1977 SETTON RS-660 RECEIVER

A Rare Breed Indeed

Shown above is a 1977 Setton RS-660 AM/FM Stereo Receiver, depicted atop a Yamaha CR-1000 for a relative size comparison.

The SettonRS-660 certainly qualifies as one of the rarest of the Monster Receivers. In fact, the Setton line had only three (3) receivers, the RS-220, RS-440 and the "big one", the Setton RS-660.

The RS-660 retailed for $900.00, making it one of 1977's most expensive receivers, although it was "only" rated at 100 w/ch RMS. The Setton line was designed by Pierre Cardin and was marketed to an "elite" audience. Setton was the French distributor for Pioneer and decided to come to market with their own brand. In Europe, Setton distributed some really interesting equipment, like the outrageous (for the time) RCX-X1000 Receiver, which shares only it's knobs with the Settons shown here.

The RS-440 and RS-660 are shown below in a reproduction from a Setton promotional brochure. Setton also marketed some very expensive Integrated Amps. and Pre-Amps, an example of which is the AS-1100 Integrated, below, the "bottom of the line" Setton rated at 40 w/ch RMS.

The Setton's controls are amazingly smooth and the sound is "rich" and full. However, wood sleeve that it comes in is covered with a really tacky walnut woodgrain vinyl, entirely out of step with the cosemtics of the faceplate. 

Double click the thumbnails for the "big picture":

Setton RS-660/RS-440l	RS-440/LR-9090

Of particular interest, it appears that the Settons were manufactured in Japan by the same outfit that did the Lafayette Radio LR-9090. At the upper right is a photo of the interior of the Setton RS-440 (left) and the Lafayette LR-9090 (right). Do you see any similarities?

All the Settons had a unique "Security Panel" display, with indicators for "Heat", "Clipping" and "Protection".

The power supply filter caps in the RS-660 were fairly substantial at 15,000uF x 2. It also had switchable turnover frequencies for the Bass and Treble control and a Hi/Lo phono impedance setting on the rear panel. 

A detailed review of the RS-440 from the November, 1978 Stereo Review is posted below. It had this to say:

	Stereo Review Re: RS-440

"Although style is a very personal consideration, there can be no doubt that the Setton RS-440's front panel is both unconventional and unique - although unmistakably a stereo receiver it will never be confused with any other make. To us, the Setton RS-440 appears to be in impeccable visual taste, with sonic performance to match".

You can get a better look at the RS-660 and compare the Setton Receivers by clicking the images below. 

RS-660 Front Panel	Lit up

Written by Chris Opfell