Sony st-s333esj (1990-1993)
FM/AM stereo tuner released in 1993 with synthesizer tuning, AM stereo decoding, and a full set of service adjustments.
Overview
The Sony ST-S333ESJ is an FM/AM stereo tuner released in 1993. It belongs to Sony's 333 series and follows the ST-S333ESG (1989) and ST-S333ESA (1991). It has a synthesizer tuning system and comes with a wireless remote, the RM-J301. The circuit is a pure design. The microcomputer stops running once a channel is selected, which cuts interference.
Specifications
| Receiving frequency band (FM) | 76.0 MHz to 90.0 MHz |
| Receiving frequency band (AM) | 531 kHz to 1602 kHz |
| Power consumption | 20W |
| External dimensions | Width 470 × Height 100 × Depth 375 mm |
| Weight | 7.0 kg |
| Original price | ¥55,000 (1993) |
Design
The power supply is routed radially with single-point grounding to keep noise down. Tuning is done with a solid aluminum knob instead of a variable capacitor. Relays handle antenna and IF band switching. The circuit board layout and configuration are identical to the ST-S333ESA, and the front-end shielding is grounded to the chassis. The key ICs are the LA1235 for FM IF/detection, the MC13022DW for AM stereo decoding, and the CX-7925B for PLL. There are a lot of adjustment points: FM tuning, tracking, IF distortion, stereo separation, muting, S-meter, and AM performance.
Context
The overseas equivalent is the ST-S707ES. The 333 series was actively purchased through its model updates in the 1980s, and the ESJ is the final one in the line.
Market
Common problems include a failed 0.1F/5.5V memory backup capacitor, which loses the station memory, a swollen 330uF/50V power supply capacitor, and hairline cracks in the solder joints on the ground bars. FM reception trouble, such as the stereo lamp flickering and the audio muting, is often caused by FM tuning point drift. A fading display window and contact problems with PLL detection trimmer capacitor CT271 are also reported.
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