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Optonica AI simulator
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Optonica
Optonica was a subdivision of Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp that made high-end hi-fi products and systems.
The Optonica brand was created and first launched by Sharp of Japan in 1975 to compete in the high-end audio market along with established brands such as Sansui Electric, Sony, Panasonic, Sanyo, Yamaha, Nakamichi, Onkyo, Fisher Electronics, Technics (brand), Pioneer Corporation, Kenwood Corporation, JVC, Harman Kardon and Marantz. The brand was designed, built and marketed by Sharp in Japan.
The first series of receivers, the SA-2121, SA-3131, SA-4141 and SA-5151, were designed and built with silver front faces, knobs and switches. The SA-5151 was the most powerful unit, with minimum ratings of 85 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than .09% total harmonic distortion. The early line included a selection of AM-FM tuners and amplifiers (SM-4646, SM-3636 and ST-1515) that were of similar design and build characteristics as the receiver line. Tuners were analogue as were amps, and silver face plated with same switches and knobs. Cassette players and recorders were offered, most with the silver faceplates, but a small line known as the "designer series" offered a black faceplate in model number ST-1515B and SM-1515B for both tuner and amplifier respectively.
One notable product during the first run was their direct drive turntable RP-3636 that is sought after by collectors and audiophiles today due to the unique construction of Mikage granite stone that was developed by Optonica for use in turntable design. It was a compound that virtually eliminated feedback, thus preventing resonance from reaching the tonearm. The turntable was very heavy, weighing in at 35.4 pounds.
Sharp's 1975 introduction of Optonica filled the same role that Technics did for Panasonic's high-end audio display. When Optonica initially came into the public eye in 1976–1977, the market was already approaching a decline. Though Optonica is best known for its futuristic designs from the 1970s and '80s, which embodied Sharp's typical aesthetic, the company made separates even before then. The SM-4646 is one of such attempts.
The SM-4646 employs a 4-gang volume attenuator, three "Delta Power" power transformers, two enormous 13,600-F main caps, low-noise FETs, and differential amplifiers, with a total unit weight of 16 kg.The centre transformer supplies power to the preamp and driver stages in Class A, and the other two independent transformers power the L and R output stages in Class B.
In spite of earning a French Laurier d'Or (Golden Laurel) in 1977 for "outstanding function, design, and performances," Sharp's Optonica series never enjoyed good sales in France or anyplace else.
The second series was offered in 1979 and the line was expanded and redesigned with products that covered the entire spectrum of the high-end market. The receiver line consisted of model numbers SA-5901/5905, SA-5601/5605, SA-5401/5405, SA-5201/5205 and SA-5101/5105. The receivers were offered in both silver and black. The top of the line consisted of model numbers SA-5901 and SA-5905, and this series offered 125 watts minimum RMS per channel into 8 Ohms from 20 Hz-20 kHz with no more than 0.02% T.H.D. One of the unique features of the top-of-the-line product SA-5901/5905 and SA-5601/5605 was the ability to turn off the radio section while still using the receiver as an amplifier.
Optonica
Optonica was a subdivision of Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp that made high-end hi-fi products and systems.
The Optonica brand was created and first launched by Sharp of Japan in 1975 to compete in the high-end audio market along with established brands such as Sansui Electric, Sony, Panasonic, Sanyo, Yamaha, Nakamichi, Onkyo, Fisher Electronics, Technics (brand), Pioneer Corporation, Kenwood Corporation, JVC, Harman Kardon and Marantz. The brand was designed, built and marketed by Sharp in Japan.
The first series of receivers, the SA-2121, SA-3131, SA-4141 and SA-5151, were designed and built with silver front faces, knobs and switches. The SA-5151 was the most powerful unit, with minimum ratings of 85 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than .09% total harmonic distortion. The early line included a selection of AM-FM tuners and amplifiers (SM-4646, SM-3636 and ST-1515) that were of similar design and build characteristics as the receiver line. Tuners were analogue as were amps, and silver face plated with same switches and knobs. Cassette players and recorders were offered, most with the silver faceplates, but a small line known as the "designer series" offered a black faceplate in model number ST-1515B and SM-1515B for both tuner and amplifier respectively.
One notable product during the first run was their direct drive turntable RP-3636 that is sought after by collectors and audiophiles today due to the unique construction of Mikage granite stone that was developed by Optonica for use in turntable design. It was a compound that virtually eliminated feedback, thus preventing resonance from reaching the tonearm. The turntable was very heavy, weighing in at 35.4 pounds.
Sharp's 1975 introduction of Optonica filled the same role that Technics did for Panasonic's high-end audio display. When Optonica initially came into the public eye in 1976–1977, the market was already approaching a decline. Though Optonica is best known for its futuristic designs from the 1970s and '80s, which embodied Sharp's typical aesthetic, the company made separates even before then. The SM-4646 is one of such attempts.
The SM-4646 employs a 4-gang volume attenuator, three "Delta Power" power transformers, two enormous 13,600-F main caps, low-noise FETs, and differential amplifiers, with a total unit weight of 16 kg.The centre transformer supplies power to the preamp and driver stages in Class A, and the other two independent transformers power the L and R output stages in Class B.
In spite of earning a French Laurier d'Or (Golden Laurel) in 1977 for "outstanding function, design, and performances," Sharp's Optonica series never enjoyed good sales in France or anyplace else.
The second series was offered in 1979 and the line was expanded and redesigned with products that covered the entire spectrum of the high-end market. The receiver line consisted of model numbers SA-5901/5905, SA-5601/5605, SA-5401/5405, SA-5201/5205 and SA-5101/5105. The receivers were offered in both silver and black. The top of the line consisted of model numbers SA-5901 and SA-5905, and this series offered 125 watts minimum RMS per channel into 8 Ohms from 20 Hz-20 kHz with no more than 0.02% T.H.D. One of the unique features of the top-of-the-line product SA-5901/5905 and SA-5601/5605 was the ability to turn off the radio section while still using the receiver as an amplifier.