Technics Analog Stereo Tuner
Model ST S1 XAL
AM-FM Tuner
*** AM does NOT appear to be working ***
So this tuner is great for the FM stereo music stations but no good (it seems) for the AM talkback, racing etc.
Retro analog design
Manufactured in Japan
Released 1979
Silver front panel - light brown sides and top
Very nice, easy to read analog frequency display with well placed and clearly visible lamps indicating:
Stereo ON - OFF (Mono)
Active servo lock ON - this is frequency locking in Technics "jargon"
Station tuning indicator - a centre red light shows you have tuned the station correctly, orange lights to either side indicate the station is not tuned correctly (or is too weak)
5 lights indicate the strength of the received signal
On the back is the left/right audio outputs (RCA connectors) and the FM & AM aerial connectors.
Multi-voltage, currently set for 240V (Australia)
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Front panel is excellent EXCEPT the paddle switches used to be plastic with a silver paint - the paint has worn off over the last 35 years, so the paddles are white now with bits of silver left on them.
If you are into restoring, you can easily removed the case and carefully spray the paddles with a silver spray paint.
Everything else, including the large tuning knob, are in great condition.
The sides are clean and unmarked.
The top however does have some signs of age and a chip in the paint showing a rust underneath
If one was to restore this unit, a quick spray painting (light brown) will restore the top surface of the casing
All other areas, the rear and the underneath, are in great condition - no wear or damage.
Nice 1970's analog gear, FM working great or equally suitable as a production prop (many of my old items are used by the television and film industry as prop's
EQUIPMENT TESTING:
Very smooth (without backlash) tuning and when a station is tuned in, it locks quickly AND STAYS THAT WAY (so many older units will drift, this one does not)
Audio quality is great
I found all controls to perform as expected
Backlight on the frequency display is fully functioning
*** the AC power input lead ***
At some stage, one of our family animals seems to have decided the cord would be nice to chew on! This is up near the plug. You can see the bite marks BUT NO insulation has been broken (the wires are NOT exposed) so at the moment it is safe to use BUT the power lead should be checked from time to time to ensure the insulation damage hasn't become worse - in this case, a new 2 pin plug MUST be fitted at a point where the power lead is undamaged.
This is a 2 pin plug - the unit does not use an earth - it is a double insulated system.
Measurements:
430mm wide x 220mm deep x 130mm high
Weight:
Approximately 4Kg
