RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Offered in this listing is a 1970s built SONY ST-5130 tuner in very good condition. These were built by Sony from 1972 to 1977 in Japan.This is old school stuff that is built like a tank and has features omitted on later models, like the multipath oscilloscope outputs, adjustable RCA outputs, INS (Impulse Noise Suppressor) and AFC (Automatic Frequency Control).After years of unused shelf life the unit has been dusted off and checked thoroughly before being listed here on Reverb. Everything but one feature is working as designed, lights and bulbs included. Merely the left side adjustable output pot is currently not working as it should, an issue that might clear over time, but the fixed outputs are working without problems and will be the one you'll be using most likely anyways.The tuner is in overall nice cosmetic condition, as can be seen in the numerous pictures posted. It comes with a print-out of the owner's manual found online for reference.Check out the video posted off such tuner on YouTube, which is NOT showing the one offered in this listing.
Generating expert take…
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.
See all Sony listings on RADAR.
