Sony TA-F37R (1997)
The Sony TA-F37R is a compact integrated amplifier released in Japan in 1997 at ¥25,000. It was a modest, straightforward design for budget listeners, the sort of unit that pairs with a Sony CD player of the same era and a pair of small bookshelf speakers. One owner noted buying it specifically to match the CDP-S35.
Documentation on this model is thin. What survives comes largely from Japanese auction listings and a single repair blog. The specification sheet that does exist shows a no-frills amplifier with a few useful features: 50W + 50W into 6Ω (EIAJ), a line input sensitivity of 250mV/50kΩ, and total harmonic distortion of 0.04% or less at 10W output into 8Ω. Frequency response is rated at 8Hz-100kHz (+0/-3dB) on line, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 102dB. Tone controls give ±6dB at 100Hz (bass) and ±6dB at 10kHz (treble).
Sony packed a fair amount into the small chassis (280 × 123 × 290mm, about 5kg). There's a source direct switch that bypasses the tone control circuit entirely to preserve signal purity, a -20dB muting switch, and a stereo mini-jack input on the front panel for portable devices, which was a forward-looking touch for 1997. The included RM-S317 wireless remote controls the amplifier's power, volume, and source selection. It also handles basic functions of compatible Sony CD players, MD decks, and tuners.
Inside, the design is simple and airy. A repair blog describes the interior as spacious, with the power amplifier module, a STK4152II, visually dominating the board. The tone control and main amplification paths both use Mitsubishi 5218A op-amps. The same blog says the unit was bought as junk because of a reported noise problem. Testing revealed no particular noise at all. The issue turned out to be dust, and a thorough cleaning fixed it.
One caution for collectors: the TA-F37R is a Japanese-market 100V unit. It was sold with one switched and one unswitched AC outlet on the rear, and power consumption is rated at 65W. The original price of ¥25,000 (roughly US$230 at the time) is documented.
Surviving information on this model is otherwise thin. No production end year, no phono stage specifications (none appears to be included), and no damping factor figures are recorded.
Known Specifications
- Output: 50W + 50W (6Ω, EIAJ)
- Input sensitivity: 250mV / 50kΩ (line)
- THD: 0.04% or less (8Ω, 10W output)
- Frequency response: 8Hz–100kHz (+0/–3dB, line)
- S/N ratio: 102dB (line)
- Tone control: Bass ±6dB (100Hz), Treble ±6dB (10kHz)
- Power: 100V AC, 50/60Hz, 65W
- Dimensions: 280 × 123 × 290mm
- Weight: approx. 5kg
- Accessories: RM-S317 wireless remote control
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