Sony STR-4800SD Vintage Stereo Receiver – 35 WPC, Real Cherry

Sony STR-4800SD Vintage Stereo Receiver 35 WPC with Real Cherry Wood Side Panels — Made in Japan

Design and Sound

Made in Japan, the Sony STR-4800SD is a beautifully built 35 watt-per-channel AM/FM stereo receiver from 1976–78 — part of Sony’s highly regarded SD series, which distinguished itself from the standard STR-4800 with the addition of a Dolby FM noise reduction circuit for cleaner FM reception.

Built during Sony’s golden era of conservative engineering, the STR-4800SD routinely outperforms its published specifications — a hallmark of 1970s Japanese audio design, where manufacturers rated their equipment honestly and left significant headroom in reserve. The power amplifier delivers a genuine 35 watts per channel into 8 ohms with a frequency response extending from 10Hz to 35kHz, and a damping factor of 35 ensures tight, controlled bass with virtually any speaker load. Reviewers and owners consistently describe the sound as warm, rich, and surprisingly dynamic for its rated output.

The FM tuner section is a highlight, delivering high sensitivity and low distortion that make the STR-4800SD a genuinely rewarding way to enjoy broadcast radio — and the Dolby FM circuit further reduces high-frequency hiss on Dolby-encoded FM broadcasts, a feature unique to the SD variant. Sony’s three-mode acoustic compensator — with Low, Loudness, and Presence settings — allows you to tailor the tonal balance for low-volume listening or to suit your room and speakers, going well beyond the simple loudness button found on most receivers of the era.

The phono stage is equally accomplished, with a 2.5mV sensitivity and 70dB signal-to-noise ratio that makes it an excellent match for moving magnet cartridges. Additional inputs for Aux and Tape, along with tape monitoring and dubbing capabilities, round out a versatile feature set.

This example has been upgraded with custom side panels finished in genuine cherry wood veneer, replacing the original walnut-tone pressed board sides. The result is striking — the warm, rich grain of real cherry paired with the brushed silver faceplate and illuminated dial creates a visual presentation that is simply stunning. The cherry will continue to deepen and develop a richer patina with age, growing even more beautiful over time.

This unit has been tested and inspected by our team at Radique Audio.

Specifications

Type: AM/FM stereo receiver with Dolby FM

Country of Manufacture: Japan

Power Output: 35W + 35W into 8Ω (stereo)

Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 35 kHz

Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.2%

Damping Factor: 35

Input Sensitivity: 2.5mV (phono MM), 250mV (line)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 70dB (phono MM), 90dB (line)

FM Tuning Range: 87.5 – 108 MHz

AM Tuning Range: 530 – 1,605 kHz

Special Features: Dolby FM noise reduction (SD variant), 3-mode acoustic compensator (Low / Loudness / Presence)

Semiconductors: 4 ICs, 1 FET, 53 transistors, 36 diodes, 1 LED

Side Panels: Custom genuine cherry wood veneer (upgraded from original)

Year: 1976–78

Dimensions: (W x H x D) 19.3″ x 6.7″ x 16.3″ (490 x 170 x 415 mm)
Weight: 30.6 lbs (13.9 kg)

A Japanese-made vintage Sony receiver with a warm, musical soul and custom cherry wood side panels that make it as gorgeous to look at as it is to listen to. Whether you’re spinning vinyl, streaming through an outboard DAC, or simply enjoying FM radio the way it was meant to be heard, the STR-4800SD delivers with an authority and warmth that modern gear struggles to match. Backed by Radique Audio’s 90-day warranty and perpetual trade-back policy — shop with complete confidence; asking $695.