Sony TA-E77ESD Preamplifier - Best Sony Preamplifier

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General:
One of our favorite preamps and probably the best that Sony ever made.

Full of great features including a very capable phono section that can accommodate both MM (Moving-Magnet) and MC (Moving-Coil) phono cartridges for your turntable.

Note: The outdated DAC in this unit no longer functions making the digital coax inputs unusable. This isn't a big issue as the best part of this preamp is its high-quality analog inputs (it has many of them).

Also included with the preamp is the original Sony programmable remote control model RM-E7.

From our YouTube "Battle of the Sony Vintage Preamps! Which to BUY BUY BUY?"


We also noticed this preamp is featured on the fabulous vintage HiFi website "The Vintage Knob", so you know it's something truly special:

"Not counting the big league ESPRIT preamplifiers, the TA-E77ESD was Sony's first preamp since the late 1970s' TA-E7B or TA-E88B. And there never was an ES preamplifier/amplifier combo in Japan, before the 77 combo... or after.
The E77ESD is the companion to the TA-N77ES pôwerhouse.

Feeding everybody is a large toroidal transformer plus a small transformer for the logic circuits. The toroidal however is a little lie : it really a regular EI potted into a round enclosure !

Nevertheless, multiple windings feed separately the digital and analog sections, all separated by copper bus bars and a very clean main board. Naturally, the E77ESD rests on a G-base.
Other parts are typical Sony (Nichicon Muse and Elna Duorex etc) and the two main caps are 4,700µF Elna Great Supply. Output impedance is a low 45 Ohm.

The TA-E77ESD was replaced by the strictly analog TA-E80ES in 1989 ; the latter borrowed some of its panel functions and layout but the structure and internal design were very different.
The TA-E80ES went on the be just as successful as its elder, although by then the USA strangely started to greet Sony's high-end units with marked indifference...

In Europe, however, there are as many E77ESDs as E80ESs - and that total makes plenty." The last couple photos in our listing is credited to The Vintage Knob website.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Light silk screen lettering wear is visible on the power On/Off text and Attenuator text.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
Digital inputs do not function.

Brand Background:
Since 1950 Sony has been building the most innovative products in the audio industry.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA inputs and outputs, Two AC outlets

General Sound:
Accurate to the recording

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Just the unit and remote

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Reviews:
Click Here

Specs:
Frequency Response:
3 Hz to 300 kHz

Total Harmonic Distortion:
0.001%

Input Sensitivity:
0.17mV (MC)
2.5mV (MM)
150mV (line)

Signal to Noise Ratio:
83 dB (MC)
95 dB (MM)
105 dB (line)

Output:
150mV (line)
1.5V (Pre out)

Dimensions:
18.5 x 5.1 x 14.6"

Weight:
28.6 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1988

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface.

The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.

We then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.

Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected.

If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.