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Sony TA-A1ES Stereo integrated amplifier

Item # 158TAA1ES

Sony has gone “all in” with high-resolution audio.

Sony has gone “all in” with high-resolution audio.

3 questions - 3 answers

Item # 158TAA1ES

About the Sony TA-A1ES

David Brown

An integrated amp for the high-res revolution

Sony has gone “all in” with high-resolution audio. This dedication to pure, audiophile-grade sound is on full display in their TA-A1ES integrated amplifier. Designed to be paired with Sony's HAP-Z1ES digital audio server, this amp ensures that all those musical details encoded in your DSD, FLAC, and other high-res files are preserved as they are delivered from your DAC to your speakers. With digital or analog sources, this amp's innovative design and meaty Class A power will bring your speakers to life with punchy dynamics and clean, accurate sound.

An integrated amp for the high-res revolution

Sony has gone “all in” with high-resolution audio. This dedication to pure, audiophile-grade sound is on full display in their TA-A1ES integrated amplifier. Designed to be paired with Sony's HAP-Z1ES digital audio server, this amp ensures that all those musical details encoded in your DSD, FLAC, and other high-res files are preserved as they are delivered from your DAC to your speakers. With digital or analog sources, this amp's innovative design and meaty Class A power will bring your speakers to life with punchy dynamics and clean, accurate sound.

Class A power with improved efficiency

The streamlined look of the TA-A1ES mirrors the clean signal flow that takes place under the hood. A large toroidal power transformer ensures a heavy dose of current is always at the ready. The single push-pull, high-current Class A circuit preserves the sonic accuracy of recordings for a near distortion-free performance.

While most Class A amps are highly inefficient, Sony built a bias control into the TA-A1ES's volume control. So even though energy is constantly flowing to the output transistors, this amp reduces power output when you listen at lower levels. This means more energy is devoted to reproducing music rather than just generating more heat for the amp to dissipate. Plus, it eliminates the problem of distortion that occurs when output transistors switch on and off in Class AB amps. So you get the audio performance of Class A designs along with the increased efficiency of Class AB switching amps.

Less noise, more musical detail

All the TA-A1ES's internal components are securely mounted inside a sturdy chassis that is reinforced with rigid frames and beams. This reduces vibration-induced distortion to astonishingly low levels. Balanced XLR inputs also ensure that connections to high-end components like the HAP-Z1ES are noise-free, even across long runs.

Dedicated headphone amp

If you enjoy headphone listening as much as speaker listening, this amp has you covered. The TA-A1ES features a built-in dedicated headphone amplifier designed to power a wide range of headphones, from efficient to power-hungry models. The front-panel impedance selector lets you choose from high, medium, or low settings to optimize the output to match your headphones.

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Product highlights:

  • 80 watts x 2 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD
  • Class A amplification with smart bias control for accurate, detailed sound delivered more efficiently than typical Class-A amps
  • 4-ohm stable for use with a wide range of speakers
  • 1 pair of balanced XLR inputs
  • 4 pairs of stereo RCA inputs
  • no phono input — to connect a turntable you'll need to add a phono preamp
  • discrete headphone amplifier with impedance selector and full-size (1/4") output
  • toroidal power transformer delivers clean, steady current
  • frequency response: 10-100,000 Hz (± 3dB)
  • signal-to-noise ratio: 96 dB
  • binding-post speaker terminals
  • remote input for IR repeater (not included)
  • detachable power cord
  • remote control
  • 17"W x 5-1/8"H x 17-11/16"D
  • weight: 39.7 lbs.
  • warranty: 5 years
  • MFR # TAA1ES

What's in the box:

  • Integrated stereo amplifier
  • 6' AC power cord
  • Remote control (RM-AAU181)
  • 2 "AAA" batteries
  • Operating Instructions

Scratch & Dent items may be missing non-essential accessories. In some cases the manufacturer's accessories have been replaced with generic equivalents.

See the difference between "Open Box" and "Scratch & Dent" Outlet items

Customer reviews for Sony TA-A1ES

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4.5 out of 5 stars
8 reviews

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More details on the Sony TA-A1ES

Stacey B.

Features & specs

Performance Specs
Watts RMS per Channel (8-ohms) 80
Watts RMS per Channel (6-ohms) Not given
Watts RMS per Channel (4-ohms) 80
Frequency Bandwidth 20-20k
THD 0.15%
Minimum Impedance 4 ohms
Amplifier Class A
Signal to Noise Ratio 96
DAC Bit Depth N/A
DAC Sample Rate N/A
Features
Built-in DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) No
Wi-Fi N/A
Built-in Radio Tuner None
Room Correction ---
High-res Audio Playback
From Network No
From USB Thumb Drive (USB-A) No
From Computer (USB-B) No
Bluetooth
Version Info N
Receiver Mode No
Transmitter Mode No
AAC Playback No
aptX Playback No
aptX-HD Playback No
LDAC Playback No
Connections
RCA Line-level Inputs 4
XLR Line-level Inputs 1
Phono Input No
Optical Digital Inputs No
Coaxial Digital Inputs No
USB Input No
HDMI Inputs 0
Stereo Preamp Outputs ---
Subwoofer Outputs No
Recording Output No
HDMI Output 0
Home Theater Bypass No
Pre-out/Main-in Loop No
Headphone Output 1/4"
Removable Power Cord IEC 2-prong
Streaming Compatibility
Apple AirPlay No
Apple AirPlay 2 No
DTS Play-Fi No
Chromecast built-in No
Roon No
HEOS No
BluOS No
Dimensions and Warranty
Width (inches) 17
Height (inches) 5-1/8
Depth (inches) 17-11/16
Weight (pounds) 39.7
Parts Warranty 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years

Product Research

Features

80W x 2Ch Class A Amplification: The Sony ES TA-A1ES integrated stereo amplifier is rated at 80 watts per channels (20-20kHz) in 8 or 4. The Sony TA-A1ES uses a Class A amplification circuit hooked up to a tracking power supply that delivers only as much power as needed, so almost none is wasted as heat. This innovative amplification technology combines audiophile-pleasing sound with high efficiency for true high resolution audio performance.

Single Push-Pull Design: The TA-A1ES achieves dynamic output by using a single push-pull amplifier design. The power amplifying stage, which determines sound quality, consists of a single pair of transistors, successfully eliminating the emitter resistance used by conventional amplifiers to suppress overheating. The transistor output drives the speaker directly, reproducing sound with greater dynamics and less distortion.

Simplified Power Amp Circuitry: By including fewer transistors and eliminating the emitter resistor and coil & capacitor needed in the amp's final stage circuitry, Sony has reduced the distortion that affects the quality of your music. This means the amp can deliver a higher power output, so you can push up the volume and enjoy great, undistorted, High-Resolution Audio.

Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE): High-Resolution Audio technology delivers every subtlety and nuance of a song in rich, immersive detail. With Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) technology, you can hear all your music, even compressed files, in quality closer to the original recording.

Note: Sony's HA-PZ1ES High-Resolution HDD Audio Player (158HAPZ1ES, sold separately) is the perfect companion to the TA-A1ES integrate amp. Click here for more information on High Resolution Audio.

FET Input Buffer: The integrated amplifier has been fitted with a FET input buffer and discrete circuit for the pre-amp. This reduces the effects of distortion while enhancing the sound quality of High-Resolution Audio. As a result the integrated amp can produce the sharpness and detail that high-resolution audio brings to your music with minimal distortion.

Optimum Gain Volume Control w/ Smart BIAS: Sony has combined the electronic volume with a discrete buffer amp to enhance the overall sound quality by reducing the gain error experienced by conventional amps. For long-lasting, high performance, the TA-A1ES intelligently controls the bias by a volume position to heighten the sound quality. The built-in smart BIAS system controls the amp's BIAS based on the volume position. In doing so, the amp is able to utilize a field that experiences good transistor linearity without generating heat, so the sound quality always remains true.

Frame Beam Base (FBB) Chassis: A frame beam base chassis combines a conventional frame beam chassis with a transformer base to provide exceptional rigidity and stabilization. This exceptionally stiff frame helps the amplifier provide highly accurate sound with little distortion.

Balanced & Unbalanced Inputs: The Sony ES TA-A1ES integrated amplifier is fitted with both balanced and unbalanced inputs. There is one balanced stereo XLR input for connecting a high-end CD/SACD or Network player. There are also four unbalanced stereo RCA inputs for connecting your CD/SACD player, Network player, external DAC, and more.

Note: There is no phono input on this integrate amp. You will need to purchase an external phono preamp (sold separately) in order to connect a turntable to the TA-A1ES.

Heavy Duty Binding Posts: The Sony TA-A1ES integrated amplifier features heavy-duty binding posts to connect a single pair of speakers. The binding post speaker terminals will accept bare wire (up to 10AWG), pin-connectors, and single banana plugs. The integrated amp supports speakers between 8 to 4.

Note: There is an impedance on the rear-panel of the integrated amp which allows you to switch between 8 and 4Ω.

Discrete Headphone Amplifier: To reflect the growing popularity of premium-quality headphones, this amp includes a specialized discrete amp with gain optimized to match headphone impedance. The impedance can be switched among the following settings.

  • LOW: from 8Ω to less than 50Ω
  • MID: from 50Ω to less than 300Ω (+10dB against the LOW)
  • HI: 300Ω or higher (+16dB against the LOW)
  • OFF: No sound from the headphones.

Remote Control: The Sony ES TA-A1ES comes with an IR remote control for wireless operation of the integrated amplifier. The remote offers Power On/Off, Volume Up/Down, Source Input (1-5), Mute, and Display controls.

IR Remote Input: If you connect this integrated amplifier to another Sony component with an IR repeater output jack, you can operate the amplifier from the component connected.

Auto Standby: The integrated amplifier switches to standby mode automatically when no sound has been output for about 10 to 15 minutes.

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
Can Bose 901 speakers with their active equalizer be used with this amp?
james r.  Jul 25, 2016
1 answer
A
Sorry, no. For the Bose 901, you'll need a receiver/amplifier that features a "Monitor Loop" and this Sony does not offer the connection. You may want to consider a model like the Peachtree Audio Nova 150 which does offer the required connections: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_731N150GE/item.html I hope that helps! My Bio: http://www.crutchfield.com/Support/Bio.aspx?bio=5
ryan  Jul 27, 2016 (Staff)
Q
Is there any way to use a sub woofer with this amp?
john  Dec 22, 2015
1 answer
A
Some home subwoofers have speaker level inputs and outputs and those are the only ones that can work with the outputs on this amp.
jason  Dec 24, 2015 (Staff)
Q
does the sony amp have a left / right balance control?
tony_a  Jun 04, 2015
1 answer
A
I forwarded your question to an Advisor and they responded with the following: No it does not have Left/Right balance controls If you would like to discuss further you can contact an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat.
kristina  Jun 08, 2015 (Staff)

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