Sony STR-202 (1972–1974)

At 5.6kg, it is a compact, complete early solid-state receiver, built to bring stereo into the living room without breaking the bank.

Overview

The Sony STR-202 is not a flagship dressed down. It was Sony's introductory stereo receiver, made when FM broadcasting was still gaining ground in Japanese households. It was released in 1972 and produced through 1974, during the shift from tube to transistor dominance. The signal path is fully solid-state. At ¥34,800, it was priced as an affordable all-in-one, with AM/FM tuning, amplification and basic source switching in a single chassis 421mm wide. It was not aimed at the audiophile elite. It did give new listeners FM stereo and tape monitoring without a rack of separates.

Owners report a machine that puts function over flourish. The front panel is uncluttered, with dedicated knobs for volume, tuning, tone and source selection. There is no digital display, no remote control and no extra inputs. It has just what you need to play records, tapes or radio. Despite its modest power rating, the STR-202 was designed to drive typical bookshelf speakers of the era, with a nominal 8Ω output compatibility and a dual power outlet for a turntable and tape deck. Receivers of the time were built as integrated systems, not amplifiers with tuners bolted on.

Specifications

Manufacturer	SONY
Model	STR-202
Type	FM/AM stereo receiver
Year of Production	1972–1974
FM Receiving Frequency	76 MHz to 90 MHz
FM Practical Sensitivity	2.2 μV (S/N: 30 dB)
FM Distortion Factor (IHF)	mono: 0.5%, stereo: 1.0%
FM Stereo Separation Factor	35 dB or more (400 Hz)
AM Receiving Frequency	530 kHz to 1605 kHz
AM Practical Sensitivity	Built-in antenna: 48 dB/m, External antenna: 20 μV
AM Distortion Factor	0.8%
Amplifier Rated Output	16W (EIAJ distortion factor 5%)
Amplifier Music Output	30W (5% EIAJ distortion factor)
Power Specifications	12W per channel (8Ω), stereo
Amplifier Frequency Characteristic	20 Hz – 20 kHz
Input Sensitivity / Impedance	Record: 3.5 mV / 47 kΩ, Tape: 400 mV / 100 kΩ, Recording/Playback (Input): 400 mV / 100 kΩ, MIC: 2.5 mV / 10 kΩ
Output Level / Impedance	Recording: 250 mV / 10 kΩ, Recording/Playback (Output): 30 mV / 80 kΩ, Headphone: Load impedance 8 Ω or more, Speaker: Load impedance 8 Ω ~ 16 Ω
Tone Control	Bass: 100 Hz, ±10 dB, Treble: 10 kHz, ±10 dB
Loudness Control	(volume attenuation 30 dB): 100 Hz: +7 dB, 10 kHz: +4 dB
Semiconductor Used	Transistor: 30, FET: 1, Diode: 14
Power	100 VAC, 50 Hz / 60 Hz
Power Consumption	45 W
External Dimensions	Width 421 × Height 118 × Depth 312 mm
Weight	5.6 kg

Key Features

FET Front End with Solid-State IF Filtering

The STR-202's tuner uses a single FET at the FM front end. That was an upgrade over earlier transistorized designs, improving signal handling and cutting noise at the critical first amplification stage. A solid-state filter in the intermediate frequency (IF) stage adds to a cleaner reception profile, particularly in weak-signal areas. FM sensitivity is 2.2 μV at a 30 dB signal-to-noise ratio, which suggests respectable performance for an entry-level unit, especially with the included simple antenna or a 300 Ω balanced external option. The AM section relies on a built-in bar antenna but also provides an external terminal, which was uncommon in budget receivers of the time.

Quasi Complimentary SEPPP OTL Amplifier System

Sony calls the output stage "Quasi complimentary service SEPPP OTL" - a mouthful even by 1970s standards. It refers to a quasi-complementary push-pull output stage using a single-ended transformerless (OTL) configuration. It is not a true complementary design, but it was cost-effective and reduced component count without sacrificing basic stability. The amplifier delivers 12W per channel into 8Ω loads, with a rated output of 16W at 5% THD and a peak music output of 30W. Frequency response is listed as 20 Hz - 20 kHz, though real-world performance may vary with aging components and speaker matching.

Integrated “Music plus You” Microphone Function

One of the STR-202's more unusual features is the "Music plus You" function. It lets you blend live microphone input, either from a wired mic or an optional FM radio microphone, with playback from tape or record sources. Users could sing along or narrate over music through the main speakers, which turned the receiver into a simple PA system. The MIC input is rated at 2.5 mV / 10 kΩ, which suits dynamic or low-output mics.

Dual Power Outlet with Interlocking Design

Buried in the specs but useful is the pair of AC outlets, one interlocking and one non-interlocking, with a combined 250W capacity. They let users power a turntable and cassette deck directly from the receiver, which simplified setup and gave synchronized power cycling. The interlocking outlet cuts off when the receiver is turned off. Internal consumption is a modest 45W, so the STR-202 ran cool and efficient, avoiding the thermal stress that plagued higher-powered contemporaries.

Similar items on eBay

No exact Sony STR 202 listings are live right now — these searches show current Sony and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:

Search Sony STR 202 on eBay Browse Sony audio gear on eBay

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.