Sony TA 1055A (1971)
Little is documented about the Sony TA 1055A. Here is what the record shows. It was a 25W-per-channel integrated amplifier from Sony's first generation of high-quality integrated amplifiers, and the circuit design was notably advanced. A DC amplifier topology kept coupling capacitors out of the signal path, with a direct-coupled OCL output and an FET input stage. Dual power transformers fed separate power supplies for each channel. There's also a front-panel headphone jack, which was far from universal on early-1970s integrated amps.
The sound is described as clean, transparent, and detailed, with excellent transient response, neutral tonal balance, good bass control, and low distortion. Restoration concerns are the usual ones for a fifty-year-old amplifier: aging electrolytic capacitors, potentiometer cleaning, and thermal drift in the DC offset that needs adjusting. Occasional relay issues and power-switch wear also turn up. Collector interest is moderate, rated 7/10, with typical prices in the $150 - $300 range depending on condition and restoration status.
A fair amount isn't documented: no frequency response, THD, signal-to-noise ratio, damping factor, input sensitivity, dimensions, weight, or original price. No period reviews are on record either, so this page rests on a single source.
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