solid built receiver. Excellent sound and channel separation. Good bass extension but could use a little more weigh. Highly recommended.

Need speaker binding post which accepts spade plug.

Very good value for money. After hearing 5.1 channel sounds, it is hard to go back to normal stereo.

Sound, construction, connections

Remote

I'm quite happy with the receiver, now that I've given up the battle with the remote and use a RS 1994 learning remote instead.

The receiver drives an Energy take 5 system with an upgraded sub, and supports a DVD, SVHS VCR, tape deck, CD jukebox, HT computer (with digital audio), DirecTV, and a Dishplayer.

The sound is very good, and the sound fields can be useful for making old recordings come alive as well.

Gripes: The Video3 connections only on the front of the unit, which are requiring me to route my computer video through another device.

Similar Products Used:

GA800ES

HELP!!! this receiver is destroying my marriage; I now only get 2-5 hours of sleepI get to bed by midnight at best and get up for work by 4:00 a.m. (already used up all my sick leave and vacation) come home from work at 1:30 p.m. and listen to every cd and re-watch every dvd I own, I haven’t mowed the lawn in 2 weeks. It’s amazing how much more detail I can hear with this receiver

Paid $680+$50 for 5 year extended warranty (I now that it already comes with a 5 year)
Which brings up another point, my paper work says limited 3-year warranty not 5 years
I purchased this item from the only Authorized Sony ES dealer in Utah. (Ultimate Electronics)
Sony rep. tells me it has a 5-year warranty.
Sounds like I have received the wrong paper work or a unit this was to be sold in Canada.
Has anyone else come across this?

My main complaint with the remote is the left menu, which has the function, list, sub, reload…….does not light up I was told by a Sony rep @ 1-800-222-SONY that the menu should be back lit
I was given a choice to get the remote exchanged or send it in for service, may take 2-4 weeks
(For this reason only is why I pay the extra $$$ and buy from a local retailer instead of mail order)
I opted for exchange through my retailer, the exchanged remote has same issue, but I must admit the screen is brighter, to me is seems only logical to have the menu be backlite the only part that is lit up is the last
1 or 2 letters for example the word FUNCTION the letters “O, N” is backlit (could this just be bleeding over from the touch screen backlit?)
Has anyone else case across this?
I have remote control model RM-TP502



I give the DSP a 5
Inputs a 4
DD, DTS decoding a 5
LCD Remote a 3
Sony brand name 5




Current setup
Infinity Overture 3’s
Infinity CC3
Infinity QPS-1
Infinity HPS-250
Sony STR-DA555ES
Sony DVP300-DVD
Sony HF775 VCR
Sony KP53v45 Rear Projection 53”
Monster Optical Lightspeed 100
Monster Interlink 300
Monster Z1 speaker LRC cable
Monster Super Flat Surrounds cable
Monster Interlink 201 Subwoofer cable

This receiver rules! I traded my Strda es50 back in because the remote battery life was terrible. The new remote now has a macro fearure. Over all this new receiver is worth the money.

Excellent power, clean sound, and great features.

I only wish I could have more backlight time on the remote (Maybe user defined timing)

With this being my first voyage away from music listening and a step towards home theater. I wanted a nice receiver with lots of power and functionability. The 555ES has all of that and more. When connected to my Energy Encore speakers, I have yet to pass the 50% power level in my small house. After a rain shower my daughter said that the puddles in front of my house were doing the jurrasic park shake while I was listening to some bass intensive music. The receiver drives the music effortlessly. The controls are good with plenty of tweeking options. I don't want to belabor the good points already stated in the prior reviews. But I will say that for someone just making the 2 channel to 5.1 channel switch this receiver was easy to setup and once set up will make your DVDs come alive!

Enjoy . . .

Sound, features, power, remote, 5-year warranty, build quality

Remote (but see below)

I did not set out to buy this receiver. I bought a S-N R-945 to replace a S-N R-925 that I was extremely happy with. I wanted s-video switching and DTS. The R-945 was defective, so I made a deal with UBID to buy another receiver. The Sony was the only new receiver they were selling that met my needs. I auditioned the 555ES at a local store to see if it was worth the asking price. I was impressed so I bought it even though it was considerably more expensive. All I can say is WOW! I am one happy 555ES owner!

The sound is slightly different from the Newcastle, but not in a negative way. The most noticeable difference is in the increased bass response when I'm not using my powered sub. The Sony can really produce deep, clear bass. Some call it bright. I disagree. The sound is clear and full. I have Energy C-2 mains and an AC-300 center with aluminum dome tweeters. The Sony makes them come alive. They sounded good before; they sound better now. Vocals are great, particularly female voices, such as Diana Krall. Smooth, midrange, good bass, clear highs. All you could ask for at this price point.

I like the ADF mode for most listening. DTS is nice, but so far I have not concluded that DTS is better than Dolby Digital. Properly mastered, it's at least as good and I do enjoy some of the DTS CDs I've purchased. The extra DSP modes are nice and sound a lot better than the Sherwood equivalents. I don't use them, except to play around. My setup sounds good enough without the "enhancement." I wish it had true 5-channel stereo, but. . .

As for the remote, I think it's a great idea, but Sony missed the boat on the execution of a few features. The 2-way range is a little limited. I can't sit in my chair about 18 feet from the receiver and get the receiver to broadcast a two-way signal reliably. This is partially because I have wooden doors on my entertainment center that would block the speakers if I opened them completely so they partially block the receiver's transmission at that distance, and partially because the receiver's IR transmitter does not seem to be too strong. The backlight goes off too fast (to save batteries. If it didn't everyone would complain more about battery usage.) If you don't fiddle with soundfields constantly, the remote is pretty useful once the receiver is set up. It is also great for initial setup of the receiver. In my opinion, it's better to have the information at your fingertips than it is to have an OSD blocking everyone else's view while you fiddle with adjustments. In any event, I don't judge a receiver's performance based on remotes. No one seems to complain about Denon's pathetic remotes. Buy a Radio Shack 15-1994 for $30 and put the Sony remote away unless you're tweaking.

In summary, this is a very nice receiver. For the price I paid (just over $600 with shipping), there is little on the market that I feel is as good and nothing that I consider better. I didn't want 6.1 so Outlaw was not considered. For $700 or $800, I would have considered Marantz 7000 or maybe Denon 3300. With the Sony ES new models being released, consider the DA555ES for $600. It's a true bargain at this price point.

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood-Newcastle R-925, Sherwood-Newcastle R-945, Marantz SR-7000, Yamaha 595a. I have auditioned almost every receiver in the $500 to $800 price range, except Outlaw.

This product has true power and flexibility. I absolutely love the sound fields. It produces crisp warm sound

The remote is very weak. However this review concerns the receiver.

My system consist of infinity speakers all around. Overtures 2 up front, cc3 center,RS8 rears, and HPS1000 Sub. I listen from Jazz,rock,pop, R&B and Rap. This receiver never never ever lets me down. Music or Movies it delivers. The remote sucks. But the receiver is remarkable.

The tounch screen remote control is very cool.
Great sound output.

The LED display on the remote not bright
enough. I think it is related to energy-save due to the use of battery.

Cool remote - tounch screen like a palm.
Great sound producing.

MANY OPTIONS, GREAT SOUND, HIGH VALUE

ACTUAL QUALITY

FIRST OFF, I LOVE THIS COMPONENT BUT I HATE THIS QUALITY ISSUE. I BOUGHT THIS ITEM BEFORE X-MAS, BROUGHT IT HOME LO AND BEHOLD, THE VIDEO OUT SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SOUND WAS PERFECT, BUT I COULDN'T SEE A DAMN THING. I WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY AND THAT REALLY PISSED ME OFF. BUT, AFTER RETURNING THE DEFECTIVE ONE, (THANK GOD FOR THE SONY AUTHORIZED DEALER I BOUGHT THIS FROM...J&R 800-221-8180) I GOT THE NEW ONE AND IT TOTALLY BLEW ME AWAY.

YEAH, THE BACLIGHTING ON THE REMOTE GOES OUT TOO QUICKLY BUT IT WORKED ALL MY GEAR, INCLUDING MY NON-SONY STUFF. HEY, THIS RECEIVER MAKES EVERYTHING SOUND SO GREAT, I MIGHT EVEN START GOING THROUGH MY LD COLLECTION. THE ONLY THING THAT STILL GETS ME IS THIS QUALITY ISSUE. WHY PURCHASE ES STUFF IF ITS THIS UNRELIABLE? IF I HAD NOT GOTTEN SUCH A GREAT PRICE I WOULD HAVE GONE WITH ANOTHER BRAND. I'VE ALREADY WRITTEN A SCATHING LETTER TO SONY COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I DO URGE EVERYONE TO DO THE SAME.

THE VALUE IS INCREDIBLE BUT THE QUALITY IS LACKING.

Similar Products Used:

OTHER SONY RECEIVERS,ONKYO,YAMAHA

power and sound

remote

I been using this unit for 6 months now and no problems yet. I have the unit well vented to make sure it does not over heat. I don't know why everyone bashes this unit. It works great for me. I went from a HK amp to this. I've always used HK for home stereo sound. It is for sale if anyone wants it. The rest of the system is: Sony xbr36 tv, a dv-5 dvd, Sony vcrand a 12 inch klipsch sub, and epiture model 4 mains and klipschs rear. I love what I got.