Sony TA-F 570 ES

Data

General

• Manufacturer: Sony
• Model: TA-F570 ES
• Type: Integrated amplifier
• Years of manufacture: 1991 - 1992
• Color: Black
• Power consumption: 260 W
• Dimensions: 430 x 150 x 375 mm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 12 kg
• Original price approx.: 700 DM

Technical data

• continuous power (at distortion factor)
  • 4 Ohm: 2 x 120 W at 0.01%
  • 6 Ohm: 2 x 95 W at 0,006%

8 Ohm: 2 x 90 W at 0.004% *dynamic power (at distortion factor)

• Dynamic power (with distortion factor)

4 Ohm: 2 x 175 W at 0.01% ** 6 Ohm: 2 x 115 W at 0.01% ** 8 Ohm: 2 x 175 W at 0.006

• • 6 Ohm: 2 x 115 W at 0.006% *dynamic power (with distortion factor)

8 Ohm: 2 x 100 W at 0.004% *Phono input (switched)

• Phono input (switchable MM or MC).
• Chinch inputs and outputs gold-plated
• Headphone jack (jack 3.5 mm) gold-plated
• REC-Out selector.
• Housing is satin black and full metal.
• Damping factor: 100
• Frequency response: 10Hz - 100kHz
• Tone control: yes, can be switched off
• Bass: at 100Hz +-7db

treble: at 10kHz +-6db

• Loudness: no
• High Filter: no
• Mute: yes, -20db
• Direct/Line-Straight: yes

Connections

• 8 inputs: Tuner, CD, Direct In, Tape 1,2, Adapter, Aux (150mV, 20 KOhm), 1x Phono MM/MC (2,5mV, 50KOhm / 0,17mV, 100Ohm)
• 3 outputs: Tape 1,2 Adaptor (150mV, 1 kOhm)
• The adaptor loop cannot be switched separately and must always be closed during normal operation. Accordingly, there are two jumpers for it on the rear panel.

The switchable Direct-In input bypasses the Input- and Rec-Out-Selector.

Special features

See text

Pictures

Remarks

The F570ES is a mechanically solid,serviceable and cleanly built integrated amplifier based on a classic concept. It offers the usual connectivity of its time, but in detail quite impractical operating features like a not separately switchable adapter loop. adapter loop.

The phono preamplifier was taken over practically 1:1 from the top model of the normal hi-fi program, which was garnished with two branded electrolytic capacitors in the power supply. in the power supply. Different from the mid-range models, however, is the preamplifier. If there is usually an opamp as a the F570ES has a purely passive pre-amp/sound control stage. In contrast to the previous models (F550/F530) the output stage front ends in the F570ES are again discrete. The output transistors are bipolar types, however, and not power FETs as in subsequent models. In fact, the output stages are (almost) a textbook high-fT SEPP Class A/B design. However, with a fairly respectable complement of active elements, as well as separate power supplies for the front end and output stage,resulting in very low distortion and rich output power. The passive components are not as impressive. It is indeed equipped with higher quality components than in the mid-range offer but doesn't correspond to the quality standard that Sony showed in the larger models of the TA-AX series, which is about ten years older. So some savings have been made here. On the other hand, the fat filter capacitors directly behind the rectifiers and the very neat cast heat sink were not stingy.

New the F570ES was at least with high level sources sonically already top class. And also no-ohmic loads do not drive the fat Sanken power transistors so fast. transistors do not sweat as fast as the rather dainty FETs in later models of this series up to the FA30ES. However, the ravages of time gnaw especially on the cheap electrolytic capacitors in the power amp front ends, which causes a creeping sound degradation. which depending upon continuous use of the equipment more or less clearly comes to light. No wonder that the F570ES is not a rarity on the second hand market. As with all small ES integrated amplifiers, the phono preamplifier is not equivalent in quality to the power amplifiers. However, who trusts himself a little DIY can raise this amplifier with about 100 € in components still something about original new equipment level: http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=97&t=50556&start=45 However, such a renovation does not (!) correspond to a Elkoneubestückung after the watering can principle with so-called "audiophile" components, as well as a simple Opamp exchange in the and a simple opamp exchange in the phono preamplifier, but goes a bit further.

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However, a few weak points reveal themselves even after a few decades. And this is completely independent of the cosmetic condition of the device. In the meantime, I've come across several resistors in the voltage supply of the phono equalizer, which, when they die, can also kill the downstream the following longitudinal regulators to death and thus put the phono preamplifier out of function. Certainly not important for everyone, but some people still connect a a record player to the input. Rarely this also happens with the series resistors at the headphone output. Sony has provided 1/2 Watt resistors here according to the service manual. However, this is a bit tight imho. Furthermore the LS relays, the input and rec-out selector switches (dust open) and the volume pot (Alps) can cause problems with noise and/or channel imbalances in the level. level. Fixing this will be a bit more tinkering. The relays can be replaced and the switches cleaned. For the volume pot there is no 1:1 spare part (encapsulated Alps 2x60kOhm/2x4pin).

The electrolytic capacitors are made of United Chem-Com`s except for the fat Elna`s behind the rectifiers and the two green Nichicons behind the phono consists of United Chem-Com`s. So it offers solid industrial quality. However, the maximum 2000-3000 hours of operation for which the electrolytic capacitor manufacturers guarantee the component values are long exceeded after more than twenty years of operation and the slow aging process causes in the long run also a change in the sound - not only in the sound quality but also in the sound quality. sound - and not for the better like with wine or whisky. Either the sound thickens, becomes less contoured and less detailed, or the exact opposite happens and the sound becomes paler. and the sound becomes paler, more two-dimensional and goes in the direction of pseudo-analytical. Depending on where in the circuit which component values have changed the most it has different consequences for the sound. And that's usually the reason why a 570 comes under the hammer. So you can assume that without DIY the amp can not be helped to sound as good as new. In this respect, the meanwhile called prices for used equipment are under the moniker of "ES" = "High End" are quite hefty. Personally I would not invest more than 100€, because I would have to spend the same amount of money + a few hours of time to get the part back the way it came over the counter. Well,ok,maybe in the end a little better than new. But this is not an F570 specific thing, nor a Sony specific thing, nor a device specific thing. Devices with 20+ years of life are rarely not in need of over- needing to be replaced. You simply have to realize that they are mass produced consumer goods. The "expiration date" is part of the construction. And with integrated amplifiers usually between 10 and 15 years. Then the consumer should become dissatisfied with the article and buy something new. So if you are not willing or able to do it yourself, you are throwing your money out the window and will be better off with a new unit. For those who dare a renovation, possibly with a targeted component upgrade at important points in the electronics: You get a top class amp for a fraction fraction of the price of a new unit. The F570 is definitely better than e.g. the later FA-3s or the top amps from the QS series.

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