Sony TA-P7F

The first Precise P7 system - it may look flimsy but it really is not.

The separates are covered by sliding aluminium sleeves holding Sony's (then-) fashionable technologies : PPS (Pulse Power Supply), Hi-fT transistors and a Heat-Pipe.

Rare, then or now, on any mid-sized separates (but Sony's), a quality phono moving coil stage complements the TA-P7F, along a three-way "acoustic comp" bass booster. Otherwise : regulated power-supplies, a 4-gang volume control spread in two between the eq and output stages (2x 250kOhm, then 2x 20kOhm) and a (hot) Class B cascode amp with dual-differential + current mirror circuits.


Looks-wise, the TA-P7F sports four features which must have cost a fortune :

1. The one-piece sliding aluminium sleeve is finished with two different anodizing / texturing (top & sides),

2. the model number is silk-screened with an added brilliance effect,

3. a complex structuring was retained for the front and the way the left lid is attached and articulated,

4. the top opening wasn't made with a simple piece of plastic glued from under but the aluminium was embossed to shape the opening's fins.

Sony could have done the cover in three pieces, put basic black scripting and done something much more simple for the door and top opening - but didn't. And that is exactly why the TA-P7F looks beautiful despite its diminutive shoebox size.

Said size, however, results in a cramped space inside, really cramped, which makes servicing a fair nightmare.
It is also a pity Sony didn't make related Precise loudspeakers or a Precise tape recorder...


Nevertheless -
If you find one, do not hesitate : it looks as cute as can be and sounds much bigger than what its size may imply - power output included.

Why the P7F didn't sell more remains beyond my understanding. Priced as it was at 69,800Y, then, maybe, I could understand what probably was the common reaction "That much for such a little box ?"
To which I'd reply : "Yes, that much... for so little money."