Well it goes every time I switch it on!

Shut in airless sound. Seems to have deteriorated after about one year's heavy use

Bought this amp in a Sony Centre sale with 33% discount from the new price. Bought on impulse after reading best buy review in HI FI Choice magazine which reinforces my belief that when you buy HI FI don't believe anything you are told and only half what you read! Perhaps I have a poor sample but the sound whilst dynamic isn't really much above midi fi technoflash stuff. I find it dreadfully airless, lacking in treble detail and with a warm woolly colouration which is noticeable right across the frequency range.
Sony adverts in the UK state "sound tailored for the UK listener" or words to that effect. Well however they have tailored this amp it ain't my idea of hi fi.

Similar Products Used:

Audiolab 8000a. Meridian 104 gear years ago. Various home brewed (successful before exploding) equipment.

It looks great, is superbly built, and sounds even better, albeit within a relatively modest envelope of volume. A 'must-hear' product

only 35 watts

This champagne-gold integrated amp from Sony matches the CDP-X3000ES CD player, which received a Best Buy in HIFI CHOICE 169. Products with this level of fit and finish are all too rare in the UK at this price level. The design of the rotary controls, and the precision with which they rotate in their rebates, is closer to camera standards than anything the hi-fi industry can muster normally.

It's a MOSFET amplifier, rated at a modest 35 Watts into eight Ohms, or 50 Watts into four Ohms. The technical features seem mundane at first glance: a bipolar drive stage operates in Class A (they usually do); while 'twin mono architecture', 'proprietary toroidal transformer' and 'individual power supply system for voltage and current power amplifier stages' are routine for quality amplifiers. Other features are a little more unusual, though they are not necessarily unique to this model, or even to this marque. We're talking here of tone controls that automatically switch out of circuit at their centre-detent position, leaving input signals to pass unfettered through the power amp stages.

A rotary stepped control selects the input, while a matching volume control restores front-panel symmetry. Three smaller rotaries take care of bass, treble and balance; which is about the lot, apart from an m-m/m-c switch at the back, and a stick type remote-control handset. Oh, and the Sony does include a headphone socket, and yes, it is equipped with proper 4mm loudspeaker output binding posts.

Sound quality

Well, looks aren't everything, and all that attention to the wrapping means comparable attention cannot have been lavished internally? Right? Wrong! Unlike some of Sony's recent amps, the TA-F3000ES runs rings around any competition it might face in this months' group, and provided the benchmark for some of the critical comments that have been wheeled out elsewhere.

Quite simply, the TA-F3000ES is exceptional. It is quick, focused and assured, with a tight, tuneful bass - no hint of overhang or excess - and a taut, crisp treble, sometimes to a fault. Dynamics are simply devastating within the power ceiling, though the latter is a little lower than average, and is the only area in which the Sony might be considered lacking.

I was most impressed by the absence of the usual solid-stage amplifier signatures. There was neither noticeable granularity, nor congestion, nor aggression, apart from an increased hardness, amounting to a metallic quality if the output rating was exceeded. The Sony simply sang, and its quality was obvious with all music I used.

The panel simply lapped it up. "I though this was a great amp; really quite dynamic; good treatment of all types of music; tight, controlled, doesn't lose it, though it did get a bit rattly when the volume was high," came one sum-up comment. "Very even-handed, no flaws," was another. However each listener noticed the lack of headroom, as in the comment above, and one triggered by the dynamic Granados track. That drew attention to "a definite envelope beyond which everything sounds a bit raucous".

Conclusion

The Sony TA-F3000ES is the star of the show, and resolutely proves the maxim that otherwise-competent amplifiers don't all sound the same. Though not recommended for use in big rooms or with insensitive speakers, otherwise in all respects it is a Best Buy.

AG

Sound
Sharpness
Built Quality

none

By far the best integrated in the price range, no question.
Surpisingly sharp and accurate.
It can compete without any trouble with more expensive products. If you are a fanatic audiophile, do not buy it:
its too good and could prevent you from continuously looking around for a new component........

Similar Products Used:

Mission Cyrus, Roxan, Creek, NAD

The Sony TA-F3000ES is the smallest in the ES range of MOSFET integrated amplifiers. Cost in Switzerland (discounted) is 470 $US. The amp is quite small and very attractively styled in champagne. Despite the small size it weighs a substantial 10 kgs (about 22 lbs). Build quality is exceptional and puts many more expensive amps to shame. The same is true for its sound which shows no trace of the cold and flat sound often associated with Japanese transistor gear. The amp is ultra smooth while at the same time detailed, dynamic, lively and very musical with excellent tonal balance. Bass is especially satisfying, quick and with excellent definition, while midrange and highs are perfectly natural. Spatial qualities are impressive too, with depth and soundstaging to a high standard. For all its great qualities, the TA-F3000ES is no muscle amp, so don't expect it to drive power-hungry speakers to ear shattering levels. When driven too hard, the normally silky clean and delicate highs tend to become rather harsh. But used within its power limitations of about 50 watts per side at 8 Ohms this amplifier is a star performer for a very reasonable price. I have compared it with my much loved English tube amp at 7 times the price, and although being a solid state amp the Sony sounds different, it is very close in absolute quality. (Associated Equipment: Infinity Prelude Composition speakers, Sonus Faber Concertino speakers, Tannoy Mercury M2 speakers, CR Developments Romulus integrated tube amplifier, Sony XA50ES CD player.)

Star rating should read 5 *****

Sounds tight & cohesive always in control - all frequencies. Looks fantastic & Build is high end quality.
MC/MM switchable for T/T users.

Apparantley rated @ 35-40Watts - 8ohms, I've had no problems so far. Blinds you when light is shined upon it
- like 2 in the morning when you have to look at it with a torch.

This little Amp is a fantastic sounding piece of equipment,
Always seems to be in control & the quality & feel of the controls are exceptional. I'm using this with a Pioneer DV-717, Sony MDS-510 & Castle Clifton speakers on stands - I reckon this amp with pump out more bass with floorstanders so that will be my next upgrade (but fine now with stand mounts). The other point worth mentioning is 2 tape loops plus, CD,Phono/Tuner/Aux inputs. If you get the chance to get one buy with confidence. Best Hifi component I've bought to date. I've listened to all types of music especially good with acoustic & world type music.

Good looking, small, very good value for money.
Sounds great.

Sony doesn't make equipment in these widths anymore.
Only 2*50 watts

Ok I got my set cheap $1500 for the CD Player CDP-X3000ES, the RDS tuner ST-S3000ES , the TA-f3000ES and a special glass stand for the set (original price $650).
I went out for Rotel or Cyrus (Infinity), but I saw this beautifull small set. When the shop set it up to the newest B&W speakers, I couldn't believe what I heard of a Sony.
I just didn't know Sony had any high end models.
After listening I couldn't think why I shouldn't buy this set instead of spending 3 times more on a Cyrus (which also sounds great). This was just great value for money.
Now it's at my home and it gives my old Hepta Furore 80 CD (www.hepta.nl)speakers a new life.
Build quality is explendid considered to many more expensive amps. It sounds very clear, wide but also detailed
It sounds very well at the whole range from high to low.
It's a small complete amp, with infrared and it has even also a switchtable (MC/MM)phono input.
It has it's limitations as well. Only one set of speakers can be used, and 2 * 50 watts isn't that much, but it deserves a very good pair of speakers.

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Aiwa 110 series, Onkyo, Denon, Carver.