Accuracy, Finish quality, Ease of installation(if you choose), Power,ability to customize

Remote sucks compared to the older ES remote (which works on every Sony compnent except this one)

I bought the new Yamaha ($800 price point, dont remember the P/N) to replace my DA5ES (for no reason other than for future 7 channel expansion). I lost all defintion in DVD playback. It was almost as if someone had put blankets over my speakers. I returned the Yamaha and paid a little more for the Sony DA300ES. When I finally got a chance to get it hooked up, I was amazed. The definition was back. Broken glass sounded like broken glass a gain, and not a dropped plastic cup. I have Boston Acoustic VR975 towers, with the matching VR920 center channel, and have found no lack of power. The imaging is fantastic and precise, and I have found the new ES to be a little more accurate with voices, and not as tinny as my DA5, which I loved.

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DA5ES

Great Sound; Component Upconverting; Good remote that controls all of my components; ample inputs.

None so far - This things is great!

This is an incredible receiver, and I really can't understand why it is getting bad reviews. The two complaints on this board are (i) the receiver is underpowered, and (ii)there is a hum on the DSP modes. I completely disagree with both complaints. As for the power, the volume output depends on the source. For CDs, the receiver is incredibly loud. I can't imagine that anyone would want it louder. For movies, the maximum loudness is much less than for CDs. However, it is still capable of going MUCH louder than I would ever want it. In short, the power is more than sufficient. As the for hum, mine has absolutely no hum. Interestingly, I read a review on Circuit City's web site in which the reviewer complained about a hum on his HK all digital receiver. My guess is that digital receivers can have a hum if the power source is not clean. I run my receiver through a Monster power strip with Clean Power Stage 2 -- i.e., one of the strips that actually filters the power source. And, as I said, no hum whatsoever. I hate to see this great receiver get a bad reputation based on a couple of negative reviews on this message board which to me are not justified.

Very open immediate and non harsh sound quailty. Support for 7.1 decoding Lots of inputs and outputs VERY customizable Tons of Power (after you set it up correctly) Clean looking design Digital amplifiers are the future

Must change setup defaults to get good sound Maybe too accurate for some who are used to a softer less immediate sound. Many setup menu's to navigate through No digital SACD input.(you have to buy a 9000ES to get this) Silver only in USA. (Wish is were available in black) Remote could be a bit simpler to use

In my opinion, amazing sound. I am very impressed with the new 3000 ES. It seems to posses a very open, clean,and immediate sound into my Paridigm's. As a note: unlike other reviewers opimions I feel this amp puts out LOTS of power. (I suspect other reviewers may not be aware of the correct setup of this amp for base management etc.) I had to read the manual and change a few settings to get the 3000 ES to perform properly with my speaker setup. (I never usually read manuals by the way) Again, very impressed with the value in this receiver. I believe it compares well to other more expensive receivers I have auditioned. My impression is that the S-Master pro digital amplifier technology is capable of bringing out very subtle details in the music that many analouge amps cannot accurately reproduce. I have also found that regular CD's sound amazing though the digital connection to the amp.(Optical or Coax) Again I find there is a very open and precise sound to this amp. Playing back DTS music and video tracks also sound excellent. Easy to listen to with no harsh edges... I continue to be impressed with the Digtial amplifier techonolgy from Sony and others. I truly believe it's the future. If you have a chance I would encourage you to have an audition of this receiver. I believe it will quickly get on your short list after you hear it.

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Also own a 50ES and DAV 450, both with digital amplifiers.

Hard to think of any. Best feeling involved was when I unloaded the damn thing back at the store.

Too Light. Cheap component build. Low power. Horrible unexplained fuzz throughout soundstage.

After setting this reciever up at home, I gave it a three day audition. I was horrified and depressed the whole time until I decided to return it. Why? Poor amplification. I would max out the volume at +5 db without getting any real loud from my JBL 2412p's. Also in every DSP, the center channel and fronts would put off an extremely annoying hiss. Using this unit watching movies, the hiss was often louder than the underlying soundtrack. This was absolutely unnaceptable. Thank god I bought it retail at a local shop instead of getting dicked around by an online joint to return it. The advertised 150 watts per channel is a joke. That is the maximum power it can push (theoretically) with the most favorable set up conditions. A bunch of BS intended to decieve the consumer. I returned it of course, and went elsewhere and bought a Yamaha RX-V2400. No comparison between the units, despite their identical price tags. The Yammy is as good as this Sony is bad.

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Yamaha RX-V2400

Clean sound

low volume,remote does not function half the time,turn up the volume to get some decent sound and the protection circuts goes on.

Sorry to say that like the reviewer below this reciever had no punch. I had to turn volume up all the way to get anything worthwhile from it. I am going to try the 5000ES model with hopefully better results.

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Many

Sound Quality, Ergonomics

Didn't produce the level of sound one would expect from a 150 Watt pc receiver.

This is a follow-up review to the one that I first posted. I have since returned unit that I was using for the following reason: it didn't put out as much as sound as 100w pc receivers that I have listened to. At first I thought that maybe it needed to be broken in first before it would realize it's full potential but this did not get better in one month's period time. The retailer I bought it from confirmed my concerns about the units anemic sound output. The unit put out 120 watt peaks (the DA1000ES which isn't driven by a digital amplifier put out consistently higher constant wattage). The sound quality of the DA3000ES was more musical but it would have been nice to get that musicality at the volumes I had anticipated. To get the same volume output of the V333ES I was using (before it broke for the 4th time for a relay issue)at the -40db setting the retailer had to put the 3000ES to -20db. The volume issue gets worse with movie playback. This was not an issue just with the receiver that I had bought from the retailer. We hooked-up a brand new display model and got similar results. Overall I would say that the quality of sound produced is a step in the right direction, but the direct digital amplifier technology still has some issues to iron out. I would stay away from the STR-DA3000ES.

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Replaced the unit with a Denon AVR3803. Sony STR-V333ES (when it works)

Warranty, 150W clean power, price and sound quality. For comparison purposes, my 7-8 y/o Sony ES80 is still in operation and sounding great.

Remote is annoying to use. Throwing it at the volume control works almost as well as punching the buttons. Not a big gripe and I wish this was the biggest of life's problems. One thing that really annoys me is that after all this time Sony STILL refuses to write their manuals in English, etc. instead using the same stilted translations from Japanese. How much could it cost to hire a few Process Engineers that speak their clients' languages?

This is it. I use the same receiver for A/V and music and can do so quite happily with this piece of equipment. Just stating "a great receiver" wouldn't sound very convincing would it? First you need to consider that the Sony ES product line is markedly different (better) than their intro line. This is NOT the receiver you see in CC in case that's a concern. I just in-home compared this with three other A/V receivers (with a $3K limit) and found the Sony to be better in sound quality for both A/V and stereo. Blending it into the room was easy with the sound field adjustments. I might be biased since this is the third ES receiver I've owned but I feel that I've bought each only after a fair test. Tons of power (AV receiver speaking relatively of course) enough to drive my relatively inefficient Mordaunt Short mains and a price bordering on dirt-cheap in light of the comparables.

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Onkyo, Pioneer, Kenwood

Power Per Channel Remote Controls Everything Styling is good (if that is important) and ergonomic

Remote only works when products are in clear line of site. Setup for equalizer/speaker placement is done on screen only. No way to adjust the frequency that mids are at for main and rear speakers.

150watts by 7 channels. Replaced an V333ES because I wanted to move up to a 7.1 channel system. I think the V333ES was easier to use and I have had trouble getting the remote to work. It has to have a direct line of sight. As for the sound it is a big improvement over the last, even though I am still using a 5.1 setup. I am waiting until I move into a house in February to purchase towers for mains and rears. The current setup I am using is: STR DA3000ES Definitive Technology ProMonitor 100s front/rear ProCenter 100 Prosub 100TL

Similar Products Used:

Sony V333ES