Sony STR-V7

Built like "tanks" (as the saying goes), these were made to last a lifetime.
However, few of them did see much of the said lifetime for the 1980s came up and all big knobs, rocker switches and full scales suddenly looked hopelessly heavy and old-fashioned... or so thought the marketing wizards.

True to its signature, and although the times called for it, Sony didn't go for over-over-over-sized looks and disco shiny-ness : the V series is quite restrained in its appearance - like Yamaha's receivers, the Sonys were rather classy than brassy which is another reason why they are much less remembered than a G-33000 or an SX-1250...
The green glow and chrome frames are carefully balanced with the different finish textures - class.

Selling abundantly in Europe, not as much in the US and not at all in Japan - this first "STR-V" series was export-only.

One transitional unit was briefly added before this set of receivers got shelved : the STR-V4, looking exactly like a transitional model.
Also the STR-V3, looking exactly like a very good-looking transitional model, STR-V2 and STR-V1.

None of these remained available very long for Sony, quicker than most others, understood the upcoming decade was to be very different : bye bye big dinosaurs... hello slick slim-liners !