Yamaha C-70 vs. Sony TA-E86?

[centaurus3200]

i currently use a Yamaha C-70 and love it. incredible MC phono stage.

my uncle bought a TA-E86 new around 1978.

i'm wondering how the two stack up against each other. does the TA-E86 have moving coil loading? does it have V-FET outputs? what's the going price for the unit?

i haven't offered anything yet, but if the sony is a big enough upgrade over the yamaha, i'm thinking offering a trade with my Precision FIdleity C4 tube preamp.

thoughts?

Robby

 

[Stoffie]

No V-FETs and overall probably much more basic (no tone settings etc), but has a great phonostage and otherwise very nicely laid out.

Headamp with settings for most carts. The headamp/phonostage on the TA-E88B (bigger brother) has two inputs, and loading settings for MM carts as well and fully dual mono.

Since it's your uncle, why don't you ask if you can borrow it for a couple of days and do a head to head comparison ?

I loved mine when I still had it.

Going price here in Europe is around 300-400 euro. If I remember well, the European ones have jumpers inside at the transformer so you can use them in Europe/UK-AUS/Japan/USA-Canada.

http://thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyesprit/TAE86/TAE86.html

Has a review on one of the 'More' buttons.

 

[centaurus3200]

wow, you know your sonys!

well, he lives in los angeles - but yeah i could borrow it sometime. should be fun!

he uses it with the matching tuner, sony PS-X700 turntable, adcom GFA-1 and a 1980's Miller and Kriesel sub/sat system with stereo M&K volkswoofers.

sounds pretty good! he originally used Infinity RSIII but his wife said they were too big :-(

oh yeah, i have a line on a pair of SS-G7. wont be super cheap or anything ($300?). are they worth it? to clarify, i don't have room for a crapload of speakers - my main are Yamaha NS-1000M with a REL Q100 sub. can the sony's hold a candle to the yammies?

see ya,
Robby

No V-FETs and overall probably much more basic (no tone settings etc), but has a great phonostage and otherwise very nicely laid out.

Headamp with settings for most carts. The headamp/phonostage on the TA-E88B (bigger brother) has two inputs, and loading settings for MM carts as well and fully dual mono.

Since it's your uncle, why don't you ask if you can borrow it for a couple of days and do a head to head comparison ?

I loved mine when I still had it.

Going price here in Europe is around 300-400 euro. If I remember well, the European ones have jumpers inside at the transformer so you can use them in Europe/UK-AUS/Japan/USA-Canada.

http://thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyesprit/TAE86/TAE86.html

Has a review on one of the 'More' buttons.

 

[Stoffie]

Yamaha B-2 (who's not on AK anymore for now) said he'd pick the TA-E86 anytime over the C-70 (means something coming from a guy that loves his Yammies).

The SS-G7 were apparently meant as some kind of competition to the NS-1000, but I am sure that the Yammies will trounce them as far as resolution and transients go. I have a pair of SS-G4 and they sure are mighty fine speakers that are absolutely easy and relaxing to listen to. The Sony's would probably have more bass extension and they do have a really nice midrange (same units as mine if I'm not mistaken). 300 is not a bad price for those mothers (they sure are huge, and heavy at 48kg a piece).