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#1
03-31-2014, 07:23 PM
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Sony TA-A1ES "Hi-Res" Integrated Amplifier
Recently had a chance to hear the new The Sony SS-AR2 speakers – the smaller version of the larger and well regarded Sony SS-AR1. The AR2 were extremely impressive but even more so as they were driven by Sony’s new TA-A1ES integrated amplifier – a new $2k offering from Sony. From a distance it almost looks like an 80’s vintage Sony piece but the sound was something else. Had a chat with the Sony engineer at the show who explained that engineering behind this new integrated – the volume control is also auto-biasing – the idea being to keep the amp running in class “A” mode for all but the more high volume listening
Other than that it is well built (weights in around 40 lbs) has pure balanced inputs, and sounds pretty impressive (granted it was driving some nice speakers) - best part is the $2K retail price tag. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive integrated amplifier and like Class A sound this is really hard to beat. Just a heads up on a cool integrated from Sony
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Analog system: VPI Classic 2 w/Lyra Delos cart – Pathos ”In the Groove” Phono Stage – Pathos “TT” Integrated (RR Version) – Odeon No. 28 SE speakers – Wireworld cabling Digital System: Devialet Expert Pro 220 amplifier – Dali Fazon F5 speakers – Kimber/Wireworld Cabling 
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#2
04-13-2014, 06:59 PM
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Indeed. Like an update of my 'back up' TA-F707ES integrated amp. Very similar in size & weight. Sony has made some terrific gear over the years. Very often it does not make it to NA. Only Asia & Europe for some reason.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag
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#3
04-13-2014, 07:12 PM
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 Looking Good !!!!
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....  I have a record player and a cd player and some other stuff that sounds pretty good. MAIN SYSTEM: . . . Audio Physic Caldera III Loudspeakers, Spectral DMC 30SL Preamp, Spectral DMA 250 Amp, Spectral/MIT interconnects and speaker cable, Basis Debut V Vacuum turntable, Walker Precision Speed Controller, Graham tonearm, [B]Koetsu Rosewood or Grado Statement 1 Cartridges, PASS - X-ono Phono Stage, Esoteric K03 CD/SACD Player, Lexicon RT-20 Universal Player, Exact Power EP-15A & SP-15A power regeneration and conditioning devices. Symposium Acoustics Svelte pads & RollerBlock Jr's under speakers. ASC Tube Traps, Arcici Suspense Rack System, OPPO and Cambridge Streaming Devices. DOWNSTAIRS SYSTEM: . . . Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento Speakers, JL Audio F112 Sub, McIntosh MA7000 Integrated Amp, McIntosh MVP871 Universal Disc Player, OPPO BDP-105 Blu-Ray Player, VPI Scoutmaster with periphery ring clamp, VPI SDS Motor Drive, Koetsu Pro IV, or Clearaudio Discovery Cartridges, Mark Levinson No. 25s phono stage, Wadia 170i Transport with a Meridian Bitstream 203 DAC, VPI HW-17 Pro Record Cleaning Machine, Five Richard Gray RGPC 400 devices scattered around the two systems, Arcici Suspense Rack System, Discovery Essence and Essential Cables, 14,000 ± LPs .
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