Sony ST-2950 SD AM/FM Stereo Tuner – Walnut Side Panels
$145.00
Consignment piece. We sell it on behalf of its owner, and it's covered exactly like everything else we sell: inspected and serviced as required, and backed by our Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and Perpetual Trade-Back Program. The one difference: it isn't eligible for Cue It Up layaway.
Two microvolts IHF sensitivity and 73 dB signal-to-noise, with FM distortion at 0.5% mono and 0.7% stereo — enough front end to hold a weak station cleanly. Silver faceplate, illuminated dial, and the original faux walnut side panels. Made in Japan between 1976 and 1979. Tested and verified working; good cosmetic condition.
1 in stock
Sony ST-2950 SD AM/FM Stereo Tuner – Faux Walnut Side Panels, Tested & Working
A beautifully preserved Sony tuner from the mid-1970s, representing one of Sony’s most respected and sought-after FM tuner designs. The ST-2950 SD combines exceptional RF engineering with elegant aesthetics, and this particular unit features original faux walnut side panels that add warmth and visual appeal to any vintage audio system. Made in Japan between 1976-1979, the ST-2950 SD remains a favorite among FM tuning enthusiasts and audiophiles who value precise, transparent sound quality.
This tuner has been tested and verified working. Cosmetically, it presents in good condition with original faux walnut side panels, clean silver faceplate with illuminated dial, responsive controls, and minimal signs of age.
Performance & FM Reception:
The ST-2950 SD delivers exceptional FM tuning performance with 2.0 µV (IHF) sensitivity—excellent performance that allows reception of weak FM stations with minimal noise. The signal-to-noise ratio reaches 73dB, ensuring clean, quiet reception across the entire FM band. FM distortion is held to just 0.5% (mono) and 0.7% (stereo), delivering transparent, accurate reproduction of broadcast audio.
The frequency response extends from 30Hz to 15kHz (+0.5dB, -3dB), ensuring full-range sound reproduction appropriate for all music genres. Channel separation reaches 35dB at 1kHz, providing proper stereo imaging and spatial separation. These specifications place the ST-2950 SD among the finest mid-range tuners of its era, rivaling tuners from more expensive manufacturers.
Sony invested heavily in the RF section of this tuner, employing a carefully balanced design that minimizes oscillator radiation while maintaining exceptional sensitivity. The result is a tuner capable of locking onto weak stations with minimal noise and distortion, while simultaneously rejecting adjacent-channel interference. Users consistently report that the ST-2950 SD delivers FM reception quality that rivals dedicated high-end tuners from competitors costing significantly more.
Design & Features:
The ST-2950 SD features a precision frequency synthesizer with ceramic filters for excellent selectivity and adjacent-channel rejection. The illuminated dial with frequency markings provides clear visual feedback during tuning, while the signal strength meter aids in antenna optimization and station acquisition. The front-panel controls are responsive and positive, with smooth tuning action that reflects quality mechanical construction.
The tuner includes both high-impedance and low-impedance audio outputs, providing maximum compatibility with vintage and modern preamplifiers. The AM section includes ferrite rod antenna for local station reception, while the FM section employs a sophisticated RF front-end for weak-signal performance.
Original Faux Walnut Side Panels:
This unit features original faux walnut side panels that provide genuine visual warmth and integrate beautifully with vintage audio systems featuring natural wood cabinetry. The panels are original to the period and likely represent either a factory option or a quality period-correct upgrade, adding significant aesthetic value and desirability among collectors.
Construction & Aesthetics:
The ST-2950 SD measures 390 x 145 x 310mm (15.4 x 5.7 x 12.2 inches) and weighs 6kg (13.2 lbs), making it an ideal component for integrated vintage audio systems. The chassis construction is robust and well-engineered, with premium components throughout the signal path. The silver faceplate with black lettering and glowing dial creates visual elegance typical of Sony’s design philosophy from this era.
The overall appearance is refined and understated—no flashy displays or unnecessary features, just essential controls and information presented with clarity and precision. The faux walnut side panels complement the silver faceplate, creating a warm, inviting aesthetic that ages gracefully and enhances any vintage listening room.
Key Features & Specifications:
AM/FM Stereo Tuner with precision frequency synthesizer
Made in Japan (1976-1979)
FM Sensitivity: 2.0 µV (IHF)
Signal-to-noise ratio: 73dB (FM)
Frequency response: 30Hz–15kHz (+0.5dB, -3dB)
FM Distortion: 0.5% (mono), 0.7% (stereo)
Channel separation: 35dB @ 1kHz
Ceramic filters for excellent selectivity
Illuminated frequency dial with station markings
Signal strength meter for antenna optimization
High and low-impedance audio outputs
AM section with ferrite rod antenna
Front-panel headphone jack
Original faux walnut side panels
Tested and verified working
Good cosmetic condition
Dimensions (W x H x D): 390 x 145 x 310mm (15.4 x 5.7 x 12.2 inches)
Weight: 6kg (13.2 lbs)
Ideal For:
FM radio enthusiasts and vintage audio collectors seeking reference-quality tuner performance from the mid-1970s. The ST-2950 SD’s exceptional sensitivity and low distortion make it ideal for those in areas with weak FM signals or those simply seeking the finest FM reception quality from a classic era. Perfect as a centerpiece component in vintage audio systems featuring vinyl playback, cassette decks, and quality amplification. The original faux walnut side panels add visual appeal to integrated systems with natural wood aesthetics. Collectors particularly appreciate the ST-2950 SD as one of Sony’s most respected and enduring tuner designs.
Backed by Radique Audio’s Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and our Perpetual Trade-Back Program, you can purchase with confidence.
| Weight | 15.2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 19.4 × 16.2 × 9.7 in |
Sony began in Tokyo in 1946, founded by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita, and it helped bring the world the Walkman and the compact disc. We carry Sony stereo and AV receivers, CD players, cassette decks, amplifiers and speakers. We've had more than 220 Sony listings so far, covering more than 185 different models. Every used Sony here is inspected, tested and serviced as required, then photographed in-house and covered by our Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and Perpetual Trade-Back Program. Don't see the model you want? Tell us on First Dibs and we'll email you when one arrives.
Sony models we've sold more than once include the TC-K61 cassette deck, the CDP-CE305 and CDP-C335 CD players, the STR-DA5700ES AV receiver and the STR-4800SD stereo receiver.
The Sony story, 1946 to today
Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo ("Totsuko") in Tokyo in 1946, growing out of a radio repair business Ibuka had started the year before. The company was renamed Sony in 1958.
Tape and transistors. The G-model tape recorder of 1950 is described as Japan's first, and the TR-55 transistor radio of 1955 was the first Sony-branded product.
ES. Sony describes the TA-1120 integrated amplifier of 1965 as the first all-silicon-transistor stereo amplifier and dates its ES ("Elevated Standard") line from it.
Walkman and CD. The Walkman went on sale in Japan in July 1979. Sony worked with Philips on the compact disc, and Sony's CDP-101 was among the first CD players on sale in Japan in October 1982. Sony still makes ES AV receivers.
Which Sony is which?
STR receivers: stereo receivers from the late 1960s on, such as the STR-6120, and later AV receivers, including ES models.
TA amplifiers and ES separates: from the TA-1120 to the TA-E86 preamplifier and TA-N86 power amplifier (1978).
CDP CD players: from the CDP-101 (1982) and CDP-701ES (1983) to changers such as the CDP-CE305 and CDP-C335 we sell often.
TC tape decks: reel-to-reel recorders until 1985, and cassette decks such as the TC-K61 and the three-head TC-K777ES.
SS speakers: such as the SS-G7 floorstanders of 1978.
Buying used Sony: what to check
CD players. Open and close the drawer several times; hesitation can be an early sign of trouble. Laser pickups wear, skipping is a symptom, and tray belts age.
Cassette decks. Belts dry out and cause slipping or uneven playback, and worn heads dull the sound. Run fast-forward and rewind, and check Dolby.
Amplifiers and receivers. Noisy switches and dirty relay contacts cause many faults, and bias settings drift with age. On tuners, look for blown bulbs and broken dial cords.
Everything we list is inspected, tested and serviced as required here, and comes with our warranty.
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