Thanks!
This was back when Matsushita itself wasn't sure how to label their products. In any case, they were sold in Japan for an unusually long time (1970-1973), and they remained the top end back then, apart from the extra-rare SU-/SE-10000.
As a matter of fact, the family around these stunningly looking devices consisted of the following members:
- Amp: SU-3600, badged as "Technics" with the "National" logo (Europe), "Technics" without it (Japan), and "National Panasonic" with the logo (also Europe; see mine).
- Successor amp: SU-3602 (not kidding). This model had an improved output stage, an additional tape monitor, and a volume pre-set, but lacked the adjustable inputs as well as the muting function the SU-3600 has. This one came with the "Technics" font either with or without the logo.
- Partially CD-4 capable version: SU-3604. This one, oddly, came only branded as "Panasonic".
- Tuner: there was only the ST-3600, but this came in all brandings: "National Panasonic" (with logo), "Technics" (with or without it), and "Panasonic" (to match the SU-3604). Interesting story from an insider: it is well known that early Matsushita tuners and receivers had the tuner circuitry designed by Luxman. I always thought this applied only to the models of the 1960s, such as the SA-54. However, the guts of the ST-3600 are actually also designed by Luxman. Very, very interesting.
Needless to say I'm in love with the two I have. I've been looking for the amp alone for years and even considered importing one from Japan. Never would I have thought that I'd stumble across the amp *and* the matching (ultra-rare!) tuner in the area!
Now I'm looking for a decent set of speakers to complete the duo. I was thinking of something from their time, such as the SB-400, SB-500, SB-501, or even SB-1000 (if I ever find a pair for sale).