Sony - Falcon GG-20 / TAE-20FB / SA-20FB Hi-fi set - Multiple models

Extremely rare bronze version of the Sony Falcon GG-20 set consisting of a TAE-20FB pre-amplifier and 2 SA-20FB active loudspeakers. It also comes with a matching ST-20FB tuner, but that is not 100% functional.

The SA-20FB loudspeakers are an extraordinary piece of engineering. The conical woofer has a vertical plane (similar to the later APM loudspeakers) and is cooled with a heat-pipe that ends in a radiator that can be seen on the top left of the speaker. Also see the diagram that shows how the loudspeaker is designed. It has a ribbon tweeter.

The SA-20FB loudspeakers are active loudspeakers with built-in amplifiers. The TAE-20FB is the matching pre-amplifier. It has two 230 V outlets with special 2.5m long cables to power the SA-20FB's, but you can also use normal 230 V cables if you want to power the loudspeakers locally.

The TAE-20FB has an input for TUNER, PHONO, AUX and has a TAPE MONITOR input/output. A nice metal latch hides the knobs for bass, treble, balance, loudness, et cetera. Everything oozes quality. Everything works, except the light for the TUNER input.

The ST-20FB is the high end tuner that was specifically for the Falcon GG-20 set. It a quartz lock synthesizer with memory, which was revolutionary for the time. Unfortunately the display is very dim and unreadable. I've have no FM antenna to fully test it, but it does make some noise. I sell it as defective. I've included in the sale to complete the set.

The FB version is the same as the normal F version but dark brown instead of silver. This is exteremly rare, even in Japan. I had difficulties trying to capture it correctly on the photos. The photos do not do it justice. It's much darker and more beautiful as the pictures show.