Outstanding SoundQuality, Can be tweaked for days

None

Just to set the record straight the 777 does have a 6channel or 5.1 analog direct input on the back panel. I have used it. I hooked my Millenium dts processor to it to compare its
sound to the onboard dts processor of the Sony. The Sonys was better. The detail was improved, plus the Sony has the awesome Cinema Studio settings which are awesome.
As far as the reciever goes, it is awesome.

Similar Products Used:

Denon Avr3200, Millenium Dts decoder

they have all been covered by now

an ice maker would have been nice, but let's be serious, this pretty much delivers some exceptional value/$$$

I just wanted to append fellow 777 fan JH's remarks; it does have RCA 5.1 inputs, correcting one of the Achilles heels of the previous high-end ES receivers. Although your point about the onboard DSC's renders this issue largely moot. I have mine set up through Klipsch Quintets/AM-15, which I don't think do the 777 justice, particularly with music. In the end, though, I couldn't resist the price.

It does have superb sound

Balance control used for both "Mains" and "surrounds". The transformer has a load "buzz" and the remote control "blanks" after 10 seconds also the sub woofer "output" isn't as "clean" as it should be (hissing noise).

I wish Sony had output gains ONLY (for setting all of the speakers for "surround" mode) for each speaker and no balance control for the "Main" speakers and the "Surround" speakers. According to my sound meter, the balance controls can only balance the "mains" and the "surrounds" within around +/- 1 decible (not really a major problem here but I would expect better from a $1,500.00 receiver). As for the remote control-a big "pain in the ass" due to "blanking" out around every 10 seconds. The subwoofer output does give a fairly loud "hissing" noise but I resolved this problem by using a NAD 2600A Power Amp for both my subwoofers. This "Old" Nad Amp has gain controls for both channels and by lowering the gain I was able to greatly reduce the noise (hissing). This same Nad Amp did not give out any "major" noise when I used the subwoofer output jack on a Technics THX 1000. In-fact it was so quite with the Technics that I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THE NAD AMP WAS ON AND THE GAIN CONTROLS WERE BOTH SET ON 10. I have to set the gain on my Nad Amp on 4 or lower for both channels when using my Sony ES 777. The "hissing" noise from both my subwoofers are gone now. In-fact all the speakers are extremely quite (very clean-no hissing noise) and the sound is spectacular! This Sony ES777 does have Spectacular sound but Sony needs to resolve the "buzzing" from the transformer, get rid of foolish balance controls for the "main" speakers and the "surround" speakers and 10 second "blanking" out for the remote control is a MAJOR "pain in the ass" and Sony also needs to re-design their subwoofer circuitry-it could be cleaner . The Technics THX 1000 is one of the best receivers that I have ever purchased in the past. Outstanding sound but it only has Dolby Pro-Logic. It does not have Dolby Digital (AC3 0r 5.1 as some people call it) but overall, I really like the Sony ES 777. It too has Spectacular sound and it has Dolby Digital and DTS.

Everything that was said before.

WARNING: Foung a glitch which showed up in 2 receivers.

The DA777ES seemed to be the best value around, but I have experienced a problem which caused me to replace my receiver with another 777. I was more than disappointed when it manifested itself in my second unit, and I would love to know if anyone else has run across this:

Upon turning the unit on, the CD input was altered to a split mode with one of the video inputs as the AUDIO and the CD as the VIDEO(!) source. Since this is an illegal operation in the Sony, the CD was unplayable. The "split" button was grayed out since audio only inputs don't have a split mode to begin with. To make a long story short, no combination of button or power on/off pushing restored the CD input to CD. It was only recovered by erasing all of the memory, which meant reprogramming ALL of the equalizer settings, radio stations, surround levels, etc., a real pain! When this just now occurred in my second DA777ES receiver, I thought it might be an intrinsic microprocessor or memory problem.

Has anyone else ever seen this? If so, please e-mail to andy8400@aol.com, thanks. It has to take away a star, regretfully.

Made in Japan--not China (like the 4--yes 4, HK AVR7000 pieces of garbage I sent back), SOLID build quality, upgradeability

No onscreen display, getting used to the remote and learning how to decipher the manual that goes with it

This all started when I couldn't decide which to buy: the Harman Kardon "Flagship" AVR7000 or the Sony STR-DA777ES. I have had Sony products in my house and every one of them has been super-reliable and has never needed service of any kind. Having purchased HK products in the past for myself and my parents, and having some good friends who swear by HK, I decided on the AVR7000 mainly due to the success we've had with our components. This is when trouble struck, but it's all behind me now with the arrival of the Sony STR-DA777ES.

It's a good thing I got to lift 4 of those 49 pound AVR7000s in and out of my entertainment unit--that prepared me for the 54 pounds of solid Sony quality I was about to hoist into our living room. The Sony is used with the following:

Sony 32" Trinitron TV
Sony DVP-S550D DVD player
Sony CDP-CA80ES 5 disc CD changer
JVC HR-S9600U S-VHS VCR
ALL Monster Cable interconnects, optical, and speaker cable
Soon-to-be-upgraded Infinitys: RS5 mains, CC3 center, RS3
rears, BU-120 Sub
Monster Cable HTS2000 Power Conditioner

So far, this receiver has been everything I had hoped for, but I've had it for only a week--there is much of a learning curve left. The receiver manual is helpful in learning what sound modes are good for what, but much will be left up to me to figure out. The EQ tweaks on this thing are nearly infinite!

So far, everything looks good. I will post a follow-up in a few months.

Thanks

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon AVR7000, Denon AVR3300, 4800

Just about everything! Build quality, build quality, build quality. Toys.

hmm, not sure..maybe (if anything) some confusion of the modes and the remote.

This is my first Sony reciever and I have heard lots of people talk about how bad Sony products are in terms of reliability! Maybe on their non-ES line, but I would be in complete disbelief if anything went wrong with the "tank."

I originally bought the product after shopping around. I narrowed my choices between a Denon 2800, 3300, or 4800 and the 777ES. The guy at ListenUp would not stop bragging about the Denons, and how he didn't like the Sony's. After looking at the two andreviewing both I chose the Sony...and man was i right. This thing is a quality piece of Ht and audio heaven, especially for the price. I have absolutely NO complaints about this item and especially for the cost. I get excited everytime I turn thi thing on..it brings great music, ENDLESS tweaking, and AWESOME BUILD QUALITY. The thing weighs almost 60lbs! I would not trade this unit on anything in the class. If I were to choose something other than the Sony, I think I would go the route of the Krell systems, but that is a whole nother class and price range. My only suggestion for those reading through and doin your homework before you drop the load for a receiver/audio setup..SHOp AROUND. I bought mine from a small (authorized Sony dealer) in MN. I got mine with shipping right at $1100..his price was $1050, but like I said 60 lbs is not chepa to ship. Make sure you shop around and find an authorized dealer so that the 5 ES warranty is valid. Also, my other piece of info is if you are not quite sure..GET the 777..you will love it.

Thanks,
Todd

My system(somewhat new and baby-like):

Sony 777Es reciever
Nakamichi 5-disc
Sony s530 DVD
Velodyne FSR-12 (got from same dealer as the Es for $800,ist of $1500)
Infinity Overture-1's for the left, right and center.
No surrounds yet...anyone have a good suggestion for this setup? (e-mail me)

Monster Cable all around (the XP stuff..plan on upgrading to Z-series slowly)
Monster Cable HTS-3500 power line conditioner/surge

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Nakamichi

This is a STRONG piece of hardware -- Physically and Aurally.

Compared to the "competition"? You got to be kiddin!

When that little blue light in the middle comes on, meaning digital dolby mode..... You sho nuf gonna be rockin.
That includes DVD and Satellite signals. Don't even bother looking for something better unless you have the hearing of a mule deer. The remote thing goes away after about a month of using it and actually the remote is an awesome device with its own manual. Manual,? I don't need no stinkin manual.

I was having some fun here, but seriously, this is a wonderful receiver that really sounds great. Its a bargain at list price but you may do better.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer

Unmatched Sound Quality for this price range. Very well built.

The system is so good in other areas that I bought it inspite of the very poor, over-engineered remote.

This receiver continues to amaze me. I went shopping locally where I could compare many different systems. I was in no way decided on Sony until after the comparisons. Sony just seemed to beat out the other recievers in this price range. I have had the receiver for about 4 months and I almost never turn it off. Highly rocommend product.

Also, I was very pleased with the price and service I recieved from eSupercenter.net. I believe the sales person I spoke with was named Scott.

Similar Products Used:

Sony DA555ES, Sony DB930

Same as previous review

Same as previous review

Compared to the TAE9000ES and TAN9000ES which I had been using for the past 8 months and listening (or comparing) them with the 777ES both in original audio settings (no sound field mode, no equalizer adjustment, just in flat set-up), I found the 777es quite unbelievable than the 9000es which sounded so flat and low. There is a little need for EQ use or intervention for 777es compared with the 9000es. That means with a full and good parameters of EQ, you can extract a better sound from the 777es. The 777es exhibited a rather clearer, detailed, good sonic balance among the mid, high and woofer speakers than 9000es. The reason is probably because 777es is a later model than the 9000es and 777es got/acquired the improvements supposed to be done/made on the 9000es (just for example the 777es remote is clear than the 9000es and has additional commands/features).

Similar Products Used:

TAE9000es and TAN9000es

Sound Quality,ease of use,quality of build

None

This is by far the best value on the market for Home theater applications{except for THX}.Warm sound,dynamic and above all smooth.Quality unit at a great price :)I have tried out about 8 receivers and although 1/2 of them equal or better the STRDA777ES they cost 40-70% more and show only a 8% improvement in power at best.

Similar Products Used:

VSX-29TX,Marantz SR-18