Customer reviews from sony.com
Sony - 160W 2.0-Ch. High-Res Integrated Amplifier - Silver
Average customer rating
4.4
(16 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 16 reviews
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Star
1
92%of customers recommend this product.
(
11 out of
12)
Customer Reviews for Sony - 160W 2.0-Ch. High-Res Integrated Amplifier - Silver
Posted by: thehub
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
I just purchased this little Sony and it is certainly everything I had hoped for and much more. I sold most of my high end audio equipment a few years ago, thought I was done with it but kept my Harbeth Compact 7 ES 3 speakers. The itch came back recently so I started looking around for another amp. I've read a lot about this amp and the simplicity of the design and really liked what I read so I decided to give it a try. I still can't get over the purity and unforced natural detail of the sound. I've owned a Cary solid state and tube amps (120 S MK2) and a Plinius SA 102 and 103 among others and they all sounded great (all a bit different) but so far I believe this little Sony is the best I've owned. Sounds a bit silly comparing it with the above mentioned products but the Sony and Harbeths are a match made in
heaven. The HAP Z1ES will be next on the list to compliment this amp.
heaven. The HAP Z1ES will be next on the list to compliment this amp.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: Crag
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
Bought this last May and it sounds great. I even love the simplicity of the remote.I have an old Sony ES SACD player and a pretty good assortment of SACD's jazz and rock and they sound terrific. My only change would be the speaker terminals on the back of the unit don't work as well as I would like with my speaker cables with spade connectors .
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, March 12, 2020
Hi, Crag, We are glad to hear that your audio component sounds great. Thank you for the feedback and for choosing Sony! -Vincent
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
SONY TA-A1ES AMPLIFIER DETAILED REVIEW PART 1
on April 20, 2021
Posted by: JLee0000
SONY TA-A1ES AMPLIFIER DETAILED REVIEW PART 1
Modern elegance. Class A purity.
Transparent, revealing, fluid, fast, dynamic, neutral, natural.
Modern elegance. Class A purity.
Transparent, revealing, fluid, fast, dynamic, neutral, natural.
NOTE TO SONY: Your TA-A1ES amplifier is an amazing product. Please do not cease sales and / or development of this unit. You have created something very special that begs for much more advertisement and marketing put behind it. Sales of this unit could increase dramatically with additional promotional strength properly targeted.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:
Sony seems to have identified their target market precisely. This amplifier doesn't seem to be positioned toward the average audiophile. Their target seems to be a minimalist-minded person who knows the value of beautifully rendered sound, but who has neither the time nor inclination to get involved with endless 'audiophile' gadgets and fussy complicated experimentation. Interestingly, in their quest for absolute DSD signal purity Sony has veered from their Class D technology and embraced Class A. There is an equal Class A experience whether by loudspeaker or by headphone and the amplifier is worth having even only for headphone use. For the uninitiated who are wondering what the Class A fuss is all about, the easiest way I can describe it here would be as such: it goes beyond just the lack of crossover distortion or the stronger force of higher current, but also a more stable and durable circuit design. The difference is akin to natural flavors vs. artificial flavors, or a silk shirt vs. a nylon shirt. There is a smoothness and organic density to the sound like the extremely pure ring of crystal or porcelain vs regular glass.
Sony seems to have identified their target market precisely. This amplifier doesn't seem to be positioned toward the average audiophile. Their target seems to be a minimalist-minded person who knows the value of beautifully rendered sound, but who has neither the time nor inclination to get involved with endless 'audiophile' gadgets and fussy complicated experimentation. Interestingly, in their quest for absolute DSD signal purity Sony has veered from their Class D technology and embraced Class A. There is an equal Class A experience whether by loudspeaker or by headphone and the amplifier is worth having even only for headphone use. For the uninitiated who are wondering what the Class A fuss is all about, the easiest way I can describe it here would be as such: it goes beyond just the lack of crossover distortion or the stronger force of higher current, but also a more stable and durable circuit design. The difference is akin to natural flavors vs. artificial flavors, or a silk shirt vs. a nylon shirt. There is a smoothness and organic density to the sound like the extremely pure ring of crystal or porcelain vs regular glass.
More commonly known by its model number, the Sony A1 Elevated Standard Class A amplifier is presented as a very clean, Modern Zen style component with a matching metal remote control. Although the amplifier has no blinking lights or flashing dials and needles, it still very much has the appearance of an elegant art-piece that would look at home in a Modern Art museum. It is much more beautiful and striking in person than in any of the countless photos online. Its gorgeous looks plus its energy-sipping variable bias design is sure to please any Modern 21st century earth-friendly spouse. You can make them happy while saving yourself around 2 - 3 thousand dollars by getting this Sony instead of the competition. That's a lot of money left over for diamonds, vacations, a new patio, or a down-payment on a new car. You'll be rewarded with a lot of loving, and an amazing Class A loudspeaker and / or headphone amplifier experience which I will describe below.
DESIGN:
The main surfaces are brushed aluminum, the secondary surfaces are a soft satin sand-blasted style aluminum finish, and the logo is a glistening chrome. Everything, including all knobs and buttons are sturdy with a solid heft and precise movement with zero wobble or play. Here is a very high level of 'fit and finish'.
The main surfaces are brushed aluminum, the secondary surfaces are a soft satin sand-blasted style aluminum finish, and the logo is a glistening chrome. Everything, including all knobs and buttons are sturdy with a solid heft and precise movement with zero wobble or play. Here is a very high level of 'fit and finish'.
The overall design seems strongly influenced by Pass Labs' amplifier design in that they share a purist 'straight wire with gain' Class A topology, a simple back panel, a flat expanse of bare aluminum, a debossed logo, a row of tiny flat power and selector buttons, a single large volume knob, and a mysterious glowing deep electric blue numerical volume indicator (which apparently is in homage to the blue fluorescent glow of a triode vacuum tube). I initially thought this blue indicator was a bit strange but now that I think I understand its significance, I think it is a rather special touch. And does the A1 amp sound anything like the noble tube? Keep reading to find out. There are also similar design elements of the Accuphase brushed face plate with satin finished flat knobs and dials , as well as the extra-large rose and black speaker terminals of Luxman’s top-end power amplifiers. The streamlined Sony visual design seems much more elegant than similar amplifiers, not suiting everyone but surely befitting people with a Modern or 21st century contemporary lifestyle.
For a touch of nostalgia, when paired with a tube pre-amplifier, the tonal blend was very seamless with the tube's sparkle and density produced accurately. The pairing did not sound like a solid state amp with a tube tacked on to the end of it. Instead it was a completely seamless and sonically pure pairing.
Concerned with having 'only' 24,000 microfarads per channel? The amplifier has strong clean current with wattage that apparently doubles into 4 ohms so you should not have much need for concern. Just bear in mind that it is very sensitive to wiring used so be sure to have high quality properly terminated and secured low impedance cables. It effortlessly and dynamically runs my 4 to 3 ohm setup at very high listening levels without getting hot. In addition to 2 channel, the amplifier has been tested with a custom immersive multi-channel matrixed surround sound system. This one single amplifier had enough resolution and separation to accurately and dynamically steer effects and ambient elements 360 degrees around the room including accurate seamless overhead height rendering. Unless you have enormous floor-standing speakers and/or ones that spend most of their time in the under 3 ohm region, or you like to listen at near rock concert levels you should have no problems running this amplifier. At least give it an audition.
Sony's bias implementation does a great job in keeping heat at bay. Heat generation is nothing like a regular Class A amplifier. The only part of the unit that gives off any significant heat is a small area at the far rear top vent.
Temperature is only slightly warm when volume sits at negative infinity.
Very warm during home theatre or general use.
Extremely warm, but never too hot to touch with loud music playing for hours.
Auto shutoff standby time is only 15 minutes. At least 30 minutes would be a more practical setting.
Headphone power switch is independent so having headphones plugged in does not automatically mute the loud speakers. Headphones can be kept plugged in without having to constantly unplug them to listen to the loudspeakers. It is either headphones or loudspeakers, but both can not be listened to at the same time.
END OF PART 1. PART 2 FOLLOWS IN SEPARATE REVIEW.
Temperature is only slightly warm when volume sits at negative infinity.
Very warm during home theatre or general use.
Extremely warm, but never too hot to touch with loud music playing for hours.
Auto shutoff standby time is only 15 minutes. At least 30 minutes would be a more practical setting.
Headphone power switch is independent so having headphones plugged in does not automatically mute the loud speakers. Headphones can be kept plugged in without having to constantly unplug them to listen to the loudspeakers. It is either headphones or loudspeakers, but both can not be listened to at the same time.
END OF PART 1. PART 2 FOLLOWS IN SEPARATE REVIEW.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Sad to see it go
on March 23, 2021
Posted by: ceeveedee
Clear and simple: this amp is extraordinary.
From the aesthetics, to its physical mass, to the weight of the sound it delivers; I’m in heaven. It’s detailed at low volumes, an absolute giant killer at louder volumes, and seems to power through anything I throw at it. I’ve paired this with an NS9100ES CD/SACD player , and RME ADI-2 DAC fs for the HAP-1ZES and a Node 2i and another Sony NS3100ES SACD/CD player. It’s marvelous.
What makes me incredibly sad however, is that Sony is no longer producing this amplifier, or so it seems. I’m not sure why, but the simple flyer never seem to get the coverage at deserved, but when it did the reviews were all the same, extraordinary sound extraordinary detail and effortless beauty. I can only hope that Sony continues doing the work because when they do the results are peerless
Response from sony.comBy Sony North America Customer Support, March 24, 2021
Hi ceeveedee, we're glad you like the looks, design, and sound quality of our product. This amp is designed to give you the best from your High-Resolution Audio. A field-effect transistor (FET) input buffer delivers enhanced sound quality with low distortion. Hear every detail of the song with simplified final stage circuitry that produces a high power output, and bias that's intuitively controlled by and linked to volume position. High-Resolution Audio technology delivers every subtlety and nuance of a song in rich, immersive detail. Thank you for trusting SONY. ~Earl
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
4
Yes I was Surprised Too!
on April 18, 2014
Posted by: Disbeliever2
I compared this amplifier to my Superuniti and I hate to say that Sony blows this out of the water. Excellent sound that is not too forward nor too laid back. Very natural sound that presents my HI-Res files (Cream & Blind Faith 24/192) is power and authority. The audiophile in me should say that this amp is not good since it is a Sony ....not a Naim, Bryston, Classe, etc .....but I can't. Sony has delivered big time! Welcome back to Audio world Sony ... we missed you.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: PuroSonido
Gender:Male
Verified Purchase:Yes
Bought together with HAP-Z1ES and couldn't be happier with my purchase. Perfect match. Finally enjoying all my digitally converted CD collection. Great job Sony for bringing back my 2-channel system to life.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
4
Superb Sound
on January 30, 2018
Posted by: Will18
Gender:Male
I got This Amp a year ago, Still Amazed with the clear, detail sound. this
amp Produce.
amp Produce.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Great sound with Sony SS-A5 speakers
on December 22, 2017
Posted by: emaspac
Gender:Female
This is a real high end amplifier with extreme resolution on low level details.
The best sound when you have a first class tweeter, like the one in the old masterpiece Sony SS-A5 speakers.
TA-A1ES is a best buy today and it will be remembered.
Thanks Sony for your ES line.
Please do not stop to produce ES, instead keep it and upgrade it because you're the best if you want.
The best sound when you have a first class tweeter, like the one in the old masterpiece Sony SS-A5 speakers.
TA-A1ES is a best buy today and it will be remembered.
Thanks Sony for your ES line.
Please do not stop to produce ES, instead keep it and upgrade it because you're the best if you want.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com