The Power!!! Weight of the unit. The sound (duh). The Cinema Studio Ex modes.

The Remote...sort of.

This was one of the most satisfying purchases that I have ever made. I was anxious about spending so much for an amp, but my god, this thing is awesome! I mainly use mine for TV and Home Theatre. I haven't listened to much music through it but when I have it sounds better than almost anything I've listened to in the past. I have recently added a Polk PSW 650 subwoofer(250watt 12x2) and now my house shakes like crazy. I almost don't even want to go to the theatre anymore to see first run movies. You have to sit next to chatterboxes, you can't go to the bathroom, and now it just doesn't sound as good as MY HOUSE!!!

By the way, the BOOTLEG software the last reviewer referred to is not bootleg software at all. It is the firmware upgrade for the 777ES. It is only obtainable through authorized dealers. It is such as simple process to update it that one dealer gave it to a guy to post it on XDRIVE for anyone to get. Sony has posted firmware updates in the past for other amps but has not put this on thier website for download yet.The Firmware on most 777 ES amps is version 1.01. This upgrade gives you version 1.03. This is supposed to address the center/rear hiss problem and possibly other issues. If you want it, I can't give it to you...just kidding~! Go to:

www.xdrive.com/share/9684...H4dChH7xJm

The guy who put it there said that it will be there all week, but then if anyone wants it after that he will repost it. Hope this helps. Lots of people on the EZBoard posts have used it and are completely satisfied.

P.S. I can't and won't take any responsibility for the dowload.

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Olld Kenwood Prologic receiver.

Ok, sorry to do this folks, but this is to counter some KID's review of this unit on 12/24/99. I have never even heard this unit myself, but I do own an STR-D2020 which was about as good as Sonys got in 1988.
So this KID leaves a review stating that he hasn't even heard it, that it hasn't even made it to his backwater town full of inbread crackers yet and he gives it a 3. *Why* do people do this? He couldn't wait until papa bought him one? Had to post his glorious review about nothing? A$$ hole.

And yes if audioreview can please delete this review along with his, it would be most appreciated.

Power, clarity and overall control over all of the little things.

No light on the volume knob. (small compared to all the strengths)

This is an excellent amp.
I chose this amp for its array of inputs/outputs and overall feeling that this amp gives its listeners.
i have heard nothing but great things about it.
Heavy duty design and construction, and top quality parts.
(there is a HUGE difference between standard Sony line and ES.)
But, most importantly, it sounds great. Using some of Sony Labs' sound field modes (which by the way, uses dual DSP chips as opposed to Dolby Digital using single DSP chip)
sounds excellent. Want proof? Try the Matrix when the helicopter lets rip with the Gatling. Nice.
Anyway, plenty of power and the sound is crisp. 2-channel mode is strong, almost no noticeable noise.
I have seen a few reviews be critical of the remote.
while it may be confusing for some, if you just take the time to learn the fundamental operation, its really not that hard. Plus, if you do not choose to use the remote's more complex features, you dont have to.
There are a few quirks with it, but overall it is an excellent design.
If your a real geek like me, you will enjoy the control this amp gives you over every speaker. Cutoff frequencies, filter slopes, etc, etc. just too many to list.
ive had the amp for a few months now, and have spent alot of time watching DVDs and listening to CDs. (needless to say, i have really pounded on this thing with the DVDs. It has not dissappointed me yet.
give it a test drive. you wont be dissappointed either.

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Onkyo Integra

None! Pain in the A..

Everything!

Got the SONY 50ES it was defective, fought with SONY for months, ship to them, ship to me, remote had to be replaced too.

SONY then sent me the SONY 555es, Unit is defective, remote is defective, still fighting with SONY, they told me that no other consumers that they knoe of have troubles with this unit.

Went out and bout a SONY 777 and I still have the 555ES and am still fighting with SONY.

The 777 is another piece of junk!!! Why can't I record my CD's, In some modes the volume jump by itself, my other SONY products don't respond to the remote, the DA coonverters don't work. Even a 300 Kenwood receiver does a BETTER job.

This is the LAST SONY product I will EVER buy. Not only does the 777 not work, SONY treats you like a fool when you call in and won't lift a finger to help you.

Similar Products Used:

SONY 50ES , SONY 555es

Power, weight, easy to set up, Processor(s)

Manual

I had been looking to upgrade my Sony Dolby surround to digital. I am lucky to have found this site to help guide my decision. I was seriously considering the HK AVR7000 and had looked at Yamaha as well. What first amazed me most was the "force" this thing delivers. Instant delivery of sound at a solid level. I did not know that my JBL LX 600s and Klipsch SW300 could do what they can now do. "Punch" is the only word that describes the way the 777 handles bass.
I had read about the audio-split problem and reproduced it accidentally I guess right away. I was able to get out of the situation by selecting the input source (DVD) and then changing the split from TV/SAT back to DVD. If that doesn't work try another input source and make sure they are all matched (one at a time)in the audio - split function. Maybe I got lucky but it wasnt a problem. Also, has anyone else noticed that the front (eq) frequency level at least in the remote is backwards, 1.0 khz is higher than 10 khz ?

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Sony

Solid power, well built. and very cool remote

none so far

This baby is a monster, weights 62 lbs!!!. Huge heat sinks and transformer. At this price, it can't be beat.

Same as above.

None

To Mr. Richard below. I think what your bad review below represents is actually your impression and expression about your existing Yamaha 995 model and not of this sony model. I have two receivers: sony str-da777es and 995 Yamaha. Please don't tell me which one is better because i know better than you. The Yamaha 995 is made in Malaysia. Because of that alone it fails in my category of a classification of a good and quality product, not to mention the other factors. This Yamaha model is not even in the class of the 777es when it comes to audio performance and decoding capability of DTS, AC3 and upgradability. A good piece of advice for you is throw away your Yamaha and you'll get the best out of its silence.

Same as above.

None

Same as my previous review.

Similar Products Used:

To Mr. Richard below. I think what your bad review below represents is actually your impression and expression about your existing Yamaha 995 model and not of this sony model. I have two receivers: sony str-da777es and 995 Yamaha. Please don't tell me which one is better because i know better than you. The Yamaha 995 is made in Malaysia. Because of that alone it fails in my category of a classification of a good and quality product, not to mention the other factors. This Yamaha model is not even in the class of the 777es when it comes to audio performance and decoding capability of DTS, AC3 and upgradability. A good piece of advice for you is throw away your Yamaha and you'll get the best out of its silence.

Excellent sound. Lots of power and features.

None

I own this receiver. It is the best receiver money can buy.

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Yamaha RX-V800

Excellent sound. Lots of power and features.

None

I own this receiver. It is the best receiver money can buy.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V800