While everyone is still trying to make V-FETS at any price, we now make them at a lower price.
When Sony introduced the first amplifiers with vertical field-effect transistors last year, the reactions were nothing short of incredible.
Consumers wrote in asking where they could hear the equipment. Audiophiles demanded to know where they could buy it. And our competitors wanted to know how they could make it.
In fact, the only problem was that more people couldn't afford the $1300 price.
So, we at Sony decided to do something about it.
And what we've come up with is our new $400 V-FET integrated amplifier, the TA-4650. The TA-4650 is quite an advanced little piece of equipment. Because the V-FET isn't just another combination of gadgets, or a souped-up version of the same old thing. It's a completely new device that combines the good points of both bi-polar transistors and triode vacuum tubes.
Without suffering the drawbacks of either. Because it's made with V-FETS, the TA-4650 gives you a new level of highly defined triode sound; along with the efficiency and stability found only in solid state devices.
The TA-4650 delivers 30 watts per channel, minimum RMS at 8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHZ with no more than 0.1% total harmonic distortion.
It has a direct coupled power amplifier stage. As well as direct coupled FET amplifiers in the tone control and buffer stages.
Its bass and treble controls have a turnover frequency selector that starts at 250HZ/500HZ for bass and 2.5kHZ/5kHZ for treble.
Its volume control is equipped with a switch for 20dB muting. And it has a level control memory device so volume can be set at any predetermined point.
But as good as our new V-FET amplifier is, we're just as proud of the components we make to go along with it.
Our ST-4950 AM/FM stereo tuner, for example, has a MOS FET front end, uni-phase solid state filters and IC's in IF stages. This allows an FM capture ratio of only 1.0dB, selectivity of 80dB and an S/N ratio of 70dB. The ST-4950 also has a phase-locked loop (PLL) MPX section. Which means you get excellent stereo separation and low distortion.
Of course, if you're going around looking for a turntable, by all means take a look at our PS-4750 (cartridge sold separately). It has a direct drive servo motor with a wow and flutter rating of only .03%. Its base and platter are made from molded compound instead of metal, so resonance has been greatly reduced. It also has air-damped cushions, which compensate for warpness in records (again reducing resonance). The end result is a much cleaner sound.
It's no accident that Sony makes the world's first commercially available V-FET equipment. Or that we have matching components good enough to complete your system.
You see, we've got more solid state audio experience than anyone else. We've been at it for twenty years. For proof just stop by your Sony dealer.
And use your ears.
TA-8650: 80 watts per channel, min. RMS. 8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, with no more than 0.1% total harmonic distortion.
SONY---Sony Corp. of America. Sony, 9 W 57 St., N. Y N.Y 10019. SONY is a trademark of Sony Corp.
(Source: Audio magazine, Oct 1975)
Also see: Sony V-FET (Mar. 1977)
= = = =