FWIW I just got a '78 KV-1742R on craigslist for free, but had to drive nearly 80 miles to get it. it's a nice low hours set that was in a spare bedroom virtually unused. for a vintage set the picture is amazing, totally worth the drive :)

Oh yeah, I was using my own mighty Trinitron last night (an '87). Great pics on those. First in my collection, it's here to stay.

I remember a Sony update about servicing these sets, if they had the SG613. The big killer was the horiz IC that drove the horizontal SG613. The set is actually "looped". One SG613 turns the other off when it goes on. If the horizontal IC is slow to start the SG613's both die again. Start on the power supply was a kick start from an electrolytic charging.
And yes, as mentioned, you have to use Sony parts or it will either just blow up on turn on or be a comeback shortly.
Bizarre critter! I wonder what made Sony get so complicated?

...

EXCELLENT set, but not worth much of anything (yet). Sooner or later, those will be collectable, since they were the high-end icon of TV in the 70s. I wouldn't recommend paying much more than $10 or $20, but that's me... Pay what you think it's worth to you, and you won't regret it..

Charles

Thanks for the new resource - I got my last few SG613's from Talon, but if they are out, I have a new resource. Any idea if they still have SG613's or 2SC867s/2SC1034s?


BTW, I've got the Sony bulletin on how to check the SG613, and one about the correct replacement criteria for some other semiconductors. I've got it and the Sony Semiconductor Replacement Handbook (Sony subbed alot of trannies).


Cheers,