Technics SU-V5A (1982)
The Technics SU-V5A is an integrated DC amplifier released in October 1982 at ¥64,800. It was specified seriously for its size. Output is 60W + 60W into 8 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 0.005% THD, with total harmonic distortion rated at 0.004% and TIM listed as unmeasurable. Signal-to-noise is 102 dB (IHF-A, straight DC), and the damping factor is 70 into 8 ohms.
Technics called the output stage a "new class A" design. It combines a synchronized bias circuit, a computer drive circuit and a linear feedback circuit to eliminate the transient crossover distortion that can plague conventional output stages. A front-panel computer drive monitor shows the circuit's operating status. The Auto LED and green Computer Drive indicator light roughly 20 seconds after power-on, once the circuit settles into stable operation. The amp also has a heat-pipe radiator to disperse heat from the output transistors, and a concentrated power block intended to suppress high-frequency distortion caused by electromagnetic radiation.
The phono equalizer is high gain and can take an MC cartridge directly. MM/MC gain switching is handled by very low-noise op-amp ICs. MM input is 2.5 mV/47 kΩ, MC is 200 μV/220 Ω. Phono S/N is 83 dB (MM) and 65 dB (MC). There are tone controls (bass and treble ±10 dB), a subsonic filter at 30 Hz, loudness compensation, and a dedicated external-device terminal for connecting a graphic equalizer. A microcomputer-based pure electronic protection circuit detects DC leakage, speaker-terminal shorts, and abnormal internal temperature, and disconnects the speakers by relay. A remote-action switch is used for the input and rec-out selectors.
Dimensions are 430 x 109 x 290 mm (W x H x D), weight 6.5 kg, power consumption 115W.
No period review or owner reception of the SU-V5A has surfaced in the Archive's sources, and there is no collector-market data either. The record is solid on specification and design, and thin on reputation. If you owned one, the Archive would welcome hearing how it behaved.
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