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Sony
Esprit
Investigation into the birth of ESPRIT
brand: its meticulous principle and practice
I
remember Sony audio brand in the past was limited to high-end lineup
only such as TA-1120F & TA-3120F which were similar to current
ESPRIT lineup. Recently the audio market was expanded so large that
Sony is producing system components and economy models. At the same
time Sony claims for new technologies such as new device features.
Yes it is. We would catch at new devices such
as Pulse
Power Supply, V-FET etc which were accepted by users as good
sound as a result. Often we reflect that we should better have technical
evidence for good sound beforehand.
And such innovative technology embodied in
economy models such as Walkman etc makes success
In case of the product such as ESPRIT we believe
the new technologies or catchy points have no meaning.
The high-end users cannot be deceived by such
catchy points
When we are questioned about the engineering
on ESPRIT series, we shall reply <CIRCUIT and DEVICE and CONSTRUCTION>.
It is a clever reply against which nobody
can further question (grin).
In short we try to examine all the aspects
of the amplifiers. Users often believe 90% of good amplifier depends
on circuit while we devide the weight each 30% on Circuit, Device
and Construction or Mechanism.
Is it strange that you observe the amplifier
from the view point of mechanism?
Maybe strange to users. But body chassis construction
is important for controlling mechanical vibration. Other makers
too start considering on this matter recently. We have taken measures
to cope with mechanical vibration upto now.
Not discussing on circuit or device singly,
but it is more important to keep a harmony as a whole.
Yes it is. But there are various steps to
attain total harmony. Repeated hearing and experiment. V-FET, Pulse
Power Supply for some amplifiers, heatpipe etc are parts which are
combined to make a good sound. Separately from S/N and distortion
free etc, we are intending to get pure beautiful sound.
How far have you proceeded to such sound
?
Up to 60% or around. For the moment we use
V-FET.
But the intended sound may be obtained from tube. The intention/target
remains unchanged. But we have to question whether we can step up
to 70% perfection by using tubes.
Then the devices are milestones for perfection process ?
Yes there is no ultimate device.
The users may think your policy is changing
per products.
We can explain the technology if questioned.
But we believe nothing but the sound is the matters of ESPRIT.
Any audio product shall go to junk if it does not sound good.
That is easy understood to the readers
of Stereo Sound. I wonder ESPRIT amplifiers are made truly maniac.
Almost 18 years ago Sony produced amplifier
TA-1120F
and tuner ST-5000F.
We borrowed these from our client and looked into them. Wow! What
a beautiful consistent construction! These are still attractive
and shall evoke audio-mind to younger engineers. So we ourselves
brood over why such was possible 18 years ago and we cannot do so
fine nowadays. Maybe such simple irritation compelled us to produce
the construction, knob feeling and design of ESPRIT.
Is it a kind of rebellion against mass
products ?
Truly. Each ESPRIT looks like handcraft. ESPRIT
line is operated with small group independent from mass line. You
may laugh at us who feel compelled to file down the surface of transformer
if its cover is made not even. Making flat and buff and re-paint
!
Such defection is not seen from outside
and has no meaning ?
Yes. Users would not enjoy at seeing such
inner parts. But it is a good point of handcraft:individual check/test.
This line demands more than manuals for assembly: how to twist the
wires etc to achieve atmost quality of ESPRIT.
What woud you intend in ESPRIT ? Is there
any concept difference or unification among engineers ?
There is difference if expressed in words.
So it is very difficult to explain such at this place.
How did you decide the final sound ? Is
there any process ?
We visit concerts. We like records and music,
but never imagine to make equipment sound similar to hearing at
concert.
We feel atmospheres at concerts. Not with words, but with body/feeling
the member of sound test became unified on hearing.
Sony has also CBS soft company for popular
music.
Often we visit their studios and exchange
opinions with mixing staffs.
Do you think that it is dangerous for engineers
to be be shut up in an ivory tower ?
We think exchange of words is important. Mixers
express their feeling with unique words. It would be hard work to
translate their sensuous words into our engineering words such as
twin monaural construction, atomosphere and selection of device
etc.
All ESPRIT amplifiers have twin monaural construction as common
feature.
Ultimate separation shall produce atomosphere
as of concert even though analogue disks had limited separation
between R/L. We think separation in broad sense: between R/L as
well as between sectional amps and between transformers.
Recently TA-N902 is introduced into market.
This is quite diffrent from impressive TA-N901 with features Non-NFB
loop, pulse-locked power supply.
At the time of development of TA-N900
we sticked to the concept of "compact and good" for which
Sony can did best. At first development of TA-N902 we intended to
use pulse power supply too - but something was wrong. Next we tried
troidal transformer. Next we tried pulse power supply similar to
TA-N900 and resigned from Non-NFB loop. And at last EI-core transformer
was adopted but its height was so big that we had to modify the
chassis too. All the parts delivered during above process became
useless.
In this price range, the product itself
should be attractive enough.
Truly. It took rather long time for development
of TA-N902 because we wanted originality. ESPRIT is not intended
simply as top of the price. It must have clear differece not found
in other economy series.
I heard TA-N902.
Its sound is straight and clear in details. Hence setting base and
other equipment to be connected must be selected carefully. Otherwise
it does not sound good enough - it is said also about soft to be
played back.
"Uh. Once in the past, a mixer in CBS
pointed out that this was not lively enough even though the electrical
performance might be perfect. Something missing sound as cheap lunch
at a company's dining room. Iquestioned what kind of lunch he ate
before starting mixing. He said he ate thick beef steak! Such a
battle of words. Just with TA-N902,
we can start considerable communication. Interesting comment from
him: the bassist can copy down a tune from the playback thru this
amplifier. Then there are such amplifiers in the world from which
no bassist can make note of a tune!"
Thus translation is necessary from musician
words to engineering words.
Yes. The development of TA-902 tooks almost
3 years. We cannot be proud of its long time. But such time was
useful since the LC-OFC wires developed by Hitachi could be adopted
partially in the inner-wiring of TA-N902."
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