Early examples, like the Harman Kardon "Stereo Festival" TA-230 from 1958 (said by modern-day Harman/ Samsung to be the first stereo receiver¹), featured separate FM and AM monophonic tuners that could assign a speaker to each if you wanted to listen to what was then a fad: stereo broadcasts over two stations (left channel over FM, right over AM, for instance). Standardized FM stereo broadcasting began in 1961, and by then, receivers had evolved into large, complex, nearly complete stereo systems; an example of that was the Fisher 800.2
By the 1970s, the focus of receiver development and manufacturing had shifted to Japan. The era of features-laden "Silverface" receivers peaked with the massive Technics SA-1000.3 That behemoth was just over 2' wide, nearly 2' deep, about 7.5" tall, and weighed 87lb. It was capable of 330Wpc into either 4 or 8 ohms, and its linear power supply sported four specially made 18,000μF filter capacitors. Among its many innovative features were LED level meters (the newest thing in 1977) and a parametric midrange control. Technics claimed a frequency range of 5Hz to 91kHz and a signal/noise ratio of 115dB, A-weighted. In short, the SA-1000 was the king of the Silverface mountain.
The point of a receiver has always been to combine as many music-listening sources in a single chassis as possible-with preamp functions and amplification. Back in analog days, that meant on-board FM and usually AM; a phono preamp (sometimes two); occasionally a tape-head preamp; full input switching, volume control, and tone controls, akin to what you'd find in a standalone preamplifier; and a power amplifier, often with outputs for two sets of speakers. Back then, buyers brought a "record player" (turntable, tonearm, and cartridge-sometimes a record-wrecking changer) and maybe a tape machine to the party, plus speakers. All other sources and functions were in the receiver.
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INSTANTLY ICONIC
AUDIO SALON HOST/ENTREPRENEUR/SYSTEM AND FASHION DESIGNER DEVON TURNBULL'S RECORD-BREAKING ART OF NOISE SHOWING AT SAN FRANCISCO MOMA.
Buckeye PURIFI EIGENTAKT 1ET9040BA1
Back in 2016,' I documented the rise of class-D amps using the early Tripath technology. Used in the Bel Canto eVo 200.2, TriPath cracked open the door to the High End but was never admitted due to a dim and opaque treble.
Moon 891
No less than eight boxes, powered by six after-market power cables, comprise my current reference front-end.'
Clearaudio Signature
The Clearaudio allowed each mix, each sonic artifact, to reveal its unique character.
Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 333
What's in a name? Denmark-based Gryphon Audio Designs laid down a marker when company founder Flemming Rasmussen chose that name in 1985. Browsing through the current Stereophile Recommended Components list, I only found one other manufacturer that utilizes an animal moniker.
The Rega Naia Turntable. Add Lightness.
To watch as Rega very slowly expands its turntable offerings upmarket requires the patience of a Thomas Pynchon addict waiting for each new tome from the notoriously slow-working and reclusive author.
Phono Preamplifier Seduction
Give me the seduction, give me the pleasure,\" Ron Sutherland was nearly shouting into the phone. \"I want to turn off the analytical mind and just enjoy myself!\"
Record Player Revelations
Like romance or car racing, the act of playing records is tactile by design. Like drifting through curves or making out, spinning vinyl is a learned skill that requires users to touch everything with practiced assurance.
Taking Care of Business
As Jim Austin wrote in this space in the December 2024 issue, following a medical procedure that he had in mid-October, he needed to take several weeks' leave to recuperate. He delegated the magazine's production to Managing Editor Mark Henninger, AVTech Editorial Director Paul Miller, and myself. The three of us worked with copy editor Linda Felaco and longtime art director Jeremy Moyler to produce the issue you hold in your hands.
Estelon X Diamond Mk II
Taste is a funny thing. Love cilantro? Millions swear it tastes like soap.