| Author |
CD transport |
scott1019
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
 |  Posted: 2011-07-22 11:33
Now that I have a remarkable DAC and may be looking to purchase a Sony TA-E80ES, I am looking for a CD transport with XLR outs. I've come across some Sony ES players, but they are in the $500+ category. Sony also makes some nice transports for the pro audio community and I have been focusing my efforts there. Decks like the Sony CDP-D11/D12 and CDP-D500 have been selling in the sub $500 range in recent years. The overall weight of the these decks is less than 10 pounds and it worries me a little. Does anyone here have any experience with these players and if it may be a good alternative for me.
Any player/transport with XLR outs is what I am looking for especially if I get that TA-E80ES. Thanks guys.
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mhedges
Premium Member
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 722
From: Ithaca, NY
 | Posted: 2011-07-26 21:59
I wouldn't get too caught up in having XLR. The E80ES is not a truly balanced design (very few components are) and the signal path is more direct via RCA.
I would only look at XLR if you need it for its noise rejection properties.
Also a transport is going to be putting out a digital signal. If you really want XLR then you need your DAC to have it.
Mark
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scott1019
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-07-26 22:04
Hmm, I sent you a PM about your E80ES, still for sale? Think I will be content with my TA-E77ESD? I am quite pleased with its performance.
For what purpose would I need to go with XLR?
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mhedges
Premium Member
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 722
From: Ithaca, NY
| Posted: 2011-07-26 22:09
Scott -
Sorry the E80ES is sold. But keep an eye on ebay - one just sold for $305, which is a killer price.
The thing with your E77ESD is that it converts everything to digital, so you are going to lose some sound quality. How much is debatable.
I have always read that you should only go with XLR if you have runs of more than say 20 feet, unless you are having issues with noise.
Mark
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scott1019
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-07-26 22:17
Hmm, I am wondering if that's why I don't notice much of a difference when using my TA-E1000ESD for analog. The biggest difference I notice is with the Phono section, WAYY better on the E77ESD.
I was actively bidding on that one you mentioned. I went up to $300 and since I already had a pre I didn't want to get into a bidding war, plus I don't think that one had a remote. And with Ebay its always a gamble. Does this mean that the E77ES also converts everything to digital? I know its nearly impossible to find, but just wondering which pre's to look for.
In order to get the 80ES performing at its best will I have to spend $400 in mods or does it perform well enough in stock form? I certainly have a need for a great analog only pre-amp. Thanks so much for your advice!
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David_S
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 769
From: BC, Canada
 | Posted: 2011-07-26 23:08
...The thing with your E77ESD is that it converts everything to digital, so you are going to lose some sound quality. How much is debatable.
...
Mark
You might have meant E1000ESD here. The E77ESD does not convert analog inputs to digital. Analog inputs are 100% analog through the E77ESD.
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TA- E77ES E80ES E1000ESD N77ES F555ES
RM- AV3000 AX1400 (2)AX4000
SDP-EP9ES, ST-S730ES
STR- DA4ES DA3100ES (2)DA5700ES (2)GX10ES
DVP- (3)NS999ES NS3100ES CX777ES
CDP-X303ES, CDP-M555ES
MDS-JA20ES, TC-K717ES, DTC-690
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scott1019
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-07-26 23:16
David, based on your experience would there be any need to seek out a 80ES or would I be better off saving my money and effort to mod the TA-E77ESD I have now?
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David_S
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 769
From: BC, Canada
| Posted: 2011-07-27 01:05
On 2011-07-26 23:16, scott1019 wrote:
David, based on your experience would there be any need to seek out a 80ES or would I be better off saving my money and effort to mod the TA-E77ESD I have now?
Specs for the E77ES & E80ES are almost identical. I have never heard the E80ES & do not know how it sounds compared to the E77ES.
The wiring mods I posted had the most dramatic effect at almost zero cost. The big power supply caps are expensive, mine were good so I kept the originals. The other caps aren't that expensive.
The OFC RCA jacks were the most expensive mod. I went all out & replaced all the audio RCA jacks in the E77ES. You can save money by replacing only the jacks you use. This might be a zero gain if you get the E80ES because you still might want to upgrade the RCA jacks in the E80ES.
Web photos of the E80ES show that it is probably easier to disassemble for modding. You might want to get one for this reason. The E77ES is not easy to work on.
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TA- E77ES E80ES E1000ESD N77ES F555ES
RM- AV3000 AX1400 (2)AX4000
SDP-EP9ES, ST-S730ES
STR- DA4ES DA3100ES (2)DA5700ES (2)GX10ES
DVP- (3)NS999ES NS3100ES CX777ES
CDP-X303ES, CDP-M555ES
MDS-JA20ES, TC-K717ES, DTC-690
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mykyll2727
Rank: Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
 | Posted: 2011-07-27 09:20
Scott_Do you have the skills to mod the unit yourself or would you have someone else do it? Man do I wish I had the skills and means like David to mod units myself.
david_ you've done some great work. I truly envy it._mykl
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scott1019
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-07-27 09:25
I have basic electrical and soldering skills, not the understanding to know what to replace and why. That's why I'm here!
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mhedges
Premium Member
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 722
From: Ithaca, NY
| Posted: 2011-07-27 13:34
On 2011-07-26 23:08, David_S wrote:
...The thing with your E77ESD is that it converts everything to digital, so you are going to lose some sound quality. How much is debatable.
...
Mark
You might have meant E1000ESD here. The E77ESD does not convert analog inputs to digital. Analog inputs are 100% analog through the E77ESD. -----------------
Thanks - I didn't know that. I thought the E77ESD converted everything to digital. For 100% analog I thought you had to have a E77ES (no "D", very rare).
As far as comparing the E77ESD and the E80ES - the E80ES has no video switching and overall the layout inside is much neater. The E77 is kind of a mess inside, IMHO.
Mark
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scott1019
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-07-27 15:58
I may be getting the TA-E80ES since the high bidder didn't follow-through. How hard will it be to find a remote for this puppy?
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mhedges
Premium Member
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 722
From: Ithaca, NY
| Posted: 2011-07-27 19:39
Thats funny - that is the same way I got my E80ES (an eBay second chance offer). Although I paid more than $300!
It shouldn't be too hard to find a remote that works. The codes are pretty common. I used a Sony RM-AV2100 to control mine. I know i didn't have to teach the volume control and I think it also did source selection without teaching.
As far as mods go, I would first just try it stock for a while. I regret having mine modded - it was very expensive and I don't think it improved the sound that much. And I lost my shirt when I sold it.
[ This message was edited by: mhedges on 2011-07-27 20:11 ]
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scott1019
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 07, 2010
Posts: 543
From: USA>>Ohio
| Posted: 2011-07-27 21:55
Did the original remote do anything besides change inputs and adjust the volume?
Its funny you mention not modding it. I have had similar experience with all the tube gear I've had, none of the modded gear has sounded right.
I opened up my TA-E77ESD and it looks like a daunting task to mod this unit without taking a lot apart. There is some cross-talk between inputs and a simple re-routing of the wiring looks like it may cure it based on David's posts.
While we're on the topic would their be any need to upgrade my TA-N110 amp. I am happy with its performance for my 102 Db efficiency speakers. I like having multiple inputs on an amp for testing purposes to eliminate all other variables. I have considered using my DB930 as an amp, but it seems like a waste to use it as an amp only.
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David_S
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 769
From: BC, Canada
| Posted: 2011-07-28 00:37
The E77ES uses remote commands from the Sony AV1 command set, the same commands as current Sony receivers. I suspect that the E80ES would also use commands from this command set. The EP9ES uses a different (unique?) command set, that helps make it work as a DAC input for the E77ES. Controlling the E77ES does not interfere with the EP9ES.
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TA- E77ES E80ES E1000ESD N77ES F555ES
RM- AV3000 AX1400 (2)AX4000
SDP-EP9ES, ST-S730ES
STR- DA4ES DA3100ES (2)DA5700ES (2)GX10ES
DVP- (3)NS999ES NS3100ES CX777ES
CDP-X303ES, CDP-M555ES
MDS-JA20ES, TC-K717ES, DTC-690
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