Vfet / SIT Amplifiers

It's been a while since I've posted something here. I've got my TA-N7 restored and the results are quite interesting.

I'm going to compare the Sony with my two B-3s in BTL. Of course, it may be just my lying ears but it's something like this:

1. Sony resolves more detail

2. Sony's got a bit more air

Otherwise they are rather similar in every way.

When I pitted the B-3s against the Accuphase A-75, the B-3s were clearly better and I reckoned that the B-3 is a pinnacle of sound design. However, the TA-N7 just proved that it can always get better.

just to ground on reality a bit,

If you have not fully restored these units, you are really hearing the impact of aging on these units and comparing that is really subjective. Simply getting the ~45 years old amplifiers stable enough to power on and play music might not equate to an accurate representation.

Speaking of the TA-N7 alone, N7 is a superb amplifier, but there are noticeable differences even between N7 units with different degrees of restoration, leave alone comparing them to other units. Speakers you pair them with is also a critical factor as N7s will not do as well on hungrier loads.

The N-7 fully and properly restored with bulk caps replaced and a critical set of ill fated semiconductors will fare well against most amps, including its vfet rivals from Yamaha and others. To the same token, a properly restored Yamaha such as a B-2, will give the N-7 a full run for the money.

After many hours of listening and tweaking these machines, both on the bench and the listening room, I find the N7 is very precise with a tight bass and airy highs.  On the same token, the B-2 goes deep in the lows and has a clear advantage here, especially when pushing anything lower than 8ohms, yet keeping comparable on the highs and separation / depth, but with a wider soundstage. I can't say that I would trade one over the other so for this reason I will keep both..as a matter of fact I will be keeping two of each. If you liked the dual B3s in BTL, you need to hear 2xB2s or 2xN7s bi-amped. My hypothesis is that 2XB3 bi-amped do better than 2xB3s BTL, which is something I am yet to find time for setting up.

Sony and Yamaha Vfet's are still my favorite amplifiers after all of these years. Trying to keep my B-2 running for the next generations! Just wondering if anyone has compared any other V-fet amps to the B-2x?

Well, both B-3s and the TA-N7 are fully restored, so I reckon they're in their prime. If I was to rate all V-FETs I've tested so far, it would be like this:

1. Sony TA-N7

2. 2x Yamaha B-3 in BTL

3. Yamaha B-2

4. Yamaha B-3

5. Victor JM-S7

6. Hitachi HA-500F

hi @fiesta75 the B-2X is a really nice amplifier indeed. I have compared in the sense that I do have a couple of B-2Xs amps and I am well aware of their sonic qualities but my units are not fully restored yet and it would be immature to state an opinion, one way or another, between my B-2Xs and the vfet units.

@kitr I have no doubt your units are in OK working condition. Full restoration with the specific key components addressed is a bit more than just a refresher and a recap.

As and example, the B-2 you compared to the 2XB3s and others, based on your video, that B-2 looked like it was no where near the state of back to prime (e.g original ill fated drivers and pre-drivers, original signal path routed via the original selector robbing you of details, etc). Comparing that B2 with anything else would only yield an opinion on the effective age of two different units and not how they would work in prime condition. This is particularly important is when you compare vintage units with modern gear.... it is important they have relatively close effective age so that the actual age can be ignored, rendered a non-factor. 

As far as properly restoring a TA-N7 or the B-3s, our definitions of proper restorations might vary. All I can tell you is that it is not as simple as replacing a bunch of parts and hoping it will sound OK. It is not about the bench tests either. It takes a good amount of time and research to make an already good sounding amp sound excellent. 

I have listen to all of those amps and very much any vfet amp ever made, and have done it numerous times, with different units in different conditions, with various degrees of restoration, etc.

Based on what I know today, I do not think I could come up with a similar pecking order, as that pecking order would have changed at least half dozen times over the years as I learned more about these units...their strengths and weaknesses, areas of improvement / that must be addressed, etc.

Then the rest of the other relevant factors would compound the problem even further..., such as the rest of the system components which could work with one amp but not the others (B2 and sissy preamps is an example that comes to mind...B-2 can sound awful with certain preamps..ask me how I know), the type of music, etc. 

Last but not list, the audio memory comes in play. We as human have a surprisingly short audio memory..so comparing something I heard a few months back with something I would be listening at today, it is no way a relevant comparison.

Now, those are things I learned based on my personal experience, based on my curiosity and depth of involvement with these vfet amps over the years which is extensive, yet it is not general by any means BUT, if I learned one thing for certain is that coming up with a specific pecking order would have to be done with the all the amps at the same listening session and with all other things being equal and even that might prove to be difficult.

For similar reasons I will never state who I think is the most beautiful woman in the world or which vfet amp sounds best ;)