Sony TA-E1000ESD A/V Preamplifier Reviews

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
If you are lucky enough to find one of these pre-amps like I did at a pawn shop, or elsewhere, buy it regardless of it's going price. It was way out of my range as a youngster in my twenty's. This, particular "pre" captured my eye from the unbelievable cosmetic condition on the shelf in the store, so I took a shot at it without having it connected to anything except a pair of Sennheiser 250 circumaurals and a Denon player via the optical inputs. The salesman did not know what the hell it was. So I got it for $100.00 dollars with the original remote. If you are fortunate to have access to five channels of high end amplification, you will not believe your ears! When transfering digital (sp/dif) music in/out, it cannot be beat even at todays standards of Hi-Fidelity. I am writing this as of 2010. I do not have have any of the problems that other reviewers scorn about (loose connections etc..) As an audio enthusiast, I would have to pay thousands to achieve this level of sound today. The Sony TA-E1000ESD was way ahead of it's time. I am glad to be able to experience this level of audio before I give up on Hi-End, which I cannot afford today getting closer to early retirement age. I have owned several hundred components in my lifetime, and this Pre-Amp really caught my attention. I have even used it professionally at a dance club with high comment. I cannot tell you how versatile the features are here in short. You just have to experience this device yourself if you can find one in mint shape as I did. If it was to fail, I would hope that the Sony Corp. would still be able to repair it. That's how much this Pre-Amp impressed me. Keep your eyes out for one, you will not regret it. ...Jake from Jagsound Digital.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 from Sony Riyadh Saudy Ar

Summary:
I agree that it is an outstandig major componant to the system as sound quality and it realy controls your A\V system to its best hights, but if you are a HIGH END Audophile this unit is not for you. IMPORTANT:It is perfect with sattlite digital recievers It wil change your life stile ...endless high qualith intertanment

Strengths:
perfect marriage with top quality sattlite digital recievers like Humax 5400

Weaknesses:
too fragile to connect and reconnect can cause damage to digital transistors that causes sound like bulet shot in speakers when changing sources(will need simple repair) be carefull.

Similar Products Used:
It sounds better than th 2000 models

Comments

kjassal (01/13/2011)

I have one of these sitting in the Garage collecting dust, only because of this "bullet shot" problem mentioned. I bought the processor from new way back when but refuse to let it go even in it's current state. You mentioned the simple repair to fix the issue, any idea what and how?

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Price Paid:  $120.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I used to be an audiophile, limited to only two channels... Then I've found a surround digital preamplifier on Ebay called Sony,TA-E1000ESD. At this time I didn't knew the existence of this wonderful site (audioreview), and decided to buy this preamplifier without knowing anything on its performances. But I had only a two channel amplifier: a Harman-Kardon Citation. I had to buy 4 additional channels then i bought two ROTEL RB/951 on Ebay (120 Euros each).one for the rear channels, one for the center and the subwoofer. And then i finally discover what a really good surround system is. The sound is clear, and the preamplifier allows lot of possibility (usually standard in sony systems). The only thing I regret is the remote: it does everything (perhaps too much), but hard to use (every button are the same...). I can't believe anyone who can change of input without looking at this *** remote... Then i found a solution, I bought a JBL TC1000...

Strengths:
Good quality materials, solid building good sound (2 or 6 channels)

Weaknesses:
Not digital, only surround but very good quality surround...

Price Paid:  $650.00 from Girne (Kyrenia) / No

Summary:
First of all this unit is best with digital connections. It has 2 optical & 1 coaxial inputs and 1 optical rec out. When increasing eq. by +12dB with it''s 3 separate adjustment bands, there is no noticable harmonic distortion. But if you do that with analog RCA connections a little distortion is audible. Surround processing is really good, tastes real, not artificial. You can turn on/off all your home system and control power amplifier, CD player, Dat or Minidisc with this unit if you have its ''Countries other than Europe'' model with 3 switched 540 watts and 1 unswithed 300 watts connections. European model has 1 switched 540 watts only but practically this is no problem with extra electric plugs. Comparing TA-E1000ESD with TA-E2000ESD reveals the TA-E1000ESD''s richness. TA-E1000ESD has extra analog front panel adjustment knobs, has 3 mode digital input leds on the front for 32,44.1,48kHz sampling modes and has cable based remote control connections at the back. There is another model called TA-E1000ES which is an inferior model of TA-E1000ESD. It lacks golden RCA inputs, lacks aluminium front panel and sounds slimmer than TA-E1000ESD. I am using this pre-amplifier with its complement TA-N220 which is a 4 channel power amplifier, so I can hear the real surrond processing details that the control amplifier gives.

Strengths:
Very good design, perfect with digital inputs, richest surround processing at its cathegory, can control everything with its learning remote control.

Weaknesses:
A little bit distorsion audible with analog inputs when equaliser is in full power.

Similar Products Used:
TA-E2000ESD and TA-E1000ES.

Price Paid:  $100.00 from Ebay

Summary:
If you like reverb, this unit is better than the 2000. See reviews for 2000 for more detail :o)

Strengths:
The reverbs on this unit are superior to those on the 2000

Weaknesses:
fewer EQ channels, and fewer Q selections than the 2000, slightly brighter sound dry, but smoother reverbs

Similar Products Used:
other sony preamps