We Found a Super Rare Sony TA-77ES Pre!

The TA-E77ESD is fairly common, while this non D version TA-E77ES is rather rare. We take a deep look at the features and internals of this great vintage preamp.
Battle of the Sony Preamps:
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Link to 80-ES review:
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Sony's Final Masterpiece:
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The great X707ES CD:
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[@johndavies6253]

Another great video. A visit to your store is so high on my bucket list it’s not even funny! All the best from the UK.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Please do come some day.

[@WMAlbers1]

I would recommend also reviewing the SONY TA-F730ES integrated amplifier. It boasts the lowest THD of 0.002% and the design was later sold to Accuphase... It has the same controls and functions that are found on the TA-E80ES...

[@trevor245]

the sony 333esg and 555esg are the amps with a very similar front panel to the e80es but they never made it out of Japan sadly. The 700 and 800 series are pretty much all just variations of the same amp design though as far as I am aware.

[@fredfungalspore]

As always appreciate your time to show us some great Hifi of a bygone era... 🙏

[@SkyFiAudio]

My pleasure Fred!

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

One thing that really puts me off these pre-amps, apart from the fact that they seem to be a bit of a hash and a bit all sorts - I mean video preamp and digital inputs in a hifi preamp (granted, it was and still is a Japanese trend providing these features) -is that it surely looks like they made it look like it was constructed out of parts originally destined for something else or that they changed their mind about it halfway during production. Otherwise what is that metal insert doing in the middle of the front face? Surely, they must have originally envisaged this with a VFD in there that would show all the different functions. They should have gone purist as in the E80ES. Great find. Hope you can build a whole system from that series - it would surely be very interesting to put it against other top end gear from the time.

[@TheMirolab]

Preamps of this era were all about FUNCTIONALITY! I love all the controls, and yes it's beautiful to admire. I wish someone could make a pre like this today, with quieter modern circuitry. You mentioned the idea of removing the "noisy" video circuitry. If it's not in use, why would it be noisy? It's just analog pass though, so it's only noisy if you plug a video signal into it with MHz of bandwidth. Lastly, I really love tone controls with switchable turnover frequencies. This is a very overlooked feature that I think is really useful. I'm not a fan of Sony's pick for center freqs, but it depends on how gradual the shelfs are implemented. I'm a purist when the music is well mastered, but I've got lot's of great music on vinyl & CD that really needs some EQ to sound good.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Hi Miro. All circuitry makes some sort of electrical noise regardless how well designed it is. its also an additional drain on the power source. If not needed, my goal is always to get rid of it. Certainly not required to get great sound.

[@chumleyk]

@@SkyFiAudio So you'd prefer the whole of the circuitry to be on a chip?

[@dilbyjones]

Logic! Thanks for taking the time.

[@SkyFiAudio]

You got it!

[@gjnbouwmeester5860]

Great vid, love it to see these vintage components! I was wondering how i can clean a 'slider switches'. I own a vintage Pioneer amplifier with such sliders but they are noisy when switching. Cleaning with liquid contact cleaner or is there an other recommended solution?

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yes just contact cleaner will do.

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

Interesting video of a rare preamp. Interesting? Not!! More than this! I adore these Sony gear from the best time, at least to me, of hi-fi. Now, this king of quality is out of reach from average guys.

[@SkyFiAudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@briancullen8506]

I think it is fair to say that you are selling products that were manufactured pre Covid when there were less part supply chain issues. I purchased a Parasound P5 preamplifier from you that was made before the world pandemic. The P5 performs very well. I just saw a youtube video about a new turntable with a 3D printed tonearm. Cost $22,000. The owner of the turntable company did not know what material the printed arm was made from. He was just glad to get the printed arm from the manufacturer and it tested well. Thank you Fernando for selling beautiful sounding pre Covid quality audio equipment made with less part supply issues. Brian Cullen

[@SkyFiAudio]

Yes, there was no Covid in 1980 :-). Thanks for writing Brian and Im glad you like the Parasound, its a solid piece.

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

Great preamp, the remote is kind of on the low end

[@SkyFiAudio]

Right! A bit disappointing.

[@michaelsdailylife8563]

I am currently repairing a TA-E77ES. As to your question if those wood panels are original or not... while I am unsure of the history behind the unit I am repairing, the wood panels on the unit are identical to the panels on your TA-E77ES. Those screws on the side are definitely different though.

[@SkyFiAudio]

oh good to know. That helps alot sir.

[@deanjones5325]

Can an equalizer be hooked up to the Sony ta-e77esd

[@chadbarker3564]

I have the cd player. Best I've ever heard.

[@SkyFiAudio]

CD player is a winner. I did a video on it a few months back.

[@TheChogokinpig]

Holy ! Sony pre amp

[@Sigmatechnica]

you soulc just remove the power from the video sections and leave them in. Video being analog back from these days though, it's probably all just high speed opamps and some relays so not noisy unless there is any video being fed thorugh it.

[@carlmorenor]

Beautiful 😍

[@SkyFiAudio]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@gregermic87]

Like my fellow UK viewer, i would love to see your store. Hello from Denmark😅

[@SkyFiAudio]

Maybe one day! Lots of flights from Denmark! thanks for watching sir.

[@pliedtka]

The Sony's Golden Age...

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

6:51 Why mod a rare piece like this one? I'd leave it original - you never know, someone might come along that wants to play some videotapes through it! If it bothers you that much, simply unhook the power supply leads that feed the video boards taking all necessary precautions to prevent shorts or other damage. Yeah, panels... no chance they're original. My bet is they're diy affairs. If they're solid wood then the probability they're original drops to zero. The screws are different but there's always a chance the screws have been replaced but solid wood is a dead give-away.

[@hifijohn]

We finally see the face of fernando.

[@thelion9588]

Niice 😁

[@solarr2]

👍🇵🇱🇵🇱👍

[@universe9496]

Those side panels are NOT original and are Home Made. It Kind of makes me question your integrity when you do not state that on the page where you are asking $2000 for a extremely rare stereo missing it's original side panels ??? How do I know they are NOT original? I own one if you would like pics of the real side panels. but to make it easy they look just like the 2 pieces you compare it to.

[@fickfehler3866]

Rare and garbage. Fake timber veneered cheeks, low quality components, and a money loser for Sony.

[@batmandestroys1978]

Cheeks low quality! Preamp is great quality!