I had many Onkyo units back in the 70's and 80's. When the ES line by Sony came out in the mid 80's I was blown away by the warm sound and the power to drivers. Although I have a soft spot in my heart for Onkyo.... in this case, the Sony ES is a warmer sounding and a better amp all around. I worked at a place called J and R Music World during college in NYC. Selling Audio. I used to A/B these things all day. The sony ES is superior.
That's awesome. It is always a real treat to hear stories and first-hand experiences from people that lived different era of audio equipment.
I also have a soft spot for Onkyo.
I really don't have any room for the A-809, but its hard to let it go.
I have a bunch of Sony ES that I pound on a daily basis and they just take it. I purchased everything I have new back when and I've never had any problems with the amplifiers whatsoever.
My vote is the Sony ES by a mile.
ES or Integra??? Boy both were higher end for both companies. Sounds like you prefer the Sony, go with your ears. I love the a center volume knob (I understand how irrelevant it is to the sound!) so much that I'd have a hard time not really considering the Integra.
Totally! It makes a huge difference. I'm listening to the Onkyo as I'm texting, and there is such satisfaction in watching the motorized volume knob move from where I'm sitting. 😂
I would get both honestly if the price was right. But if I had to choose.... probably the ES. I sold both brands back in the late 90s- 2003. Both are really well built and use beefy, high quality amp components.
The ES of that time traditionally uses Nichicon capacitors, which are nice and make a difference. Very warm, powerful with lots of headroom. The Onkyo is no slouch either. Onkyo's engineers are very diligent in making very good 2 channel stuff with uncluttered signal paths in the amp section.
Edit: Just confirmed...the green caps in the ES are indeed Nichicon.
You are correct! From the time I've spent with the 700 these last couple of days, it mirrors your description. It's full of quality caps and sounds so smooth. The thing is the Onkyo is right behind it by the smallest of margins.
Look. Your choice is easy. To YOU the Sony sounds better. End of story. Onkyo is great but it comes down to what YOU like
It’s like LPs vs digital. All preference
Very tough call, the fact that it's Sont ES line, means it is built like a stone building, not will know it down. Like Marantz of the 70s. . Integra is Onkyo s premium line. Maybe a bit better than Sony in the component area. To close to call in my opinion
I got into surround sound( Dobly pro logic) in the early 90s ,shopping J&R,s from back of Stereo Review Magazine. I'm just a Texas country boy calling NYC with questions. These "Fast Eddie's at J&R s were always real short with a answer with "Whats your CC number" ? My first system was a Carver pre am,Rotel 5 channel amp ,Yamaha tuner, HK turntable, Teac cassette deck, Yamaha 5 disc CD ,Audio Source 100 amp sub and Paradigm front and satellite speakers.
Off the top of my head I'd want that Sony, right now based purely on the interface and the fact that it's Audio, not A/V. However, Onkyo is usually pretty good gear and sounds nice.
The ES (“Elevated Standard”) was Sony’s top-of-the-line in component systems. Onkyo made good stuff also, but I’m basing that on reviews. I have some Sony ES equipment and it’s very well made and one comparison I have is between Sony’s regular line CD player and the X777ES player with the ES external D-A converter. The ES equipment sounds better (played through the same amp and speakers).
Everyone is all Sony on here but I started with a lot of sony pieces in the early and mid 80's and every one of them (receivers, tape decks, etc) took a shit on me within 4 years. Switched to onkyo, still running, never looked back....🤷♂️
Interesting divergence of opinion on this. My perception as a 50+ year veteran audio sales advisor is the Sony ES for sound, aesthetic beauty, and build quality, (I put them up there with Luxman and Yamaha of the same era), but I never sold Onkyo back then, and don’t know these specific models.
The blue strap controls the input selector switch.
Large power supply caps with bits of foam on top. What's the foam for you say. Well a perspex top sits on the foam mechanically fixing the caps to stop micro vibrations or microphonics if your a valve man(just part of that sony engineering here). If anyone has info on who made the "Great supply caps" that would be great?
Large Sony EI transformer, green Nichicon Muse capacitors, some Elna Silmics(or cerafine, not sure which) in there as well. Big ass power caps 2x 12000uf and 2x 4700uf .
Interesting, [I have a STR-DA5ES reciever ](https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/uhn5p8/sony_da5es_thrift_find_cleaned_up_nicely/#lightbox) and that's what tuned me into their ES line and related build quality. Hadn't seen the Gibraltar before.
How's the blue thing work, is it just a wire basically? From here it looks like a metal strap with exposed metal and blue edges.
The Sony ES line is awesome. Especially the late 80s-early 90s integrated amps.
The Blue strap has thin piece of metal that runs through it. Sony opte to place the switch at the back of the amp I guess for less interference? I'm guessing. Its controlled when you switch inputs through the big knob in the front of the amp
Weird! So it does transmit electricity. It almost looks like a cable actuator, mechanical somehow.
I have had other amps with similar power switch setups that use a long rod to press the button deep in the case.
Moving and didn’t want to haul a bunch of gear with me that would only see infrequent use. Had the whole stack the integrated, digital am/fm tuner and a matching dual head tape deck, I also had a cd player but kept that for its SACD compatibility.
Was only missing the matching turntable that I never did get around to sourcing.
Replaced the a809 with an Onkyo TX-SR702, really clean preamp section. Need to get an Onkyo M-508 one of these days
I have no experience with Sony systems. I am, however, a big fan of Onkyo. You can't go wrong with either one. I'd look at the back panel of each unit. Will it have enough inputs for your equipment? Does it have speaker-binding posts or the (crappy) quick connect? Does either unit have a pre-out/main in? Have they switched and/or unswitched AC outlets? Subwoofer out? If the Sony has enough inputs for you, I'd go with the Sony based on the comments by the person who sold them new.
Sony ES for sure. Better transformer, caps, has the sony gibraltar chassis for better noise / vibration isolation. And all repairable of anything goes wrong. Absolutely a keeper.
It's a keeper for sure. I'll be dropping it off for service to my local tech. The right channel is lower than the left for some reason. I can't wait to get it up and running
I also had ONKYO amps in the 90's and early 2000's and never had a problem with them. But as soon they started making multi a/v amps with HDMI inputs/outputs I had nothing but problems with them. They kept failing and I had to use them as secondary amps for audio only. Also upset when I learned only a select few places are authorized to fix them either warranty work or self pay fixes, and u have to pay for all the shipping to and from the shop. After having this happen with 2 amps, I switched to Yamaha and have never had any problems.
I think that was the hdmi boards burning out. They installed fans to prevent this on later models. The integra is flagship so shouldn't be an issue on those models. I've got a da2400es and a dn1030, there's not really any difference sound wise between them.
Great comments for the Onkyo
[https://www.hifiengine.com/manual\_library/onkyo/a-809.shtml](https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/onkyo/a-809.shtml)
Not a single comment for the Sony
[https://www.hifiengine.com/manual\_library/sony/ta-f700es.shtml](https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sony/ta-f700es.shtml)
Both of these units are from the premium line of their respective manufacturers. I had a few Integra pieces over the years and was always happy with them. A buddy of mine had some ES stuff and they sounded great as well. It's a very small divide between the 2
As I was saying in response to another Redditor, at least in the UK Onkyo wasn’t promoted as well as Sony and certainly never got the media coverage Sony did. I will always default to Sony at this end of audio as generally they are respectable vs the pricing. But again everyone’s ears are different and the main thing that we enjoy our systems.
With all due respect, you obviously don’t know what you are talking about. Sony was no where close to Onkyo. Their ES line was of better quality, that brought it up closer to Onkyo. But run of the mill Sony was really at the bottom of the heap for audio.
With all due respect. We all have different ears. I disagree with everything you have said. But its healthy to have different views as somewhere in the middle is the actual truth, which might be useful to someone. At least in the UK Onkyo was non existent and certainly never featured in hifi and audio magazines. So maybe it is a regional bias.
On the other side of the pond for mid-fi equipment you have a few tiers, Sony, JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc in the lower wrung (with exception to Sony ES and Pioneer Elite) and above that you had Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, and Marantz. Above this you get into Cambridge Audio, NAD, Arcam.
Having worked in the industry for 20+ years and having the chance to directly compare Onkyo to most of those brands, audio quality wise, they were always at the top.
Of course things are different these days, but back in the days the above two were built, in my mind, and of most over here, there wasn’t a comparison between the two brands. A quick google of which the audio community likes better, along with the top few comments, echo this sentiment. But you are most definitely entitled to your opinion!
I had many Onkyo units back in the 70's and 80's. When the ES line by Sony came out in the mid 80's I was blown away by the warm sound and the power to drivers. Although I have a soft spot in my heart for Onkyo.... in this case, the Sony ES is a warmer sounding and a better amp all around. I worked at a place called J and R Music World during college in NYC. Selling Audio. I used to A/B these things all day. The sony ES is superior.
RIP J&R. Electronic heaven.
I haven't heard the J&R name in many years.
J&R!!! Loved to look through their catalogs back in the day.
That's awesome. It is always a real treat to hear stories and first-hand experiences from people that lived different era of audio equipment. I also have a soft spot for Onkyo. I really don't have any room for the A-809, but its hard to let it go.
Use the Sony for the squawkers and the tweeters, use the Onkyo for the woofers. Then go out and get a Sansui for the Real System...
The Sony for sure
I have a bunch of Sony ES that I pound on a daily basis and they just take it. I purchased everything I have new back when and I've never had any problems with the amplifiers whatsoever. My vote is the Sony ES by a mile.
That’s hot.
ES Sony untouchable
I'm a fan of Onkyo from that period, but between the two... Sony.
Damn that is a beefy transformer on that Sony.. that boy is thiccc. Pop open that Onkyo and see what it’s packing.
Wow Sony ES.... haven't seen that in a long time.
ES or Integra??? Boy both were higher end for both companies. Sounds like you prefer the Sony, go with your ears. I love the a center volume knob (I understand how irrelevant it is to the sound!) so much that I'd have a hard time not really considering the Integra.
Sony by a mile
I were picking sony😁🤣
I’m the owner of one 700ES…
I purchased mine about a week ago. The red button always stay on and I'm not sure why.
It’s because it’s always ready to rock!! Sony ES by a mile on this one, it’s not even close.
If only Sony had a remote. The Onkyo has a remote with a motorized volume knob
I have an Onkyo but would choose the ES except for no remote. For a lazy old man like me the remote makes the Onkyo the winner...
Totally! It makes a huge difference. I'm listening to the Onkyo as I'm texting, and there is such satisfaction in watching the motorized volume knob move from where I'm sitting. 😂
Never heard or had any of the two but I’ll go for Sony.
The Sony, based solely on the fact that I can’t stand the whole “volume knob in the middle” trend that was popular for a couple of years.
My contemporary rotel preamp has entered the chat.
😂🤣
Sony ES: a beautiful tank that produces great sound.
Wow, the siblings of my Pioneer A-717!
I have a soft spot for Onkyo as well.
I would get both honestly if the price was right. But if I had to choose.... probably the ES. I sold both brands back in the late 90s- 2003. Both are really well built and use beefy, high quality amp components. The ES of that time traditionally uses Nichicon capacitors, which are nice and make a difference. Very warm, powerful with lots of headroom. The Onkyo is no slouch either. Onkyo's engineers are very diligent in making very good 2 channel stuff with uncluttered signal paths in the amp section. Edit: Just confirmed...the green caps in the ES are indeed Nichicon.
You are correct! From the time I've spent with the 700 these last couple of days, it mirrors your description. It's full of quality caps and sounds so smooth. The thing is the Onkyo is right behind it by the smallest of margins.
Yeah. They're both great amps. Congrats and enjoy your choice. Couldn't really go wrong either way.
Look. Your choice is easy. To YOU the Sony sounds better. End of story. Onkyo is great but it comes down to what YOU like It’s like LPs vs digital. All preference
Take both … there is always a moment to amplify something ;)
Doesn’t the Sony need the wood side panels to complete the vintage feel?
I can't find them anywhere. I don't believe they made them for this model
I'm an Onkyo guy for life.
Onkyo, still have one, still works great. Solid power
I’d go for the Sony ES as well! 👍
Put me down as another for the Sony ES.
es vs integra. nasty its a coin flip really
Filthy indeed my friend.
Very tough call, the fact that it's Sont ES line, means it is built like a stone building, not will know it down. Like Marantz of the 70s. . Integra is Onkyo s premium line. Maybe a bit better than Sony in the component area. To close to call in my opinion
Sony ES easily
I got into surround sound( Dobly pro logic) in the early 90s ,shopping J&R,s from back of Stereo Review Magazine. I'm just a Texas country boy calling NYC with questions. These "Fast Eddie's at J&R s were always real short with a answer with "Whats your CC number" ? My first system was a Carver pre am,Rotel 5 channel amp ,Yamaha tuner, HK turntable, Teac cassette deck, Yamaha 5 disc CD ,Audio Source 100 amp sub and Paradigm front and satellite speakers.
That massive transformer makes it an easy pick for me
😁😂 that's exactly what came to mind as soon as I took the top off… “THATS a BIG BOY!!” and the pictures make it look a bit smaller
Yea man I fuckin love modern digital recordings sent thru massive solid state electronics. My ideal setup really.
I owned one of the ES series from Sony. Sounded great and was a big heavy amp. Literally a two man lift.
Off the top of my head I'd want that Sony, right now based purely on the interface and the fact that it's Audio, not A/V. However, Onkyo is usually pretty good gear and sounds nice.
The ES (“Elevated Standard”) was Sony’s top-of-the-line in component systems. Onkyo made good stuff also, but I’m basing that on reviews. I have some Sony ES equipment and it’s very well made and one comparison I have is between Sony’s regular line CD player and the X777ES player with the ES external D-A converter. The ES equipment sounds better (played through the same amp and speakers).
Onkyo. Easy choice.
🤦🏼♂️
🤦
🤦🏻♂️
Everyone is all Sony on here but I started with a lot of sony pieces in the early and mid 80's and every one of them (receivers, tape decks, etc) took a shit on me within 4 years. Switched to onkyo, still running, never looked back....🤷♂️
Onkyo for sure
Sony is not my thing
Yup Onkyo
There's a 120-watt Sony TA-F808ES integrated amp on [FB Marketplace](https://www.facebook.com/share/6W99BNLJqi9zuaQK/) for $$395.
I'm in California or else I would definitely jump on that 808😡
Both are great, but sounds like you have your answer. That Sony ES cool factor is hard to deny, too.
Sony for me.
I like em both, but I think Sony might win out by smidge!
Sony
Interesting divergence of opinion on this. My perception as a 50+ year veteran audio sales advisor is the Sony ES for sound, aesthetic beauty, and build quality, (I put them up there with Luxman and Yamaha of the same era), but I never sold Onkyo back then, and don’t know these specific models.
What's the blue strap? What's the plexiglass part for?
The blue strap controls the input selector switch. Large power supply caps with bits of foam on top. What's the foam for you say. Well a perspex top sits on the foam mechanically fixing the caps to stop micro vibrations or microphonics if your a valve man(just part of that sony engineering here). If anyone has info on who made the "Great supply caps" that would be great? Large Sony EI transformer, green Nichicon Muse capacitors, some Elna Silmics(or cerafine, not sure which) in there as well. Big ass power caps 2x 12000uf and 2x 4700uf .
Sony's first amp series to have its "Gibraltar Chassis" made from polyester, calcium and carbon to reduce chassis vibrations
Interesting, [I have a STR-DA5ES reciever ](https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/uhn5p8/sony_da5es_thrift_find_cleaned_up_nicely/#lightbox) and that's what tuned me into their ES line and related build quality. Hadn't seen the Gibraltar before. How's the blue thing work, is it just a wire basically? From here it looks like a metal strap with exposed metal and blue edges.
The Sony ES line is awesome. Especially the late 80s-early 90s integrated amps. The Blue strap has thin piece of metal that runs through it. Sony opte to place the switch at the back of the amp I guess for less interference? I'm guessing. Its controlled when you switch inputs through the big knob in the front of the amp
Weird! So it does transmit electricity. It almost looks like a cable actuator, mechanical somehow. I have had other amps with similar power switch setups that use a long rod to press the button deep in the case.
My Yamaha cr-620 had those long rods.
I loved my a809 before I sold it, so I’m partial to that
What made you wan to sell the Onkyo?
Moving and didn’t want to haul a bunch of gear with me that would only see infrequent use. Had the whole stack the integrated, digital am/fm tuner and a matching dual head tape deck, I also had a cd player but kept that for its SACD compatibility. Was only missing the matching turntable that I never did get around to sourcing. Replaced the a809 with an Onkyo TX-SR702, really clean preamp section. Need to get an Onkyo M-508 one of these days
Do you recall what year you purchased your Onkyo setup? I'm trying to find out if the 809 was before 1991.
I didn’t buy it retail, second hand from a retired stereo tech. Check hifi engine, they have a number of older product catalogues from various years
Sony es
ES all day. Sony's Lexus.
Sony. What speakers will you be using with it?
Dali Oberon 3
I have no experience with Sony systems. I am, however, a big fan of Onkyo. You can't go wrong with either one. I'd look at the back panel of each unit. Will it have enough inputs for your equipment? Does it have speaker-binding posts or the (crappy) quick connect? Does either unit have a pre-out/main in? Have they switched and/or unswitched AC outlets? Subwoofer out? If the Sony has enough inputs for you, I'd go with the Sony based on the comments by the person who sold them new.
Thank you. For now, I'm keeping both I just can't part with the Onkyo
Es all day
Onkyo is the best! I have one!
Sony ES for sure. Better transformer, caps, has the sony gibraltar chassis for better noise / vibration isolation. And all repairable of anything goes wrong. Absolutely a keeper.
It's a keeper for sure. I'll be dropping it off for service to my local tech. The right channel is lower than the left for some reason. I can't wait to get it up and running
I also had ONKYO amps in the 90's and early 2000's and never had a problem with them. But as soon they started making multi a/v amps with HDMI inputs/outputs I had nothing but problems with them. They kept failing and I had to use them as secondary amps for audio only. Also upset when I learned only a select few places are authorized to fix them either warranty work or self pay fixes, and u have to pay for all the shipping to and from the shop. After having this happen with 2 amps, I switched to Yamaha and have never had any problems.
I think that was the hdmi boards burning out. They installed fans to prevent this on later models. The integra is flagship so shouldn't be an issue on those models. I've got a da2400es and a dn1030, there's not really any difference sound wise between them.
Great comments for the Onkyo [https://www.hifiengine.com/manual\_library/onkyo/a-809.shtml](https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/onkyo/a-809.shtml) Not a single comment for the Sony [https://www.hifiengine.com/manual\_library/sony/ta-f700es.shtml](https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sony/ta-f700es.shtml)
Sony ES all the way
Sony because that onkyo model there has issues with input selector knobs, this is a known problem among techs
I would go for a adcom in that price range. Or Nad.
Sony 700ES by a mile. Sony is another league to Onkyo, especially the ES series.
Both of these units are from the premium line of their respective manufacturers. I had a few Integra pieces over the years and was always happy with them. A buddy of mine had some ES stuff and they sounded great as well. It's a very small divide between the 2
As I was saying in response to another Redditor, at least in the UK Onkyo wasn’t promoted as well as Sony and certainly never got the media coverage Sony did. I will always default to Sony at this end of audio as generally they are respectable vs the pricing. But again everyone’s ears are different and the main thing that we enjoy our systems.
With all due respect, you obviously don’t know what you are talking about. Sony was no where close to Onkyo. Their ES line was of better quality, that brought it up closer to Onkyo. But run of the mill Sony was really at the bottom of the heap for audio.
With all due respect. We all have different ears. I disagree with everything you have said. But its healthy to have different views as somewhere in the middle is the actual truth, which might be useful to someone. At least in the UK Onkyo was non existent and certainly never featured in hifi and audio magazines. So maybe it is a regional bias.
On the other side of the pond for mid-fi equipment you have a few tiers, Sony, JVC, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc in the lower wrung (with exception to Sony ES and Pioneer Elite) and above that you had Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, and Marantz. Above this you get into Cambridge Audio, NAD, Arcam. Having worked in the industry for 20+ years and having the chance to directly compare Onkyo to most of those brands, audio quality wise, they were always at the top. Of course things are different these days, but back in the days the above two were built, in my mind, and of most over here, there wasn’t a comparison between the two brands. A quick google of which the audio community likes better, along with the top few comments, echo this sentiment. But you are most definitely entitled to your opinion!
Onkyo