Manufacturer: Sony
Model: TA-FE570 Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Price: 160GBP

Features:
Entry-level pure amplifier with new Hi-fi design
Output power 110 W x 2 (DIN 4 Ohm)
Source direct
Loudness
Tape monitor
6 audio inputs
EON link
System remote commander

Introduction:
I needed a new hifi because my old mini system just doesnt cut it anymore - it sounds rubbish! So I set myself a limit of about £150 for the amplifier and after looking around I found this to be the best one. Ive also used Sony equipment before so I know they are a name I can trust. Anyway, lets get straight down to the review. I know most of you just like to look at the pics so I took quite a few :o). heehee

Fresh from the shops

The box

Opening her up, you can see that you get batteries for the remote control which is good. Also the fact that you actually get a remote, because I bought it thinking that you didnt get one, which is nice.

Theres the on/off button, and below it you can see the IR sensor for the surprise remote control :)

Theres the headphones socket and the EON Link...

EON Link:
Enhanced other Networks (EON) is one of the convienient RDS (Radio Data System) services. This allows the unit to switch to a programme type of your choice when one starts in your area. When this amplifier is connected to a Sony radio Tuner also with EON the amplifier switches to any EON programme that is broadcast within your EON area, and switches back to the previous source when the program ends. To use it you have the button in ( LED on ) and to disable it you have the button out ( LED off ). There is more information about this in the manual.

Here you see the tape monitor function button, I dont have a tape deck so wont be using this, but it is a feature that other amps dont have just like the EON link. It is used to monitor the sound that is being recorded, but this can only be used if the tape deck has separate recording and playback heads.

The switch to turn the speakers on or off. I'd rather have this over having the speakers turn off automatically when I plug my headphones in. Then you can listen with headphones on at the same time, or have a wireless set of headphones so someone can listen in another area of the house while you are listening to the speakers.

The standard Bass and Treble controls that can be found on most good hifi systems ( unlike my old one - grrr! ). Useful for if you want to add some pumpin' bass to your music, or to adjust the sound to how you like it.

Standard balance controls, present on any good hifi system, again unlike my old one!

This is the source direct button, when depressed ( LED on ) it allows you to listen to the source directly, bypassing the Bass, Treble, Balance and Loudness controls.

The Loudness button. I previously only thought these were available in cars but obviously not! The Loudness function just adds extra Bass and Treble or reinforces them when you are listening at low levels.

Ahh - the lovely volume control. Its a motorised pot you know! (back off you modders, you aint having it! :p)

Just a view from the top, you can see all the components inside.

The standard phono inputs at the back - I noticed they are not gold plated though.

The nice jumbo speaker terminals. To the right you can also see the EON link socket that I mentioned earlier.

The Power Cable. One disadvantage is that you cant remove it, its stuck in there. Im sure there's a reason for this but atm I cant think of it.

On to the remote control:

There she is, I apologise for the poor picture quality.

The top part of it, where you can see the standby button, and the source selector buttons, and also the controls for the Tuner if you have one.

Here you can see all the controls for the other decks if you have them, which is a nice feature because it means you dont have to have too many controls. Although you will need them if you need todo more advanced things as this one only supports the simple functions.

Theres the bottom of it, showing the volume control which will make that lovely motorised pot go round and round.

Conclusion:
Well there you have it, lots of pictures so if you were interested in buying this amp I hope they helped you out. All I can really say so far is that its a vast improvement over my last system as it has a lot more features and it sounds a lot better even though my current speakers are over 20 years old. I'll be getting some new ones soon so you can expect a review of those too. Overall, i'd say that its a very good purchase for the money. There are much better amps out there but then again none of them are as cheap as this. Another quality product from Sony.