Price Paid:  $590.00 from used

Summary:
I have three preamps: adcom gfp-750, audio refinement pre-5 and the sony tae-90es. I like all three. adcom in passive mode is the most transparent and quietest. But it's also the most laid back. In active mode, it adds quite a bit of sparkle on the higher ends. And the sonic character becomes thicker and darker. audio refinement is also very transparent. It's very lively and involving. Higher end extension could be better. Sony is as transparent as transparency could be and very detailed. But it's not as involving as audio refinement. It kind of falls between adcom in passive mode and audio refinement.

In terms of build quality, sony tops the other two. It weighs more than a medium power intergrated.

Strengths:
Build quality, fit and finish.Minimalist design.

Weaknesses:
Non detachable power cord.

Similar Products Used:
adcom gfp-750, audio refinement pre-5, creek obh-22 and mccormack tlc-1.

muziekfreak

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $350.00 from secondhand

Summary:
The best pre-amp i have ever seen for THAT MONEY. My previous pre-amp whas a Sphinx p2mkII (2000euro or so) on of the topline pre amps of that brand. The Tae90es is much better in anyway. The pre-amp does precisely what i suppose to do. Working as a selector an volumepot that it, i used my XA20es cd player without the pre in between.

No difference...perfect !! With my previous pre-amp with a p9 cdplayer...mayor difference. Thats not good !

Some info

The sony ta-e90 and ta-n90es are NOT TRULY balanced components. Even in the manuels the are speaking of a TRUE/FALSE balanced in/ouputs. Even Sony advises to use the CINCH. Those balanced inputs are used by sony for their measure stuff.


My current set-up

Sony Ta-e90es
Sony Ta-n90es
Sony cdp XA20es (upgrade underway sony xa50es)
Dual 501-3 turntable
Driade 103 mkII loudspeakers

I'm a very happy man thats for sure.

Strengths:
Build like a tank, the best components are used inside this pre-amp.
Elna condensators,ryken, one very VERY XPENSIVE VOLUMEPOT trust me on that one.

Even krell pre amps can NOT compete technical speaking with this pre-amp.
One good word for the phonoboard that is really a great phonostage!

You can really buy a pre-amp that can compete with high end brands with this one.

Weaknesses:
Non or what so ever, maybe replacing the bias potmeters inside (strangely enough) el cheapo ones that the always used (see the trouble amp tan80es).

Similar Products Used:
Sony Tae80es
Sony Tan55es
Sony Tan80es
Sony Tan90es
Sony cdp XA20es
Sony cdp XA50es
Sony QS920

Thats about my sony stuff so far. The rest to much to write down ;-]

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Adding to my earlier review of TAE90es. I forgot to mention that I HAVE to use the Synergistic Research power cords to GREATLY ENHANCE the performance of my system. The Sony TAE90es(pre) and TAN90es(amp) are truly balanced. But the Sony CPD-XA7es is not truly balanced. Because there is not a significant sounding difference between XLR and RCA outputs. I have the excellent voice reproduction, air around instruments by using Synergistic Research Luminescence Phase II RCA between XA7es and TAE90es, and Tara labs Decade XLR from TAE90es to TAN90es.

Strengths:
Truly balanced design.

Weaknesses:
Have to use upgrade power cord.

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Used - Fellow Audiophile

Summary:
Sound! It's all about the sound. This preamp sounds as good as my California Audio Labs CL-10 plugged directly into the power amp. No difference. Dare I say that it sounds even better? Yes, I believe it does. I am about 50/50 between vinyl (pain-in-the-ass to use, but sound better) and CD's (easy to use, but don't sound as good). This unit's phono stage is as good as any I have heard. I normally use a Threshold FET ten/pc, but I am feeling (hearing) that it has become redundant. I will most likely no longer need. Not something I could do with the McIntosh (ugh!) or Bryston (nice, but no FET ten/pc). All-in-all, cannot imagine that something else would be significantly better. Especially for the rediculously low price this sells for on the used market. Deserves ten stars in the value category.

Strengths:
Quiet, neutral sound. No tone controls in signal path. Very, very high level of build quality. Have only been playing with this unit for a short while, but the built-in phono stage is superb. I am A/B'ing with my Threshold FET ten/pc and will most likely end up selling the Threshold as the Sony makes it redundant. This thing weighs so much it makes me wonder if it has lead inside.

Weaknesses:
Perhaps would be better with an outboard power supply, but there is no way to know. Sony does not make a power amp of the same quality since the they stopped making the TA-N77ES (which I use). They need to make a TA-N77ES with balanced inputs.

Similar Products Used:
Bryston BP-25
McIntosh C-38
Aragon
MacCormack TLC-1
Mod Squad Line Drive

Price Paid:  $500.00 from eBay Auction

Summary:
Not the typical Sony --minimalist in contrast to most of their products, but impressive sound. That Sony would build a preamp of this simplicity and quality probably creates some cognitive dissonance for many of us audiophiles. (And keep in mind that this preamp came along before Sony established a high-end presence with SACD.) Maybe that's why these preamps aren't more popular. I bought my TA-90ES used, it's been a marvelous piece of equipment.
Replacement of the stock power cord with an upgrade is no small task, since the cord isn't detachable. But it's a worthwhile upgrade even if you have to pay $100+ labor costs to have it done. The bass becomes fuller and tighter. Then the unit sounds like a $2k+ preamp.
Overall, the TA-90ES midrange doesn't quite match that of my C-J PV-12AL with Mullard tubes, but the TA-90ES bass and highs are better. Warm but detailed sound without the maintenance of tube equipment.

Strengths:
Performance, Build Quality, Balanced Inputs and Outputs

Weaknesses:
Non-detachable power cord

Similar Products Used:
conrad-johnson PV-12AL