I purchased this pre-amp 4 months ago to replace my beloved Lexicon CP-3. From a sonic, feature and ergonomic perspective, this unit is equal to or superior in every way. I must agree the remote is lacking. However, even if the remote was better lit, and easier on the batteries I would still shelve it in favor of a universal. If anything, I give Sony a few points for being creative with the remote and taking chances (i.e. bi-directional communication)
In terms of the firmware upgradablity of the unit, I give Sony a few more stars, even if they are somewhat reluctant to release every version of code they generate for the unit. In my opinion the unit is near perfect and as the saying goes, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it".

Hooked up D.H Lab Cable to this Sony and Aragon 8008BB. With the sound Im hearing I cant understand how anyone can give this unit less than 5.The hell with the remote and customer service. This Pre-amp Rules !! Sound is all that matters in my world.

Remote and Sony customer service.

I have heard from Sony's Direct Response Center that they are coming out with some new frimware for the TA-E9000ES allowing for 6.1 (DD EX)capability. I don't know how this can be done without adding additional hardware, unless the 2nd center channel output will be used as the EX channel. Any ideas?

Have lived with my 9000ES for two weeks now, after waiting 2 months for delivery. I'm hoping that I did get an upgraded remote, but how can onetell? The display is still way too dim, the display timeout is way too short, but the batteries have lived the two weeks.
I also thought that someone had written how to determine what firmware release
is loaded in the unit. Can't seem to find it despite looking through all the menues. Mine has the audio delay on some DVDs, but I'm hesitant to load the fix without knowing the downside. Anyone have comments?
Compared to my TA-E1000ES, this new unit is slightly easier to use (I like the Auto Format mode), but has some drawbacks: one versus two sets of front channels outputs. higher hiss level, fewer power outlets with reduced load capacity, no unswitched outlet, no LED on the volume knob, no hard power off via the remote, and still a difficult to use equalizer function. Still, the sound is excellent and it integrates well with my other Sony components.
But, is the step up to Dolby Digital from Pro Logic worth the expense? The jury is still out, based on the few DVDs that I've compared.

I absolutely love the Sony but have been looking for something that was leaps and bounds ahead of Yamaha DSP-A1 and now it is here the replacement for the DSP-A1 the DSP-A1X featuring Dolby EX and DTS ES decoding, RS-232C connection like the Sony, component switching and DVD-Audio input, 44-bit DSP LSI listed as well as Burr-Brown DACs on all channels...
So should I wait for this or go for the Sony 9000ES?

http://www.yamaha.co.jp/news/99093001.html
The link for the new Yamaha DSP-A1X in Japanese though :(

Welcome Mr. acollard. You seem to fit right in -- you have added poor capitalization and punctuation to the mix.
Keeping this on topic: I have similar experiences to others. Absolutely love the sound quality, customization, features, and value. The remote is only useful to program my universal remote. Sony service is incompetent: I sent them my unit for the firmware update. It was returned to me with the left channel nonfunctional (the service invoice said they swapped several circuit boards--huh? why?). Luckily, my dealer allowed me to swap the unit for a new one. I upgraded the firmware myself.

THOUGHT I WOULD ADD MY TWO CENTS. HAVING OWNED THE SONY FOR FIVE MONTHS, I AGREE WITH ALL THE NEGATIVES AND POSITIVES OF THIS UNIT. STILL HAVE ORIG. REMOTE, WAITING FOR SONY TO CALL AND AUTHORIZE SENDING UNIT IN.DOWNLOAD UPGRADE AT WWW.REFERENCE-AV.COM NO POSSIBLE VIRUS. MY MAIN CONCERN WITH UNIT IS HISS, WHY DID THE UPGRADE NOT FIX? ONE REVIEWER STATED HE TURNED DOWN OUTPUT, TRIED THAT AND YOU JUST NEED MORE OUTPUT FOR SAME VOLUME. THIS DID NOT FIX ANYTHING.WITH NO SIGNAL TURN UP VOLUME ALL THE WAY, YOU WILL GET HISS. THEN CHANGE INPUTS AND AMOUNT OF HISS WILL VARY WITH PHONO BEING THE LOUDEST? EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT THE REMOTE, I THINK THE HISS IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT. ANY INPUT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
SINCE I HAD THE FUNDS FOR PURCHASE I BETTER CHECK MY SPPELLLINNG, DO NOT WANT TO HAVE BAD BASIC GRAMMAR.

I took delivery of the 9000ES this week and am extremely pleased with the sonic quality of the unit as compared to my TAE2000ES. I'm not sure whether the remote that came with the unit is the updated one as it arrived with batteries already installed as there were also unopened batteries still in the manual bag. Is there any way to determine this?As well, since turning the "+/-" knob displays "scroll end" instead of "v1.04a", I guess I still have the original firmware. Does anyone know where I can download the latest version 1.07c firmware?
I agree the remote doesn't live up to the calibre of the 9000. Otherwise, the display on the 9000 could've been better - especially with respect to displaying the presence of AC-3, Digital Dolby, etc.

It has every thing going for it, looks, sound

The remote

I have this unit together with Sony DVD Model DVP-S9000ES and Sony Power Amp TA-N9000ES, the 3 of these together are AWESOME to say the least!!!!!!
The only problem that I had was when I brought it home the sounds were not in sync with the picture which became very anoying. Then I upgraded to ver. 1.18 and have no problems since...Sony has found a way to play with the big boys without having to pay the big dollors. At about $5000.00 for the whole system you cannot go wrong! If anyone can please tell me how to upgrade to ver 2.1 I would be very thankful.

No Review - New Firmware Download Information Only

No Review - New Firmware Download Information Only

A download of the new he new firmware version 2.01 can be obtained at the following site:

http://home.online.no/~espen-b/ta-e9000es/

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