This receiver is the best that I've ever experience. I've owned several receiver in my entire life but none of those satisfy me.I already owned Rotel, Pioneer Elite,Adcom and Marantz.But these items won't give me a satisfying outcome.All of these that I mention has different characters, at the end I finally choose Sony, period. My only comments for this, is the binding post connections.It's cheap!Sony must be aware of this because this might deter to those discriminating consumer.Besides this no one can compete this unit.Anyway sound is the most important of all and it's quality built.Imagine this is 44lbs.It is worthy for my money when I bought it for $978.00.I got yah!!!!!!I am a happy consumer......Thanks to Sony engineers...

I replaced Pioneer VSX-1015TX with this one. Difference is huge!!! I bought Pioneer because it’s really hard to find bad reviews about this unit. But it never sounded good. Sony’s performance is outstanding. Clear, crisp and deep sound, great equalizer and cool remote. Those who write bad reviews about this unit don’t know how to set it up!!! I’m using Polk LSi15 and JBL studio series S38 speakers and they sound amazing with this receiver.

Build quality Power Number of Inputs/Outputs 6.1 and 7.1 DTS-ES/DD-EX Five Year Warranty Onscreen Setup Menus Ergonomics/Ease Of Use AWESOME TOUCHSCREEN REMOTE

Ummm, none yet.

This IS NOT a repost of GaToy's review below mine but I too have replaced my STR-DE845 receiver with this flagship 7ES. My DE-845 was an awesome receiver which I absolutely loved but I wanted to step up to ES quality and 6.1 and 7.1 DTS-ES/DD-EX (plus that incredible remote). I've been drooling over this awesome, flagship receiver for more than a year and finally was able to land an open box deal at Tweeter for only $730! When this receiver debuted it was $2300 and I just got it in mint condition with a five year warranty for $730!!! KICK ASS! This receiver doesn't sound as bright as my DE-845, as a matter of fact the sound isn't much different than that of my DE-845 but this unit is built like a TANK! It's a monster. It weighs fifty freakin' pounds! You could air drop this thing from a cargo plane and it would be fine. The ES quality tells me that I'll have it for many, many years to come. It's got more inputs and outputs than you will ever need. The remote is absolutely AWESOME! I never thought I could be so thrilled about a remote. The two way learning ability is amazing. The remote can download radio station names and DVD/CD titles right onto the screen. Even cooler is when I changed my input names to XBOX, CABLE TV, and DVD/CD on the receiver, you hit a "download" button on the remote and it changes all the input names on the remote's screen to match and say XBOX, CABLE TV, etc. right on the remote! It's awesome. Plus the remote controls my receiver, TV and DVD player right out of the box without having to program any dumbass codes. This receiver runs a lot cooler than my other receiver too, which is good. My other one ran pretty hot. I like the onscreen setup menus too. It makes setup a little more fun and easier. This receiver rocks! You can't go wrong with Sony!

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE845 (Also a Great Receiver)

Plenty of power $845 5.1,6.1,and 7.1 Remote was nice but would rather have my old remote because it is more Familiar.

Can be a headach too set up. Rear connectors so look kinda cheap. But who cares, you can't see them.

This reciever is awsome. I replaced my SRT-DE845 Sony reciever for this STR-DA7ES reciever. I never thought that I would be able to afford a flagship reciever. Granted, I know it can't challenge a friend of mine's Yamaha RX-Z1. But it can compete with the best of them. It has more than enough power for any home theater. I will admit it does take awile to get used to the adjustment menus. My STR-DE845 was almost identicle. So I didn't have too much of a problem. But, for someone not used to Sony, remember, don't get frustrated. Once you get everything set right this reciever will astound you. I didn't really like the remote. Alot of the buttons you have to use the little pen that comes with it to mash them. I guess I just have gotten used to my AV-1000 remote. But it is a nice remote. And its ultra easy to set for all your components. It seems these recievers are going like hotcakes since they're dicontinue. If given the chance I would more than recomend this reciever.

Similar Products Used:

STR-DE845 Sony

Good shape,strong,many features and very easy and fun to use.Remote ecxellent,good price and much more.

Poor speakers conectors.

I am very happy, this receiver replace my good Sony 30ES(only 5.1 sourround). Have very clear sound,fantastic sourround HT.If you are looking for a ecxellent HT receiver you just found.

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Better than my 30ES. As good or better than Denon 5803(my brother).

Very good sound,strong,ecxellent remote,good price,good shape,ecxellent home theather,and much more...

Poor speakers connections.

I am very happy, this receiver replace my 30ES(very good too, but only 5.1). if you are looking for a ecxellent HT receiver you did find. the sound is very,very clear,sourround is very realistic,many features and very easy and fun programation.

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Better than 30ES As good as expensive Denon 5803 from my brother.

Just fun

none

This is my third Sony ES receiver... I went out and looked at all the other unit in the same price range and found only 2 that were close 1 Denon 3800 series and the second sony 7 es series. Both are very good and the sound is just to die for. I use it to power my Polk lsi15 speakers which are very hard speakers to push(4 ohms).... I must say if u like SACD's or DVD audio cds.... Choice the SONY .....

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sony 8ES sony 999ES DVD player HK 7200 Receiver HK 50 DVD Sony 65" XBR HD Sony 200 HD SAT

Tweakability - EQ settings for all speakers, surround parameters, etc. You can make this receiver sound just the way you like it! Remote -is awesome Power is good. Sound quality -CD - fantastic HT theatre - excellent channel separation & plenty of punch -appearance - awesome looking behemoth -does not run hot like other brands so much more, I'm tired of writing....

haven't found anything yet.

With the recent price drop on this unit, there are not enough stars available to describe how good a deal this is. I wanted an upgrade from my Yamaha RX-V1000, not so much for the 7 channel amplification, but for 'cd music' sound quality. The Yamaha was/is a great unit, with adequate power, great HT sound, and decent CD sound, however I was ready for a little more. After lengthy research into other brands and models, specifically the Denon 3803, Pioneer Elite 34 & 45TX, and the SONY 4 & 7ES, I opted for the 7ES. Wow! Simply put, this receiver is awesome. I run all Paradigm speakers, and instantly when I hooked the 7 up, the sound quality in CD music and the tuner was significantly improved. In home theatre, even my wife noticed improved channel separation and more HT punch. My sub, which I could never seem to properly phase with CD music, suddenly began peforming as if I had a sound professional in for calibration and adjustment. I've read where people who upgrade receivers or speakers often say "I'm hearing sounds I didn't hear before", and now I understand this. Don't get me wrong, the Yamaha is no slouch (sold for $999 originally), however to put it succinctly, this Sony is in a different class. This 44 lb behemoth is still currently listed on the Sony Canada website at a price of $3499.99 (Canadian). Obviously, picking one up for around $1400 Cnd today, is a no-brainer. The remote is one of those nice little extra luxuries (it by itself sells for about $300 U.S.). It just adds to the nice feeling of owning a Flagship unit. My wife is quite comfortable with the 2nd supplied remote, I hog the touchpad. There are many audio purists who balk at 'Sony' as an audio peformer, but I would happily match this unit against anything else in mid to higher end surround receivers.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V1000 Sony STR-AV90

Power output Component switching w/ 2 inputs Touch panel remote control w/ macros Dolby Digital EX / DTS ES / SACD / DVD-A 2nd zone audio and video distribution 3rd zone audio Remote control included for 2nd/3rd zone PRICE!

Speaker terminals make people think the unit is below par when it doesn't really matter what they look like.

At an original list price of $2299.99, this receiver still did well on the market. It's amazing to me that at $1,000 you could give this unit less than a 5 star rating. Last time I purchased audio gear, I don't ever remember judging the unit on it's speaker terminals, but I guess some people have different priorities. If sony has to cut back anywhere to make this unit have awesome value, I'm glad they did it in the speaker terminals and not the power output, looks, remote control, surround format compatability or anywhere else. Is this the best A/V receiver out there??? Of course not. But for $1,000... I challenge you to find a more dominating piece, even in the $1,000-$2,000 range.

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Denon

Build Quality Remote (The most intuitive I've seen) Can be purchased for $1000 with a 5 year warranty.

I dont know if anyne else noticed this, but after leaving the remote on for a while, the screen on the LCD begins to "fade to black". This is whether the backlight is on or not.

I dont mind the speaker terminals since they are out of sight out of mind. Howerver, they are somewhat cheap,rivaling the lower (non ES) model receivers. The sound is incredible. I auditioned against Integra Research, Denon and Pioneer. IMHO, this sounded the best. IMO, stay away from the pioneer (VSX-45TX) unless you want to use it to fry eggs (it gets HOT!!!!). What I like most about the receiver is its power and build quality. This is the flagship Sony model and everything is top notch. Right down to the Torroidal Transformer. I dont have high end speakers, but the speakers I have sound excellent.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Integra Research, Pioneer.