Sony ES - Elevated Standard: The Hi-Fi Family You Probably Never Heard Of

[@davidschleiss2535]

I have a collection of Sony ES equipment from the 1990's 14 pieces in total. Some of the best audio equipment ever made.

[@norbkowa]

You should look into Pioneer Elite also.

[@pixvuhobbyzone2814]

junks@@norbkowa

[@ralphwarleggan3813]

It's not that I have any intention of buying your equipment, but just out of curiosity... how much do you think everything you have would cost today? Thank you and enjoy those wonders friend.

[@exalexandrians6929]

In the mid 80's during my employment with Sony of Canada, the legendary ES line was known affectionately as the esprit line.

[@ralphwarleggan3813]

Friend, this is one of the best videos I have ever seen on KZbin. At 54 years old, I want to buy a good Sony device and only for a few years have you been following the name of the highest-end models and I came to the conclusion that they were the LTB if I'm not wrong. Until a few days ago I didn't know this denomination ES and now with your video it has been absolute ecstasy. I am Spanish but I live in the USA but when I return to Europe I am going to buy a good ES hi fi system without a doubt. Thanks for your videos, like for you and keep doing what you do. All the best

[@michachemowski8518]

The ES series was on display in shops in the late 80s and 90s where I lived. I actually convinced my dad to purchase a full setup 😂

[@rwdplz1]

Late 80's/early 90's is when audio components peaked, after that you saw some good stuff, but it was mostly cost reduced into oblivion. I have a dozen ES components, I love the aesthetic and performance.

[@Salty_Legionnaire]

Sony is on the top of a very short list of brands that understands how to make timeless components.

[@TechStuff1]

Well said!

[@michael4591]

Was! That is long ago

[@VintageAudioTech]

Still looks timeless

[@norbkowa]

It was probably before 2000s. Especially 80s and 90s were good for Sony. Later they became known for good looking expensive HDTVs that didnt last long before developed vertical limes or just died. Right now its hard to find Sony equipment except for Playstation.

[@GRMEGISTOS]

Yes but WAS.... Not the last 2 decade's...

[@bondgabebond4907]

Wow, great video. I was stationed at Yokota AB, near Tokyo in the mid 80s. The exchange had all these ES products. I latched onto the ES amp and sperate tuner. Loved them a lot. Wish I still had them as they were so much more fun than the equipment today.

[@Shepard557]

Proud owner of a CDP-555ESD, just passed 36 years old and as good as the day it came out the box…other than a couple of tray belts changed. That Sony engineering will outlive me 😊

[@VintageAudioTech]

I run a few of these decks at my home TC-KA7ES TC-KA5ES TC-K890ES Modified TC-K890ES Brand New Stock TC-K870ES Midnight Edition TC-K850ES And running those with a modified TA-F808ES Nice video!

[@morksbeanbag]

If you like the ES series, do some research into the ESPRIT series. The ES series really found its mark in the 80's and 90's, these series were based on the very high end (and expensive) ESPRIT series. Even more coveted is the R (reference) series.

[@USAMP926C]

Don't get me wrong, I have a decent late model streamer with a very nice display of the metadata and album art that I enjoy quite a bit, but I like to wind down the evening by going into my movie room, looking through my cassette collection and playing a cassette (almost daily). I find it relaxing and therapeutic. Long live cassettes!

[@drwisdom1]

Back around 1991 I bought my Sony TA-E77ESD preamp and TA-N77ES amp. They have been on most of the three decades since then and still work fine except for the lights that illuminate the amp's meters.

[@darthrevan1344]

I just started to get into this myself with my older audio equipment. So glad I found this channel. You got yourself a new subscriber!!!!

[@TechStuff1]

Thanks, happy to know you subscribed!

[@len9518]

While ES components may not have been available in your everyday hifi store initially, they eventually were, as I bought a cdp-209es in 1991 from such a store.

[@roofermarc1]

I picked up an 850 es. Sending it out for restoration. Love these decks

[@dk4855]

Great presentation. I own the F808ES integrated and I also have the 55ES amp and a CA7ES CD player. The sound is still very good.

[@AMusician64]

Great video. I have the sony TC-630ES.and love it.

[@wal]

Great video and I'm also a fan of Sony ES equipment. I knew of it when I was younger, but I could not afford it. As you mention, most people take care of it, so that's great. I love the tape deck you got (although I'm not into tapes) and that EQ / Spectrum analyzer is amazing as well! Thanks for the video, just subbed!

[@Happy-Me.]

I still have my Sony Series 90 from 1986 and it still works!

[@MasterHavik]

My ES adventure started exactly like yours! Looking for a graphic equalizer...rosewood sides really caught my eye. Now I own the c79es cd changer and the ta-n1000esd preamp. Eventually want a period correct amp like the ta-n55es (more maybe two running in mono mode!). Great luck so far with them and sound is fantastic. I was in college when these were out...fun buying stuff now I never could have afforded then.

[@TechStuff1]

I can totally see myself going down the ES rabbit hole! And you’re right, it sure is fun buying all the stuff we couldn’t afford 30 years ago!

[@MasterHavik]

@@TechStuff1 oops I did it again...TA-N55ES amp on its way from eBay. Eventually hope to get another and run them mono. I will have to get it in the rack before the wife gets home...she does not understand nor approve. 😎

[@technics-n-thuiast8346]

Sony use to make some of the coolest stuff. Hearing that they will stop making audio separates makes me sad 😞. Elevated Standard series use to be called Esprit as well. I am pretty sure I have seen some Sony 900 Esprit separates as it was something I was looking at to have side-by-side my Technics 900 series components.

[@maniacaudiophile]

Looking at their higher end stuff like IER-Z1R... I'm still glad this is the old Sony... The only big corp that will tell their crazy engineers: "You want to build something exquisite for yourself, and masquerade as doing your job, and make something magnificent, but will lose us money? Ah, go right ahead and make us proud." I honestly cannot imagine any of their uber premium stuff even makes the development money back...

[@redhondafk8357]

Nice review , i have both the Tc-k770 ES and the seq -711,though the seq is not a ES model I bought it because it had very good reviews and they were right ! I hope one day i stumble over an TA-N77ES and a TA-E77ESD somewhere but i guess that wille be a utopia ! Meanwhile happy hunting ES audio !

[@heliolima7552]

Always loved music and hi-fi and wen i was younger i saw the Sony, Pionner and Thecnics catalogs to many times until they disintegrated 😅

[@marceldaalen6604]

I recently bought the Sony TC-K6 and TC-K5, yes they are not ES but i love the VU meters over the LED bars. TC-K8 is also nice.

[@gevowavemagnet]

If I remember correctly, Crutchfield offered ES products through their catalog during the early thru mid 90's

[@craigdavidson2278]

I would like to recommend the (1991/2) Pioneer A400 amp (NOT the MkII) thus was(is) a gem of an amplifier....definitely one for those who like a nice set-up.

[@RayEttler]

glad to see your focus wheel happily employed

[@franciscoramoncleriguesrov7187]

Justo ando pensando en adquirir un ecualizador gráfico para mí equipo… y estoy confuso, miraré la serie SEs de Sony. Gracias por compartir experiencia

[@Si1983h]

Maybe it’s just me, but I thought Sony ES kit was very well known amongst HIFI enthusiasts!

[@JaypiTechPHOfficial]

Finally, someone tell this Elevated Standard lineup.

[@Watcher3223]

Unfortunately, the ES designation was not always a guarantee that you were getting premium quality equipment. As usual, it depended on how much you were willing to spend. There were lower end models in the ES lineup whose quality was pretty much equivalent to some of the mid-range and higher end standard Sony fare. My digital surround/stereo setup is almost entirely ES. The turntable, a PS-X600 (with an Ortofon X5-MC pickup), is the one component that's not ES. Perhaps the one component in my system that lives up to the hype is my receiver, an STR-DA4ES. This model is one step below the STR-DA7ES, but my receiver holds its own very well. Then there's my CD player and cassette deck. The CD player is a CDP-X229ES and the cassette deck is a TC-K707ES. The CDP-X229ES has sound quality equivalent to a CDP-X333ES, but it uses a more commonly available disc drive that utilizes a geartrain to move the pickup back and forth on the traverse assembly. The CDP-X333ES uses a linear motor design to accomplish moving the pickup back and forth. The CDP-X333ES offers quicker random access and quieter operation, but the CDP-X229ES uses more commonly available parts that makes repairs more likely, especially the laser optical pickup. The CDP-X229ES is probably comparable to a mid-high end non-ES Sony component. My TC-K707ES has build quality equivalent to a higher end non-ES model; it's a 3 head machine, so I can monitor what I just recorded on tape at the instant that I'm recording it. It also has a closed loop dual capstan, though it's inferior to your TC-K770ES, which uses a direct drive design for the capstan with quartz locked servo for excellent speed control whereas mine is belt drive with the drive motor controlled by FG servo. What my TC-K707ES has over your TC-K770ES is with noise reduction since my deck has Dolby type S in addition to types B and C. Your deck only has types B and C. My TC-K707ES is a newer model, but its overall quality pales compared to your machine ... as well as to some newer machines like the TC-KA3ES. My TC-K707ES still sounds great, though, and tracks recordings well when using any iteration of Dolby System. I did have to do some repairs to my TC-K707ES. I had to, more or less, rebuild the deck's rotary encoder mode switch so as to allow normal operation of its functions. I also had to replace its belts with a model-specific replacement belt kit to ensure a minimum of wow and flutter during playback and recording.

[@WattTheTech]

Have a ES MiniDisc deck and really would like a ES tape deck but they cost so much now. Nice deck you have

[@Fabian-xc7bx]

My tape deck is not from the ES-Series and has tape calibration, Dolby NR and a motorized door as well. Mine is a TC-K661S.

[@daniannaci3258]

To see a why many Sony ES components deserve that “Elevated Standard” moniker, check out the KZbin video by SkyFi Audio titled “If you find one of these, BUY, BUY, BUY!”. Here you can see the unbelievably awesome construction of the Sony TA-E80 ES preamplifier from 1990 when it retailed for $900. Mine still looks and sounds amazing after 30+ years. No issues at all. Sound quality is still comparable to the best hi-end preamps available today.

[@Sonnell]

wow, well I am late, but I hope by now you already know that the differences you listed between standard and ES components, are just a fraction of the real amount. In fact, in an ES component, nothing is like in a standard. You missed that it has basically a completely different circuit design, completely different components and phylosophy. These usually have a lot better input and output amplifiers, different power stages, transformers. The tape decks main feature was the quartz locked direct drive, which is a direct drive motor, which works entirely different than the normally used motors. They have no parts that touching each other, completely silent, vibration free, and can be electronically controlled, and they are by a quartz clock. It is also directly on the main capstain, so no belts or wheels are in between. Meaning, the tape speed is super precise, and does not wobble. I could go on for hours about how different these components are. Read those ES catalogs, they will blow your mind.

[@pasha12343]

Great , just purchased a Sony TC-k222ES G the quality is outstanding compared to a standard Sony cassette deck. Like yourself I was also not familiar with the ES series .👍🙂

[@CarlosPerez-bv8kx]

Hermosa línea Hi fi de Sony , saludos desde Chile

[@perefortiusjr5938]

Hi there First of all congratulations for your awesome channel. I'm a proud ex-SONY employee, and I have some equipment that I want to share with you. My sources are: DIGITAL - Macbook pro - SONY MDS-JA50ES Minidisc - SONY CDP-X779ES Compact Disc ANALOG - CLEARAUDIO Evolution Turntable (ORIGIN Live Arm plus AUDIO TECHNICA AT-FT MC Cartridge) - SONY S-505ES Tuner - SONY KC-790ES Cassette Deck SIGNAL Processing : - CAMBRIDGE AUDIO Dacmagic plus - SONY TA-E77ESD AMPLIFIER - SONY TA-N55ES (65 W RMS) SPEAKERS: JPW Mini Monitors + non active Subwoofer LORENZ Acoustics T1-120 (on the workshop) HEADPHONES: SENNHEISER HD 599 Attached you have the pics. It took me 25 years to get the ES gear, but now I’m very happy.

[@TechStuff1]

Thank you! You have an impressive hi-fi setup. I’ve always felt it’s best to curate, rather than accumulate, the best pieces over time and it seems you’ve done just that!

[@danmarjenka6361]

I bought "open box" or store display units so I could afford it. Worth it? YES!

[@orestefanovic8877]

My uncle bought me a Sony MIDI system LBT-V82 plus the CDP M-19 in winter 1993 or 1994 if I am not wrong, with a pair of Sony SS 101 speakers made of wood...I can't remember the name of the shop but I know that back in ex Yugoslavia for these MIDI systems guarantee was 7 years, yes, seven years, you didn't read it wrong!! Then you can imagine how were the ES series built to last.. I think that my uncle paid around 500-600 DM that time for my stereo!!!! Now I think the build quality that was in Sony's ES from late 80's to the middle of 90's can be found in Japanese Accuphase HiFi!!!

[@melvinch]

I remember there were also the "Esoteric" series that came in champagne color with thick wooden side panels.

[@WXSTANG]

Oh man... I'm not sure where you live but you need to find a dedicated AV store. There is nothing quite like listening to the B&W, Paradigm, Bryson, Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, KEF, etc high end audio gear. It is an entire experience. I spent a lot of my teen years with friends in those stores checking out all the latest gear.

[@brucesamuelson7541]

Dang it I wish I saw this video yesterday before deciding between an str-gx99es and the str-d1011s and choosing the latter because of a 5 watt per channel difference in surround! I should have known since the es is 40mm wider and a full kilogram heavier... Now that I do I'll buy it too and like you look for the es label in the future, thank you!

[@paulantoniuk3503]

I have a Sony ES receiver from 1996 I think, and a 5 disc Sony ES changer from 1992. Last I used them worked like the day I bought them.

[@maniacaudiophile]

I just pick up any ES stuff that i come across at a good price... Just picked up a DA5ES receiver and had some of their old prized CD players. Will continue to pick up more of i can afford it. Well, maybe except a few of their class D receiver when they were just trying to figure out how to make good class D amps.

[@artsimannisto5659]

1983-AIWA ADF-770 and highend Bro, -990. Hard to beat with sonyys. And they are way earlier than ES-models. But ES are very good. Like Pioneer CT-models,also one of the best. And Akai.

[@KR1275]

The meaning of ES came later than the use of it... There are many different meanings. In the Netherlands it stood for Extremely Standard, in Germany for Esprit, In the USA for Elevated Standard, in Japan for Extremely High Standard (even written on some models) etc.

[@danmarjenka6361]

At 3:23, the brochure shows it as "Extremely High Standard." Must be a US or UK brochure.

[@triumphant_54]

I got Str-de777es one of the best AVR I've for Hifi

[@Kevhead7]

Well it might just blow your mind to know there is something called Sony XES. While not in any home stereo line, it was the pinnacle of car audio.

[@Sabundy]

That is some beautiful SONY equipment

[@TechStuff1]

Sony was definitely firing on all cylinders when they created these units!

[@jamesconroy7030]

What a luxury it is to close the door with a button, instead of getting carpal tunnel syndrome from closing it by hand. Not to mention that it closes more precisely, removing the chance of closing it unevenly.

[@sidneymeyer9014]

Hi, question? my new/old sony str-da5600es receiver looks like it only comes with one single port for a subwoofer? will this work with the newer large home subwoofers? thanks......

[@chrislemaster2695]

I remember you could get these at Radio Shack. Radio Shack would order this for you

[@bdhaliwal24]

I recently bought a Sony tapedeck just to look at it. I know how you feel :)

[@user-eu6wp6ws7c]

Can this unit be modded to incorporate Dolby S?

[@elmerbais]

ES Elevated Series?

[@mariomadmac]

cool deck

[@CannondaleCAAD]

These videos are awesome! You should make a discord server for your channel.

[@1michaelricci]

Sony’s broadcast and recording equipment is second to none! Certain consumer ES components are must have/never sell such as DAT machines, power amps, preamps and cassette decks. Don’t sleep on Sony ES series

[@binod6209]

Please make video on LBT series

[@Ss-kn6zc]

And maybe you don't know that sony has always had a series that is also above the excellent ES: the R series, and R stands for Reference. Search the sony Ta-er1 for example. Sony is still making hifi products, i have a ta-zh1es dsd dac and headphone amplifier

[@TechStuff1]

I’m going to check it out!

[@manuelvalderrama7483]

Nice Deck .

[@greyorbit]

You COULD get ES @ Circuit City but NOT Best Buy.

[@danmarjenka6361]

Circuit City also had the Integra line of Onkyo components. Early Integra pieces were comparable to ES.

[@chrislemaster2695]

Will this do Type III FECR tapes?

[@darinb.3273]

Hello Chris, there wasn't anything special about recording on those type 3 tapes. If you have any, you record it as a type 1 and on playback type 2. Type 3 was a hybrid of type 1 and type 2. Ferric oxide (type one) as the bottom or back layer and CR02/chrome smushed on top. The bottom layer captured the lower frequencies extremely well, as I understand the lower frequencies were in the lower (deeper) region of the thickness of the oxide, hence being underneath the CR02/Chromium layer, which is where the higher frequencies are happy. I read about the issues with type 3. The top layer would wear off taking the trebles with it. They didn't seem to get the bonding agents to stand up to being pulled through the tape mechanism for very long before it was worn away. I apologize for the length of the reply, but hopefully it gave you more to research if you decide to learn even more or verify if I what I shared was correct.

[@mat.b.]

that ebay seller is notorious for jacking up the asking price like 5x more than other sellers

[@munczenski22]

How could you not know?

[@europass1]

ES used to stand for Extremely Standard, not Elavated Standard..

[@culle6522]

TC KA 6 ES Top Deck .

[@redhondafk8357]

btw anybody have an experience wit a sony seq -333 es ? wonder if it's worth da money?

[@KR1275]

I use it only for the beautiful looks...

[@ChrisDiRoma]

Great Video/ you def get a Sub and a Thumbs up! Thank you!

[@nogunnofear6703]

If you get one of these be aware that they are incredibly complicated to set up and they do not come with an owner's manual. I ordered one and tech support could not make it work so I sent it back. I really really wanted it to be a great experience but in the end it was very disappointing. Don't fall for dirac either. That's another unnecessary detour.

[@mikepxg6406]

"a graphic equaliser" These are terrible things unless you LIKE bad sound quality. The ES products didn't have wood side panels in Europe.

[@DJkwaz]

Were there ever Sony ES VHS players?

[@TechStuff1]

As far as I know, there were a few Betamax units, but I can’t confirm they ever made any VHS.

[@KR1275]

@@TechStuff1 ES on Beta recorders meant 'European mainland' and 'stereo'.

[@danmarjenka6361]

It hurts to watch 7 seconds of this video from 10:00 to 10:07. I hope the top didn't get scratched!

[@jupkols955]

Hm

[@mankepoot9440]

Marilyn Monroe, the actress you probably never heard of.

[@acefrehley3797]

USE SONY MINIDISC. SMALER THEN THE STANDAARD CD. SAVE IN SPECIAL HOUSE. AND NO TAPE WHINDING. AND LOTS OF EDIT FUNCTIES

[@mcjdubpower]

Sa-wx900 sub ❤️

[@ralphwarleggan3813]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3fCZmmXmpKYe9k

[@acefrehley3797]

HOW GOOD TAPE DECKS ARE ?. DOLBY A IS NOT FOR A HOME DECK. DOLBY B AND C ARE WEL KNOW. BUT DOLBY S. IS VERRY NEW. EVEN AS DOLBY HX-PRO. AUTOMATICLY WHEN YOU START RECORDING. IS TOP IF YOU PLAY IT ON ANY OTHER DECK WITH HX=PRO. AND THE MPX-FILTER IS NOT ON EVERY RADIO. AND GIVES A BETTER SIGNAL.

[@acefrehley3797]

IT'S "EXTREEM SONY." IN JAPAN IS A TEAM OF NINE SPECIALISTS AND THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. AND THE PICES ARE SKY HIGH.

[@summerforever6736]

Nice unit but todays day and age they are irrelevant....

[@mahirderman]

You probably don’t know Pioneer Elite either.