A short explanation about this audio equipment is due here.
Way back in 1986, Sony released this compact hi-density component system, including speakers on each side - like a large heavy boom-box type of thing.
This was called the FH-15R and included a tuner, cassette tape player, amplifier with EQ, integral speakers and inputs for external equipment such as a CD player.
The system was expensive and received very good reviews and even these days, 35 years on, owners still rave about their FH-15R's and the market prices online reflect this (one guy in UK is asking around $700 for his FH-15R!).
It is not often that separate components or modules are offered as I am - rare opportunity.
This is in a class way beyond your el-cheapo boom-boxes of the 1980's, that's for sure.
To be more useful to me, I have discarded the speakers and the cassette unit but I have now decided I don't need this equipment at all so it is looking for a new home.
I am NOT offering the complete FH-15R, only the components mentioned below and in the photographs are included.
SONY FH-15R Component Sound System Modules
Model: TA-158 Main Amplifier
Model: ST-158 Tuner
Model: RM-158 Remote control
These 3 modules are FULLY FUNCTIONAL - there are no issues at all
Detailed description of each module
TA-158 Amplifier
Front panel or remote controlled
Stereo 30W RMS each channel (8 Ohms) or 40W RMS each channel into 6 Ohms
Frequency response 40Hz - 30Khz
Maximum THD 1%
External inputs: Phono (turntable) CD & Microphone
External outputs: Preamp out, Speakers (6 - 16 Ohms) Headphones (8 Ohm or greater)
EQ 7 band with vertical LED real-time display (63-150-400-1K-3K-6k-14k)
Instant Mute button (pads -20dB)
Limited control by the RM-158 remote control
(Input selection, volume control, muting)
Dimensions: 215mm Wide x 115mm Height x 230mm Depth
Weight: 5Kg
TS-158 Tuner
Front Panel or remote controlled
This tuner is designed to interconnect via a special cable with the TA-158 - it cannot be used by itself.
Unusual in that it not only has the standard FM (Stereo capable) and AM frequencies BUT ALSO SHORTWAVE!
The shortwave is only useful for listening to distance foreign broadcasts using AM - this tuner will not resolve SSB or CW! This means that it will be fine for foreign broadcasting services such as BBC, RADIO ASIA etc but not for maritime ship communications for example.
There is a built in telescopic antenna for AM and terminals at the rear for your own FM antenna, in metro areas just a piece of wire is often sufficient or a simple "dipole" but in more remote or difficult reception areas, a more elaborate antenna would be desirable for FM especially.
Shortwave listening is an art in itself and often a long wire antenna is used - not difficult to set up if you have the space but without a good shortwave antenna your listening results may be disappointing.
The bands for this tuner are:
AM: 531 ~ 1602Khz
FM: 87.5 ~ 108Mhz
SW1: 3.2 ~ 7.3Mhz (90m ~ 41m)
SW2: 9.5 ~ 21.75Mhz (31m ~ 13m)
Shortwave frequency selection is in 50Khz steps ONLY and annoyingly, while tuning, the audio output is muted - so you really need to know the frequency of the station you are looking for.
Limited control by the RM-158 remote control
(Band changing, preset station selection only - no remote tuning)
Dimensions: 215mm Wide x 55mm Height x 230mm Depth
Weight: 1Kg
The tuner is normally sitting on top of the TA-158 (it has rubber feet) but it could be situated next to the TA-158, the special ribbon cable allows for this - just!
So all up, this is a sound system that weighs around 6Kg and measures 215mm across x 170mm high x 230mm front to back - its a very compact system.
Just add speakers, an FM and/or shortwave aerial and you are in business!
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Very good to excellent
Front panel controls all clean and fully operational
No labelling damage
Display of both units is clear and easy to read
Casing is largely unmarked, just a couple of minor marks only
The remote control has cosmetic degrading of the casing - due to age not handling. I can't do anything about this, it does not affect the operation of the remote, it just doesn't look pretty!
TESTING:
I have had the FH-15R since the 1980's, it has never missed a beat but for my own purposes it just didn't need to have a cassette unit or the side speaker system and they were removed.
The sound is great, has plenty of "punch" for small to medium sized rooms, looks great with all those multi-coloured LEDs bobbing up and down and I liked to listen to some shortwave sometimes as well!
Very nice compact unit
Now that I am not using this equipment any longer, it has been sealed in plastic (both units together) to ensure no dirt or dust degrades the system.
