Much higher quality of construction and overall style along with outstanding sound quality, lots of features and interesting flexibility in home theater applications. Sound quality greatly exceeding expectations. Beautiful finish and compatability with other Sony components.

Sony has to get a grip on the concept of ergonomics with the remote. Component video switching would be a plus but is not an absolute must have.

Reviewed this site and toured the local shops-mass market as well as high end small stores, and found this one fit best into my price range on an exceptional deal from IEI in Hazlet NJ. I seriously considered the Marantz SR-18 and was ready to save up for it however my local Marantz shop was playing for too much $ and upon listening I could not hear (or see for that matter) any justification for paying triple over what the 777 went for. (NO EXAGGERATION). The Marantz is a marginally better product but if I can't notice a significantly appreciable difference why part with that kind of $$$ especially to lose out on some features the Sony has-for example a phono input-fewer selections for sound fields in general and the serial port for software reprogramming. The premium for THX Ultra-utterly useless in my estimations-and the fabled Marantz remote just don't cut it. The SR8000 is a fair deal at the same price I paid for the Sony but again was light in features when compared and try to get it for under $1000 and you have to resort to mail order. Sony could learn a thing or 2 from Marantz in the remotes-I have to think the lack of tactile feel in the Sony remote especially in night use will cost them some potential sales. I find I use the VCR or DVD remote still, which is ok, if anyone can recommend a Sony remote that can operate this unit that is a conventional remote (no touchpad) and styled into a hand friendly shape, please advise in a review. Still, the 777's remote is fun to play with, and Sony should set it so the owner can adjust the length oftime for the display and backlight to remain on, after all WE consumers do pay for the batteries (eventually) so let us decide where the breaking point is on convenience v. cost.

The sound and amp quality is a new high for Sony, the sheer weight is testimony to the inclusion of better parts than the current lower level and past ES models, and I strongly recommend you give this one a serious look. At 54 lbs. it is a backbreaker to lift alone into a high enclosure as
I had to but once there it is going to stay. A previous reviewed opened it and noted the same caps, transformers etc. as the 9000 ES separates and noting the sound quality I believe it. I didn't think Sony could put the quality item out into the upper end of mass market and I believed the sucker rap the guys that don't sell ES lay on you about Sony never getting amps right-until I heard this one-Sony DID get it right this time. Denon and Yamaha came in 3 and 4 Denon offers too much gadgetry and seems light in quality and why in the world would anyone with an enclosed rack or entertainment unit buy a receiver into which the designers felt compelled to install a cooling fan? Not to mention 7.1??? Just how many g#$ D#*% speakers are they trying to get us to buy anyway? The DSP A1 Yamaha amp has nice sound on a par with the 777 but it is still just an amp. Even at the best price it was $600 over what I got the Sony for. The 995 sounded tinny playing music CD's, maybe just a setting or speaker choice issue but the price is in the range it belongs in, Yamaha is on the right track as far as features v. price.

Lastly as far as cosmetics-if that means anything to you (or your wife) this is a beautiful piece of equipment. Nicely finished, although I miss the red LED on the volume dial, Sony cheaped out apparently and put a chrome painted dot on the volume knob in its place. However up will always be up and same goes for down so who really cares?

Use toslink to connect the DVD audio as this allows the blue multichannel decoding indicator to light up-I lknow this is gimmicky but I tend to like this "obvious from a distance" indicator.

For what it is worth I have offered thoughts after a lot of research and listening since Sept. 99. Remember this is a subjective analysis-your preferences and experiences will probably differ. Trust your ear and wallet when buying, don't believe everything you read on the internet or hear from competing dealers, and choose accordingly.

System to date: Str-DA777ES
Sony DVP-C650D changer
Sony VCR circa 1993
Sony Trinitron 27"
Cerwin Vega AT-12 Fronts
Polk CS-400 Center (an excellent piece)
Advent bookshelfs for surrounds
JVC DD-9 casette (20 years old and still the best recording deck I ever have encountered)
Technics SL-QL15 turntable
Panamax DBS 500 & mostly monster cable

don't laugh-the speakers are next. I am just getting started.

Similar Products Used:

compared to various higher end receivers-Marantz SR-18, SR-8000, Denon AVR-5700 & 3300, Yamaha 995.

I saw this product at Hifi 99 in May.I was so impressed its cosmetic design as well as feature contents.

Since I could not see it on Sony WEBSITE, I asked Sony authorized dealer when I can get it. It'll be late Dec!!

I have to wait for it another 3 months. This sucks ! But I can not change my mind, because I loved that piece.

power, clarity, perfect

none ... just oo heavy... 54 lbs (ha ha ha)

First, all 777ES user please check http://pub7.ezboard.com/faussiedvdandhtforumsonytava777esstrda777esinformationforum

Sony's Flagship receiver... most users have said the most... except those who just intented to vote down this amazing product (these are the ones who don't even own this product and yet vode -vely for 777ES) ... This product does make some other brand user jealous though... very jealous...

if you want to get any of these babies now... you have to be really lucky... This made in Japan unit was a limited edition so Sony don't have it any more... and who ever has it... don't want to sell it...try to look for demos... if any stores has it...

My system;
Sony STR-DA777ES
Sony DVP7700 DVD Player
Sony ES mini Disc player
Sony Entry level VCR
Sony 61HS10 4:3 TV (16:9 in hi Scan)
PSB Stratus GOLDi Front Speakers
PSB Stratus MINI Rear Speakers
PSB Stratus C6i (just upgraded couple of months ago from their C5 model)
PSB Subsonic 7 Subwoofer (also upgraded from their Subsonic 3i Sub) Visit http://www.psbspeakers.com for speakers
All monster Inter Connect
Bi-Wired Front speakers

Similar Products Used:

Sony STRda555ES

lots of clean power

runs a little hot, no 5 way binding posts, no OSD

The strengths have already been exhaustively discussed. I have nothing new to add. I thought nothing could beat my previous nakamichi....but this one does. The sounds is so very clean without sounding thin. But the presense of so many modes drives me crazy! I am looking for something simple yet elegant....so I wont even bother to go thru the manuals to find out what all it can do. Just the 2 channel mode is perfect with me.

Trust me guys....the new sony ES series doesn't even come close to this. My local sony ES dealer too agreed with me and said that the 777ES blows all the new ES series away!! Too bad that they are not being made anymore. Sony got too scared that this was competing with their 9000ES seperates. I have heard the seperates....this one sounds exactly the same!!!!! If you can still lay your hands on it, grab it while you can!!!!

Similar Products Used:

nakamichi, denon and auditioned many many more

Auto decode, multiple coaxial and optical inputs, little to no coloration of source material, lots of power, and some what intuitive to use.

Rotory switch for component switching. No AM stereo. No led on the volume knob. Need to step through presets for station changing except if remote is used. All are minor issues and are easily overlooked. Remote needs work and is one item that I was not able to overlook.

I have found this unit, STR-DA777ES, to be an excellent replacement for the Sony DA90ESG in my system. The GUI interface is gone as well as the non-standard remote of the DA90ESG. I found the unit relatively easy to set up. Initially, I had no manuals for the unit because the folks at Sound Track had 'miss placed them'. So I had to order the manuals from Sony. (The Sony folks, at least in Denver, have been most helpful the few times I have had to visit the service center for maintenance of other components I own.) The unit seems to have lots of clean power. I have not heard any coloration added to the source material except when specific sound fields are selected.

There are plenty of preset sound fields programed into the unit. The user can customize his/her own sound fields as well.

The autodecode feature has been useful when switching from one source to another. Autodecode looks at the source material and decides if its Dolby 5.1, Dolby 2/2, DTS 5.1, PCM etc. and properly decodes it.

The remote has some neat features, such as the bidirectional comunication link, but I found it challenging to use so I've replaced it with the Sony RM-AV2100.

It would be nice if the RS232 interface in the rear of the unit could be used as an input for user defined configurations instead of just firmware changes, but atleast firmware changes can be made.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DA90ESG, Sony STR-D2070

Awesome sound, upgradability (via RS232 - aka 9-pin serial port), inputs out the wazoo, tweakability, and quality.

Manual (as usuall), no component video pass-through, no light on the volume knob.

I used to own a Sony 555ES (reviewed it 12/17/99). About a month ago the store I bought it from gave me a deal to to trade up. I wound up spending darn near full retail cost for the unit (when you consider total dollar output) but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I originally upgraded mainly to get the better remote control. The remote on the 555, particularly the lack of ability to program it, left much to be desired and hindered its usefulness.

Having had the 777 now for a little over a month (upgraded 2/22/2000) I can say this unit in many ways is quite a bit superior to the 555. The clarity on this thing is quite impressive - it was sharp enough that I was able to hear the hiss of a tape of an older CD (AAD) - I first thought it was the receiver until I put in a new DDD audio CD and compared.

With the old 555 would hiss when turned up around half way with no input. The 777 remains very quiet, even when turned up over half way.

The remote on this thing really only turned out to be the icing on the cake. I like this one! The ability to program it really makes all the difference. While the learning capabilities appear to be implemented in a somewhat "hack" way, it doesn't hinder the overall usability of it. IMHO Sony's use of the remote to tweak and adjust the settings is a plus - the upside is that you can adjust the receiver however you see fit without interrupting a movie or TV viewing with on screen menus. Some who are not very technically savvy may have trouble adapting to the remote though - it is a fairly complicated unit for just being a remote.

"Tweakability": too bad the manual is a bit on the weak side - there are some aspects of this receiver I haven't yet studied enough to fully understand. With adjustable crossovers and ability to change just about every other thing - in the hands of an educated audiophile this unit would shine even brighter. You do not however, need to know and understand all of it to enjoy the unit. It's nice to have the ability to do it though.

As far as weight - I consider that as an advantage. How often are people going to haul this thing out of the rack anyway??

Now for the negatives - all pretty much minor:
The lack of a light on the volume knob is a silly oversight but annoying that it doesn't have it. It's impossible to determine the volume level without actually going to the unit.

Having component video pass throughs would've been nice. I've been able to work around the lack of this with no real problem.

My Setup is:
TV - 32” Sony XBR250
DVD - Sony DVP-S530D
Front Speakers - Mirage FRx Sevens
Center - Mirage FRx Center
Rear - Mirage FRx Rear
Sub - Mirage Frx S10

Similar Products Used:

STR-DA555ES

power, price, features, build, weight, design, aesthetics

This is a very capable receiver. The only noticeable flaw is the annoying hissing sound coming from the surround speakers. The remote could've been improved for the non-techno geeks.

Price was definitely a factor when I bought this receiver about 2 months ago. I've auditioned my sis Marantz SR-18
several times and was at some point convinced to get one for myself. But the SR-18 price forced me to re-evaluate my decision and ended up getting a Sony instead. My thinking is that receivers are technology-laden units and unlike speakers need frequent replacing. I'd rather invest more on good-quality speakers than receivers.

System Configuration:
Main Definitive Tech BP-2000
Center Atlantic Tech 350 THX
Rear Atlantic Tech 254
Soon to have MX-150 THX sub
Soon to have Definitive Tech CLR-2000 center

Spiffy remote controller, looks great sitting in the cabinet

An annoying buzzing sound spontaneously emanates from random speaker channels when playing dvds in dts mode, dolby sounds fine. face plate beginning to get loose, about to fall off. Horrible support at the Sony store! The same salesmen that I bought it from refuesd to help me and I got the run around from them to service centers, to phone-in customer support. I feel duped into buying an inferior product. About to return this darn thing as soon as I find a replacement from a better company.

Lesson learned: do not jump into buying a receiver just because the reviews on it are good and salesmen make it look like an act of God. I've been told by people in the chat room that a lot of these reviews are from people that haven't heard anything else other than this product, while others are by people that don't even have this receiver. Unbelieveable! So basically, anyone who hasn't yet bought this thing, I've been talking to very supportive people at Mirage Audio in Lincoln, and they tell me that Denon and Yamaha receivers are much much better than these Sonys for numerous reasons that I forget, but were very convincing. The thing about that is that Mirage doesn't even sell low end products like integrated receivers, yet these pros still knew their stuff about them. So as of now, I'm back to auditioning more receivers.

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Just began looking at some high end NAD, Denon, Yamaha and Onkyo stuff. I forget the model numbers.

Does Anyone know of a firmware upgrade and where may one obtain it from?

please reply..

thank you.

Too many to list

Too few to mention

When I bought my 925 fifteen months ago I was aware that the reviews went both ways on it. Indeed, I opened, set up and returned three units before getting one that had no problems I could discern. One unit even had a mispelled word in the initial display greeting! Never the less,
I had been very happy with the unit. It is a excellent, low priced entry into the home theater experience. That is until the center channel amp failed.
I ordered the 777 from J and R for $1100.
I know that I've seen it a bit cheaper here but I feel that I did pretty good considering that the S.O.B.'s at Soundtrack here in the Denver area wouldn't drop a penny from $1500. I guess that they're too busy raking all those commissions!
Anyway, on to the review. I would agree with previous posts that the manual is less than it could be. I haven't been able to find one reference to the front panel inputs at all. As far as the remote, I love it. Some one mentioned that you lose the tactile feel of the buttons. The basic ones are there. Volume, mute, on-off, and display light.
The movie and music surround modes are much better that the 925's as they should be.
As mentioned before the adjustments, tweaks and levels can be set in an almost infinite combination. I agree that this unit can help make average speakers sound as good as they can.
As also mentioned before what it really gets down to is the sound. The 777's is superb. I would use a bunch of those adjectives usually reserved for wine tasting and stereo reviews but I'm sure you can think of some. I will say that I have heard music within the music that I was heretofore unaware of.
I highly recommend this product. You will enjoy it!

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE925