recorder running at 19 and 38 cm/s with an additional 4 Track head for playback. The SONY TC-R7-2 achieves an incredible wow and flutter of 0.018% (WRMS) at 38 cm/s and 0.04% (WRMS) at 19 cm/s. This is achieved via a Closed Loop Dual Capstan Tape Drive System. One capstan extends from the motor shaft itself, eliminating intervening gears that can hamper speed accuracy. The other tape drive capstan connects through an extremely steady belt-drive inertia wheel. For a "mirror image" of the original signal, Sony's exclusive Phase Compensator Circuit comes closest achieving this by rectifying phase distortion and producing sound qualitty virtually identical to the original source.

​Illuminated, calibrated and ultra-clear for best monitoring possible, Sony's Professional Studio Standard VU meters are identical in size, shape, color and sensitivity to those on professional consoles. Because of Sony's outstanding Ferrite & Ferrite Heads, plus the remarkably precise fabrication and alignment of the head gap, recordings retain exact positioning of signal throughout the stereo field. The "location" of individual sounds won't wander. There's no annoying phase shift. More professional features include direct-coupled playback FET amplifier, flashing Standby Signal, Punch-in Record and solenoid-operated Logic-Controlled Transport Functions to let you move instantly to and from any mode without stopping. Standard equipment: RM-30 full-function remote control unit with record mute and hinged head cover.

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Technics micro series (1981) - Compact, Powerful, High-Fidelity

These wonderfull Technics micro components were introduced in 1981. On some markets they were called "micro series" while on other markets they were sold as "Concise Component Series" There were several models available and the one we are focusing here shows a set composed of a SU-C04 amplifier, ST-C04 tuner and RS-M07 cassette deck. Attractive, yet totally compact and powerful, Technics micro series combines easy operation with incredibly advanced, microchip technology to bring out the ful excitement of all your favourite music. Technics has included New Class A power amp circuitry in the SU-C04. New Class A assures you plenty of clean power by combining Class A sound with Class B efficiency. The SU-C04 delivers 30 watts per channel continuous RMS both channel driven into 8 ohms, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with no more than 0.007% Total Harmonic Distortion. The matching ST-C04 Quartz Synthesizer tuner has a preset tuning capability of up to 6 FM and 6 AM stations. The Technics RS-M07 cassette deck is using a soft touch controlled mechanism with MX heads and auto tape selctor for normal, CrO2, and Metal tapes. One interesting observation however - there were two versions made under the M07 model number, one had needle type VU meters while the other was using fluorescent type VU meters. All components are 297 mm wide and 230 mm deep and were available with silver or black front panel.