View Full Version : Sony 770ES any owners?
Considering buying a 770ES but wondering what people know about it and it's capabilities?
Interested to know how the phono stage will compete against modern Graham Slee for example?
Does anyone repair them if they go wrong?
Ammonite Audio
14-03-2014, 08:09
Gromit (Richard) is the man to tell you about the phono stage capabilities and may come along directly to give his views. Istari-knight (James) can repair these amps.
I've not owned one as yet but do have some experience of ES kit. The spec list alone speaks volumes to me, this is a serious amp.
Broadly speaking, a phono stage is a phono stage and as long as quality components are used there won't be much in it.
There are lots of folk out there who can and will recap and service these beauties. I don't know of anyone local to you but someone probably will and hopefully they will join the thread.
Buy it and share many pics.
+1 for James here. The boy does good work.
The Grand Wazoo
14-03-2014, 08:27
Broadly speaking, a phono stage is a phono stage and as long as quality components are used there won't be much in it.
I think there are many people who would take issue with this!
They should probably not bother.
Hi James l am a recent owner of one of these audio beasts, and the phono stage on MC which has adjustable loading ( have not tried MM yet) is very good indeed, just a smidgen behind my Trichord Dino+ which l rate very highly for the money. Having just acquired one of these beasts, l find the bass very powerful yet controlled and the sound is big with very good separation, but more neutral than my SONY TA-F940R amp.
Oops nearly forgot- this amp likes to be played loud!:D
Oops nearly forgot- this amp likes to be played loud!:D
It does that. :gig:
Like a few amps I've owned, the Sony does like to work hard and sounds more free'n'fast when let off the leash.
istari_knight
21-03-2014, 11:50
They are good amps but lots of them are starting to show signs of ageing with dodgy switches, relays & dried out capacitors so do test before handing over any cash if possible. All of these problems are easily rectified but beware of unscrupulous sellers hiding or playing down faults. We had one recently where the amplifier was louder on one channel than the other, the seller just centered it with the balance control behind the flap...
If the remote control facility isnt a deal breaker the TA-F700ES is equally good IME... If anything, I preferred it a little bit ;)
seoirse2002
21-03-2014, 15:57
They are good amps but lots of them are starting to show signs of ageing with dodgy switches, relays & dried out capacitors so do test before handing over any cash if possible. All of these problems are easily rectified but beware of unscrupulous sellers hiding or playing down faults. We had one recently where the amplifier was louder on one channel than the other, the seller just centered it with the balance control behind the flap...
If the remote control facility isnt a deal breaker the TA-F700ES is equally good IME... If anything, I preferred it a little bit ;)
And after James worked his magic on my 700ES I am truly impressed with it and would agree wholeheartedly...super Amp! and many thanks James...:):)
When l get a chance l am going doing to a head to head SONY TA-F940R vs SONY F770ES, compared them briefly and they both sound good but quite different, the 940 is no slouch!:)
brian2957
22-03-2014, 09:48
:popcorn:
When l get a chance l am going doing to a head to head SONY TA-F940R vs SONY F770ES, compared them briefly and they both sound good but quite different, the 940 is no slouch!:)
:popcorn:
:)
:popcorn:
Ok here goes, starting with the 940 l believe it is lighter, more agile and airy than the 770ES, slightly more musical too ( but this is a gnats hair), the 940 has less body to the music than the 770ES, the 940 is less dark sounding than the 770ES and has a slightly deeper soundstage.
The 770ES fights back with a more natural sound which is very powerful ( rock musical sounds superb) a more dynamic and a more sophisticated sound, the phono stage on the 770ES is really rather good just a bit behind my Dino+, bass on the 770ES just keeps going and going, it is very detailed and the top end is very smooth indeed.
Which one people would prefer is down to personal choice l would say, another little experiment l tried was putting a poncy Furutech mains plug and poncy fuse and this did make a nice difference to both amplifiers but the most improvement l got was putting expensive Silver loudspeaker and interconnect, this dramatically dropped the noise floor and got great tonal colours, so all in all both amps are very musical and a joy to listen to.:)
istari_knight
23-09-2014, 15:46
A fair assessment of what you heard Andy :)
In my system the 940 couldn't live with a 770 which was in another league entirely... I found the 670 preferable let alone the 770 but its all down to personal taste as you say. One thing I'm sure we can agree on; the 770 is built like a brick "outhouse" whilst the 940 feels like a biscuit tin :D
brian2957
23-09-2014, 16:38
I've got a 930 and I absolutely love it . Fantastic amp.
To be honest everyone is on to a winner with these amps!
Forgotten gems.
brian2957
23-09-2014, 17:54
To be honest everyone is on to a winner with these amps!
Forgotten gems.
I'm going to buy a 940 when one becomes available . Prices for the ES amps have gone ballistic.
istari_knight
23-09-2014, 17:55
Prices for the ES amps have gone ballistic.
I remember 10 years ago when one could get them for £100 all day long... The internet has a lot to answer for :D
I remember 10 years ago when one could get them for £100 all day long... The internet has a lot to answer for :D
You mean people like us.:lol:
To be honest everyone is on to a winner with these amps!
Forgotten gems.
Agreed - and losers like me end up selling them on. Je suis un plonquer. :wah:
seoirse2002
24-09-2014, 09:46
I will be selling my 700 ES soon....recently checked and serviced by James...(Istari Knight)
He said he preferred it to the 770 :)
istari_knight
24-09-2014, 10:53
I will be selling my 700 ES soon....recently checked and serviced by James...(Istari Knight)
He said he preferred it to the 770 :)
The phono stage definitely had the edge. Lovely amp that one.
I will be selling my 700 ES soon....recently checked and serviced by James...(Istari Knight)
He said he preferred it to the 770 :)
Well if my latest purchase doesn't work out, I may come back to you on that. :)
Ammonite Audio
24-09-2014, 21:03
My James-fettled 770ES needs to go. Lovely thing in the right system but not with Quad 57s!
seoirse2002
24-09-2014, 23:09
Well if my latest purchase doesn't work out, I may come back to you on that. :)
No Problem,not listed yet.
G
vinylmagic
15-01-2022, 11:02
They are good amps but lots of them are starting to show signs of ageing with dodgy switches, relays & dried out capacitors so do test before handing over any cash if possible. All of these problems are easily rectified but beware of unscrupulous sellers hiding or playing down faults. We had one recently where the amplifier was louder on one channel than the other, the seller just centered it with the balance control behind the flap...
If the remote control facility isnt a deal breaker the TA-F700ES is equally good IME... If anything, I preferred it a little bit ;)What is it about the 700es you preferred?
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