Sony TA-2000 Preamp

[David_NC]

I've posted about this preamp before, and I'm finally getting to the point to doing something with it. A bit of Deoxit in the pots was all that was needed to get it sounding good. Cosmetics are great, other than the two meter bulbs do not work after I shipped it cross-country, and there's a place on the top cover where something has damaged the paint. Both of those have simple solutions, so I moved on to performance - how does it sound.
My first test setup in the garage was with a QSC USA 900 (pro) power amp with around 240 watts per channel, a pair of ADS L780/2's, and a Windows 10 PC with a cheap USB DAC. Next, I put a dbx crossover between the pre and power amps so I could add an old RBH subwoofer. I was amazed at how clean and clear this original unrestored preamp is! There's a bit of noise on the tape head and phono inputs with the volume cranked up with nothing connected to them, but that's fine. I don't generally listen to input noise, and they quieten down when a phono is connected. I compared it to what I've been using in the garage - the same speakers, sub, and crossover but with a Kenwood KA-9100. I think the Kenwood sounds nice, but the Sony / QSC combo is in another league. To be fair, the Kenwood seems to need to have its controls cleaned again, and it's also unrestored. That shouldn't be much of surprise, as the Sony has better components, and it's construction is pretty amazing.
Next, I moved out of the garage into my main listening area. This area is somewhat compromised acoustically due to the layout of the room, which I'm unable to change. Still, I'm pretty happy with this setup. I normally use a Mac C31, a variety of sources, and Parasound HCA-1000A and Dynakit ST-70 powering biamped ADS M12's with a SVS sub. I replaced the Mac with the Sony, hooked it all up, and sat down to listen. There is a difference for sure. I'm not sure that I can describe it very well, though. The sound is very dynamic, there's no background noise, highs are clear, mids are solid, and the bass seems as good as ever. I doubt the Sony is as good as the Mac, especially considering it's 20 years older and unserviced. One thing I noticed about the Sony is that volume when using the phono input is significantly lower than when using a line level input. This is not the case on the Mac or Kenwood. I wonder if the Sony's phono stage's lower gain is by design or due to age. There are input level controls for every input on the rear panel, so I can work around this if it's by design, but I still wonder.
If I had to choose which pre to use in this system, based on sound, I'd have to do a lot more listening. If the decision was based on usability, the Mac wins. It's got a ton of inputs vs the four on the Sony, but mostly it's got a remote control! I'm not so lazy that I can't get up to change volume, but there are often big volume differences between songs when using streaming sources. It's handy to be able to turn it down to avoid bothering others, especially at night. Next, I'd like compare the Mac and Sony on a system that's more revealing than mine. Maybe I'd be able to hear differences. I'm reluctant to do much in the way of component replacement on the Sony. Perhaps the caps on the power supply board could use a freshening, and the main filter caps are easy to change. I'd like it to be 'safe' and reliable to use, but I'm not sure i really want to change the sound a lot. Perhaps it'll be easier to decide after using it in other systems.
I know a few here have had this preamp, and I'm curious as to impressions on its performance. I'd also be interested in hearing if it improved much with component replacement.

 

[David_NC]

After a bit more listening, I feel kinda silly. Phono level is really close to line level. When I noticed it being lower, I was in the garage... and using a different turntable from what I use inside. The 'table isn't the cause, but they have different cartridges! So far, that seems to be the reason. The phone stage is fine; it's really quiet and sounds good.

 

[62vauxhall]

I have to agree with your assessment.

I've had a TA2000 for over a year and will not be messing internally. As far as I'm concerned, it needs nothing and sounds wonderfull.

It's only shotcoming for my purposes is the single tape loop. It's Tape Head input is useless to me. I have multiple tape machines and three DBX 200's but may revert back to an APT Holman only because it has Tape 1 & 2. Operating the Sony is a joy, the controls and switches are obviously of top quality.

 

[David_NC]

I have to agree with your assessment.

I've had a TA2000 for over a year and will not be messing internally. As far as I'm concerned, it needs nothing and sounds wonderfull.

It's only shotcoming for my purposes is the single tape loop. It's Tape Head input is useless to me. I have multiple tape machines and three DBX 200's but may revert back to an APT Holman only because it has Tape 1 & 2. Operating the Sony is a joy, the controls and switches are obviously of top quality.

I believe the F model has at least one more tape loop and another line in. I can probably get by with one tape loop, though I'll eventually need two. I like those dbx switchers and may add one. What power amp are you using with yours? In the meantime, I'll do more listening, and you're right about being a joy to operate. I think that this is a keeper for a another system that I'll be setting up when we get some things settled.

 

[Artie]

Sweet preamp. Sony pre's seem to be a bit rare. Enjoy.

 

[62vauxhall]

I believe the F model has at least one more tape loop and another line in. I can probably get by with one tape loop, though I'll eventually need two. I like those dbx switchers and may add one. What power amp are you using with yours? In the meantime, I'll do more listening, and you're right about being a joy to operate. I think that this is a keeper for a another system that I'll be setting up when we get some things settled.

Yes, the F version has that alteration and the AUX IN on the front panal was relocated to the rear. Funnily while on a road trip, I saw an F model in a pawn shop. A year later, last summer, it was still there. I was tempted to ask what they would sell it for but since cash (and space) were not in abundance, I didn't bother.

My power amp for the past 3 or 4 years has been a Phase Linear 700B with all the White Oak upgrades and a Watts Abundant speaker protection circuit.

I just moved. Quit my job, sold the condo, and am now in the ground floor suite of a nice house in the comparative middle of nowhere. Although still a 1 bedroom place, it's considerably bigger than the old one - my residence of 20 years. I'm tossing around the thought of a system in a (for lack of a better description) sun room. I've set up my computer there and will also use the space to do any "tinkering". Something absurd like that Sony pre, a PL 400 (also with White Oak treatment) coupled with a pair of Boston Acoustics A70's or Epicure M50's.

That would allow continued use of the TA2000 and restore expanded tape deck connectivity, reverting to an APT Holman in the main rig.

 

[David_NC]

Yes, the F version has that alteration and the AUX IN on the front panal was relocated to the rear. Funnily while on a road trip, I saw an F model in a pawn shop. A year later, last summer, it was still there. I was tempted to ask what they would sell it for but since cash (and space) were not in abundance, I didn't bother.

My power amp for the past 3 or 4 years has been a Phase Linear 700B with all the White Oak upgrades and a Watts Abundant speaker protection circuit.

I just moved. Quit my job, sold the condo, and am now in the ground floor suite of a nice house in the comparative middle of nowhere. Although still a 1 bedroom place, it's considerably bigger than the old one - my residence of 20 years. I'm tossing around the thought of a system in a (for lack of a better description) sun room. I've set up my computer there and will also use the space to do any "tinkering". Something absurd like that Sony pre, a PL 400 (also with White Oak treatment) coupled with a pair of Boston Acoustics A70's or Epicure M50's.

That would allow continued use of the TA2000 and restore expanded tape deck connectivity, reverting to an APT Holman in the main rig.

Nice! It sounds like the TA-2000 is so good we find or setup a system to use it! I think mine will eventually be used with my ST-70 and ADS 1090's once the driver have been rebuilt.

 

[Lavane]

You can usually find the TA2000 cheaper than the F model. Other than moving things around a bit, I dought there is a big difference. I have the 3200F amplifier. But I couldn't bring myself to shell out what the F model preamp is going for. They are very well made and thought out preamps. How many preamps from that time do you see with so many film caps? I've only seen pictures of the active crossover unit from this line of equipment.

 

[David_NC]

You can usually find the TA2000 cheaper than the F model. Other than moving things around a bit, I dought there is a big difference. I have the 3200F amplifier. But I couldn't bring myself to shell out what the F model preamp is going for. They are very well made and thought out preamps. How many preamps from that time do you see with so many film caps? I've only seen pictures of the active crossover unit from this line of equipment.

Very true. It seems the non-F model is less common, though it was only made for two years. I'd like to find one of the matching power amps for this at some point, in case I use the Dynaco elsewhere or for when it's summer! Those tube are nice in the winter... not so much in summer.

 

[Lavane]

Very true. It seems the non-F model is less common, though it was only made for two years. I'd like to find one of the matching power amps for this at some point, in case I use the Dynaco elsewhere or for when it's summer! Those tube are nice in the winter... not so much in summer.

I have AC. the TA3200F 100wpc amp seems to be the most common.
Those little 40 and 60 watt cubes are nice also. I don't remember the model numbers though. Nice compact little DC amps that match the preamp. The small form amps were probably made to. Connect to the active crossover for bi and tramping. I saw a Sony diagram showing the small form amps being used for speakers in different zones and rooms.

 

[David_NC]

I have AC. the TA3200F 100wpc amp seems to be the most common.
Those little 40 and 60 watt cubes are nice also. I don't remember the model numbers though. Nice compact little DC amps that match the preamp. The small form amps were probably made to. Connect to the active crossover for bi and tramping. I saw a Sony diagram showing the small form amps being used for speakers in different zones and rooms.

That's exactly how I saw those small amps used, along with the 'channel dividers'. I believe there's a 1/3 width one and a wider model, but that's about all I know about them. I wonder if Sony made speakers with multiple inputs for bi- or tri-amping them.

 

[BilboBaggins]

I had a 2000F and immediately regretted selling it. I haven't seen one within budget since. Funny thing is, it took a while to sell it when I did. I really loved the versatility of the unit. And the feel on the controls.

 

[Lavane]

That's exactly how I saw those small amps used, along with the 'channel dividers'. I believe there's a 1/3 width one and a wider model, but that's about all I know about them. I wonder if Sony made speakers with multiple inputs for bi- or tri-amping them.

That I don't know. I just saw the diagram showing how to connect the crossover to tweets, mids and woofer.

 

[Squirrely]

The Sony SS-7600 ULM6 has separate inputs for the low, mid and high. I am taking my time to restore and assemble these speakers with the TA-4300 active 3 way crossover, TA-2000f and I have 3 TA-3200f's. I would love to have the smaller TA-3120 or TA-3120a as these were intended to be used for the tri-amp application. I look forward to get the system restored as, I believe, it represents the TOL system from Sony between 1971 and 1974.

 

[Lavane]

The Sony SS-7600 ULM6 has separate inputs for the low, mid and high. I am taking my time to restore and assemble these speakers with the TA-4300 active 3 way crossover, TA-2000f and I have 3 TA-3200f's. I would love to have the smaller TA-3120 or TA-3120a as these were intended to be used for the tri-amp application. I look forward to get the system restored as, I believe, it represents the TOL system from Sony between 1971 and 1974.

71 to 76. A damn long run for a series of models. A couple years ago the small cube amps were pretty cheap. But the word is out on the early to mid 70's Sony stuff now and prices have shot up. The TA-2000F has held a high price for some time now. Your building a very nice system I'm jealous. I bought a TA-3200F power amp about 5 years ago. But after seeing what the TA-2000F's were selling for that amp was as far as I got.

 

[Squirrely]

I was lucky. I was looking for speakers and found the Sony SS-7600's for $500. The guy had the rest of the system and was selling everything so I picked it all up for around $1200. Every once and a wile a deal comes buy but usually I don't have the money to spare. I was lucky on that day. It will take time to squirrel away the money to pay for restoration but I think it will be worth it in the end.

 

[SterlingOne]

Think about this folks, it's been 20 years since Sony has produced a preamplifier. The last was the TA-E9000ES/TA-P9000ES. The "P" was a companion piece which received analog multi-channel output from Sony SACD players. I've been waiting for a new preamp from Sony but the closest thing now is to buy an ES Receiver which has pre-outs. Another option seems to hunt for a TA-E80ES, which has features which support my current system.

 

[Squirrely]

Has anyone had the opportunity to compare the Sony TA-2000 or 2000f to Pioneer Spec-1?

 

[Lavane]

The Sony TA-2000F is supposed to be a bit more refined than the TA-2000.
The only cosmetic differences are the knobs and black bezel around the meters on the 2000F. I had the matching TA-3200F amplifier. Du. O about the Spec-1, other than the quality of parts and construction of the Sony 2000 and 200F are very good. Not much needs to be done to either other than clean any s ratch pots and replace a few electronic caps. They used a lot of film caps in the Sony.
Not something you see in many preamps produced back then. And most film caps last pretty much forever.

 

[Squirrely]

Sorry for my delinquency. To answer your question (7 months later) I have the TA-2000f and 3 TA-3200f's. One has a buzz from a transformer but it resolves after warming up.