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New, the Sony TA-3650 cost roughly £500 in today’s money equivalent; at £333, this used example sits just above the recent comparable median of £302 and slightly over the £331 upper quartile, so the asking price is ambitious rather than a bargain.
That said, the TA-3650 is a well-regarded, substantial late-1970s integrated: 55 watts per channel, a capable MM phono stage, two phono inputs, useful tone controls and pre-out connectivity. It is also nicely built and flexible enough for a serious vintage system. At this price, condition matters—look for clean, quiet controls and switches, both channels working properly, reliable speaker protection and evidence of servicing. A fully tested or recently restored example could justify the premium; an unknown-condition unit should be negotiated down.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sony emerged from the ruins of post-World War II Japan, founded on May 7, 1946, by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. Starting with radio repairs and Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the duo secured transistor licensing from Bell Labs, pioneering the TR-55 transistor radio in 1955. Renamed Sony Corporation in 1958—from the Latin "sonus" for sound—the brand symbolized Japan's ascent from cheap imitations to innovative leadership, fueled by Ibuka's engineering prowess and Morita's global marketing vision.
Sony's hi-fi legacy spans headphones, amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and DACs, alongside landmark formats like the Compact Disc in 1982 and Blu-ray. Iconic products include the Walkman for portable audio revolution and Trinitron televisions, blending consumer accessibility with cutting-edge tech. Today, offerings like the Signature Series headphones and ES amplifiers target discerning listeners seeking refined soundstaging and dynamic range.
Positioned as a mid-to-high-end powerhouse, Sony commands respect among knowledgeable buyers for blending mass-market reliability with premium performance, outpacing many pure audiophile brands in innovation and value. Far from vintage relic or niche boutique, it dominates with forward-thinking engineering, holding strong market share in headphones and streaming ecosystems.
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