Sony TA-AE1S - Pure Class A 80 WPC - 2 grand

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Naim101

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Apr 17, 2014
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Anyone know any more info about this amp or have heard it?

Looks like a new amp from Sony. List price is 2,000.00 - Pure Class A stereo amp delivering 80 wpc.
 
Now that is some value. Hope it is reliable & a big home run for them.......
 
Highlights View Specifications
2 channels
80-watts-per-channel
Class A amplification circuit
Bias controlled by volume position
1 balanced and 4 unbalanced audio inputs
In The Box
Remote Control
Instruction Manual
AC Power Cord
 
Product Specifications
Supplied accessories : Remote Control; Instruction Manual; AC Power Cord
Audio Inputs : 1 Balanced; 4 Unbalanced
Headphone Out : Low (8 Ω) 500 mW + 500 mW Mid (150 Ω) 500 mW + 500 mW Hi (300 Ω) 250 mW + 250 mW
(8Ohms 20-20kHz) THD : 0.09%
8Ohms 20-20kHz : 80W+80W
8Ohms 1kHz : 80W+80W
4Ohms 20-20kHz : 80W+80W
Power Requirements : 120V 60Hz
Power Consumption : 300W
Auto Standby : Yes
Number of Amp channels : 2ch
Speaker Impedance : 4ohm
Power Consumption (Stand By) : 0.4W
Frequency Characteristics : 20Hz-100KHz
Detachable AC : Yes
4 Ohm/8 Ohm Switching : Yes
OP Processing : Yes
Signal-to-Noise Ratio(A Network) (When all of EQ/Surround off) : 96dB
Speaker Out : Yes (Front A - L/R)
Speaker Terminal : Screw
Total Harmonic Distortion : 0.008% 1KHz 10W 8ohm
IR Repeat (In/Out) : Yes (in)
Weights and Measurements
Dimensions (Approx.) : Receiver: 17 x 5 1/8 x 16 5/8 in (430mm x 130mm x 420 mm)
Weight (Approx.) : Reciever: 39 lbs 11 oz (18.0 kg) Gross: 41 lbs 14 oz (19 kg)
 
Heard it at AXPONA and at a local dealer and it is quite impressive! It's built like a tank and runs quite hot which confirms its high bias operation. It sounds very good and I find it to be a great value. Does it beat out ~$10K separates, unfortunately not. It does offer great sound for the money though. I heard it on a pair of Thiel 3.6 speakers which are known to be a bit of a difficult load to drive and it sounded very musical and effortless. Many other amps sound thin and very analytical driving those Thiels.
 
Sony's been knocking it outta the park lately. Their 4K TV's are the top of the heap. Their 2k TV's are also quite good. They continue to innovate amazing camera tech. The new "CORE" series speakers found at Best Buy are actually quite decent for the $$$, and their new Hi-Fi gear (like the Media Server) is positively kick-a$$.

I cannot speak for everybody here, but I'm personally pumped to see a company like Sony getting serious about offering quality goods again. When a company like this begins to show it's teeth, great things can happen!
 
Here is a review from an Guy who likes Sony's products: "AVOID
March 23, 2014
TA-1AES amp. big disappointment, runs too hot, sounds artificial, heat sinks too small, FET input distortion too high,,no unity gain/bypass facility. distracting bright white light circles around facia line indicators, Black case color mandatory. WHF? says Does,nt convey rhythms particularly well, I find it conveys nothing particularly well and I am a Sony fan with the excellent DA5400ES/XA5400ES combo. Disregard the IMO inaccurate HFN & RR review"


 
Well, it looks like we need to find a way to sneak one into the Shark Tank. I got the ski masks. All we need is an address, an electrical choke and.... alright, maybe somebody could just buy one. But where's the fun in that?
 
Given its size, i can't believe it's true class A plus "Bias controlled by volume position" suggests sliding class A bias, which is not true class A. I am sure Brett D'Agostino can further elaborate on this "sliding bias class A topology" if he sees this thread. I am not too familiar but that's what it sounds like to me.
 
color me skeptical. I didn't spot the world "pure" class-a anywhere in their propaganda. I seriously doubt the PS in a 41lb "pure" class-A amp could dump enough current without high levels of distortion and/or serious clipping into lower impedances. they (sony) should be content enough making a good sounding class A/B amp as a goal, why embellish facts.
 
Just to be fair, there are also several raves about the amp's performance. Take the above 'review' for what it is, one person's opinion who has a mandatory requirement that his components only be finished in black. Apparently some of us have different priorities, so to each their own! I stand by my comments already posted above.

As far as its class of operation, I'm pretty sure that it's not pure class A to full rated power. It does run very hot though, so it's a high bias design that probably runs into A/B operation at higher levels. It's not a typical sliding bias design that moves the bias point by tracking the signal, but rather sets its bias point based upon the setting of the volume control. So at higher volume settings there is a higher level of output stage bias provided, but it doesn't slide with or track the signal level.
 
These were my comments I posted after hearing the Sony TA-AE1s at the Montreal Audio Show back in March.....

Recently had a chance to hear the new The Sony SS-AR2 speakers – the smaller version of the larger and well regarded Sony SS-AR1. The AR2 were extremely impressive but even more so as they were driven by Sony’s new TA-A1ES integrated amplifier – a new $2k offering from Sony. From a distance it almost looks like an 80’s vintage Sony piece but the sound was something else. Had a chat with the Sony engineer at the show who explained that engineering behind this new integrated – the volume control is also auto-biasing – the idea being to keep the amp running in class “A” mode for all but the more high volume listening

Other than that it is well built (weights in around 40 lbs) has pure balanced inputs, and sounds pretty impressive (granted it was driving some nice speakers) - best part is the $2K retail price tag. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive integrated amplifier and like Class A sound this is really hard to beat.

Just a heads up on a cool integrated from Sony
 
Zero said:
Well, it looks like we need to find a way to sneak one into the Shark Tank. I got the ski masks. All we need is an address, an electrical choke and.... alright, maybe somebody could just buy one. But where's the fun in that?
Click to expand...

I'm currently looking for an integrated amp so I might pick this up early next month. It's either the Sony or Schitt Ragnorak. Plus to the Sony is the remote control... decisions decisions..
 
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