Technics SU-TX50 (1996)
A 5-channel AV amplifier built to satisfy Dolby Pro Logic's ideal surround condition with a 120Wx3 + 100Wx2 output.
Overview
The Technics SU-TX50 weighs 12.0 kg and draws 480W. Rated distortion is 0.05% across stereo channels. It belongs to Technics' Reference Series and originally sold for ¥125,000. It is an AV amplifier and Home THX control amplifier, built around an enhanced class H circuit that gets high output out of a conventional amplifier size. The power amplifier section uses three hybrid ICs to reach 120Wx3 + 100Wx2, and that fixes the distortion problems of conventional Class H amplifiers. The setup allows a home THX audio system developed by Lucasfilm, along with Dolby Pro Logic decoding.
It has a 5-channel configuration that meets Dolby Pro Logic's ideal surround condition of "using the same speakers for L/R / Center and driving with the same power." Preamplifier frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 1.0 dB on the tuner, CD, tape, and VCR inputs. Signal-to-noise ratio is 70 dB (EIAJ) on those channels. Rated output in Dolby Pro Logic Home THX Cinema mode is 120W + 120W for the front channels, 120W for the center, and 100W + 100W for the surround channels, at 6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.8%.
Sound Field Control (SFC) offers seven sound fields, such as halls and live houses. DSP processing turns stereo sources like non-Dolby encoded CDs and cassette tapes into surround playback. The 3-mode SSI (Sound Stage Imaging) feature gives a more natural, expanded sound field from a normal stereo source. The unit has a decoder for the home THX audio system. It also has digital delay circuitry, with delay time variable from 15 to 30ms in 5ms steps. Discrete 6-channel inputs support multi-channel outputs such as a digital surround processor that decodes Dolby Digital (AC-3) or a DVD player with 5.1 channel decoded outputs.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Panasonic/Technics |
| Exact product name | Technics SU-TX50 |
| Production years | 1996 |
| Original price | ¥125,000 |
| Power Amplifier Unit Rated output (Dolby Prologic Home THX Cinema time) | Front : 120W + 120W (6 ohm, 1 khz, 0.8%); Center : 120W (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 0.8%); Surround : 100W + 100W (6 ohm, 1 khz, 0.8%) |
| Rated Output (Stereo) | 125W + 125W (20 Hz to 20 kHz, 6 Ω, 0.05%) |
| Rated distortion factor | 0.05% (20 Hz to 20 kHz, Rated Output, 6 Ω) |
| Total harmonic distortion factor | 0.03% (1 kHz, rated output -3dB, 6 Ω, sum up to 10th harmonic) |
| Damping factor | 25 (6 Ω) |
| Load impedance | A or B : 4 Ω ~ 16 Ω; A + B : 8 Ω ~ 16 Ω |
| Preamplifier Section Frequency characteristic | Tuner, CD, Tape, VCR1/2/3, VDP, VDP6ch, TV, TV4ch : 20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 1.0 dB |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance | Tuner, CD, Tape, VCR1/2/3, VDP, VDP6ch, TV, TV4ch : 300mV/34k Ω |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | Tuner, CD, Tape, VCR1/2/3, VDP, VDP6ch, TV, TV4ch : 70 dB (EIAJ) |
| Tone control characteristics | Bass : ± 10 dB (50 Hz); Treble : ± 10 dB (20 kHz) |
| Rated output voltage / impedance | Tape, VCR1 (recording output) : 300mV/2k Ω; Decoder Output : 1V/470 Ω |
| Image Section Output voltage (at 1 V input) | 1 ± 0.1Vp-p |
| Image Section Maximum Input Voltage | 1.5Vp-p |
| Image Section Input-output impedance | 75 Ω (unbalanced) |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 480W |
| External dimensions | Width 430x Height 170x Depth 375 mm |
| Weight | 12.0 kg |
| Watts rms | 120 |
| Power bandwidth | 20-20 kHz |
| Smtpe im | 0.05% |
| Phono Input | MM and MC (switchable) |
Key Features
Enhanced Class H Circuit
The power amplifier section uses an enhanced class H circuit for high efficiency and low distortion. Three hybrid ICs give 120Wx3 + 100Wx2 in a conventional amplifier size. Distortion was the drawback of the conventional Class H amplifier, and it has been solved here. The circuit meets the power demands of a Home THX system and holds a damping factor of 25 at 6 Ω.
Dolby Pro Logic and THX Decoding
The SU-TX50 has Dolby Pro Logic and a 5-channel configuration that meets Dolby Pro Logic's ideal surround condition of "using the same speakers for L/R / Center and driving with the same power." It has three built-in surround modes: normal, wide and phantom. It carries a decoder for the home THX audio system developed by Lucasfilm. Discrete 6-channel inputs support multi-channel outputs such as a digital surround processor that decodes Dolby Digital (AC-3) or a DVD player with 5.1 channel decoded outputs.
Sound Field Control and Imaging
It is equipped with a Sound Field Control (SFC) that allows you to select from seven sound fields, such as halls and live houses. The 3-mode SSI (Sound Stage Imaging) feature allows you to create a more natural and expanded sound field when playing back a normal stereo source. You can surround sound playback from stereo sources such as non-Dolby encoded CDs and cassette tapes using DSP signal processing. The
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