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Which Sony to buy next?

Whitehall said:
Sony's nomenclature is a big ambiguous, is it not? So the TA-1120. TA-1130, TA-1150 are matching integrated amps?
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The TA-1120 was Sony's first integrated amp, seeing three versions (1120, 1120A, 1120F) until the 1120F finally got shelved in 1976/77 (in Japan), nearly 10 years after the release of the original 1120.

"TA" was a generic moniker for Sony's integrated/amps/preamps/dividers until it got enhanced as TA-F, TA-E, TA-N, TA-D etc in 1974. When "TA" was the only name, Sony's lineups acted as "the-smaller-the-number-the-more-highend" - TA-1120(F) was the top, TA-1130 less exclusive, TA-1150 rather affordable etc.
However, Sony being already quite Sony back then... there are exceptions aplenty :D

The basics of all this Sony mumble-jumble can be found in the "Sony Resource" section of TVK.
 
L'wood said:
The 730es has MANY unit to unit differences, I've had three and two of them absolutely SUCKED...the other one was very nice...is it worth buying if you get a bad one?

I've had both a 5100 and 5130. The 5130 had a very nice sound, but doesn't compare to the 5150. I've held on to the 5100 thinking it could be a good modified tuner...but now that I've accumulated way to many, that project will never occur...but I believe Holst had his modded by Mike Williams, he would be a good reference on this tuner.
L'wood
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Did you have either of the ST-730ES tuners that SUCKED aligned to see if it was simply that? Would seem to considerably less expensive (~$75) than buying another one. The one I owned was excellent (lucky me to get a good one), but I foolishly sold it :thumbsdn: when I decided to go vintage Yamaha.

And, wondering if you have a typo in the next paragragh. You owned a 5100 and 5130 and then compare to the 5150. Did you also own a 5150? Or did you mean the 5130?

I had a very nice 5130 that I got from Russman. However, it didn't 'float my boat' compared to the CT-1010 or ST-J75, so it moved on. The fellow that bought it from me had it aligned, recapped and new matched filters (almost sure that Punker X did the work). And then he sold it, as he preferred his other tuners (think he had four). Guess that makes three of us (if you had one) who think the 5130 is not a 'great' tuner.
 
The guy selling the 5000 up here I've had dealings with. He wanted my Sherwoods and after telling me time and again he'd come get after something like 6 months he finally showed up. Also, something like 6 months he showed up. Also, we unit a deal on a unit he had and then he backed out. When I saw the 5000 I sent an email and when I found it was he, I decided to pass. I think 2 less than 2 positive experiences is enough for me. He has been waffling on the 5000 and is a poster on the AA board.
 
My bad on the 5150/5130...I had the 5150, which is a nice tuner, but doesn't have the DX capabilities of the 5130-The 5130 is a 5 gang, 8 filter unit, and the 5150 is a 4 ganger with 2 'wide' filters. I think the 5150 is better sonically without any mods done to it as I remember...both are long gone. Here's a picture of the 5100, it's a post from Holst...post number 496692.

Why did I keep buying the 730's...I don't know, sometimes we get in our head there's a piece we'll really love...we'll, kinda like puppy love I guess...and the fantasy was better than the reel thing! No, I didn't align them, probably should have...I've since read of some mods that supposedly really turn this unit on.

L'wood
 
Brian said:
. . . He has been waffling on the 5000 . . .
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It has ended early at least five times. I'm getting tired of watching it. Maybe the sixth time will be the charm. I'll step-up to my soap box and say: if I were king of eBay, I would include auctions ended early in a seller's feedback profile. They have bid retractions in the past 6 months. So, why not include auctions ended early?
 
If he pulls that again, I'll file a complant with eBay.

As to unit variations in the ST-S730ES, could that just be alignment issues? On the other hand, capacitor aging would be the next logical suspect.
 
As mentioned above, I had a very nice ST-5130 that I sold to someone who had it refurbished (not that it was needed, he just wanted to DX a particular station). The buyer's name was Morris and he ask me if I was interested in buying it back at an attractive price a few months back (his wife was making him reduce his tuner inventory - ouch!). Anyway, I've lost his e-mail address, but Punker X will still have, I feel sure (Mike did the refurb). The reason I mention is that the ST-5130 has a built-in headphone amp/jack and this one is ready to go.
 
Whitehall said:
[snip]

As to unit variations in the ST-S730ES, could that just be alignment issues? On the other hand, capacitor aging would be the next logical suspect.
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James Bongiorno did some consulting work for Sony on the ST-S730ES just before it was released but no one seems to know if Sony made any changes based on his feedback. I suppose it would have been a loss of face for Sony to acknowledge a gaijin helped with the final design.

We have two ST-S730ES' that sound superb, but we've heard several others that sound so-so. :cool:
 
Not sure that would be an issue with Sony. Their last line of high-end speakers (SS-M3 thru SS-M9a) were designed by a U.S. speaker engineer (same one who did most of the good Polks - but I don't recall his name) and built in the U.S. with Vifa and Scanspeak drivers, etc. Highly regarded speakers and Sony used the fact of the 'famous' U.S. engineer and high-end parts as part of their advertising program. Their glossy ad brochures featured the engineer in the ad pic's.
 
You guys warned me - that 5000FW in Toronto I was bidding on (for the third time) - the seller cancelled the bids and withdrew the item from eBay.

Here's what I wrote eBay:

"This seller has listed this same item three times previously to my direct knowledge and has cancelled bidding each time before completion. A friend has been following the same item and tells me this same item has been on SIX times from the same seller.

"An offer to sell is as binding as an offer to buy. This seller is gaming sellers and eBay by not carrying through on his offer, probably because he hopes for a higher price another time but that's my speculation. I've stopped bidding on other items because I thought I had a chance to win this item.

"People like this seller reduce my confidence in the eBay process. Please take action. I would be willing to buy this item at a price a bit above my high bid."

Oh well.
 
 
What a turd of a seller, E-bay should either ban him or place a negitive FB for each of his canceled listings...

Lefty
 
I emailed the seller and offered to buy at my last high bid plus his overpriced $45 shipping quote and to retract my complaint upon delivery.

The "seller" (Steve Hencze) came back with "why do you want to steal the unit from me ???? "

The nerve....
 
This Hencze fellow relisted the 5000FW and threw in a broken TA-1120A for a BIN of $239. Plus he offered to ship to California for $32.50 a piece - a very reasonable S&H cost.

I paid the price plus the shipping for the tuner only with a promise to pay the next week for the amp shipping (have to ration my "fun money" allowance!)

He goes ahead and ships BOTH units!

Maybe eBay talked to him or he just got serious about customer service. Anyway, I gave him positive feedback when he gave me that information and the tracking numbers.

All's well, that ends well?
 
Got my ST-5000FW tonight! Of course, hooked it up right away. Great reception and wonderful sound! After 3 other tuners and four receivers, this one takes the cake. It even beats the Marantz 4300. I even get KPIG loud and clear.

The TA-1120 arrived last night. Opened it up and saw right away that it's missing a filter capacitor. I'll need a schematic to decide on a proper replacement but it looks like it feeds the preamps so something smaller and the same voltage as the power amp fitler capacitor should work. It looks easy to replace too, even for a klutz like me.

Otherwise, both units are clean but the 1120 lacks a headphone jack so won't work for me. But if I can fix it with a $2 capacitor and flip it on eBay for something I can use (a TA-2000F?) I'll be ahead.

The next project is a wood box for the tuner and maybe a alignment and recap. I figure 12 capacitors would be OK.
 
No, I don't? Yeah got a 7000; now that;s 1 scarce baby. Whatcha running it with? OBTW, welcome to the madhouse.
 
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