Hey guys/gals,

What would one consider the "cutoff" date for "decent" Sony TVs? 1992 when the founder retired? Later? Earlier?

Thanks!

I'd say the early '90's for the "real good" ones. By the early 2000's, Sony TV's really went to crap, IMHO. The '80's were probably their best years. Many of the '70's sets suffered from weak CRT's and some sets used the dreaded SG613 (or whatever it was) in the HOT circuit.

I have a 27" Trinitron that was made in '03 or '04. Big, heavy beast, but it has a great picture.

I would say that for sheer build quality the 70s and 80s Sonys, before they went to the modern black design were the best. They're very tank-like and also by far my favorite design wise. Though some of the early more modern sets like the XBRs were really great too, but I never really liked the "modern" black, plain styling of newer sets.

However, all I have seen from the 90s and 2000s have had an equally brilliant picture. A relative of mine had a mid-90s 32" for some years but it did unfortunately fail. Not sure what went, and it was simply trashed. Another relative has one of first 32" naturally-flat FD Trinitron sets which has been watched probably ten hours a day since purchased and is still producing a gorgeous picture today.

One of the latest models, the Sony 34XBR960 , with its 34" 16:9 Super Fine Pitch Trinitron tube, is often regarded as providing best television picture in history. The SFP tube had 1440 horizontal stripes and could display a spectacularly detailed 720p or 1080i picture, coupled with amazing Trinitron color.

I will take any Sony that has the metal cage around the kine. I have an XBR 27" from 1991 that got a new kine a couple of months ago, and looks incredible.

I also have a KV27TS32 that has had several power supply failures over the years, and was built in 1993. It is/was plagued with bad soldering. I've spent hours working on this chassis.

I used to work on alot of Sony's that had width problems.

When they were working right, there was nothing that could top them!

My vote: 1977. The KV-xx41 series. That set was the last "grand machine" by Sony. After '78, they went to a cheaper power supply, and cheaper CRTs. And they got those always-failing HVR divider blocks. Not to mention the decaying rubber tuner contacts. MAYBE the early 90s XBR sets were good, but not quite the physical craftsmanship of the 70s.

Charles

I have a 27" Trinitron that was made in '03 or '04. Big, heavy beast, but it has a great picture.

I got one just like it :thmbsp:

Nice!!:thmbsp:

Bought it a the thrift store to replace the last used Sony I bought (circa 83) that weighs 120 pounds!!