Sony TA-E88B
Sony TA-E88
(november 1977 - 1984)

Sony's big push toward... understatement !

Strict dual-mono structure with 2 transformers, select parts, an (almost) outboard power-supply and no superfluous controls, the TA-E88 was the 2nd pre-Esprit component to appear and was introduced along its Class D TA-N88 mate.

The underlying philosophy was: no ICs! The sealed volume and balance controls are stepped with about 150 gold-plated contacts - see Mirko's review of the Wega equivalent of the E88 for more on this and the E88 in general.

Apart from the ESPRIT TA-E900 (directly derived from the E88 - see here) and the much later TA-ER1, the pre-Esprit TA-E88B is probably Sony's best preamp and one of the best ever at any rate. Given the scarcity and current pricetags of the TA-ER1, the TA-E88B can be seen as Sony's best... which one can actually own and use.

Sony sold thousands and thousands of TA-E88 and TA-E88B worldwide - a real bestseller which remained available in Germany until much later than elsewhere - previsibly.