dkobus

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.20 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Guam

Summary:
I liked the quality of this amp so much I bought 3. I first had them conected to my Bose AM-5's and some other cheap speakers. I was able to blow up the cheapies at less than half volume. I then conected 1 each to my 901's and 1 to my DQ-10's. What a concert - sound was crisp and full - Jazz, Blue's, Bluegrass and Rock sounded awesome!! Had a volume war with a guy in a seperate Apt. complex. After the cops left I was the hands down winner for DB and clarity. For my Home Theater I had 1 amp for each set of speakers 901's, AM-5's and the DQ-10's thought I was in the movie not watching it!

Strengths:
Great Sound for the price, Great looks

Weaknesses:
Heavy - anyone have a forklift

Price Paid:  $0.00 from USA

Summary:
I bought this in USA when I was studying there. It sound so great when I connect it to Whaferdale Diamond 8 Centre Channel. Left for high and right for low channel (bi-amp). The vocal was so clear and strong (no mumble dialogue anymore).

Strengths:
Vocal is very clear and strong.

Weaknesses:
None

Price Paid:  $0.00 from on line

Summary:
It''s a fact. Not all amplifiers sound the same. I was doubtful until I replaced my old war horse with the Sony TA-N55ES. I had spent years listening to a 200 watt Sansui and when it quit I went looking. My first choice was a used Rotel RB-981. While this amp improved the soundstage greatly, it left me wanting. I came across this amp at a really good price so I tried it. Wow this amp really gives the details. And it does it without sounding harsh. There is plenty of power for my Paradigm Studio 60s through the Sony. My first impression was that the bass might be a little lean but it is just exceptionally clean and tight. Plenty of punch there. This is a wonderful amp for the money. It is a beuatiful looking peice with the wood sides (I thought it would look hokey) and is quite impressive to look at inside when you take off the top. All in all this amp convinced me that each amplifier has a character of its own. The Sony''s is clean and tuneful. I bought another and am trying them bridged. They sound great so far but I haven''t had time to listen critically.

Strengths:
Very detailed without sounding harsh. Build quality and reliability.

Weaknesses:
Still listening for it.

Similar Products Used:
Sansui B2101, Rotel RB-981

Summary:
This is very powerfull, nicelooking piece of power amplifier. The sound is very clear, the micro and macrodynamics are very good. I used to use it without a preamplifier (my SONY CDP-XE530 has regulated output level).
When I turn on this system for a first time I was impressed by beautifull sound. I was afraid of no treble and bass tune. But there is no need of this! The best is when You are listening good mixed jazz music. Maybe there is a little to much of treble... but maybe this is because of my CD player.

Strengths:
Dynamics, analitics, power, lookness, noiseless...

Similar Products Used:
Technics SU-VX800

Price Paid:  $480.00

Summary:
There are a LOT of myths that are running rampant in audio land. The first great myth is that you have to take out a second mortgage in order to buy an amp that'll be satisfactory to your needs. The next great myth is that large companies like Sony, who have multi-million dollar R&D budgets and top engineers, cannot compete with people who make their amps in their garage and sell them for $30,000.

The fact is Sony, and particularly the ES line, are the "Best" value components in the world!! As I said above, they devote millions to the development of their products and hire the best and the brightest. In addition, they've achieved great economies of scale that allow for them to produce products "Very" reasonably and pass that savings onto their customers. Consequently, when you buy a Sony ES product, you're getting a well made and excellent sounding product that is superior to everything in its price class and better than many costing 2-6X more!

I have bought Sony ES products for years and the TA-55 happens to be the latest purchase of mine. Anyhow, I'm extremly impressed with this giant killer. As I said in my strength listing above, it has a taut bass that is second to none. The bass that this amp creates will satisfy all those who listen to chamber music or rock music. Next, it has great dynamics. It makes the music really come to life. In addition, the sound is not fatiguing at all unlike most power amps. I could listen to this amp for hours without any ear problems. There are many other things I enjoy about this amp but the one characteristic that stands out most in my mind is the quickness of this amp. It seems like so many amps simply aren't quick enough to keep up with piano and other sounds but this amp has NOOO problem with that as sounds just flow out effortlessly!

This is, in my opinion, the best value power amp on the market and I've auditioned nearly every one under 1k. As usual, Sony produces a giant killer!

Strengths:
taut bass, great dynamics, beatiful soundstage, very quick

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Rotel, NAD, Creek, Cambridge Audio and "Many" others