Show Us Your Sonys!!!

[Brian]

PioneerGuy85, just saw you are from Greenland NH. I grew up in Portsmouth. Still have some family there.

 

[Whitehall]

I've a DVP-S9000ES and it is very impressive. However, mine needs a new laser assembly as it can't read hybrid SACDs (CDs or single layer SACD OK, so far.)

Apparantly this is a common end-of-life issue with most CD/SACD players. Sony will replace it for $133 plus ship or offers the laser assembly alone for $75.

I paid $280 plus shipping for the unit so it is still a bargain.

I was astonished the first time I hear it with a CD - a very solid, full sound. It is still better than my new DVP-NS9100ES and heavier too. Copper-plated chassis is a nice touch although I wish the front panel buttons were more user-friendly.

The DVP-S9000ES is two channel only and has the VC24 chip set like the SCD-1 and SCD-777ES.

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Thanks. I am up in the air about the DVP-S9000ES or the CDP-707ESD that I've found. Either one is $350. Hate to lose the SACD and DVP options with the older, more solidly built CDP-707ESD. My brother has the previous CDP-705ES (don't recall the D on the end his) with the power transformers hanging off the back outside of the chassis. Is a very nice piece.

OK.....done my research and the optical block for the CDP-707ESD is no longer available. You would think that Sony would make them again with the quality of the base unit. Drat. Ah, well. Guess I'll start shopping for the DVP-S9000E. More flexible unit in any event. All ready downloaded the OM from Sony for free. Will also order up a new laser prior to this one failing, as they are a 'wear' item.

Edit - Just bought one for too much money that has a new optical block, transport tray and mechanism. Apparently he has a two-year old who tried to hang from the tray. Unit is under four years old, so not only has the new service from Sony, but still has a full year+ of warranty. Looking forward to its arrival.

 

[Yamaha B-2]

New VFET in the house. Just received the TAN-8550 from EW. Popped the top to straigthen the back-plane. The sheet-metal had been pushed in a little during shipment. And, of course, forgot to take any nudies. Duh!! Later.

Got it hooked into the system in place of the B-2 and am listening to in the identical set-up. Only difference (other than its much easier to move around 42 pounds versus the 58 of the B-2) is I think is just a bit deeper sound-stage. But, because of the funkie speaker terminals I've had to wire up with some 14g zip-cord rather than my ultra-chique, fabulouosly expensive $2.50/foot Audioquest cables. I'll mod a set of them tomorrow to allow a fair comparison.

I do like the wooden side panels. Mahogany plywood. Unfortunately, one has a dinged back corner. Think I'll get a couple of pieces of cherry to replace them with. I'll probably use this to drive the NS-500 pair and the B-2 to run the NS-1000 with. Almost time to start playing with the 5.1 processor. Looking forward to the arrival of the matching TAE-8450, once EW gets a chance to finish it. Will plug in the TA-E86B at some point to compare to the C-2x.

 

[theophile]

Nice,Y B-2.
Two questions.
How much did she set you back?Whats the output power?

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Traded an EW refurb'd CA-2010 for the TAN-8550 and matching TAE-8450 preamp. Based on retail, about $600, I guess. But, then am putting in the funds needed to redo with EW. It is rated at the same 100wpc that the B-2 is. Runs considerably hotter than does the B-2. Those extra 15 pounds in the B-2 are about half heat-sink and half power supply (B-2 is a true duo-mono with two transformers, four filter caps, etc., while Sony never made anything that was, to my knowledge). Here is Axel's link for the TAN-8550: http://www.thevintageknob.org/VFET/TAN8550/TAN8550.html

 

[SteveP]

(B-2 is a true duo-mono with two transformers, four filter caps, etc., while Sony never made anything that was, to my knowledge).

Y B-2,

Check out the TA-N7B --true dual mono--4 transformers (smaller ones for the input stage and larger ones for the output) plus all separate filter caps.

btw. Nice amp(s) you have there!!!

Steve.

 

[Stoffie]

I am pretty sure the N7 is dual mono ?

Nice 8550 dude! The TA-E86B will probably be better than the TA-E8450, no ?

 

[Yamaha B-2]

I am pretty sure the N7 is dual mono ?

Nice 8550 dude! The TA-E86B will probably be better than the TA-E8450, no ?

Am sure the TA-E86B will be better than the TAE-8450 in all departments other than looks. But, will be fun to listen to them and compare.

BTW - The e-mail with the TA-N7B SM has never shown up. Perhaps you could send me an e-mail without an attachment to insure you have the correct e-mail address.

And, you guys are absolutely correct about the TA-N7B (anyone want to sell me one?). Guess it will be next in the 'never-ending-search-for-audio-Nirvana'. Or a TA-E88B or TA-E900 or a...........

btw. Nice amp(s) you have there!!!Steve.

Thanks. Here is a pic of the 3 operating VFET amps I have. http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=967061#post967061 The parts unit (good VFETs) is at the other end of the listening area somewhere.

 

[Stoffie]

I actually prefer the sleeker looks of the pre-esprit line over the older parts, although they certainly look classy too.

The N7 is very sobre and clean cut, no heaps of knobs or meters or whatever, I like it that way.

I sent you a link on my webspace where you can download the SM Glenn. Don't know why it didn't get to you, never got a message failure, and I did use the correct address. Maybe it got lost in your spamfolder because it comes from a .be addy?

There have been about 4-5 N7's on ebay the past four months or so, so maybe you will be lucky. With the current high vintage prices I guess you can expect to pay 400-600 euro or more. Haven't seen a US N7 on ebay yet. Recently there was a UK chap that was selling 2 of them, but then pulled his listing.

Good luck finding one ! If you are ever in the neighbourhood (slim chance I realise), come over and listen !

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Thanks. I'll have to check with my ISP to see what's up, as I don't use a spam filter. Maybe they are being their ever-helpful selves.

Came through very nicely on the link you PM'd. Thanks, again. Getting a decent collection of vintage Sony manuals. Let me know if you need anything.

Yes....I'd get a TA-N7B off of eBay in Europe, if available at a reasonable price. We'll be over there from 7/12 - 31 this summer (assuming my mother doesn't fall over and break her other leg, which put the pay to our trip last year :thumbsdn: ). Hope to hook up with Axel in Paris and Old Marantz in Lyon to say hello.

EDIT: Of course, your e-mail just arrived at 1:21pm. Guess the ether has slowed to propeller-plane speed.

 

[Stoffie]

Cool. I'd love to meet up with you and Axel if at all possible. Paris is only an hour and a half away by HST/TGV. We should invite Mirko too

Glad you got the SM after all. Stupid ISP's.

 

[mesut BALCI]

yamaha B-2:
I hope tae86 will easily be much better than 8450. Because my new tae88(which is on the road) not only costed twice 8450 but must also be better than my shocking passive in my setup:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34496&d=1166744100

http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34497&d=1166744100

http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34498&d=1166744100

I am waiting too to see what happens when c2x and 8450 comes together. What can you say about c2x and tae86???


Stoffie:
After tring the tae88(sorry for last 2 seconds, it took me 2 years to get one), and If I find solution for a good phono amp and dont love line stage more than my passive, selling abroad, I will first contact to you

I have last tried getting benefit from switches of preamp of 5650 for my passive, thus I could use more inputs easily. But when I use tape inputs and get output from rec outs or external adapter out, sound gets worse. Therefore I belive material and path quality much more than ever. Only inputs and selectors of 5650 preamp is not as good as one unique cable, however total effect of preamp shows that electronic parts are less effective for this worse sound!! This is why I use external adapter1 input for cdplayer. Get a multiway selector, put it in a box, get vinyl signal out from circuitry, feed selection output to directly circuitry, current preamp gets much better. The one these preamps miss and succeed on tae86 and 88.

Anyone having tae88 service manual in pdf? I ordered one from a downloadable site to get a closer look, but they still try to find one around more probably looking at another galaxy..

Have a good 2007

 

[Yamaha B-2]

I hope tae86 will easily be much better than 8450. Because my new tae88(which is on the road) not only costed twice 8450 but must also be better than my shocking passive in my setup.
I am waiting too to see what happens when c2x and 8450 comes together. What can you say about c2x and tae86???

Thus far, the sound is excellent. Not much difference between the TAN-8550 and the B-2. Both with the C-2x. I haven't tried the TA-E86B yet. Perhaps tomorrow when I am painting the other end of the listening room.

EDIT - Wife called and she is staying over with the grand-kids. So, to celebrate I tossed the TA-E86B into the mix. As you can see from the pic, the ICs going into and out of the Sony are a mess. Guess I'll have to do some straightening of that. The volume pot didn't get well cleaned or has a bad spot as it gives me a click at about the 7-8 o'clock position. And, there is some volume bleed-through on the same channel when turned fully counter-clockwise. Oh, well, I have to pull the faceplate to get the ends machined in the next few weeks, so will disassemble the pot and clean at that time. Took the pic sans flash so the meter on the TAN-8550 would show up. Isn't very bright, so at the 12 feet away that I sit when typing it is mostly washed out by the room lights. Will be better once I get the room arranged and am listening at 8 feet.

However, the sound is great! A little less edgy or clinical than is the C-2x. A tad more laid-back might be the better description. But, I had to swap ICs around and such with the TA-E86B connection locations, so things are not identical. I did listen to Lynard Skynyrd's "Saturday Night Special' (how fitting) and the K-b doesn't really care whether it is loaded with 40 ohms or 3 ohms, which surprised me. Perhaps there is enough loading in the ICs to make up the additional, as recommended is anything above 10. Left it on 40. Listening to the Police on an SACD and it is really very smooth and musical.

 

[axel]

Nice stack Glenn !

Did your E86B come factory without its 19" rack ears or did the previous owner cut them out ?

 

[Robisme]

Only Sony piece I have. 5130 tuner.

Rob

 

[Stoffie]

Great stack indeed Glenn. What a nice Sony/Yamaha mix !

Can't wait to get my N7 fixed (next weekend if all goes well!) so that I too can enter audio nirvana

 

[Yamaha B-2]

Nice stack Glenn! Did your E86B come factory without its 19" rack ears or did the previous owner cut them out ?

Thanks. Some dumbass with a hacksaw. I'll have to take the faceplates from it and the matching amp down to the local machineshop and have them cleaned up. Should be fine once I have.

Axel, can you (or anyone) point me to Mirko's (I believe it was) 'show & tell' on TVK for disassembly and cleaning of the volume pot in a TA-E88B/E86B preamp? I can't seem to find on the revamped TVK. Gone? If so, Axel, can you send me as an attachment to an e-mail? I think I'll be hanging on to the TA-E86B for a while. Thanks.

Robisme - Nice tuner. One of my favorite 'looking' Sony tuners. Think I may swap out those 'plain' knobs on my ST-5000FW for a set of the much better looking scuplted knobs like those on the ST-5130.

 

[Whitehall]

That ST-5130 is one of the prettiest of the Sonys. I have to agree with Glenn.

 

[axel]

Glenn,

It was (and still is) in one of Mirko's pop-ups about the WEGA version of the E88B:
> http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyesprit/wega/LABZERO.html#