Any Sound Differences Between the Sony TA-4650 and 5650?

[smithyy]

I already have the Sony TA-4650, which I absolutely love, but am wondering if there's any difference in sound between the 4650 and 5650, provided you don't need the extra power.

 

[Lavane]

Not a lot of difference in power really. The 5650 may give you a bit more headroom. If the preamp sections are the same sonicly they should sound pretty much the same with the 5650 getting a little louder. How sensitive are your speakers? The more sensitive the speaker, the less power you need to drive them. Maybe down load the service manuals from hifiengine and see what differences you find in the preamp section.

 

[MattiaM]

I confirm, they sound pretty much the same. The vintageknob writes that only the TA-5650 has vfets in the preamp section, but that is not correct as the TA-4650 has them too. The TA-8650, the top of the line in that first series of VFETS has different circuitry, with also a quite different sound.

 

[rottalpha]

I confirm, they sound pretty much the same. The vintageknob writes that only the TA-5650 has vfets in the preamp section, but that is not correct as the TA-4650 has them too. The TA-8650, the top of the line in that first series of VFETS has different circuitry, with also a quite different sound.

2sk63 or 2sk79, IIRC

 

[MattiaM]

Q102 and Q152 in the preamp section of the TA-4650 are the small and even more unobtanium 2SK63 v-fets, the same found in the same exact location in the TA-5650. Unlike the 2SK60 and 2SJ18, I am not aware of common failures of these.

 

[smithyy]

In what way does the TA-8650 sound different?

 

[MattiaM]

It still has that typical v-fet warm and laid back sound, but I find it just overall much more mature, with a wider stage, more detail, more effortless control. The amplifier circuitry is more similar to the later TA-F7 but, between the two, I must say I prefer the TA-8650 (although that might be due to probably some issues in the TA-F7 I have, which to me does not sound quite right, especailly considering how highly regarded it is). The weak spot in the TA-8650 soundwise is the preamplifier, overly complicated, with some unobtanium ICs, very prone to hisses and noise if not kept thoroughly clean. I heard amazing things of the combination of the TA-E88B preamp with the power amp section of the TA-8650 (and F7/N7), I'd really love to get my hands on one of those preamps one day.

 

[fornetti]

I think the weak link in the Sony ta f7b preamp are the tantalum coupling capacitors. After complete restauration without replacing the coupling capacitors the amplifier as a whole sounded quite thin. After replacing the tantalum capacitors with elna silmic mounted back to back as bipolar the sound is heavenly.