i've owned a denon pma-925 r (today about 200€ on ebay), a yamaha ax 1070 (got it for 400€), and denon poa 6600 mono blocks (900€ on ebay)

then, a few months ago i somehow got interested in the old sonys and got the sony ta-f808es for about 307€ at ebay

let me say first that this amp blows all the others i've had away regarding power. if you want it too, it goes loud, hard, and hardly loses bass power even at the highest volumes. the stability this amplifier offers is just amazing. it's not as good as bi-amping, but it comes close, and that is amazing for such a relatively small amplifier

sound-wise it as 1 class above the pma-925r and 2 classes above the ax 1070 and the 6600s. it just sounds beautifully. the dynamics are great, it can smash your ear in one second and then go completely quiet the next. especially this quietness it offers when there is a break in the music testifies to the quality of this unit

this amp is fast - you can listen to the fastest black metal (for example amon amarth - cry of the black birds) and it will just throw those bass punches at you and just not give up song after song

drawbacks are that it 1) can be a little harsh in the highs 2) is sounded, meaning that some elements of music are over-accented, which can work for some songs but sound a little wrong in others 3) because it is so fast it can take the flow out of slower songs

so it is not perfect, but i guarantue you for the average 500€ it sells for in the used market it is an absolute steal, and i have it from individuals who have the proper comparisions that if you are to buy an amp of this calibre in the market today you'll have to spend about 3000€

Have owned this for awhile now and it never ceases to impress me.

I got this as a bargain buy off a friend who decided to go the surround sound route and have never regretted it.

Sound quality is outstanding, paired with most speakers the detail and bass is fantastic.

The power of the amp is stunning, it never runs out of oomph and really makes power hungry speakers shine as even at 80% volume this still does not distort!

Rich, wide, clear sound. Powerful

Keeping the age in mind: none. Just analog pleasure!

Although i'm very interested in better audiosystems and have friends who are rwally into audio, I never could afford it to buy new equipment. Since 15 years I owned a rather nice set with Denon components, Translator Impact 50 speakers.

I'm not really into surround, although I like it, it's not something I prefer. The Translators can sound very good (once had the oppertunity to listen to them in combination with Accuphase) the weak link was the amplifier. Also Denon (PMA-720), but I missed some real "body" and low frequencies.

A friend of mine came up with this Sony TA-F808, second hand, first owner. The difference is great, listening to lots of CD's an LP's again. In my opinion it reproduces the source without colouring the overall sound, and has a lot of power. It sounds almost analog and for the first time in years I'm spending hours listening.

Sure I know this is a " oldie", but I enjoy it! Next step to be taken will be replacement of the CD-player.

Sound and Quality. Phono stage is as good as I''ve heard outside of separates.

Really has none.

Wonderful "vintage" Sony ES quality. Not like todays. Wonderfully tight, airy, delicate, clear sound. Thank you MOSFET output stage. I have been round and round with separates and integrated amps over the past ten years and have had systems worth over $25,000 (Bryston BP-25, McIntosh MC500, McIntosh MR-78, Aerial 8 speakers, etc.) over this time frame and have never been happy long term. The best sound was a McIntosh MA-6850 integrated amp. But then a meter failed so I decided to upgrade to the MC-500 and preamp tried a McIntosh C-38 and didn''t like, so went to a Bryston BP-25. A world better, but not like the integrated. So I sold all and found this 808ES integrated after six months of advertising on Audiogon "wanted" ads. And it has been worth the wait. Only three responses. One from Germany, one from SF and this one. Both the German and SF ones were cash and sight unseen. This one I got with a money-back deal and used a credit card for further protection. And it is very clean and in good shape. But the sound is what it is all about. And this unit sounds the equal, if not better, than the McIntosh. I almost bought the new MA-6900/6500, but this unit came on the radar screen at the same time. So I am very happy with it at this time. I use a set of Soliloquy 5.0s monitors, California Audio Las CL-10 CD player, Rega 25 w/RB900 arm and Grado Sonata cartridge and a Sony STS-730ES tuner. And I really like the sound. Will ad a SACD/DVD/CD player and subwoofer later this year and will be set. But the sound from this unit is truely soothing. Crystal clear with amazing detail. No grain, no mush. Just wonderful detailed music. And a treat at 1/4 the price of the McIntosh. I listen to classic jazz (Miles, Monk, etc.), classical and classic rock (Stones, Little Feet, etc.)

Similar Products Used:

Bryston B-60RP, Sony TA-F444ESII and McIntosh MA-6850. Also, many Bryston, McIntosh and Sony ES separates. Even some flubby high-end tube stuff. IMHO, all tube stuff sounds flubby, with the exception

Sound is clear and uncolored

I will have to get better speakers to fully appreciate value

When I first turned it on I noticed the exceptional clarity of the unit. This unit does not have many bells and whistels. The functions it does provide are beyo9nd expectations. I heard a record for the first time sound the way it was meant to be, an actual reflextion of the original source. I would almost be temped to replace my entire CD library with vinyl if I didn't appreciate cds in ths auto so much.

Power is more that I can use. Speakers are a future upgrade. Currently I have Bose 301.

Only regreat I didn't own this kind of quality sooner.

Similar Products Used:

Replaced a 1990 Pioneer stereo recever (SX-2900) channel went out.

Very impressive and clear sound, high power and quality

Very strong and powerful design, and a clear high-end
sound makes this unit to one of my favourite Amps.

Too much power for my speakers, I´ll have to upgrade...

Similar Products Used:

All Sony: TA-E 1000ESD (Tuned), TA-F 670 ES, TA-N 55ES

clearly sound, warm and detailed

The powerfull Sony 808 ES, what a machine, what a sound, i listened my cd's again and again, and discovered new sounds, a warm and solid sound, on my cdplayer 77 ES, full with details, I love this sound