Product & Technology Milestones・Home Audio
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Product & Technology Milestones
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1950
- type G
- Japan's first tape recorder. This machine featured a tape speed of 19cm per second. With Sony's exclusive small-hub reel, the recorder accepted tapes in reel diameters of up to 10 inches. Units were delivered to the Supreme Court and various other government agencies, earning it the nickname "Type G," for government.
More1950
type G
Japan's first tape recorder. It had a tape speed of 19 cm per second, and a unique reel with a small hub that could be used to mount up to 10-inch tape. It was delivered to the Supreme Court and other government agencies, but sales to the general public were not good. At a time when the starting salary was 4,000 yen, it was priced at around 160,000 yen and it weighed 35 kg, which was too heavy. The G-type tape recorder, named after the "G" from "Government," was followed by the H-type for home use and the P-type for personal use, which alleviated these issues.Close -
1951
- H-1
- The first consumer-use tape recorder. It was named "Type H," for home, because it was designed for home use. The machine was housed in a wooden case resembling a trunk to accommodate overseas travel. It weighed 13kg, much lighter than the first-generation Type G. This was the first model to incorporate industrial design.
More1951
H-1
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1961
- TC-777
- Japan's first all transistor amp tape recorder. Because the model name had a series of three sevens in a row, it was called the "Three Seven."
More1961
TC-777
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1964
- TC-263D
- Tape deck featuring only a single transport mechanism. This device was unique in that it used a recording amplifier known as the SRA-3 to record sound, with reproduction achieved by connecting a tape playback equalizer to the same amplifier. Since music was generally reproduced only from phonograph records at the time, this product was revolutionary in that consumers could now enjoy music on tapes in the same way they had with vinyl records.
More1964
TC-263D
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1965
- TA-1120
- The world's first all-silicon transistorized stereo integrated amplifier. It was the first product in the ES series. This device caused a sensation throughout the audio industry due to its ability to offer what vacuum tube amps could not: major output while simultaneously ensuring low distortion.
More1965
TA-1120
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1966
- TC-100
- Sony's first cassette tape recorder, the Magazine-matic 100. This groundbreaking model was easy to operate, compact in size (about half the size of a weekly magazine), and portable enough to maximize the features of cassette tapes.
More1966
TC-100
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1970
- TC-9000
- Stereo tape deck utilizing one-way 2-track stereo recording instead of conventional reciprocal 4-track stereo recording, with a tape speed of 38cm per second (about twice that of conventional models). Together, these features provided advanced performance similar to professional equipment. This tape deck enjoyed popularity among audiophiles under the nickname "Two-track Three-eight."
More1970
TC-9000
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1972
- Listen 5
- Part of Sony's "Listen" series and one of the earliest component stereo systems.
More1972
Listen 5
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1973
- TC-2850SD
- The first "Cassette Densuke," successor to the shoulder-type tape recorder nicknamed "Densuke." Although portable, this tape recorder also offered such high performance, it was also used as a stationary model. This product coincided with a fad for the nostalgia of steam locomotives known as the "SL Boom." A craze for on-site recording was set in motion and the TC-2850SD played a leading role in this craze.
More1973
TC-2850SD
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1974
- CF-1980
- This boombox is equipped with authentic studio mixing functions, such as "wireless mixing," which enables tape mixing from a distance of approximately 100 meters using an FM wireless microphone. The design is reminiscent of a studio adjustment table.
More1974
CF-1980
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1976
- SS-G7
- Three-way speaker system that thoroughly pursued sound quality by incorporating the results of Sony's most advanced research and simulation technology at the time. This model is based on the same technology used in today's speakers.
More1976
SS-G7
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1977
- CF-6500
- The "Stereo Jillbap" is a portable system component that thoroughly pursues stereo sound quality and achieves dynamic sound quality. Consideration was also given to the operability of cassette tape labels, which can be read without reversing them.
More1977
CF-6500
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1979
- APM-8
- A four-way floor speaker system that uses the APM (Accurate Pistonic Motion) method for all speaker units, which achieves near-perfect piston vibration over the entire frequency range used by driving multiple points using a planar diaphragm with an extremely rigid honeycomb sandwich structure.
More1979
APM-8
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1982
- CDP-101
- World's first compact disc player. The 12cm CD, on which music signals were digitally recorded, signaled the birth of advanced high fidelity sound, opening up new horizons for digital audio.
More1982
CDP-101
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1986
- CFD-D77
- The CD boombox "DoDeCa HORN CD" uses a super woofer and resonant tube for low frequency sound in addition to the regular speakers to reproduce a powerful bass sound. It supports "CD Synchro Reverse," which automatically edits and records music from a CD onto a cassette tape.
More1986
CFD-D77
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1987
- DTC-1000ES
- Digital Audio Tape recorder (DAT). This deck enabled users to enjoy advanced high fidelity audio recording and reproduction at home.
More1987
DTC-1000ES
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1993
- MDS-101
- The first stationary minidisc recorder. It can easily replace the order of tracks and instantly erase unnecessary parts, which is impossible with tape, and offers a wide range of editing functions unique to minidiscs, allowing you to enjoy creating MD discs.
More1993
MDS-101
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1998
- MDR-DS5000
- The digital surround headphone system that reproduces audio with a sense of realism similar to that of a movie theater.
More1998
MDR-DS5000
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1999
- SCD-1
- The first Super Audio CD (SACD) player, representing the latest in the realistic reproduction of sound, enabling playback of even the most minute nuances and atmosphere of high fidelity music.
More1999
SCD-1
Close- SRS-Z1
- Small 3-piece speaker system with separate amplifier and speakers. By connecting portable CDs, MD Walkman®, etc. via wire, you can enjoy near-field listening where the sound field spreads out in front of you.
More1999
SRS-Z1
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2001
- DAV-S500
- 5.1-ch DVD system that combines a DVD player with an AV amplifier and speaker system. It is the first to feature Sony's original full-digital amplifier, S-Master, and has achieved a significant reduction in size.
More2001
DAV-S500
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2003
- TA-DA9000ES
- Multi-channel integrated amplifier.
The ES series is the first to feature a full digital amplifier, enabling the reproduction of high quality sound and expression that is more faithful to the original sound.
More2003
TA-DA9000ES
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2004
- NAS-A1
- Network audio system offers compatibility with the Japan-based "Any Music" service---enabling users to enjoy purchasing and downloading music CDs via the net.
More2004
NAS-A1
Close- DAV-SR1W
- 5.1-ch home theater system that can wirelessly transmit digital audio signals to surround speakers using Sony Digital Infrared Audio Transmission (S-DIAT). Surround speakers can now be laid out freely.
More2004
DAV-SR1W
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2005
- DAV-X1
- 2.1ch front surround home theater system equipped with S-Force PRO Front Surround, a virtual surround technology that virtually reproduces a 5.1ch surround sound field using only the front speakers for the first time. Realizes further miniaturization and free layout.
More2005
DAV-X1
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2006
- SS-AR1
- It was developed in pursuit of the physical characteristics of a speaker, placing importance on "naturalness of tone," "naturalness of space," and "naturalness of reverberation.
This is a top-class 3-way 4-speaker system that combines maple wood from Hokkaido, processed by highly skilled Japanese woodworkers, with birch wood from Finland and unique high-quality sound circuits.
More2006
SS-AR1
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2007
- RHT-S10
- Equipped with S-Force PRO Front Surround, this is a wall-mounted theater stand system that combines an AV amplifier and a 5.1-channel speaker system in a single body. This model was the prototype of the later sound bar.
More2007
RHT-S10
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2008
- NSA-PF1
- Unique speaker system, "Sountina." The one-meter-tall speaker emits high quality, natural-sounding audio in 360 degrees from the organic vibrating tube.
More2008
NSA-PF1
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2009
- TA-DA5500ES
- TA-DA5500ES, world's first multi - channel integrated amplifier with automatic phase - matching technology.
More2009
TA-DA5500ES
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2010
- STR-DH710
- Home Theater A/V receiver capable of supporting HD components including 3D and ARC.
More2010
STR-DH710
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2011
- TA-DA5700ES
- The world's first* 9.1ch playback-compatible 7-channel integrated amplifier equipped with 'Sound Optimizer' correction technology.
* As an independent correction technology based on the difference between the efficiency measurement of multi-channel integrated amplifier speakers and the standard movie production levels. (Current at the time of the press release issued on September 28, 2011.)
More2011
TA-DA5700ES
Close- MDR-DS7500
- The industry's first* digital surround headphone system that reproduces a 3D sound field with a newly added height direction.
*As a digital surround headphone system for consumer use. (as of August 2011. According to Sony research)
More2011
MDR-DS7500
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2013
- HT-ST7
- Sound bar that reproduces the realism of 7.1ch surround sound by newly adopting S-Force PRO Front Surround and technology that controls the sound of multiple speakers in the sound bar itself over a wide area.
More2013
HT-ST7
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2016
- TA-ZH1ES
- Headphone amplifier in the Signature Series, which combines analog and digital amplifier technologies with digital signal processing technologies that Sony has cultivated over many years to create the best possible music experience in a personal space.
More2016
TA-ZH1ES
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2018
- DMP-Z1
- Digital music player in the Signature Series that brings together Sony's long-cultivated audio technologies, including an independent battery-powered power supply system and a large analog rotary volume custom-made for Sony, to deliver a high-quality music experience through headphone listening.
More2018
DMP-Z1
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