Everything stated by everyone else...

The remote's 10-second auto off makes it a pain to use. I use it in tandem with a great remote (MX-500) I picked up from www.hometheatermaster.com.

I've been getting helpful advice from this site for a year now, so its time to give back. To make a long story short - if you own this receiver and you haven't tried Cinema Ex B, you've been missing out!!

This receiver is incredible! As a quick background, I've been buying Dolby Receivers since the pre-Pro Logic days. Remember, back when DSP's/sound fields consisted of Phantom and Stadium. I always thought DSP's were toys or gimmicks so the manufacturer could add a button or a feature note to a unit. My how times have changed.

A good friend of mine (who owns the DA555ES) and I were tweaking some of the settings on the remote. A year after owning the receiver we stumbled upon the Cinema Ex B sound field. I wouldn't think that a sound field could make that much of a difference - were we wrong!!

We laughed for almost an hour at our year-long blunder (all the movies we watched without Ex B). We spent that hour comparing the sound of Auto Format Decode DD & DTS from the Matrix, Gladiator, Chaka Khan Live (DTS) and Sade Live (DD) vs the Cinema Ex B sound field. The difference was so big that even my wife said it was a huge jump. I don't think I'll have a need to upgrade this unit for a looonnng time. Just think, I spent a year thinking that I got everything out of this receiver that was possible. It sounds 5 times better now...VA

Good overall home theater system.

This is a repost from 11/00. I purchased this floor model from Good Guys about a year ago and I'm still enjoying it.
I've since upgraded to firmware 2.02. For those who haven't done so, I strongly recommend it. However, if you're not computer savvy, I suggest you do your research before doing so. Because there is no turning back if you make a mistake.
Since the upgrade, I've enjoyed this receiver even more. The treble and bass are more defined now. They since added the 6.1 EX/ES DSP which made the surround speaker much louder. If you have Chicken Run, Gladiator, Seven or Terminator DVDs with DTS EX/ES, the sound is great!
For movie buffs, I recommend you upgrade to a top-of-the-line DVD player with discrete sound processors. I didn't realize I've been missing out on a lot in sound quality until I upgraded to a Toshiba SD9200.
For music lovers, I recommend the same. Though I've been holding out on a Sony SACD ES, but for sure the sound is exceptional. However, using my DVD player to play music on this receiver, I get a comparable result with an ES. Fleetwood Mac DVD-A 5.1 channel at higher bit rate is an experience in itself. Gypsy King Live on 2 channel is good, but switch it to Live House, dim the lights, close your eyes and you're at the concert.
This is a great overall performer (movies/music) for the price. I'll be using this unit for a long time. If it ever comes to a time when this will be outdated, I'll still keep this for a spare unit.

My setup:
Sony STRDA777ES
Toshiba SD9200
Loewe Planus HDTV/DTV
Polk RM7500 Satellite Speaker
Polk PSW650 Subwoofer
JBL PB12 Subwoofer
Sony MDSJB930 Mini Disk
Sony 5 CD carousel
Panasonic LD/VCD karaoke
Monster Cable & Power Conditioner

Wonderful sound, features and POWER!!

It could more imputs but there are workarounds.

This is a terrific receiver that will handle any need in the
a typical home application. I would doubt the end user claiming a need to use a $15000.00 amp would not be able to tell the difference between this fine unit and the expensive units. I highly recommend this, skip the 555,444,333 units and find this one. I had a very good experience on EBay. Find a good seller and try that. The remote is fine, contrary to those who also might have problems using a microwave or cash machine. It's a little complicated for the 1st time user and there is a learning curve but get one while they last. No split audio or software problems. The 5.1 is wonderful. My entire system from reciever, dvd, laser, md-cd (x2), second audio amp, VCR is all Sony and it works AAA+++ and all integrated! Its much better to have one common maker if possible.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Crown, STS, McCauley, Yamaha, Mitsibishi, Teac, AR,

Everything.

Remote, Weight

First of all I would like to thank all the reviews posted before me. They were a great help in making my final decision on what receiver to purchase.

I am living outside of the US and during the beginning of the year I began to assemble a home theater / music system but found out that in this country there is little to choose from (forget about US cuantities). There was only a Yamaha store that had high end quality products which I could relate to but I felt that although their product line was excellent it didn't quite convince me. So I came across this website and reviewed just about all that I had knowledge on. Finally I came accross the Sony 777, I read through almost all that was posted on it here and came to the conclusion that this was the beast I wanted, it had all the caracacteristics I was looking for, quality (made in Japan!), International guarrantee, home theater capabilities (I could go on for a long time writting them down, so I went out and purchased it. It took for weeks to get here but I can tell you it was worth the wait.

WHAT A MARVELOUS MACHINE, the sound is so crisp, so clean thats its amazing, it sounds like heaven everytime I listen to it, even my wife agrees (and she's not very happy about my system and the space it takes up in our house).

I am sure there are other great units out there and one could probably spend huge amounts of time comparring each and everyone of them but I feel that this receiver has hit the spot. Too bad its not on sale anymore, and people will miss out on this product.

The only flaw I can find in the machine is the remote, but I am looking for a replacement, if anyone knows of one I would really appreciate if you could post it or send me an email.

Again thank you for taking the time to write your opinions down and keep enjoying the music.

Polo

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha A1

WOW! Lots of power. Too many bells and whistles. There are so many adjustments you can make. It has a compressor so it doesn't wake your neighbors Gold plated terminals, solid build,(almost 65 pounds in box). Beautiful to look at and into. Look in the vent slots on top, don't drool.

Speaker posts should be five way. Remote turns off pretty quick. Steap learning curve.

I love the 777. It performs above and beyond the expectations I was looking for. It revitalized my older speakers. The biggest problem I have is the remote. It is not the remotes fault. You can scroll through all your cd's and dvd's on the remote and chose the cd or dvd you like. The remote can only store 200 accessable disks. If you have a 400 changer like I have you have to enter the disk number manually. I am really happy and think what I spent is well worth it.

Sound! Clarity, power, best EQ on any receiver, Analog Direct, and pretty much everything it does.

Remote, and it's no longer available :)

This is a follow up on my post from about 6 or so months of using this receiver. What else can be said about this work of art? It still amazes me every time I put in a new CD or DVD. Power, clarity, and seemingly unlimited flexibility make this thing an outstanding value.
The remote hasn't moved off the coffee table in some time since I rarely use it. The principle behind the remote is good, the execution on Sony's part has left much to desire though. It's something that doesn't bother me any since I find it easier to tweak everything from the front panel anyway.
The 'Analog Direct' setting is just heaven, and some of the DSP's are definitely useful. But, the EQ is what really amazes me. You can correct almost any kind of problem related to room acoustics with that thing. It's such a shame that they're not being sold any more, or i'd buy 2 more. If you find one, buy it. I'm sure it will become a classic.

Similar Products Used:

Lower end Sony stuff (ugh)

I'll let you know

?

To all, For your info, the STR-DA777 is out in limited numbers. A Store near by me has three in stock and should have one set up and running by monday. I have been waiting to see this unit to see if I should purchase it or the Denon 3300. I hope my wait was not a waste of time! I hear good things about the changes they made to the 777 but I shure hear a lot of negative stuff about Sony in general....Such as their quality control and reliability. If you have any coments or want me to check anything out for you, just send me an E-Mail. Also, if you have any recomendations for me as which one to buy, that would help! More on monday!

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR 3300

power,looks,price,warranty

remote control cuts off to soon during use.

tried the yamaha and the sony thought i would like the yamaha better but the sony kicked its butt! and for 500 dollars less!!whoever spent 2000 dollars for the dsp and listens to the sony will be sick so im sending the yamaha back.

Similar Products Used:

dsp a1.

Clear powerful sound, smooth beatiful bass and chrystal clear high frequencies

of course the remote, throw it away and get a universal remote.

First of all: stop whining about the pricing, in Finland this model is called TA VA 777ES and it does not have build in receiver in it (luckily!) and they just raised its price to almost 2500 US dollars! (and Yes, every brand is bloody expensive here..:-)

Anyway, I was looking for AV integrated with a very good quality, sound for music use and a RS-232 port, to me the 2-channel use is 80% and for Dolby Digital and DTS the rest. I listened almost all of the competitors amps in direct mode (btw in this one You can switch off all of the digital circuits if needed) and none of the competitors integrated AV amps sounded this good, instead they sounded dull and not so clear. Only one that had a beatiful sound in direct mode was a older Nakamichi, but it does not have the rs-232 port for upgrades, latest DSP´s and EQ for Dolby Digital and DTS movies use.

I strongly ask You to listen to this, before bying those brands that makes Your puritanist friends nod their heads depending of the different logo in front panel.

Only thing that annoys me is that remote, but like I said, You can use what ever proper universal remote instead and send this one back to those rocket scientist engineers with compliments. However this has nothing to do with the sound so therefore 5 stars.

Btr,

A-M

Similar Products Used:

Tested HK´s best integrated AV amp, Denon, Yamaha, even the Nakamichi ´s etc.

2ch audio reproduction, dolby digital, dts, soundfield control, bass control, inputs and outputs

The Manual, possible defective unit!

Right now I have mixed feelings about this receiver.
What the previous reviewers wrote is really true, this receiver is absoulutly awesome in 2 ch stereo and home theater modes. A significant step up from the 333 which I was going to sell after moving up to this unit.

Notice the word "was". T
The 333 has been an excellent perfomer for me for months with zero problems.
Whereas the 777 new out of the box has a possible glitch.
I get no picture from the TV monitor output. Ive read the manual twice and see no settings for the monitor output so I'm sitting here scrathing my head. Everything else is working fine. Even the remote.

HELP, if anybody ran across this problem please drop me an email.

Three stars until I know for sure what's the story with this glitch.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DA333ES, Nak AV1s, Denon 2800,