Sony TA-ER1
(1991 - 1996?)

The absolute preamplifier, a b s o l u t e.

Reviewed in Japan above all others: above Mark Levinson, above Krell and whoever else that was more trendy, had more "aura" or good press agents. Only the Pioneer Exclusive C7 and the Cello were ranked better, both by a very small margin - that's the league the TA-ER1 was playing in.

The production run is supposed to have been of 100, mainly on order. It seems some ER1s were in fact discounted to "insiders" and Sony employees and the ones resurfacing every now and then often don't have a serial number...
At any rate, I believe the total run to have been a bit above 100 pieces. Unfortunately for us mere mortals, at 1,000,000Y, the TA-ER1 was... for the very rich only.

If the TA-E88 is one of the best preamplifiers of the 1970s, the TA-ER1 is the best preamplifier the history of 2-Channel audio will have ever heard. Since that history is now closed, the ER1 naturally is even more desirable.

This is my dream component.

Click the "more" buttons below for all about the engineering behind this masterpiece !!!