I just purchased a es50 with the old remote and I must say that the remote was not nearly as bad as reported. I think that sometimes the bad pub from a couple of people can spread like wild fire. All it takes is a few to jump on the old band wagon. The receiver is well thought out and besides not having the 7.1 capability you can't beat it. The yamaha 2095 is definitely not worth the extra 600-800 hundred in cost. The DSP's are also very nice quality what more can a man ask for???

I wish I'd found this site a few months ago. I love the 50ES but anyone who said that the remote was ok and we should live with it isn't a wise consumer. The 50ES has great sound and features for the price,$1500.00 Canadian, $1400.00 tax included. But Sony's top reciever shouldn't hav come out with this joke of a remote to begin with. Not programable, come on Sony. I can't turn on my toshiba TV that's two years old, and by the way, my Toshiba DVD can't be turned off. Is this how Sony battles other manufacturers. If I don't get this replaced free with a better remote, brighter, better pre progamed or learning, and longer battery life, Sony will never see a dollar of mine again. My 900ES spent almost one year of three in the shop and this reciever was going to make me happy???????

For sale the 50ES $750 brand new. I purchased the Yamaha 2095 but already had on order the Sony 50ES with a friend from Sony. When I tried to cancell my order with my friend from Sony(I had been waiting for 3 months and just gave up) the order was already placed so I was committed to buying it. If interested please let me know.

I just got my remote back from a sony service center which luckily is in my state. The remote is a little improved but I think the main issue is the battery life and it is improved. I would like to suggest to those of you who are cosuming a lot of batteries to go to radio shack and pick up a recharger and some Nimh batteries they work really well.

I also had my remote "repaired". The only thing they did fix to their credit is that the remote no longer turns on the TV when you select a non-video function. As far as screen readability and battery life there is NO difference as far as I can tell. Sending your remote in for upgrade is a waste of time in my opinion.

After waiting and searching for this receiver with the new remote I finally have the Sony 50ES. I waited 2 months with Oade brothers (nice sales people -- no Sonys) and was told Reference Audio in CA had the units for $700. Reference Audio assured me that "this is the unit with the new remote and the green sticker on the front indicating it is the new remote". To put it bluntly, they LIED. No green sticker, no new remote. In reading some of the posts down below, it doesn't seem like it matters muh anyways.
I spent the better part of the weekend playing with the receiver and have been quite pleased with it. I haven't encountered all of the frustrations with the remote as everyone else has, but admit that for this level of receiver, one should expect something better. Like a lot of the posts here, I'd give the unit a 5 if the remote was better and if Sony's fix was worth the effort.

After my last review, I had just picked up my repaired remote from the Sony service center on 3/31/99. On 4/9/99 I could not believe that the low battery indicator came on. The batteries only lasted 9 days, I could not believe this. When I replaced the batteries at least the lithium backup stored the preset memory. You would think that this repair, that has taken Sony 6 months to develop would give the AA batteries at least a life span of at least 30 days ??? I think their fix should of also included some kind of Docking/charging system. I am not at all satisfied.

OK....so in my previous post i stated i'd write to let you all know about the remote fix....I got a lot of feedback to know if they fixed it..Well i got it back...It seems they put in one new part according to the invoice but it seems it changed alot..i feel not for the better..The diffrence I notice on mine is that the LCD screen has a border around it, therefor making it a bit smaller. Whether or not that is going to save batteries i dont think so..It does not look at all brighter!!!!That really bugs me after all that hype about it..On the old one there was the choice on how long you would like the backlight to stay on; on the new one there isnt...In other words the light stays on for like 10 seconds and then turns off. That is their way of saving batteries. I found some negative aspects of it and im still looking for positives ones.(but Im still playing with it) SONY let me down on the fix.
Please dont get me wrong. The 50ES is top notch in my book even though the remote stinks. 5 star reciever 1 star remote
PS if anyone else gets the remote done tell me if i missed something or if yours is different in any way let me know.
Later, Joe

I just purchased the sony es50, and was surprised at the many features and the power (watt per channel). The price was an important factor in my search for the most bang for the buck. I am not an expert on home audio equipment,but am well versed in computers. And know for a fact any electronic equipment bought, one has to, try to forsee the future needs. This receiver Recommended by an friend (TROY). Fits my needs purfectly. purchased for avielectrics for $679 + freight. five stars... remote works fine. jim

I listened to the 50 at ultimate electronics this last week. Sounded great through definitive technology pro towers 400. I was ready to buy both, but the price was 950.00 If anyone know how to get a better price on this receiver please post or email me. Also the salesman never heard of problems with the remote. hmmmmmmm.