This is an FM/AM Tuner incorporating audio preamplifer facilities with clock and timing functions.
It provides stereo audio suitable as source material for a power amplifer, it will NOT drive loudspeakers directly!
It was designed by Technics to match the asthetics of the SE-A808 power amplifier but can stand alone as an individual component if (for example) the user preferred to use their own favourite power amplifier instead of the SE-A808
Back in 1980 this ST-K808 had a retail price of Yen 66,000 - that is around A$800 as a rough conversion at today's exchange rate! This equipment was only for those with pockets full of cash.
Other components which made up the complete Technics system are:
* SE-A808 (Power Amplifier)
* RS-M45 (Single cassette deck)
* SH-R808 (IR remote control system for all components except the power amplifier)
SL-Q33 - sold a while back, these turntables can be remote controlled by the SH-R808. So funny watching a turntable run without any hands near it!
* Denotes system components that I currently have and that I am currently evaluating or refurbishing - look at the separate advertisements for those items marked with a *
This is the FM/AM Tuner with preamplifier and auxiliary clock/timing facilities component only (ST-K808)
Technics Stereo FM/AM Tuner & audio preamplifer with clock/timer facilities
Slimline format
Model: ST-K808 (XA)
Multiple AC input capable
Switch underneath allows selection of 100V, 110, 220V & 240V
Made in Japan
Released to market 1980~1983
Almost all controls are "touch" and very easy to operate
Primary Functions:
FM/AM Tuner
Stereo Preamplifier
Clock (time only not date, year)
Timer (switching on & off automatically under programming control)
SPECIFIC SUB-SECTION DETAILS:
FM/AM Tuner:
FM 87.5 ~ 108Mhz
50Khz or 200Khz selectable step rate
Sensitivity: 0.9uV ~ 1.9uV depending upon acceptable S/N ratio and antenna impedance (full detailed Sensitivity specs are available in the User Manual)
Selectivity: 75dB
Frequency response: 20Hz ~ 15Khz
FM Antenna inputs for 75 Ohm (coax) & 300 Ohm (spaced ribbon) or a special Technics tuned antenna
AM 522Khz ~ 1611Khz
9Khz or 10Khz selectable step rate
Sensitivity: 30uV ~ 300uV depending upon acceptable S/N ratio (full detailed Sensitivity specs are available in the User Manual)
Selectivity: 55dB
AM has its own built in antenna (limited position adjustment) & long wire terminal
All frequencies tuned and whether stereo lock has been achieved are displayed on the blue-green flourescent display
PREAMPLIFER:
Inputs:
Auxiliary:
Sensitivity 150mV/27K Ohm
S/N (A weighted) 97dB
Frequency response: 20Hz ~ 20Khz
Phono:
Sensitivity 2.5mV/47K Ohm (suitable for MM cartridges ONLY, MC would need some additional external gain provided before using these as a source in this phono input)
S/N (A weighted) 78dB
Frequency response: 30Hz ~ 15Khz (RIAA equalisation)
Tape Play/Record:
Sensitivity 180mV/27K Ohm
S/N (A weighted) 97dB
Frequency response: 20 ~ 20Khz
Other audio controls & information:
Bass: 50Hz +/- 10dB
Treble: 20Khz +/- 10dB
Balance: Left/Right full conrol
Subsonic Filter: 30Hz -6dB cut
Hi-cut Filter: 7Khz -6dB cut
Loudness: 50Hz +9dB boost
Total Harmonic Distortion (all inputs) 0.05%
Maximum output level: 500mV ~ 10V 600 Ohm impedance
Auxiliary Controls:
2x 500W AC switched power sockets to the rear (2 pin flat, no earth) to provide AC power to other system components under control of this equipment
Remote control (Infrared) is available via a wired connection to the separate SH-R808 Remote Control equipment (currently being refurbished/evaluated)
User programmed timer controls, allowing for setting up various on-off times *** See my important note about this facility below
System time clock (no day-month-year indications)
SUPPLIED ITEMS:
Technics ST-K808 component (as described here and pictured)
AC power adaptor - this does NOT change the AC voltage but simply allows the 2 pin male plug (standard fitting) to be used with Australian 240V 3 pin GPO's
The ORIGINAL AC plug remains fitted, 2 flat parallel pins (GPO earth not connected) as was common with 1980's Japanese audio equipment.
I am supplying a commecial plug adaptor (multi international standard to Australian 3 pin GPO) so this is easily useable with our Australian 240V GPO's (no need to bend the pins!) OR (once the AC voltage switch underneath is changed!) used immediately in Japan, Asia, USA or Europe.
It may be that this is not actually required by the user as power can be supplied via one of the other system components AC output sockets
User Manual - not generally required, once you get used to how the system operates but a definite MUST when using the clock/timer functions! This manual will be on a CD in pdf format, for direct reading on a computer or to be printed by the user (20 pages)
3x AA Alkaline batteries (left in place to maintain station memory, time (AEST)
Dimensions: 430mm x 75mm x 310mm
Weight: 5Kg
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
No obvious modifications/repairs were observed inside, just that old "Technics" smell! (no, its not burning but a peculiar smell that a lot of my Technics gear has!)
First thing I noticed is that it is VERY crowded inside, some of the sub-modules are even mounted vertically because Technics ran out of space! This could make any service work (if ever it was required) a challenge. Service manuals are readily available online.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Case is clean and unscratched, some light spots/marks to the top surface but these are not terrible by any means.
Front panel labelling is undamaged, all lettering remains intact and not "partially rubbed off"
Rear panel sockets, controls are all clean - uses standard RCA inputs/outputs (nickel plated) & DIN 5 pin for the tape record/play socket plus a special 8 pin DIN for the wired remote cable which goes off to the SH-R808 equipment (I have that unit too)
AM antenna moves properly, although it's range of adjustment is quite limited
The AC input voltage switch is underneath the equipment (the base) and is set for 240V currently
TESTING:
I have had this Technics system, of which this is one component, in storage since my audio post production days and bought it out, checked inside and gave the volume control in particular a nice clean up (they go noisy over time)
I have been evaluating this tuner-preamplifier over the last couple of weeks, it's been a while since I had heard this in action!
I love it!
The tuner side is nice clean audio and quite frankly far more sensitive than my NAD receiver equipment.
I ran audio through both the AUX and PHONO inputs - no issues here, nice sound once again.
I tell the good and also the bad ....
To be frank there are two things I don't like about this preamplifer - the recessed tone controls and the archaic horrible logic clock/timing system!
You push lightly on the drop down front cover and this reveals the tone controls.
I like to have much more open access to the tone controls and found this location and the tight space for those with large hands to be a pain quite frankly.
But the biggest disappointment is the clock/timer system - what a nightmare and we used to find it such a pain that we just ignored those facilities and upon rechecking the system over the last two weeks, I now remember why!
Where is the logical thinking behind the controls, beyond me...
The far left touch button is the power on - off. Push it and you go into standby, NOT ON.
To turn anything on, you push either the Tuner controls (FM or AM) or the input select buttons - just so strange.
The audio design of the preamplifier is great but the logic control for the timer section in particular is such a mess of noodles.
Push this, turn that, push this again and then do this - good god, it was just not worth the trouble to set up the timer (in my opinion) Even the clock wasn't easy because everything is inter-related and if you set up the timer incorrectly, then the clock can't be accessed or the system "turns off" and I had to reset the whole timer system once again - dang, the designer of this logic system needs to find a new job!
I even thought I might be doing something wrong but here is an extract from a reviewer of this timing system...READ IT CLOSELY and try to figure what on earth he is talking about!
A timer programming of one operation and a total of three operations is possible for two operations and also one once specification for the everyday specification which operates a system at the time regular every day.
Yeah yeah, WTF! and that's only part of it, it gets worse as you dig into the review.
So in my honest opinion, FORGET THE TIMER SYSTEM - it's a joke from a technical viewpoint and a nightmare for a user.
I have simply left the programming switch in the MANUAL mode and everything is fine - change anything in the timer system and all I can say is the best of luck to you! Hint: read the manual, reset ALL programming and then go manual, it's the only way to run this equipment.
My recommendation is that when this unit is received by the new owner, RESET ALL THE PROGRAMMING AND SWITCH TO MANUAL - then everything behaves itself. Its not hard to do these things and it is necessary to get some sort of sense out of the equipment.
Very sleek, un-assuming design which looks great alongside or underneath the SE-A808 power amplifier.
As described above though, the logic design must have been dreamed up by someone who was pretty wacky, it's one of the worst I have ever seen.
