The Sony STR-V5 is the younger brother of the STR-V6 and top of the line STR-V7. It was introduced around 1978 and has the classic 70’s Sony styling. I personally really like the Sony style with its low key sophistication and lack of over the top eye candy. The green glow from the dial and brushed aluminum knobs make an upscale and sleek impression. Of course, not everyone feels that way and Sony receivers can probably still be considered sleepers in the collector market. But, probably not for long. Will they ever achieve the notoriety of a Marantz or Pioneer. Perhaps not. But the build quality and performance is very similar to those more well known and coveted brands. The Sony STR-V5 produces 85 watts per channel into 8 ohms and features:
- Tone Controls for Bass and Treble
- High and Low filters
- Inputs for Phono MM, Tape I+II, AUX
- A large toroidal power transformer
- Weight just over 41 pounds
- Dimension of 20.67 x 7.68 x 17.72
- 3 large analog meters
- 5 gang FM tuner
The STR-V5, V6, and V7 all share the same chassis and look very similar in appearance as well. As I mentioned above the early Sony’s can still be found at very reasonable prices given their performance although prices have been creeping up slowly. A top condition STR-V5 can be had for just over $600.00 with lesser condition units bringing $300-$450.
I just bought a STR-V5 after owning a STR-V3 for only a few weeks. The smaller V3 model is a beautiful sounding receiver. It has a warm and very detailed, precise sound. The styling is like the larger models and the sound is excellent for normal listening. I am comparing the V3’s sound to other receiver brands made in the late 70s-Sansui, Technics, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc. Even if you aren’t crazy about the looks of the receiver itself, you will love its sound. I don’t see how you couldn’t! Even if you are prejudiced towards another brand like Marantz, I think one listen will convince you that Sony made a great line of vintage receivers, especially in this STR-VX generation!
The STR-V5 has arrived. I did some basic cleaning and servicing of the unit and have had it up and playing now for a good week.
It has a gorgeous sound, even better than the smaller STR-V3 I wrote about earlier.
I have been running it with a Technics SL-1310 table (the European model of the U.S. SL-1300) and a vintage Ortofon cartridge, playing some old Savoy Brown blues-rock records. The engineering on the Savoy albums was very good.
The V5 just makes the music sound fantastic, even at normal listening volumes playing through a pair of Polk Monitor 5A speakers with Peerless tweeters.
My opinion is if you get a chance to own any pre-1981 Sony receiver, buy it, especially if it is in full working order. The V3-V7 series is definitely worth owning. I do know that the earlier generations of Sonys were supposed to be real gems too. Having two of them from this generation, I believe it and am trying to buy earlier ones too.
I am only a music and electronics enthusiast, not a audiophile, so I can’t give you all the details in audiophilia language! My ears love the sound of this receiver. I don’t see how others couldn’t also. Slightly warm, very detailed and concise sound reproduction. So beautiful!
Hi,I am from Romania, i want to buy a V 5 from roumanian e.bay. Wich is your opinion for this model ?
Thank you.
Salut! Eu am cumpărat unul acum o săptămâna și pot să îți spun ca este un MONSTRU !!! Un sunet brutal !!!
Eu am 2 boxe Kenwood KL-888X
Stau intr-un apartament și nu pot să trec de volum 7, nu se poate sta în camera, vibrează tot blocul
Hello, I’m from France, I’m looking for a SONY STR V6 in good condition. Can you tell me where I can get one.
I have my v5 that I have owned since new (1979)…you can’t go wrong with either the v5, 6 or 7..good luck on your search
My Sony STR V5 is wonderful. I have had a year to enjoy mine. Overall sound is excellent, with a scintillating sound-stage capability .
I sent the Sony in to the shop to repair a meter light, and have been listening to a Realistic STA 2000 while it is out.
The soundstage produced the Realistic STA 2000 (75 Watts per channel) is quite limited by comparison.
Both have plenty of power, and each produces wonderful warm 70s tone, but the width of the Sony STR V5 sound-stage is a full 180 degrees left to right instrument placement, while STA 2000 cant get much beyond a pale 45 degree wedge of sound-stage instrument placement.
I listened blindfolded and pointed to the sound of the voices and instruments, and found myself pointing full 180 degree separation, full left to full right.
I am happily anticipating getting the Sony back, and moving the Realistic to the game room, or moving it along to its next caretaker.
To my ears, in the ‘Sony V5’ vs TOTL 1978 ‘Realistic STA 2000’ side by side comparison, the Sony V5 is clearly my preference.
Can anybody tell me if there is any information contained in a receiver’s ‘Specs’ which would indicate to a buyer that a given receiver will have more robust sound-stage capability?
Thanks and respect to you all.
Im very new to STR v5 and had mine a couple weeks. I am over the moon with how it sounds. Brought out the little kid in me trying new and old speakers I have around the house. It’s got so much punch! Regardless what I hooked to it…just goodness came out. This thing is like driving a well sorted muscle car with modern brakes for listening. Ton of power with a surprisingly great level of control. I want to find albums to play through it and watch the needles dance. The sound stage it can create is nothing short of magical to me. The tuner in is really precise, the phono in is def my sound preference, and the RCA aux in is nice for hooking up a dac or many other things. This thing is a life time keeper.
I just bought my husband a v5 & he loves it he owns quite alot of vintage equipment but is using the v5 alot hes one of those that tends to change things up pretty frequently but keeps the v5 hooked up in his office most of the time hes playing it through a set of sansui sp-79 speakers says the sound is smooth and makes his collection of old blues records sound like they should anybody should have one of the v series sonys in their collection
I recently acquired a sony VR5. What a beauty! Bought it from a reputable tech who had just cleaned & serviced it. My turntable cartridge is 5.5mv and the Sony is rated per the owners manual at 2.5mv.Is this a cause for concern?