Sony STR-7045

[kretinus]

Don't ask me why, it was old, it had a good reputation. it had pretty walnut case, it was only $35.00.

From what little I can find, around 30 WPC, I'd say that was conservative as i custom for the better stuff, solid build and appears to sing well through EPIs. The tuner is oustanding albeit in need of a bit of tweaking I think.

Another addition to my burdgeoning vintage collection of recievers.

[Brian]

Nice unit. These smaller Sony receivers are really something and it is sad that too many persons only look at the big boys. I noticed the 4-gang fm front end. I've never opened my STR6045, wonder if it too is 4-gang as the tuner is quite hot.

[kretinus]

First one I've had where the tuner has a cover on it. Detail, details detail...

Got some Al Stewart running throught it now, great sounding little guy to sat the least, enough I need to take it easy, still running on the orginal butyls on the EPIs...

[Rome]

Nice receiver you have Kretinus,

Rome

[shacky]

That's a beauty :thmbsp:

Watch out cleaning face. Lettering comes off easy at least on the 60xx series. I have the earlier 6045 and like it a lot. Yours looks more like my old 6050's layout. Does your stereo light work?

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q227/shacky1973/Sony6045.jpg

[Rome]

Just pristine Shacky,

Rome

[kretinus]

Stereo light and dial lamps are out, however it does work perfectly so the stero light is just a lamp issue, or LED.

A little non-ammonia and my favorite micro fiber cloth took Windex took care of the face plate, only one little nick on it, the lettering is perfect. Took it out in the shop for a tear down and cleaning and to run through a different set of speakers, thought maybe my EPIs were making it sound better than it does, nope, it sounds that good through some Reference Ones too. Got it back inside with the EPIs again, I gotta say this appears to be a match made in heaven, they've never sounded this good on the Sansui.

[dashan]

Yes, I have one Str-6040 matched with an EPI A110, very good sound. It is a different sound with EPI A110 was matched with Str-6046a. Matched with 6040, the EPI produced a more classical, warmer sound.

[kretinus]

I have it hooked to the 100Vs, just wonderful crisp full sound with nice tight punchy bass.

I was going to see how the JBL 630s liked it by right now I don't want to ruin the moment.

[dshoaf]

The STR-60xx series predates the STR-70xx by one generation. I sold _lots_ of the 7045/55/65 series Sony receivers. They never came back for service, were rock solid in performance but just were not quite as flashy as the Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui of the same era.

Glad you like yours. It looks like it just came out of the box and takes me back.....

Cheers,

David

[kretinus]

The case has a very small chip on the back corner and that's about it, and the one pin head size nick on the face plate that I can hardly see unless the lights hits it.

Just dusty more than anything and we got that taken care of this afternoon.

I'd be tempted to make it my primary receiver for awhile save for the lack of an extra tape monitor.

[bordeno]

Nice receiver and underrated. Sony was not a big advertiser of their hi fi components as TVs were their bread and butter back then. However I find those receivers just as nice as the other big names of the era and the tuner sections are better.

The tuna section in my STR-7065 is amazing. About the only thing I don't like are the screw type speaker terminals but its a tiny gripe at that. I have my Sony in the guest bedroom with EPI 100s, nice system.

[johnda]

I have the 6055, got the dial lamps fixed, and she's a sweet unit.

[MAXZ28]

Swweeeet Sony! :thmbsp:

[w1jim]

I've got an STR-7015. A light-weight but it is kind of sweet. I really like the simplicity and the wood case. I just don't have a place to put it. This collecting thing can turn into an obsession fast.
JimB

[reggaenaut]

Nice receiver and underrated. Sony was not a big advertiser of their hi fi components as TVs were their bread and butter back then. However I find those receivers just as nice as the other big names of the era and the tuner sections are better.

The tuna section in my STR-7065 is amazing. About the only thing I don't like are the screw type speaker terminals but its a tiny gripe at that. I have my Sony in the guest bedroom with EPI 100s, nice system.

This EPI thing keeps recurring. I should keeping an eye out for a pair.

[dashan]

I read a post on this forum saying that str-70x5 was built at a time when Sony tried to cut cost and the building quality was less than the STR-60x5. I would love to listen to a 7 and a 6 side by side.

[kretinus]

I hooked it up to my JBL 630's, it was no illusion, this receiver sounds that good.

I have to rank it sonically on top of my pile, over the Sansui's and The Pioneer, sorry hands down winner.

In regards to the EPI, if you have not heard the Barhoe module, you will be amazed at the sound it reproduces. Seriously, after hearing it you'll find one or two speakers in your collection that you'll realize have been lying to you. I'll have anothe rpair up and running this weekend, and one more set I still need to find OEM woofers for.

[dshoaf]

I read a post on this forum saying that str-70x5 was built at a time when Sony tried to cut cost and the building quality was less than the STR-60x5. I would love to listen to a 7 and a 6 side by side.

That is absolutely incorrect, sir. I was a Sony warranty repair station back then. The 70x5 series was an update to the 60xx series in more than looks alone.

Remember that semiconductor technology for the consumer market was still gearing up. Intel introduced the 4004 processor chip - the grandaddy of the very processors used today - just a couple of years prior to give you an idea.

All of the Japanese companies were competing using more cost-effective semiconductor technology as it performed far better than the prior generation in terms of noise, lower distortion, thermal stability and reduced parts count in each unit. All these things contributed to the ability of the Japanese companies to ultimately deliver the Monster Receivers we see coveted so these days. None of this contributed in any way to lower build quality, IMHO.

This same competitive approach went on for a number of product generatins until the dawn of the 80s and the lowering of overall build quality that we generally see refered to today as "Black Plastic Crap".

Cheers,

David