Sherwood S-7100 and S-7100A

Sherwood S-7100 Front

This is one of Sherwood’s upper end models the Sherwood S-7100. The Sherwood company was founded in 1953 by Ed Miller and John snow. Their primary products were amplifiers, tuners and receivers though they also had a speaker line. In 1961 Sherwood participated in the world’s first stereo radio broadcast which utilized Sherwood equipment. The S-7100 is one of Sherwood’s later solid state models though it is said to have a warm tube like sound to it.

Sherwood S-7100 Left

The S-7100 puts out roughly 18 watts per channel though I have seen other specs show anywhere from 14 to 22 watts per channel. Sherwood was known for their exceptional FM tuners and the S-7100 is no exception.

Sherwood S-7100 Right

The Sherwood company produced the first completely solid state receiver in 1967 so they were at the forefront of the new technology of the time.  While most of their line was originally manufactured in the U.S. they moved production to Korea in 1978.

Sherwood S-7100 Back

The build quality of the early Sherwood receivers was exceptional and their performance matched that of the more well known brands of the time.

Sherwood S-7100 Inside

The S-7100 utilizes a plastic switch inside the power / volume knob that can decay quickly if solvent is used to clean it. So, if you do intend to clean the switch be sure to use a cleaner that does not have solvents in it.

Sherwood S-7100 Inside

Sherwood also sold the S-7100A which was slightly different than the S-7100 though you wouldn’t really notice it from the outside of the unit. As you can see the S-7100A below is essentially exactly the same on the front as the S-7100 with the exception of the knobs. The knobs on the S-7100 have a black cover around most of the knobs with the exception of the Tuning and Loudness (power/volume) knobs.  The S-7100 knobs are all silver with the exception of the Tuning and Loudness knobs. So, they basically reversed the knob design from the S-7100 to the S-7100A.

Sherwood S-7100A Front

The S-7100A has a few more watts per channel at around 25 and the interior circuitry as well as the back panel differ from the S-7100. Both units have very nice walnut veneer wood cases which is unusual for non top of the line receivers.

Sherwood S-7100A Back

While the Sherwood receivers were well built and performed as well as the other major brands they do not have the notoriety the others do. Because of this, prices are not as high as say a similar Pioneer or Marantz receiver. Of course, this also means that you can usually find a very good deal on these receivers.

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35 thoughts on “Sherwood S-7100 and S-7100A

  1. I have a Sherwood S-7125A. Granted its appearance is almost identical to the S-7200 but without power button issues. The sound it gives is bright and deep with lots of floating mids. The tuner is great. Overall I only have positive remarks for Sherwood products – receivers at least. The C225? tape deck I own has a power switch issue I haven’t fixed yet. Yet before that it just might be the best sounding tape deck I own; better than my Sony 555ES, Dual C830, Concept ELC, and any Pioneer.

  2. I have a Sherwood S7100A that is in excellent condition except the power plug seemed a little shabby. I opened it up with an aim of replacing to a new plus and was alarmed to notice the active wire (RED) was wired on the Left and the neutral wire (Black) was wired on the right. This is the complete opposite to what an electrician recently wired in replacing an old plug for my LP player. Havent plugged it in yet (and wont until electrician views) – yet doesnt this sound odd?

  3. Or actually any late ’70’s equipment available ?
    (receivers, speakers, or turntables?)
    Or any nice stereo component stand?)
    Thanku.

  4. I have a Sherwood S7100 I am willing to sell, James. It works very well and is in great cosmetic shape. I also have two BLC Venturi speakers that sound great connected to it.

  5. I have a Sherwood S-7100A that I am ready to sell. It is in flawless condition. There is also a BIC Multiple Play Turntable, and two Electro-Voice 10″ 2 way speaker system speakers. All in working condition.

  6. I just bought a mint 7100A for $60.00. I swear they brought it home and sealed it in a plastic bag. Cosmetically perfect with none of the oxidation issues you typically find in vintage receivers. I live in an apartment, and at 25W I honestly can’t go past 2 without risking making my neighbors very unhappy.

    To say that FM reception is exceptional is an understatement. I’m using it thru a pair of mid- 70’s Sonics (re-badged Akai Pioneer clones-$100) and A/B with a pair of Klipsch bookshelfs. When I get a red light FM lock it truly is breathtaking.

    Yes, there are exceptional values on vintage “non-monster” receivers and turntables . One thing you need to accept with vintage audio is it weighs a TON. Typically dealing with ½ in. or ¼ in. plywood and heavy old school internals so you seem to pay dearly for shipping on E-bay. I hunt locally and in state, but if the right thing showed up on Ebay I wouldn’t hesitate in getting it.

    Trust me, its worth it. It’s all about knowing what to look for.

    [Note: Sonics speakers with an “s”. There are Sonic (singular) speakers out there that, in my opinion, are garbage.]

    1. I have a s-7900A running through BIC Venturi V62 speakers and I too cannot go over 2 or 3 volume level without risk of annoying the neighbors. Just a great unit.
      Also using a Polk 303-B powered sub

  7. I have a Sherwood S-7100A that I bought in 1973. I have used it off and on over the years, but recently got it and other equipment out of the boxes and set it up for the first time in years. Everything works fine, including the little KLH-Pro 11 bookshelf speakers. I bought this equipment at Dixie Hi-Fi in Maryland. In the 80’s I bought a Sony PS-LX4 tt and yesterday hooked up a brand new Cambridge Audio CD player to the Sherwood. I’m really enjoying the great sound produced by the combo of old Sherwood and new CA. And I have the KLHs hooked up via 16 gauge wire; will invest in some better wire soon! Anyway, the S-7100A performs very well, whether playing CDs, vinyl or FM radio.

  8. I wanted a simple stereo for the loft in my house, so I purchased a Sherwood 7110 receiver (17 watts/channel). It was $40.00 on ebay. It has a small crack on the faceplate Other then that, it’s a perfect piece of “old school” stereo equipment. It’s currently powering a pair of KEF C35 bookshelf speakers . Nice warm, rich sound!
    I ordered and received a replacement faceplate for it. Still undecided if I’ll replace it though.
    If you have the opportunity to get a 70’s Sherwood receiver dont hesitate. Alot of bang for the buck and a great addition to any home stereo system.

  9. I have a Sherwood S-7100. The volume/power knob just broke. Opened it up. It’s an ALPS F-480 snap switch. I’m sure these are hard to find. Any tips on replacement parts or how to wire a separate power switch and volume potentiometer?

    1. You can find a switch on ebay. They go for about $90.00. If its broken in the “on” position I would use a power cord with a on/off switch. Good luck.

    2. Go to audiokarma.org to view the repair of this switch. I was given a s7100a that wouldn’t turn on. Power switch failed so jumpered it to test. all backlights didn’t work except for stereo light and power transformer buzzing and ran hot. Found someone used wire to short out missing panel side light bulbs. Wire was grounding out on one side. replaced the two missing bulbs and they all light up now included bayonet bulb and transformer cool and not buzzing. Amazing sound. Next job is to repair switch. Maybe can steal back from another pot with an on off switch. Don’t want to drill holes to put another switch or put one on power cord and connect wires together from switch. This is a sleeper unit with amazing tube-like sound.

    3. There is a seller on eBay that says he is making them and says they’re better than the OEM switch. I haven’t bought one as I don’t need it yet, so I can’t attest to the quality. Also, the price is very dear.

  10. Back in the Summer of 1973, before I left for college, I bought one of these new at the famous Disco Electronics (anyone here ever heard of them?) in their original building next to JMK BMW/Saab on Route 22 in Springfield New Jersey. As I recall, I spent $150 for it. Over the next three years, I had a college rep stereo business and sold more than two dozen of these little powerhouses and never saw one go bad.

    I wouldn’t finding one in nice condition, at a reasonable price. Right now the vintage receiver I have in my 1974 FMC 2900R motorhome (yes, the same one used by CBS newsman Charles Kuralt) is a period-correct Technics SA-8000X quadraphonic unit, the same age as my coach. In college, my S-7100 was connected to a Technics SL-1300 automatic direct-drive turntable and ultimately a pair of Infinity Monitor Junior loudspeakers. Later, with the SA-8000X, it was connected to four JBL L-100 loudspeakers. Both systems really rocked.

  11. I got one in 1971 and really loved it until 2 of those rocker switches broke. It was a terrible design idea.

    I ordered 2 replacement switches, but my father took it upon himself to replace them without waiting for me to get home from school, and he put them in upside down and melted some of the connections in the process. So it was ruined and I ended up tossing it.

    I always wondered if I could have used a different kind of switch in their place, maybe a lighted push-button, but it wasn’t worth the trouble after he messed it up.

  12. Just purchased an S7100a on EBay for $85 plus $35 shipping. Difficult to figure out the correct watts rating. No online specs I can find, and info around online says 14 to 28watts and everything in between.
    I’m hoping a proper refurb, cleaning, and recap won’t be as spendy as my recent Realistic STA2200. ($420)
    Realistic is another “under the radar” brand….but I understand certain models are better than others….much better.
    “Soundcraftsmen” is another under appreciated brand. As are the vintage Rotel receivers.
    I can’t see spending $500 and up for un refurbished Big Name receivers. The no-names go for $150-250, and sound as good, IMHO.
    My only tube amp is a 1959 Sherwood S5000. Recapped and serviced.

    1. I still have the original manual and here is an excerpt from specs page on the S-7100A
      amplifier:
      POWER OUTPUT (IHF): 70 watts total
      POWER OUTPUT-_RMS, both channels driven:
      27 watts X2 @ 4 ohms, 1 KHz
      22 watts X 2 @ 8 ohms, 1 KHz
      14 watts X2 @ 8 ohms, 20-20,000 Hz
      18 watts X 2 @ 8 ohms, 40-20,000 Hz
      HARMONIC DISTORTION: 0.9% @ 8 ohm rated
      output, 0.20% @ 10 watts.
      INTERMODULATION DISTORTION: 1.0% @ 8
      ohm rated output -0.35% @ 10 watts.
      STEREO & MONO SPEAKER OUTPUT IMPED.
      ANCE: 4, 8, or 16 ohms.
      STEREO HEADPHONE OUTPUT: high or low im-
      pedance.
      STEREO RECORDING OUTPUT: 200 mv, 2K ohm.
      Power pAnnwinty.is sorI4 1% Dist

  13. I had a S-7100a that I bought in 1975 from a guy I knew. I paired them with the Marantz speakers but don’t remember the model number. This being my first real audio system, I loved that receiver. The sound was awesome and yes as some people say, it was warm with good base response. I’m in the market for one that in good shape.
    Let me know if you have one, you’d like to part with?

  14. Have the S-7100A version running a pair of mint condition Realistic MC-600 book shelf speakers in my garage . Have $30 total invested, and I’m pretty amazed at how good the combination sounds, particularly since the speakers aren’t exactly high end. I’m pretty impressed with this receiver, and wonder how much better it will sound after a tune up, and some much better speakers.

    I’m definitely a Sherwood fan now, and the S7900 A is next on the list, along with a Scott 388 B , and maybe a Lafayette LR-3500 as well.

  15. Anyone know where I can get the schematics for my S-7100 A ?
    I want to recap it and pot clean.
    Thanks in advance.

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