I have only had my ES9000 for a week so this will in no way be a comprehensive commentary. Just a few initial thoughts for those of you considering this unit. I switched to the Sony after using a Sherwood Newcastle AVP-9080R for a few weeks, primarily because the Sherwood did not have auto signal detect.
Environment
My theater setup is used exclusively for DVD movies and music videos, and some TV sporting events. I have another audio setup so my comments are from a home theater based perspective. I did listen to a few of the DSP modes (there are many) and found the virtual theater and multi-dimensional modes interesting. Sorry, I’m just not much of an “artificial environment” fan. My equipment list is below.

Look and Feel
This thing is a great looking piece of equipment. Very rigid construction, heavy at close to 30 pounds, and a few simple controls. The Sherwood had a nice look too but quite a number of small buttons in a flip down panel. Sony’s done a great job of making everything either automatic, or in a simple menu system. My previous receiver (Pioneer Elite) had an on-screen menu system which I thought would be missed but I found the Sony system to be far easier to use. I would encourage you to read the 45 page manual once or twice. I actually set all of my initial parameters at my workbench before I even hooked up the unit. All the knobs and switches have a great positive feel. The display is bright and easy to read and gives you visual indication of what speakers are being used, LFE level, sources selected, and type signal detected (DTS, PCM, DD, Pro Logic, etc.).

Sound
Some have commented that the sound is on the bright side but I would have to use the word detailed. Dialog is very clear and the Dolby steering is excellent. Star Trek Insurrection, Air Force One, and Terminator-2 special effect sounds are mind boggling yet the dialog remains crystal clear at all times. The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over and Fleetwood Mac’s The Dance are first rate. I would have to rate the overall sound as an easy 4+ only because I haven’t heard any of the $2000+ units. I can say that my $1200 Pioneer Elite THX receiver (used as a pre/pro doesn’t come close). The Sherwood 9080 was close but a little less detailed on dialog. Dolby Digital, DTS, and basic Pro Logic were all first-rate. The base management is incredibly flexible and easy to use. As I mentioned, I’m not into the DSP thing and I have not had a chance to just listen to CD’s.

Possible Issues
I did not experience any “version problems” thanks to all of the great contributors to this site. My unit came with Version 1.10A but I upgraded it to Version 1.10C before I even hooked it up. I had downloaded the code prior to my purchase so I just opened the box and set the unit next to my computer and got it over with. No problems with the upgrade. I have not experience any of the problems mentioned in the other reviews. The remote is useless in my opinion but once again, thanks to all of you, I knew that was a possibility going in. It works OK but turns off way too quickly (10 seconds or less) and is difficult (impossible ?) to read if back light is not turned on. I’ll probably go with a Pronto or IRIQ.

The top of the unit stays warm but not hot. I doubt if it’s a problem especially if you have the unit on a top shelf. It runs more at the temperature of a receiver than a pre-amp but I tend to agree with comments I’ve read about the number of processors (3 I believe) and the effectiveness of the heat sinks / shielding. Better that the heat is outside of the box than inside.

I’m not too worried about the lack of 6 channel inputs as I believe Sony can solve the problem with a software upgrade and use of existing inputs or the RS232 port. With all of the optical and digital inputs this unit has I would think an add-on box using one of them and some software changes would be easy.

Summary
So far so good in my opinion. I have a few dozen more movies to watch but so far am very pleased with the ES-9000. The build quality, ergonomics, number of connections, and upgrade capability are all 5.0. Sound quality is a 5.0 for DD / DTS movies (so far). Don’t know on stereo sources. The manual is pretty good but not great and an on-screen menu might be easier for novice users. Remote is a weak 2.0. I'm rating this as a 4.0 in the review because I think there is always room for improvement and they won't let me give it a 4.5. Most people tend to over rate products they just spent a lot of money on so I'll go low for now and just say that I'm very pleased with the ES-9000.


Sony ES9000 DD/DTS Pre-Amp
ATI 1505 Amp. (5 X 150)
NHT VC-1 Center
Boston VR-960’s Mains
NHT Dipole Surrounds
Velodyne Subwoofer
Toshiba 2109 DVD
Zenith Pro851 Projector (7 feet)
Monster / Esoteric Cables

Great design and great sound

The Remote!!!

I've had a 9000 since it first came out. I discovered the sync problem almost immediately, but everybody thought I was nuts. It took months to get the problem fixed. I traded two units with my dealer and then got a new unit from Sony that was supposed to have been upgraded, but wasn't. FINALLY I got an upgraded unit and the upgraded remote several months ago. I'm really happy that the sync problem seems to be solved, but the remote could stand to be improved. The good news is that the batteries have lasted over three months. The bad news is that the darn thing still doesn't have the codes for all my equipment. Also,since Sony doesn't seem to include the complete codes for non Sony equipment I have to haul out the remote for my Pioneer DVD player for almost all movies. Of course if I had a Sony DVD player I wouldn't have that problem (Gee,you think Sony knows that?).

I bought this unit from a local dealer. This is a real good example of the service a local dealer can provide. During the course of "solving" the sync problem I swapped DVD players and preamps. When we finally figured out what was going on my saleman dealt directly with Sony and was able to deal with them at a higher level than I was. Of course it really helped to get them moving when I gave him (to give to Sony)a cassette tape with the analog sound on one side and the delayed digital sound on the other.I paid about a $150.00 more than mail oder, but it in this case it was worth it.

There is nothin else about this unit that hasn't already been said. But I should add that for me the best thing about the unit, besides the sound, is that the design and ease of use is just great. It really is a pleasure to use! I just wish Sony would introduce a decent learning remote that I could use with this thing.

Similar Products Used:

Lexicon CP1 and various preamps over 40 years

Built, Performance, Multimode & 2-channel, future proof

None

I just got my gold TA-E9000ES Pre/Pro three days ago together with the matching gold TA-N9000ES power amp.When I opened the boxes, boy, the look is really awesome and very impressive just like opening a cage with a tiger waiting to devour any competitor. I have not yet installed them though. All things have already been said and done with nothing more to prove about the these dynamic dou. The only reason I bought these pair is the price and believe it or not, the two costs me only an equivalent of US$1,750.00 (Yes, for the Two, all new, all original and all mighty. What can you say?

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Sony TA-N330ES

Dts soundfields, at 5.1 digital output are wild...I took the sytem for a test run with the movie "Twister" and the surround effects are breathtaking. At times it had me looking around the room attempting to catch-up with all the surround information "flying" through the room. It confirmed that I had made the right purchasing choice, after listening and reviewing many other sytems including Yamahas DSP1. Lots of bang-for-the-buck. My only concern is the speaker selection I made, Bose AM15 satelite system, Should have gone with something else for the amount I spent. I will do something about that down the road.

The dreaded touch-screen remote...Rm TP501e just eats-up batteries, and It is difficult if not impossible to read uder most lighting conditions, at best!
I am considering modifying the remote to operate with rechargable batteries along with a remote cradle that will contain contacts for direct charging that will enable cherging without removal of the batteries! I have had new batteries die from non-use while I vacationed, tired of replacing batteries
I will post results of my plan soon. Pre-amp runs warm / hot. The first time I noticed its operating temp I thought something was wrong, guess its a hot running pre-amp! I also purchased the TAN 9000Es amp, which buy the way runs a lot cooler than the pre-amp,guess all that processing power results in heat generation! I am going to play around with component relocation to get as much air flow to the pre-amp. Stereo output is alot lower than say from a dedicated stereo amp, Ifind myself going for more volume just to reach moderate listening levels! Guess you cant have it all?

All-in-all, I am very satisfied with my gear and plan to enjoy it for many years to come!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha dsp1, Nakamichi, SAE.

Everything ( when paired with a PS300 )

Noise floor, runs very hot ( can be "fixed" with a PS300 )

In response the the question about "noise suppression" I have only this to say: "Read the misc reviews and sort by RATING!"
Notice the 15 (or so) reviews for the PS300 and the consistant 5 score? Well that isn't the half of it, for some reason ( possibly the SHARC digital volume control ) the PS300 and E9000ES represent one of the best pairings in the history of electronic devices. The PS300 may well be the greatest "tweak" device but with an E9000ES it becomes a NECESSARY upgrade. You're lucky and live in the U.S do youselves a favor and get a free 30 day audition. Has anyone ever sent one of these back?
If you are happy with the E9000ES but feel you could do with less ( pretty much no ) noise, far improved dynamics and response along with a cooler pre-amp you know what you need to do. Anyone else with these 2 ( PS300 / E9000ES ) that wants to verify what I'm saying?
Oh yea you could do with putting the PS Audiolink power cable on the PreAmp as well ( quite cheap ) or if you're crazy you could get the Lab Cable ( hehe ).

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There is no similar products ;)

Lip Sync problem with MPEG audio.

I have the 2.01C upgrade and i'm willing to share it with you if somebody have the CD-Key. If i get the CD-Key i will up-load the Upgrade with the Key to my personal Web-site, but i need the Key. :o/

--
Rasmus von Denmark.

Similar Products Used:

Sony TA-E2000ES ; Yamaha DSP-A1.

I will second the motion on the "Lip Sync" problem. Although it occurs rarely for me, it is still a little disconcerting. I only notice this on my Coaxial input from the DVD in AC-3 only. DTS seemed unaffected (ref:Eagles - Hell Freezes over). Laser RF input has no lag whatsoever. I also felt that out of the box the unit was a tonally and timbrally lame. However after some tweaking the sound really comes out of this baby. I find the cinema modes to be pleasing and not overdone. If you put some of the quirks aside on this unit, it is extreemly flexible and as far as I am concerned is sonically superior to the Denon AVR-5600DTS which it replaced. Any other recommendation would be to create a customer file with SONY. I spoke to two reps. One who was clueless and another who was extreemly helpful and informed. I cant help but wonder if the "lip Synch" problem is not a software issue. Overall I think this pre-amp despite its warts is a keeper here.
Equipment I am using:
Denon DVD-5000 (DVD)
Pioneer CLD-99 (LD)
Adcom GFA-7500 Amp
Straight Wire "sonata" interconnects
Kimber 8TC speaker wire

A lot of features and flexibility

I hate the remote

I bought this unit a couple weeks ago at Sound City in NYC for $1200. I am very happy with it and it definitely lives up to the good reviews it received in Home Theater and Stereophile HT magazines. At or near $1200, its hard to find anything comparable.


Outlaw Model 750 five channel amp
Sony TA-E9000ES preamplifier
Jamo Concert 11 fronts
Jamo Concert Center
Acoustic Research AR-308 rears
Rel Strata III subwoofer

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Denon 3200

Clean sound, outstanding EQ and parametric digital system and a good value

Remote sucks! Bright upper octave. Runs too hot.

I have my E-9000 ES connected to a paradyme amp which tends to tame Sony's forward, in your face presentation of music. My speakers are Martin Logan SL-3 electrostatic speakers with a custom dual 18-inch sub woofer. The system is quite impressive, however I find the Sony a bit ragged on the top end and still a bit forward in its musical presentation. Electrostatic speakers are very good at revealing flaws in amps, cables, etc. I am most interested in purchasing the 2.0 upgrade. Would someone who knows where this can be obtained please e-mail me at: savelife@jps.net or call me toll free (800) 274-3589, Pacific time 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After I install this upgrade, I will up date this report.

Similar Products Used:

None

I love this preamp. I would like the 2.X firmware version. I am told that the $150 charge is for the kit with the remote. They will put the firmware up (like in the past) for free on the website. I have no need for the remote. I will wait for the firmware to be available. OR if someone has it and would like to email it to me ... please do so at umenon@yahoo.com

Great Product!