If You Find One of These, BUY BUY BUY. The Killer Sony TA-E80ES Preamp

Fourth video in our "Buy Buy Buy" series features a spectacular vintage find, the sleeper TA-E80ES Preamp from the 80s.
Other Videos from this series
• Pioneer Series 20 Turn...
• The Killer Kenwood L-0...
To subscribe to our Friday New Arrivals Email Blast
bit.ly/skyfine...
To submit your system to be featured in our Email Blast
[e-mail]
WHO WE ARE
SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high end audio equipment. We only buy equipment that we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, and no junk.
Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold. We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.
SkyFi Audio Store:
www.skyfiaudio...
SkyFi Audio News:
skyfiaudio.com...
SkyFi Audio on Instagram:
/ skyfiaudio
SkyFi Audio Newsletter:
bit.ly/skyfine...
Subscribe to SkyFi Audio on KZbin:
bit.ly/subscri...
To inquire about new products please visit our friends at Stereo Exchange in New York City:
stereoexchange.com
SkyFi Audio on Facebook:
/ skyfiaudiolink to Sumiko Cartridge Video

[@sobeautifulsrilanka]

Thank you for covering these awesome Japanese pieces from the 80's. Reminds me of my earlier years, when I first started getting into hi-fi. During the ES heyday, I used to write to Sony to get the ES brochure.

[@leerothman7570]

I was selling high end audio in the 80's. I remember all too well when the VFet amps came out from Sony in the latter 70's they were the sweetest sounding amps around and I owned one. The good old days of audio.

[@marksowers5041]

That is a breathtakingly, amazingly and glorious build quality. Those sharp Sony engineers put together a phenomenal preamp. There is so much going on in terms of construction and the finer details of EMI constraints; those copper bus rails really knocked me out. I will keep a close lookout for one of these beauties. Thanks for the review as you surely recognized such greatness!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Love your enthusiasm, thanks for writing Mark!

[@1970borntorun]

I bought one of these at The Music Room in CO for $550 in 2018 before people discovered what a "sleeper" it is. Talk about right place, right time lol :)

[@daniannaci3258]

Loved your review of the Sony TAE-80ES preamp, a sorely overlooked and underrated item of the early 90’s. I bought mine new in 1991 not just because of its sound, but because of its internal build quality, number of inputs and outputs (only equaled then by McIntosh preamps), and the inclusion of a fine system remote, all lacking in reviewer’s darling of the time, the Adcom GFP-565 preamp, which was a forest of integrated circuits, had a folded steel enclosure, and no remote. I still use mine - I’m listening to it now! The Sony retailed at $900, the Adcom at $800. A few points you weren’t able to cover in your review: There are only 5 integrated circuits in the audio path, 4 of which are on the balanced inputs and outputs, dedicated ICs each used as a unity gain inverter on one leg of each balanced input and output. The TAE-80ES is a single-ended design and those ICs convert the balanced signal to single ended on the input, and then again to balanced at the XLR output jacks. The 5th integrated circuit, a 5532, is used as an output buffer on the phono preamp board, which, as far as I can tell from the schematic, has purely passive equalization and uses a selected low-noise FET transistor on the input. The moving coil selections on the front panel are confusing in that we are used to seeing them marked as input loading. On this Sony, the markings of 3 ohms and 40 ohms indicate which setting to use by asking for the internal impedance of your MC cartridge, not showing the internal loading inside the preamp. I found the 3 ohm setting roughly equivalent to the 100 ohm setting standard on most current MC preamps. Feel free to experiment. It’s harmless and free. Nonetheless, the phono stage is the quietest I have ever used with low output MCs, now doubt due to the board’s onboard PS regulation, itself being fed by the main power supply regulator board which is executed with all discrete components.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Glad you liked the video. Be on the lookout for more Sony reviews.

[@perefortiusjr5938]

I am a proud owner of Sony TA-77ESD, and a I can ensure you and that is a killer device. Anyway thanks for making this content for all of us👍🏼

[@SkyFiAudio]

Glad you liked it Pere, stay tuned for more.

[@Round2Audio]

Hi Fernando, I have to call you out on this one. I love to see these great items boosted, but not other great items mistakenly maligned. The TA-e77es is a fully analog preamp that has a DAC built item. There is no digital processing of any analog inputs. The DAC is a very nice Burr Brown and is fully shielded from the analog circuitry. It’s a great pre-amp. The Burr Brown is a highly regarded ladder DAC which are once again appreciated for their character. Sony’s first actual digital processing pre-amp is the TA-e1000es. Thanks and keep these coming!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks for the info. I'm surely mistaken about the TA-E77ES. Ill have to hunt one down and get more educated on it. Nice to know its not just processing like so many preamps from that era. Is it built as nice as this one?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Great news, a generous fan of the channel just donated a TA-E77 so I’ll be doing a video soon. Stand by.

[@Round2Audio]

@@SkyFiAudio Excellent news! I find the build comparable. Sony rated them identically and much of the circuit topology is the same. The 77 has relays at the inputs instead of the rotary switch of the 80 and a little bit more sophisticated gain stage design. Both have FET inputs and are well designed. The 80 has those great epoxy boards. Phono stages are identical, the power supply is pretty much the same as well. The 77 is easier to find in the US, the 80 was more popular in Europe. Anyway, you will draw your own conclusion and I look forward to your thoughts.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

Preamp ES series were top shelf Sony audio gear! Stereo Control Amplifier (1991-94)

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks for sharing!

[@fhkazm]

I remember these Sony components from the 80's. I think the ES stood for "elevated standard" and they came with 3 or 5 year warranties . Love the channel !

[@marcdavis8842]

That's Correct "QS" was Quality Standard and "ES" Was either elevated standard or Extended Standard throughout the 1980's, 1990's and up untill around 2010/11 when very sadly Sony completely stoped both ranges. 😢.and in my opinion Sony has never been the same in fact I dought we will see standards from Sony from that. Goldern period again.

[@Fluterra]

@@marcdavis8842 no they didn’t. The ES line is still in production. I had a 995ES laser projector for example. It’s still the high end line of Sony.

[@glennjones6574]

or perhaps...EXTRA SPECIAL

[@timcat1004]

I owned an ES receiver in the 90's. It had a egg gyro for the remote. It was the worst amp I ever had. Always in for repairs. I threw it in the dump.

[@Craft-oh7uv]

Yes, ES was and still is world class ! unlike today’s TRASH !

[@christosvoudouris4604]

Good pre amp indeed. Unfortunately, the weak link is the rotary input selector; if it goes bad, there is no cure.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Lol fingers crossed.

[@daniannaci3258]

There is a cure, a total rebuild of the rotary selector if you have the stomach for it. For what its worth, I bought my TAE-80ES new in 1990 and with constant use, it’s still 100% reliable with never a repair.

[@spacemissing]

Just yesterday I repaired a TA-N330ES power amp. Impressive build quality and better sound than most Sonys I've heard.

[@turiddu9]

There were precious few well engineered Japanese audio products in the '90s, and the 'ES' moniker was not necessarily a guarantee that it was audiophile quality, this is clearly a great one! Thanks for your dedication Fernando!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Right on! thats the fun about ES stuff, you have to sift through the junk to find the gems.

[@marcollanos7091]

Accuphase made amazing products in those days. I still own a Sony Sony X77ES CD player I bought from a co-worker for $200, still works perfect.

[@johndost3087]

I've got both the preamp and power amp thanks to my late best friend. They are amazing!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Rock on!

[@OscarSanchez-tk3hx]

I have this Sony Preamp stored on my closet I don't know when I'm going to fire up this unit thanks for sharing this video

[@maryrafuse3851]

If you find a Sony TA-2650 or TA-F3A you should also buy buy buy. Not only beautiful but both have magnificent sound. The interior of these amps is a work of art and by now all you will likely need are new caps as long as these were not driven overly hard. By the 1980's and 1990's Sony like others had the black face painted look. You have to see the silver Sony's to fully appreciate them.

[@SkyFiAudio]

for sure.. on the hunt!

[@GaranFitzgerald]

@@SkyFiAudio Just got a recapped TA-2650. Listening through my Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro headphones, omg. Picked up a pair of B&W v203s for cheap and so far am less excited (lack bass, way up-front highs), but holy moly it is a beast. Definitely second the buy-buy-buy, especially as I got mine for $210 CAD. If anyone has recommendations on speakers for these, I'd love to hear them. It's definitely the v203s that aren't keeping up with the bass output and not the 2650's lack of capability.

[@waregraham8335]

Sony used “Resinamic” composite for the accessory bases of their TTS-8000/6000 turntables; very heavy and a mix of plastic and concrete ( ! )

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yikes, concrete!

[@geartech3860]

Back in the 80's i had a pioneer amp,dont remember the model,but this thing was really heavy. I wish i would have held on to it. One thing i remember,when it got warm and i turned up the volume, it would clip off until i turned it down again. It was definitely a classic. Watching this video i got a little nastalgic!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Time to shop for new old stuff!

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Sony is a powerhouse when they want to be ! Sony has made a lot of amazing audio gear and Speakers . The TAF7 Integrated amp sounds amazing I have a friend that has one and it has a warm lush robust sound to it and still good detail thanks for the video

[@SkyFiAudio]

I had the floor standing speakers from that era, the ones with the odd shape and they were great too. Would love the have the integrated some time.

[@robertliskey420]

You are so right. I still have my first high end at the time a sonyy ta-114 or something almost a copy of the Marantz control console slider up the middle and all. I do have the 1200 and it is a copy

[@tingokuman]

WOW I have 3 of these brand new with the orig boxes. I bought them in 1997 at a going out of business sale. I bought a Nakamichi and a Yamaha that day too. I was supposed to sell them but left them at my moms house when I moved out. She still has them in my old closet. they were too heavy to move I guess.

[@daniannaci3258]

You mentioned the remote. The included Sony system remote is a joy, well laid out with large buttons and clear logos and useful range and angle. It will work a Sony tuner, dual(!) cassette deck, and single disc CD player, no disc change buttons. All Sony remote codes were the same throughout their hi-fi product line EXCEPT: Notice the level control on this preamp is marked “Attenuator” and not “volume”. Which means that while a Sony remote with volume buttons may work their receivers, shelf systems, boom boxes, etc, it will not work this preamp. You would need a Sony remote intended for ES hi-fi separates, with clearly marked “attenuator” buttons to adjust level. Unfortunately, these remotes are hard to find anymore… Finally, I can speak to the robust reliability and long-term satisfaction in sound, utility, and usability. I wish Sony would bring this unit exactly back, but I’m afraid it would have to be priced in the upper four figures for any reviewer to even give it a listen. Ask Yamaha..

[@SkyFiAudio]

wow, super interesting bit about the attenuator. Thanks for sharing Dan.

[@johncain7949]

I have always had good luck with Sony products. All my home theater is Sony including 75" 4K TV. 7 channel receiver and 4K blu-ray player. I'm running Martin Logan speakers. I love playing my favorite concerts on blu-ray.

[@SkyFiAudio]

thanks for sharing John.

[@ancarducci]

The predecessor preamp is also good - it's also on the vintage knob.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Doing that one next.

[@michaelgalanos981]

This is pro grade XLR I am impressed what’s the voltage output? I had a Nad c350 intergraded with less than 1.4 volts I hooked up my pro power amp to it and it was underperforming so I sold it Nad are not what they used to be

[@mikepxg6406]

Don't like the wooden side panels we didn't have these in UK or Europe. Definitely a US American preference. Fantastic layout inside very impressive.

[@duanemacsymach1110]

Es wood panels were removable

[@Piccodon]

A signal circuit analysis would be great. If the motor knob fails a microcontroller running relays could work. Nice amount of inputs. The balanced signals are great for interacting with stage equipment, avoiding ground loops and hum. Not really needed in a home. That high end fad faded.

[@SkyFiAudio]

thanks for the feedback but I'm afraid it would bore most viewers except for you and me :-).

[@Yiannis2112]

9:00 - 15:48 video repeats itself.

[@bigblueocean]

Damn! I thought it was Groundhog Day for a minute.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Must be my sad editing skills. Sorry guys.

[@Yiannis2112]

@@SkyFiAudio No worries mate! I posted the time interval, just to save others from groundhog day effects, as the guy above stated.

[@harryt988]

Unacceptable!

[@bigblueocean]

@@harryt988 calm down now dear.

[@capwkidd]

At 9:00 in you are talking about the relay is for the inputs, the start to talk about how usually there is a rod to change the input, then the video goes back to talking about the vintage knob from earlier in the video… Looks like the video continues at 15:46 So, if you could cut 9:00-15:46…

[@SkyFiAudio]

My bad.

[@andrepaul5458]

In the early 90s I owned one of this...but I sold it, because the Input Selector knob always stucked. But other than that I really liked the device. Just typically Sony!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Bummer, about the input knob. Thanks for sharing Andre.

[@OsborneMcclintic]

great workshop production!!! keep it up sir! ill look for this unit here in arkansas... you never know...klipch lives right down the road...

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks mate.

[@fredfungalspore]

Great review once again I sit down with a cuppa tea and really get engrossed with your interesting discussions on classic Hi-fi Keep them coming please 🔊🙏

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks Fred, I appreciate the encouragement.

[@sdungworth]

I Love your channel it's so very helpful I have all Sony equipment since 1990 ish and can't beat it 👍

[@SkyFiAudio]

Glad you enjoy it, please be sure to subscribe.

[@daniannaci3258]

More on the Sony: The tone control stage is unique in my experience in that is is implemented with no active components at all in the signal path. It has limited boost and cut and useful dual turnover setting for both bass and treble. What really impressed me with this component is that with the tone controls set on their center detent, there was no difference NONE in the sound when switching the Source Direct switch in and out. Not in tonality, soundstage, or level. And this was on the best systems available in the store (Martin-Logan, B&W, Mac, etc.). My opinion holds true 30+ years later. A simple circuit in the schematic, I can’t figure out how Sony did it. Maybe proprietary potentiometers is my guess. BTW, the pots are dead quiet still.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yes, great tone controls indeed and the ability to by-pass them is brilliant.

[@1970borntorun]

Actually, I own this Pre Amp and there actually is a very small, but noticeable difference with the Source Direct button not engaged. There is a very small loss of transparency and dynamics when the tone controls are in the signal path - even when set to dead center. Just an honest comment. I love my preamp and will never part with it, so this is in no way a criticism, or meant to denigrate the overall sound quality of this rare piece of Japanese high-end gear.

[@SubTroppo]

Thank you for pointing me towards "The Vintage Knob".

[@SkyFiAudio]

You bet!

[@SubTroppo]

@@SkyFiAudio I wonder whether they know what 'knob' means in British slang.

[@ElectoneGuy]

I still own my STR-GX909ES receiver. I can't bring myself to ever sell it because it is so good looking and beautifully built.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Couldn't agree more!

[@romant.6954]

This preamp is very impressive.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Right on. thanks Roman.

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

ES series from that time is great quality

[@SkyFiAudio]

It seems to have deteriorated over the years as they cheapened the build quality of the ES.

[@TomAtkinson]

It really shows the meaning of the phrase "power rail" this thing has a giant rail of copper near centre! Another drain rail is painted black wow... also note the resistors are all lined up very tidy. This is another sign, how tidy the layout of the circuit is. Rotary relay is indeed the best way to do it. Amazing. Any amp you can hear switching i love. Good point moving the signal in back with remote. It has XLR output? Let me see the back then!

[@SkyFiAudio]

Hey mate thanks for writing and for pointing out the tidy layout. yes the Rotary rally is super cool and well engineered. Wish they had more of these in other models but I haven't found another one.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

If you don't yet, put ASMR hashtag on your channel. You have a good steady voice. About the only out of the ordinary audio equipment I have is a Qatron Stereo 48 , 12 tape 8-track tape carousel player. I've read they made 500 units before selling to Telex. My Qatron is serial number 499. So if it's the second to the last that makes it the penultimate! Which I just read 'pen' means less. Crazy term anyway...crazy amplified tape deck! However it was very cleverly designed. It will even keep playing the tape while you lift off the solidly built heavy plastic 12-tape carousel tray. So theoretically it can play tapes infinitely in that respect. Although you can also just pull out and load new tapes in the existing tape tray. I scored this player at a busy Saturday morning Alum Creek Drive Columbus Ohio thrift store ( Amvets iirc). Funny there seemed to be nothing to be had that morning, but I spotted about a five year old kid wandering aimlessly with a thick smoky brown clear plastic round lid that sparked my curiosity. About 10 feet away was another kid that had the matching tray, with fluorescent green stickers numbered 1-12 spaced around it and next to the narrow rectangle openings. No sooner did I gather that info that I was in eyeshot of another kid standing next to what was the rest of the electronic unit, which looked completely like junk without the lid and the tray. So quickly I conned the kids out of these two pieces and there it was..."What is it?? Hmm...STEREO 48? ". When I saw the 1234 back lighted button and the 8-track tape head I was well aware it was something rare and cool. I paid just $5 for it and hustled myself back home. My cousin happened to stop by right as I pulled up. So we both studied it with the lid and tray off, allowing us to see all of the mechanics. I liked the less is more approach. Right away I saw the problem, assuming it had a problem, but it was just a simple bent steel wire linkage arm coming from the changer solenoid. It has a keeper latch that had flipped up and allowed the arm to pop off. The arm iirc is involved in the tray rotation. After latching the arm back I grabbed a speaker to test it. It has a built-in stereo amp, line-out, aux-in, hp jack, Vol, Bal, Tone. I happened to have a few dozen 8-track tapes. For $.30ea I bought great titles just to have in case I ever found another 8-track tape player. I grew up with a few, but my favorite, and I kick myself for not buying the exact unit for $8 at a thrift store even after this carousel player, but it was a Realistic Modulaire AM FM Stereo Receiver 8 Track Player Recorder. Man it was so well built! Lots of chrome and I really liked the thick clear Plexiglas back painted black with bright orange tuner display. It 's amplification relied on the big Stereo STK power amp chip. It was the first I'd ever seen one of these chips. My dad was an engineer and he explained these chips came out in the late 60's. I've seen them in JC Penny stereos, and a Kawai organ I have from 1984. They just seemed too modern for the 60's. I mean Conn was still using vacuum tubes until '66 in their organs. Sorry I get sidetracked ( I looked up the name of that Realistic Modulaire receiver and almost fell for the scammer selling one. One easy check is to ggl search the image along with the web name. I hate crooks! So I found this uniquely well made Realistic receiver was made in Korea. My latest Guild Bluesbird electric guitar was made there and it is absolutely flawless! So anyway, the Qatron Stereo-48 worked right from the start! It operates in a couple manners. You can select it to play track it's on, and then instead of switching to the next track, it will pop the tape up and rotate to the next tape on that same track, and continue doing that. So basically it will play all of the tapes track 1's, then all the tapes track 2's, then all tapes 3's...then 4's. Then it will start over...I think. lol The second option is it will play the whole tape ( tracks 1,2,3, and 4...which I know they are "selections" technically), then all of the next tape, and so on. The third option is it will stop at the end of track 4 of the current tape. It's all mechanical, no microprocessors. Not even an EPROM. I could go on and on. I just remember you saying you read everything so I thought I'd drive you nuts. lol Actually I just had foot surgery so I have to sit here for a few weeks. Hey I picked up a nice basically new old stock, with the manual, SONY STR-DE197 amp/Receiver. Has the manual and still has the 125 Watts per Channel (at 8ohm) stickers. Which I've seen them listed at 100 WPC as well. That pair of amp transistors look like they'd be trying hard to get 125 wpc. I paid $29 for it and the really nice Sony remote. Oddly it has SONY red batteries that work! This thing is like 20 years old. The whole thing works so I got a great deal for 29 bucks. Okay one last thing. A question for you. I have had many great speakers. Love my Magnepan Magneplanar SMg1's flat speakers, and my Sansui 5-ways with the crosshatch wood grill, but my favorite speakers need rewound, which I can do myself as I've rewound many guitar amp speakers, but it's flat aluminum(?) wire. The speakers are ADS L500's. My nephew blew them both. The cones are beautiful and I love that they used neoprene rubber instead of foam (yuck!). I realize I can probably just get new cones, but I'd like to build a jig and rewind them myself1. They used a green glue. I'm sure I can figure it out, but I'm just curious if any of you audio service guys ever rewind speakers like we do in the guitar world. Thanks so much, and sorry to all who hate long winded comments. 🙂

[@JimVeNard]

I bought the surround sound ES Sony processor.. I bought it from HiFi Sales in Mesa, AZ and new the owner really well. However, the output voltage was really low. After complaining to Sony they agreed and did a mod to increase the output volume

[@andypennella589]

Weak point is input jack connections to pc board which fail over time from flexing from changing input cables.

[@johannfischer8878]

One of the best from Sony

[@orhanbukic5908]

Chassis is glass-fiber-reinforced resin that results in a nonconductive, nonmagnetic, and highly rigid structure virtually immune to both internal and external vibrations.

[@ingenfestbrems]

15:32 3 Tape loops is common on many Sony preamp, amps & recivers But most the time they called Dat, MD, Video etc (and tape 🙂)

[@AmazingChinaToday]

That phono switch routing is insane!

[@thomasandersen6014]

There are some really good stuff in Sonys ES-serie. Nice video as allways :)

[@SkyFiAudio]

Cool, thanks

[@scottmcclements7566]

That Gibraltar material is stated on other units listed on the vintage knob as being "polyester, calcium and carbon". It sounds similar to Sony's Bulk Material Compound (SBMC) that they used on some turntables "Sony SBMC (Sony Bulk-Molded Compound) Cabinet: (All Models) All of the new Sony turntable bases are made with a special compound material which is precision-cast for one-piece rigid construction. In addition, the material is acoustically dead, and does not easily resonate along with the music being played. The cabinet compound consists mainly of calcium carbonate and fiberglass with a polyester binder. It is extremely strong and does not chip as easily as concrete resin or wood."

[@dimitriskaligeris5506]

True, a really hiend preamp

[@robertliskey420]

Your channel just popped up and I had a laugh over the years I have accumulated 4 wacky/ or what the hell is that ? I do not think I paid over 300 or so for them but would never part with. Thank you will spend rest of night looking at your work

[@SkyFiAudio]

haha, you spotted the greatness of this preamp before we did!

[@povertyspec9651]

I had one of these back in the day when they were being made. Wish I would have kept it! Sony kicked ass whenever they wanted to.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Right on!

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

I got this and I can only say that it sounded like shit when I bought it new in 1994 but I didn't give up because I supposed something wrong happened. After checking some weak points out as the very important two screws in the back panel to connect ground with chassis and change some thin wire inside that conducts the ground, positive and negative voltages and foremost, the hideous connector and wires that carry the output signal to the headphones amp, the sound became first-class with crystalline highs and deep lows. That preamp stays with me till now and can compete with the TA-E90ES, TA-E1 and TA-ER1 sonically as an equal.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Wow, super valuable information. Thanks for sharing.

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

@@SkyFiAudio thank you!!

[@christhiel8088]

Learn something new every day. Good looking out

[@johnmcl00]

Hello I have a Sony TA-N80ES and TA-E80ES , the preamp is excellent but the power amplifier has a problem it blows the power supply fuse. When they are working the 200 watt power amplifier is very powerful.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Bummer yours is not working. Definitely worth the effort to get it fixed. There is nothing particularly complicated in the design so a good tech should be able to fix it.

[@keithgregson9573]

>That retangular green LED in volume knob i have no words for.. i done the same to a NAD3020B with a precision file in 1988 have no idea where i got the idea from, those two boards with single electrolytics at first glance may be individual linear PSU stages from main rectification/smoothing, looking again not (strange long chip) i remember the ES range can't miss those wooden sides true late 80's classic. I think the matching ES range CD transport was the first 1-Bit type DACs from Sony.

[@chakravarthiamithraghav8008]

Hi there! I've been a huge fan of your content for a while now, and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the amazing videos you create. Your attention to detail and expertise really shine through in every video you make! I've been eyeing those rosewood side panels on the Sony, and I'm inspired to do something similar with my RS-B965. Do you have any pointers or tips on how I can achieve a similar look? Thanks so much for all the awesome content you share!

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

This is probably my first "serious" piece of hifi along with the matching N80es power amp. I still have them and it's hard to let go, even though they are too big and heavy (especially the power amp!) for my listening room now. I have quite a lot of videos on my channel with sound demos using these amps.

[@SkyFiAudio]

The amp is also great, perhaps Ill do a video on it next.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Let me know if you guys would like to see that.

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

@@SkyFiAudio yes please!

[@pocher69]

I sold the pre and tuner so I could get a ES receiver back in the mid 90's and I have been hunting one down for years to go with the N80ES that I have had since new!!!

[@TVfreeman]

When i was younger i was fascinated by this preamp for many years, i found and bought one finally and use it for few years. Very happy, but after some time i discovered few preamps better sounding, for more or less same money , like McInosh C29 (cleaner sound and much better Phono than Sony, but not balanced -i sold it after few years ) or Kenwood L-1000C (better than McIntosh, 10 times better Phono than McIntosh, and REALLY FULL balanced - i still own and use it ) or Krell KSL (even better than Kenwood , FULL balanced, but no Phono, - i still own and use it ) or even TEAC PA-7 , the biggest Phono Board in all this list, but i'm not sure it sounds better than Kenwood on phono sound, maybe a little better than McIntosh, i still own it but i don't use it. I owned and tested most of Sony analog preamps (including TA-E7, TA-E86 or TA-E88, TA-E90) , they all look better (especially inside, all are superb build ) than sounds , my opinion..I am still fascinated by TA-ER1 (saw one in Japan but never heard it) and TA-E1 or TA-E 8450, also never heard it. @SkyFiAudio Very nice review, congratulation, after watching i feel like i would like to own again one... 👍👍 @marksowers5041-if you buy one, resolder the " those copper bus rails " -they often make troubles by invisible cracks in solder...

[@chrisneve7566]

The "Gibraltar" chassis was a mixture of Plaster of Paris, resin, recycled plastic and mica - so I believe.

[@puciohenzap891]

Technics did something similar but their was more soft / spongy like.

[@SkyFiAudio]

wow, thats a lot of materials. Thanks Chris.

[@tonyciriello6872]

I don't know if you can take the time to answer questions.I have been using a sony TA-1000ESD in stereo mode only for several decades. It works perfectly. Paired with a Pioneer M25 amp. What are your thoughts on this pre-amp?

[@SkyFiAudio]

from a brief look online, it looks like the analogue signals get converted to digital which is far from ideal. Cool piece never the less.

[@mark902]

there was also an all analog ta-e77es. though i believe the esD only had a dac included while the analog signals were left alone. the ta-e1000es was the one that converted everything to digital. even the phono.

[@pedrocols]

The signal leaving the preamp must be analog so it can be played.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thats right. Vintage Knob listing for the TA-E1000es converts all inputs to digital. A viewer corrected back in the comments that the TA-E77Es does not. Have one on the way to test and video.

[@mark902]

@@pedrocols it's the converting to digital and then back to analog that seems excessive. but i get it. they wanted to be the one. they wanted every input to get that digital equalizer treatment. it was a risk, and they took it. and they sold a lot of those ta-e1000es. if you are specifically looking for a ta-e1000es, you will easily find one.

[@mark902]

@@SkyFiAudio vintageknob is the best. i like the audio heritage japan site as well. it was my rosetta stone into understanding sony model numbering.

[@TonyChamberlist]

Worth noting is that the balanced output connectors defy modern convention, which is 2 hot and 3 cold.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Spot on Tony, thanks for pointing out. Luckily there is a drawing on the back depicting the proper pinout.

[@dtracy03ss]

Love this Pre Amp , but a comment about the built in Bass, Mid and Treble ( in my case Pioneer SX1280 ) IMO more so back in the day, the Source Quality pretty much made these controls necessary as well as a Real Equalizer for Tape mainly, but there was a Ton more "Difference" in the Vinyl, Cassette and even CD quality, and those Controls were a Must to get the Sound to be comfortable to your ears! Even today some of the Sound Quality is questionable so it's hard to believe us Audiophiles would have any indifferent feelings towards these controls! 99.9% of the time they can be Turned off. Even some of the Streaming sessions ( I use Node and just started with my Node X ) through my 185 WPC Reciever and between Albums and Tracks my ears want some of these adjustments! Keep up the great Vids!

[@bubamara3010]

thank you perfect explanation, we can learn something tech from you!!!

[@williamwong5627]

I love the screw drivers organiser. I am going copy that one for my work bench.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Hey thanks. I wish I had put them a bit further back to have more room but they are working well.

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

Beautiful love the simplicity of your reviews

[@SkyFiAudio]

Glad you like them! Thanks for commenting M>.

[@zukispur5493]

Sansui AU 717 works for me. Elegant beast

[@SkyFiAudio]

gotta get some Sansui gear, its on my radar for sure.

[@davidcarper5411]

@@SkyFiAudio I have had a couple hundred amps and receivers here for resale, but the Sansui stuff seems to stay here, it's the tube like tone and authority, it also plays with great fidelity.

[@MLN65]

Ok Sansui SP-5500X Speakers what are they worth (in great condition)?

[@zukispur5493]

@@MLN65 as much as someone is willing to pay🌚

[@riclambert4291]

Great stuff! The mechanical aspects of this amp are fascinating. I remember Sammy Davis Jr. pitching Sony gear back in the 80's. Didn't take in seriously, guess I should have.

[@oddball_the_blue]

Nice idea. However they're hitting silly prices - you can pick up a sorted Pioneer SA-8800 for less than the TA-E80ES in the UK and I know which I'd rather use.

[@SkyFiAudio]

They are only going to appreciate over time. Get one while you can.

[@jmi5969]

They already used a bunch of Fujitsu/Takamisawa relays. Why not use same relays for input switching - surely a dozen costs less than this one-of-a-kind motorized thing? Personally, I'm quite content with how they "sound" (they don't) in my setup.

[@SkyFiAudio]

I think it was just a bunch of engineers having fun designing something different. Yes using basic relays would have been simpler.

[@ladronsiman1471]

I NEED THIS !!!.. I have several real to reel ,Elcaset ,and digital compact cassette ..ahhh ...

[@SkyFiAudio]

haha!

[@sergesmets5685]

Anything from Sony ES , for cheap , buy it . The ES series was always very good , no matter what type of thing is was , so ES series , if you can buy it cheap , go for it .

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thanks Serge. Cheers.

[@williamnaman3570]

A British company makes a set of upgrade components for this specific model.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Do let us know...

[@johnhaylett5769]

Sony does super cool high end gear and low end cheap as muck kit well nice tho

[@cameronkrause4712]

I love the title- I am looking forward to more of these.

[@SkyFiAudio]

We have bunch of these videos in the series. Just click on the link to see more.

[@thomasschafer7268]

The market is big. And 1000€/$/£ are a word. I use NAD Preamps much cheaper. 😏😏😏

[@crimsonghost6454]

How do you aquire the units in your shop? Im sure they come from different means but curious. Reason being is you have the coolest stuff. I rarely come across what I would consider a great find but you have a shop full. I love your videos.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Most of it finds us. We happen to be in a great area that has lots of consumers so there is tons of stuff available. We also try to pass on the bring stuff and concentrate on the cool stuff. Makes running the business more fun.

[@bobsbits5357]

in the tape input are for quad audio why so many as i have a teac 44 reel to reel i use a line input mixer before my pre amp my pre amp is a high end quad one i had alot offers for it not for sell

[@al5152001]

I wish Sony would bring back ES audio line

[@SkyFiAudio]

Up until recently they made the HAP-Z1ES and a matching integrated plus speakers that were awesome.

[@dilbyjones]

What is a pre amp? I hear it doesn't matter, although I think all systems must have one for volume control?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thats right, volume and input selection with a bit of gain. Not much else.

[@Capturing-Memories]

What's the purpose of a preamp? I've never used one, I found that home theater audio receivers work very well for me for direct amplification.

[@SkyFiAudio]

You're HT receiver has a preamp built into it. It provides input selection and volume control.

[@Capturing-Memories]

@@SkyFiAudio That doesn't answer my question to why do I need a stand alone preamp.

[@WMAlbers1]

I took this video to heart and bought one!

[@davidcarper5411]

I went through that ES and Elite Phase lol

[@SkyFiAudio]

We just got an Elite stack, video coming soon

[@Zockopa]

Well,there also was the TA-E90ES...

[@bluebearbank247]

Why is "It's a Sony" sticker almost always seem to be slightly rotated? After the Sony production put this much effort making the inside master-art-craft-level, I'd expect the visible sticker to be at least level? I never understood this.

[@ELBigYuyo]

It looks like the honeycomb is made of Bakelite. Thanks for the vids

[@TheChogokinpig]

Hope you can compare this 80 with his brother 77. Both are high end Sony pre amp

[@aegisofhonor]

These are decent pre-amps and I'd defiantly get one if I could afford it or found one at a decent price (not likely). The champagne finish is super rare, not released in the US. A couple of pre-amps from the 90s were very high quality, the TA-ER1 as well as the late 90s TA-E1, both of these greatly pass the TA-E80es in quality (and price, especially the R1 that cost around $10,000, the E-1 costing around $5000?)

[@SkyFiAudio]

I bet you a machine like this today would cost like $4k.

[@Trev0r98]

Technically, the Sony TA-E80ES was from the 1990s, not the 1980s. Sony introduced it in 1991, and ended its production in 1994.

[@bluemantom77]

I live in New York and I remember seeing this in Macy's Believe it or not Macy's used to sell high-end electronics and stuff and j&r music world and nobody beats the wiz

[@Trev0r98]

@@bluemantom77 Yes, but you saw it at Macy's no earlier than in 1991. Just saying.

[@TheChogokinpig]

All time the best song pre amp

[@TheJohnlentz]

Are you familiar with the limited production Sony 8550 TAN V-FET amplifier? Also the very rare TACT digital Amps?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Gee, Ive never seen one of those but I just looked it up and it looks real interesting. Just added that model to the queue Thanks for sharing.

[@jainz2080]

Try finding the sony hcd-nxm4d its a outstanding hifi system with pro logic 2. Its a bit rare but worth it if you can get the whole set.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Ok, added to the list.

[@PedjoGT]

If you change front plate to any High End name today inside be super high end for even today standards

[@SkyFiAudio]

Right on, even by todays standards its top shelf kit.

[@Watcher4111]

If this Sony is Hiend, Pioneer elite is super hiend

[@PedjoGT]

@@Watcher4111 I dont think so...but it is close to Sony

[@MrMidiman33]

maybe an interesting detail.. the polarity on the balanced connectors ist switched! Normally the pinout is 1-Ground, 2-Hot+, 3-Cold -! Why changed sony this?

[@danielwilliams1921]

Oops, never mind. I didn't watch far enough to your mention of the E77ESD.

[@rusty1187]

I own three of the Sony TAE 1000 ESD pre-amps, and they are incredible!! Even today, they are still pretty advanced!I believe it is the digital version of this amp.

[@SkyFiAudio]

3? thats crazy. Thanks for sharing sir.

[@runetech]

Luckily this is one I actually own already... :) I'd actually get one more for my third setup...

[@wojciechczupta]

there is number of great reasonably priced preamps on the market right now. Spending 1k EUR for this old gear can only by explained by sentiment, not by sound quality.

[@SkyFiAudio]

I don't disagree but what's wrong with sentiment?

[@wojciechczupta]

@@SkyFiAudio absolutely nothing :)) I'm just a big fun of good sound in the first place :)

[@TheGreatTomDix]

Amazing!

[@puciohenzap891]

It's all fun and games until one has to open that rotary input selector to clean it :-))) otherwise agreed, you seldom see this kind of quality anymore.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Indeed, glad our works fine.

[@killedmonkmusic]

Can I run this amp with wharfedale linton 85th anniversary speakers the nominal impedance is 6ohms and minimal is 3.5ohms and needs an amp power of 25-200W I can’t figure out how many watts of power this amp outputs. Thanks for the help and the awesome review

[@danielwilliams1921]

I ran a Sony TA-E77ESD for many years and kept it after changing to a PrimaLuna preamp. Is it in the same ballpark as the E80ES? Either way, I'm open to selling it for whatever seems fair.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Not sure but would love to do a video on it. Pls reach out via our website if you dont mind.

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

20:48 I see you use these cables quite a lot. What are they? They are very nice-looking. Woah! I just noticed all the gold sockets and balanced sockets too! Not your usual Sony! 23:05 For the Gibraltar base you probably have to peruse the hifi paraphernalia of the time: rigid chassis, vibration control and all that were all the rage at the time (yeah, I know) and many manufacturers would jump on that band-wagon. If anything, it makes even a mid-weight device feel nice and solid. The heavy lid is part of that approach I guess (beware of Japanese steel of the time btw: I've seen it pointed out elsewhere that it has a tendency to rust like nobody's business if left too long in the wrong sort of environment). Btw a huge chunk of this video is repeated.

[@eattoast6378]

Those just look like any run of the mill nylon braided rcas. Like 8 bucks on Amazon. I have a pair that look nearly identical running to my sub.

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

@@eattoast6378 hmmm.. all those I've found that look quite similar (Walmart, Dukabel, Goalfish etc.) seem to be sold out.

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

btw a quick search for this reveals prices $1299 upwards - so finding this in a local second hand shop/garage sale will be a lucky find indeed...

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yes, they are cheap but good cables from Amazon. We use them for heavy use on the test bench since they are disposable and easy to handle.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Vintage stuff from the 80s and 90s is only going up in value. Get them while you can.