Sonys Final Masterpiece, The Amazing TA-N1 and TA-E1 Amp and Preamp

This was the final tour du force for Sony. Two pieces with very low production numbers that were "price no object".

Link to the screwdriver set folks keep asking about.

Link to the listing on our website.

On Vintage Knob.

More Sony Reviews.

Link to 80-ES review

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SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high end audio equipment. We only buy equipment that we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, and no junk.

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold. We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.

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[joecharpentier]

I just got the Sony hap-z1es and i am in love!! Its amazing. Now im working on buying the matching integrated TA Amp. Im so impressed with Sony quality.

[Nephilim-]

Honestly the build quality alone doesn’t look dated at all!! It is amazing. I love Sony. They’ve always been ahead of the curve.

[stalthyone]

Wow! The level of engineering in these units is impressive. Thank you for bringing us these two masterpieces.

[peterc]

I remember hearing this combination at an audio shop, with the speakers that went with them.
From what I can recall, the sound that came out didn’t shout at you, but was very enjoyable and sweet.
You could easily sit down late at night, with a glass of wine and just close your eyes while enjoying the music.

[barskuleli]

Amazing engineering and tank-like build quality… Two gems of hi-fi history. Thanks for the video…

[PrimeHiFi]

Hey Fernando, thanks so much for sharing this beautiful set. They pulled all the stops for them. Riken resistors, Elna Silmic capacitors, tons of what appear to be silver mica capacitors, lots of thick gauge solid copper bus bars for the lowest possible impedance, and look at how beautifully the circuit boards are constructed! Seriously one of the best ever built. Even TOTL equipment of today can barely keep up. This set made no financial sense for Sony, especially when they supposedly only build one hundred of each. This was likely a long time Sony Engineer’s pipe dream brought to life, probably as a retirement gift to the company and himself.

I love this series, it’s like a real time / interactive TVK museum. I’d really love to see more and more. You have a beautiful shop and have some great people working for you. I talk with Ben from time to time and he has a serious head on his shoulders. You’re lucky to have him working with you. Hope to see more videos soon!

[Sean-fjpn]

Good engineering is timeless.
Amazing build quality.
Wish SONY still made these halo flagship products.

[robertsupercalifragilistic]

I owned these two models along with the SCD-1 circa 2003, they are absolutely amazing

[insolentstickleback]

Thank you for featuring these magnificent components! Appreciate you spending the time to create a channel and share these fantastic pieces.

[hermanmunster]

Simply beautiful pieces of HiFi. Sony were never afraid to push their own boundaries to show that a volume manufacturer, could still produce unique products that were truly great.
And the thing about Sony, which I have always loved, is that their products were always fairly priced, and you could buy their products with confidence that they were always of a decent quality.

[asplmn]

Gorgeous! Can't wait for you to visit some VFETs. Many who have heard the high-end VFET amps have said they're amongst the best ever.

[danhorton]

I recently did a repair/restoration on these two units along with the SCD-1 disc player for a long time customer. The player stopped playing SACDs and needed a new laser. The preamp and amp needed various things done, but beautifully made!

[jimgd]

Those pieces are just astounding... being that Sony's USA Headquarters are not far from you in northern New Jersey, my bet is that they were shown years ago at Vegas and Indianapolis, & then years later some wayward employee found them in a storage closet...

[patrickwalsh]

Very well shot and narrated. One can dream.

[chma]

I used to have the SCD-1, TA-E1 and SSM9-ED speakers. My preamp didn’t have a SN sticker on the back and had the not for sale sticker on the bottom, that may as well of been mine!

I never got the amp, but I loved the preamp and SACD player. Like mentioned, I was afraid the SACD player would eventually fail and sold my system. Sure wish I kept the whole package and tracked down the amp!

I’ve never had anything with a quality build such as these. Thanks for making the video!

[DJust-bvsb]

Sony made this amazing HIFI system to promote the Super Audio CD which was meant to replace the CD. The first units were presented in 1999.

[keithgregson]

>Burson Audio will be able to scrutinize those 'encapsulated modules' most likely same discrete symmetrical op amp design stages (if i could replicate Burson op-amps could be dropped in here) i'm surprised you mention pre-amp component count looks sparse, seems to be nominal for high end layouts, nice to see the extra copper, stunning piece of gear you are very fortunate to have this opportunity, never separate these two pieces, thank you for sharing!

[One]

Beautiful layout, inside an out..! SONY 🍾👑👏

[calvinkan]

The second RCA input on the power amp maybe for home theater incorporation. And the 100kHz response aims to meet the specifications of sacd. Nice review, thank you.

[boedilllard]

Their ES stuff was amaing! A lot of bang for the buck IMHO. I'd love for them to make it again - really good quality for far less than the competition.