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Receiver alternative to Sony TA1120A/ST5000FW?

audi0n00b

audi0n00b

Active Member
Not really sure if this is the best place to pose the question or not, but I’m considering moving on from my Sony combo into a receiver. Any thoughts on where to go next? Open to suggestions on receiver and speaker pairs as well.

Current setup is the referenced Sony pair, AR XA turntable and Klipsch KG4. Considering the big guys in particular Pioneer, Sansui, Marantz, Yamaha but also open to others.
 
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audi0n00b said:
Not really sure if this is the best place to pose the question or not, but I’m considering moving on from my Sony combo into a receiver. Any thoughts on where to go next? Open to suggestions on receiver and speaker pairs as well.

Current setup is the referenced Sony pair, AR XA turntable and Klipsch KG4.
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I read somewhere on AK (?) that the STR6120 is a TA1120A + ST5000FW.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qXferG-1K3DaJop1Zk5ApQHbqQ5i939PLbY9umt-mWE/edit?usp=sharing
IMG_1833.JPG
 
What sort of sound do you like? The Sony's to my ears sound more similar to Yamaha's (but still different) than what the others you mention do. The earlier Sansui's, Pioneer's and Marantz's have a warmer sound for sure with a more pronounced bottom end. I own a TA-1120A also, very nicely built piece of gear aren't they.

I have no favourite brand and we all have different ears but it is hard to go past the Sansui XX1 series or the Pioneer X2X or X3X series. The even earlier Sansui's are fantastic also. I have a restored Pioneer SX-939 and have had plenty of Marantz 22XX receivers amongst many others and none of them have been able to beat it IMHO. As usual though they will all require some work at this stage to sound their best.

Also consider Rotel, Akai, Kenwood, Luxman, Hitachi & Realistic to name but a few.
 
I don't know if I would be wanting to switch from an integrated to a receiver. I would maybe think about a power amp that has a lot more power than the Sony TA1120A and Receivers. Use the Sony as a preamp and get a 200+ watt power amp and start building a separates system. The character of speakers change when they have plenty of power to control them and will sound better.

Depending on the phono cartridge that will have a big influence on sound of the system, stepping up carts is definitely a good move.
 
Is there a power amp from the same period? This amp is also original so I assume a recap would make some difference.

Update: Found some info on the TA-3120 and TA-3200 series amps from the same time.
 
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Your TA-1120A was one of Sony's first solid state integrated amps, and they were designed and built to a very high standard. They were meant to compete with equivalent amps from the top American manufacturers like Marantz, McIntosh, and Fisher, which at the time were among the best audio brands anywhere in the world. High grade ELNA capacitors were used throughout, film capacitors were used where possible, speaker outputs were plated screw-type, and all components were discrete. The later mass market designs that proliferated in the 70s tended to have more complex circuits with more power, but cheapened build quality and not necessarily better sound. Early SS Sony, Kenwood, Marantz, Fisher, and Sherwood amps have a transparent, holographic sound quality that is reminiscent of high-end tube amplifiers, much more so than the later gear.

All this is to say that IMO it will be difficult to find a vintage receiver better than the combo you already have. I've asked myself the same upgrade question about my Sony STR-6060FW, which has the same amp/preamp as your TA-1120A. Even having tried highly regarded Sansui and Pioneer gear, I eventually came to the conclusion that it would take modern separates in the $$$ range to represent a significant upgrade from what I have now.
 
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Ok so let’s say I continue with the Sony and pursue upgrades elsewhere. From previous posts options are to go with a separate power amp and/or upgrade the cartridge.

I’ve been using a budget cart from LP, a CF3600LE. My plan is to switch to a Shure M91ED with new Tonar stylus. I’ve seen many using a Denon DL-110 which I have considered. Other options?

What about speaker improvement? Any thoughts there?
 
sachind4u said:
Now I found diode SV-06 missing on protection circuit board. Am I stuck here permanently, fear that the same may not be available.
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this would be a good time to start a new thread as the discussion above ended and is only talking about different gear, including your amp. But a thread about your amp and your situation in Solid State or DIY would get folks that know the 1120 to drop in and maybe one of them has an answer.

I'm gonna ping the op and see if @audi0n00b has changed anything in his rig, a follow up to the end of the thread.
 
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