Dear Editor (May 1975)

ABOUT THAT V-FET AD...

To the Sony Corp.:

Congratulations to Sony on the development of your new V-FET output devices. This is the first time since the introduction of the bipolar transistor that a large company with your degree of influence has advocated a return to purist design philosophies.

We feel that the whole industry will benefit from your new position.

Ever since the introduction of the bipolar transistor, we have been advocating purist design concepts, such as push-pulling, cross coupling and fully complementary stages, the use of amplification devices within their linear range, moderate amounts of negative feedback, etc.

While it can be claimed that FETs perform like vacuum tubes (everything else being equal), our research (dating back to 1955) indicates that although FETs are similar to vacuum tubes, each has certain desirable characteristics not duplicated by the other.

In fairness to the consumer, we should try to prevent gross oversimplifications such as "tube amps sound better" or "FET amps sound better." Just as with any complex system, an amplifier is more than the type of devices which are used. Even the bipolar transistor will approach linear operation under certain conditions. (However, designing a truly musical amplifier with bipolars is another matter.)

Perhaps now, with your influence, the concept that an amplifier can measure well under static conditions and yet sound unmusical can be successfully conveyed to the industry.

--William Johnson; Audio Research Corp., Minneapolis, Minn.

SONY REPLIES

Dear Sir:

With regard to William Johnson's letter to Sony, we say again, "Thanks Audio Research! We couldn't agree with you more." And, as the headline in our March ad in Audio stated, we expected someone of Mr. Johnson's stature to be most interested and appreciative of our new V-FET technology. Audio Research's congratulations are most welcome and appreciated.

We do take small issue with Mr. Johnson where he seems to be cautioning Sony not to oversimplify the issue of V-Fets. Although he does not directly refer to our March ad in Audio, it is the only one he could question as it served to first introduce Sony's new series on V-FET amplifiers.

Within the space limitations of the ad, we feel that we have properly described the performance characteristics of three different output devices: triode vacuum tube, bipolar transistor and vertical field effect transistor. And we have also presented what are, in Sony's opinion, the advantages and disadvantages of each. We encourage you to review our ad and decide for yourself whether we have oversimplified our message.

The great, better, best approach to advertising has always been unacceptable to Sony. We do, however, feel that our V-FET sound will become a new standard in sound reproduction. In fact, the following excerpt from our ad challenges you to go and hear what we've been hearing.

"At Sony, we've always maintained that, in the end, the best way to buy equipment is to hear it for yourself. So we're making what's probably the best offer you've ever heard. Have your dealer hook up our new V-FET equipment against anything made by anybody. If we sound sure of ourselves, we are.

And we're sure your own ears will tell you we've got the best sound you've ever heard." Our conviction at Sony is that, in the final analysis, listening is the most valuable form of analysis. Your own ears will tell you what sound is musical or unmusical. If we sound confident in our new V-FET sound, we are. We believe in our products and we know to what standards they're made. We have over 20 years of semiconductor experience. These V-FET's aren't just anybody's, they're Sony's. And because our amplifiers are a lot more than just this output device, we can offer you the best sound you may have ever heard.

Dan Gallagher, Sony Corp. of America, New York, N.Y.

(Audio magazine, Apr. 1975)

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