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Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?

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Posted on July 15, 2014 at 21:05:18
AbeCollins
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Anyone seen, read about, or heard the Sony TA-A1ES and Yamaha A-S2000 integrated amps? Which would you be more inclined to use in your system? I'm very curious about these for my home office listening.

I'm presently running the Rogue Cronus Magnum tube integrated with KT120 tubes and it sounds great but I'd like to try a nice sounding solid-state integrated that won't break the bank.

I've read a couple reviews of each online. What do you think?




 

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RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 15, 2014 at 23:21:31
Disbeliever
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 I have not auditioned the Yamaha but would advise you to avoid the Sony TA-1ES IMO very poor SQ despite absurd OTT reviews in HFN & RR , Words & Music. ( have yet to see a US review) the pre-power sections can not be separated . However fortunately its available direct from Sony on a 3O day trial. As a Sony fan I was extremely disappointed. For a second opinion I took this amplifier to a loudspeaker designer to audition and he totally agreed with me .The bass is deficient overall sound is very artificial, runs too hot, ( may not bother you being into antique tubes) small heat sinks , we suspect the FET input is part but not the only problem.This is very suprising because part of the design was over seen by Eric Kingdon Sony's Chief European Technical man but not unfortunately by Sony's previous head audio engineer who has retired.

 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 08:00:58
AbeCollins
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What HI-FI reviewed the Yamaha and the Sony and they liked the Sony better and pretty much slammed the Yamaha. However, I find their reviews to be overly sensationalistic and lacking integrity.

What speakers did you run with the Sony?

And what other amp was used on those speakers that sounded better? How did the amps compare?

Thanks.



 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 08:15:44
mkuller
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 ...last year I bought a Yamaha RX-A820 7.1 receiver to use with my family room TV system.

For music I use only the front speakers - Epos M5.1s (with a Hsu sub) - and the sound is pretty good.

I'd be surprised if it sounds better than the Rogue, though.

 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 09:16:29
Disbeliever
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 My speakers are the new TL Focalstage Floorstanders, using full range Jordan Eikona 2 Drivers , the speakers also incorporate an adjustable tweeter. I use a twenty year old SS amp, called Prime Design A100 , 120 watts 8 ohms,500 Va transformer, 80,000 mfd capacitance fed from the pre-outs of the Sony STR-DA5400ES, I have tried many other amps but prefer the A100. However as I have posted several times you can try out the Sony TA-IAES on a 30 day money back trial direct from Sony. This is the best way to find out if the amp suits your speakers. as IMO most reviews these days are useless for SQ.

 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 10:01:53
mikepittarelli
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 I've had the A-S2000 since November and am very happy with the sound. Using it with Tannoy Turnberry speakers. Sound is better in every way compared to previous Pass XA30.5/XP-10. But this may be due to the low wattage of the XA30.5. One unfortunate feature of the A-S2000 is the extreme sensitivity of the (one) balanced input. You will probably have to attenuate the output of whatever you connect to it. If this is not something you want to do, maybe the A-S1000 (no balanced input) would be a better choice.

 

What Hi-Fi, posted on July 16, 2014 at 15:29:42
Alex F.
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 Abe:

I often find What Hi-Fi magazine's reviews helpful, but not in a way the publication intends. They typically like components that are bright in the upper midrange and treble, which they seem to believe is neutral. They often use the term "exciting." I prefer a more neutral to slightly warm sound. Thus, if the magazine says a component is not "exciting" or too laid back for their taste, I become interested in that product.

An Australian magazine tested several of the Yamaha integrated amps, such as the A-S2000, 3000, and 700. The review of the 2000 does not say much about the sonics (link below), whereas the write-up on the 700 does (link below).


http://www.avhub.com.au/index.php/Product-Reviews/Hi-Fi/yamaha-a-s700-amplifier-review.html

 

I listened to that Sony for several hours. , posted on July 16, 2014 at 17:47:25
Prisoners
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 Coincidently the same system had the huge Rogue Apollo mono blocs and the Herra II preamp. I put that Sony integrated in place of those keeping the Sony HAPZi-ES as the source, speakers were the Sony SS NA2ES (($10k a pair).

Why does Sony insist on using those awkward product designators anyway?

Point being the little Sony integrated was pretty nice. Of course it didn't have anywhere near the impact of the Rogue system but I still enjoyed what I was listening to. I haven't heard the Yamaha and I wouldn't call the Sony a bargain at $2k, but I found nothing objectionable about it either. I wouldn't rate is a highly as I do the matching server, but sound-wise that HAp Z1-ES is in a rare league IMO.

 

RE: I listened to that Sony for several hours. , posted on July 16, 2014 at 20:27:38
AbeCollins
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 Thanks for your comments on how the Sony sounds relative to the much larger Rogue gear. You're right about Sony's product naming with really weird and hard to remember model numbers!

I just bought a Sony TA-A1ES integrated this evening for much less than the $2K MSRP and it should be here next week. I thought the Sony HAP-S1 'hi-res' player, which is the little brother to your Sony HAP-Z1ES, sounded very good with it's built-in 30wpc integrated amp. I figured I would give Sony's flagship TA-A1ES integrated a shot.

I don't expect it to sound as good as my Rogue but I want something I can leave ON all day and not be concerned with vacuum tube wear. I like listening to background music while I work at my desk and feel that's a terrible waste of costly vacuum tubes.

P.S. If the Sony doesn't work out, I'll be looking at the Yamaha A-S2000 or A-S1000. Thanks again.




 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 20:30:04
AbeCollins
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 Thanks for your comments on the Sony TA-A1ES. I pulled the trigger on a good deal and bought one anyway. Will see how it performs in my setup with my office speakers. If it's not right for my needs, I may be looking for a Yamaha A-S2000 or A-S1000 down the road.



 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 20:39:12
AbeCollins
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 Others have commented that the XA30.5 has plenty of power as it is under spec'd at 30wpc and continues to double it's power at 4 Ohms with more to spare. However, I've seen many XA30.5's up for sale, more than other Pass models, and I've always suspected that it just wasn't powerful enough for many real world speakers.

Not in the same league as the XA30.5, but I owned the Pass Aleph 3 and the newer Pass Labs 30 "Volksamp". Both seemed a little soft and dynamically challenged even on my easy to drive Tannoy D500's. I preferred the larger non Class A Pass X150 and X150.5.

Thanks for your comments on the Yamaha amps. I found a good deal on the Sony TA-A1ES integrated and decided to buy it but if it doesn't work out in my system, I'll be looking at the Yamaha amps next.


 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 20:42:07
AbeCollins
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We have similar tastes in bookshelf speakers. I found the Epos M5's to sound very nice. I have a pair. I have not heard the newer M5.1's.

I decided on the Sony integrated as I found a good deal on one. It should be here next week but if it doesn't work out the way I want, I'll be looking at the Yamaha next.

Thanks.


 

RE: What Hi-Fi, posted on July 16, 2014 at 20:52:34
AbeCollins
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Thanks Alex,

I don't know what to make of What HI-FI. ;-) They're usually over-top with their rave reviews and very harsh on the products they don't like. And their reviews often go against the grain of what others observe. I think you explained it.

As I mentioned in my posts further up, I decided on the Sony anyway since I found a good deal on one. But if it's not to my liking, I'll be looking very seriously at the Yamaha A-S2000 or A-S1000.

Thanks for the review links.




 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 16, 2014 at 23:22:36
Disbeliever
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 As the Sony TA-1AES is not required for serious listening. in that case for background music its shortcomings will not be noticed. Great you got it for less than $2K, in the UK it is very much overpriced at £2K

 

Hope you enjoy the Sony., posted on July 17, 2014 at 09:11:59
Prisoners
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 If you don't care for it I'm sure you'll have no trouble unloading it. (ahem...)

 

Pretty fancy office system!, posted on July 17, 2014 at 11:00:07
E-Stat
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 I use a 15 year old Kenwood 104 AR receiver that the previous owners left with the house. It drives in-ceiling speakers in several rooms and has been on pretty much 24/7 for eight years. I'm usually streaming the local classical station or XM during the day.

Back in April, the speakers in the office were crackling, so I splurged the princely sum of $25 for a pair of GRC eight inchers from Parts Express. I discovered the surrounds on the original pair were shot. :)

 

Well, it's my only system these days ;-), posted on July 17, 2014 at 17:55:03
AbeCollins
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 At least with your in-ceiling speakers, you have more room!

 

RE: Hope you enjoy the Sony., posted on July 17, 2014 at 23:57:06
Disbeliever
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 The artificial sounding TA-1AES was returned to Sony carriage free. Great that they have a 30 Day trial & collect same plus an immediate full refund, HATS off to Sony.

 

I see what you did there ...., posted on July 18, 2014 at 07:11:56
Prisoners
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 Good one!

 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 18, 2014 at 08:17:18
AbeCollins
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 It will be used for background music BUT I will also give it a 'critical listen'. If it fails to deliver on either, I will seek a different solid-state integrated.

I have an entry level Marantz integrated that sounds OK but I swapped it out after just a couple days as the Rogue tube amp is significantly better.


 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 20, 2014 at 06:14:02
Freo-1
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 Good luck with the Sony, Abe. I was interested in that one myself.

I had the Yamaha A-S2000, and its a good sounding unit. Quite a bit different to the Advantage receivers.

Let me suggest another integrated: Electrocompaniet PI-2, or a PI2-D. I swapped the A-S2000 for the PI-2, and I'm very happy with it. Electrocompaniet gear just seems to stand out when it come to SS gear. It does a better job at low level detail than any other SS gear of similar quality to date.
" Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you"

Satchel Paige

 

RE: Pretty fancy office system!, posted on July 22, 2014 at 06:14:46
ThomDP
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 The 104AR is a real workhorse, pretty decent sonics too, I use a 103AR in my garage while rotating various speakers in and out.

 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 23, 2014 at 16:35:27
AbeCollins
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 Thanks for the info on Electrocompaniet. I'm very curious to know how the Yamaha compared, aside from the better low level detail you hear in the Electrocompaniet. Which is more dynamic? Warmer? Deeper bass? Etc?

Thanks!

P.S. I'm waiting for UPS to deliver the Sony. The UPS tracking website says it should be here no later than 8pm tonight.

 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 24, 2014 at 13:04:13
Freo-1
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 Abe, the Yamaha is a nice sounding unit, no question. The balanced floating design sounds excellent with the right component. However, the A-S2000 has one major design flaw you won't read about in any of the reviews. The flaw is, the XLR input overloads at anything over 2.8 V! As fate would have it, the matching CD-S2000 only puts out 2.8 V in XLR. So, as long as you use it, no worries. However, most XLR is 4.2 volts, hence a overload condition.

The Electrocompaniet sounds better overall, pretty much across the board. The bass is slightly deeper (and tight), the midrange is cleaner sounding, and the treble is quite a bit better, with no sizzle compared to most SS. It also has two XLR inputs on the PI-2, or one and a built in DAC for the PI-2D. The matching ECC-1 CD player is one of the very best sounding CD players I've come across. The detail from the 24 bit DAC is better than most of the 9018ESS machines. I'm certain it's the superior analog stages.
" Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you"

Satchel Paige

 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on July 26, 2014 at 10:18:01
AbeCollins
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 Thanks for sharing the little known flaw in the A-S2000. I have components that used balanced XLR so that could be a problem should I use them instead of the RCAs.

I'll do some research on the Electrocompaniet models you mentioned. I'm certain they're much more expensive than the 'consumer' volume production Sony and Yamaha. But maybe that's the price you pay for superior performance.


 

RE: Sony TA-A1ES vs Yamaha A-S2000 Integrated Amps ?, posted on August 4, 2014 at 09:36:19
-æ-
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 AudioSector Integrated.

If you aren't quite noticing or accepting what is really going on in the present,
but are responding based on your thoughts or feelings about what ought to be,
then you are apt to collide with what is really going on.

 

XLR inputs on consumer gear, posted on April 16, 2015 at 17:17:52
Serge_S
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 "However, the A-S2000 has one major design flaw you won't read about in any of the reviews. The flaw is, the XLR input overloads at anything over 2.8 V! As fate would have it, the matching CD-S2000 only puts out 2.8 V in XLR. So, as long as you use it, no worries. However, most XLR is 4.2 volts, hence a overload condition."

Are XLR inputs on consumer gear usually compatible with pro audio? What about Sony TA-A1ES in the thread above? Is it able to accept input from pro-audio player or DAC?

Thanks

 

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