After upgrading from old prologic receiver, wow what a difference. Much much cleaner, better highs and lows. For Dolby Digital the sound is crisp and clear. Music sounds much better too. A good receiver for Music and HT. Love the sound...

I bought the Sony DA80ES a little over a year ago when the product first launched. I was initially pleased with my first experience with Dolby Digital sound in my home and found the receiver to pair nicely with my NHT 1.2s and VS-2s. I had been using the Sony S7000 DVD player for some time and was also pleased to use it for CD audio.
My first complaint with the receiver came in the form of its limited arrangement of digital audio input. Because my LD player was reserving the LD/DVD slot, I had to move the DVD to where the DSS was labeled. I then had to place the DSS on one of the video inputs, where digital input was not available. This seems like a waste to me since I have unused digital inputs on my CD and DAT labels, but have no video sourse there. In the end, if I ever upgrade my DSS receiver to one that outputs digital audio, this receiver will be an input short.

My second complaint came in the form of an audible hum. At first I thought this was a ground loop feedback and sought to eliminate it. Finding that unsuccessful, I started to unplug and turn off other things in the house. This only made the room more quiet and the hum more noticable. Upon returning to the store and to my friend's houses, I've discovered that nearly every Sony receiver has this hum. Turn up the volume on any input while the input is quiet--no matter how clean it is, you will hear a very loud polluting hum. Nothing seems to eliminate this. It seems merely to be a quality associated with Sony's amplifier section.

A couple months after owning, one of the s-video connectors came loose from its connection. I fretted over this because I had forgotten to mail in my form. When I got to the Sony service center, though, they saw that it was a recent ES product and ad no problem giving me warranty service with no charges. The Sony Service Center is perhaps one of the best reasons to own an ES product.

The receiver is a good all around receiver. I had purchased mine for $999 the week that it came out, but I'm told it can be had for $800 or so now. It lacks DTS which will now turn most people away from it. For those who don't care about that, it seems to do a comparable job at an attractive price point. The receiver has brought me many hours of pleasure in both 2-channel audio mode and in Dolby Digital mode.

I have owned the 80es for about a month now and I find it to be a spectacular receiver! I have only a couple of complaints. An audible "hum", I thought it was just my receiver but after reading other reviews I read that someone else had the same problem. I considered returning it for the 90esg but the need to have the tv on to use the remote discouraged me. The remote that comes with the 80es is just plain awful. It's in my "remote storage box" along with all my other remotes. I use the Sony rm-av2000 remote which is the best remote I have ever used.Back to the hum...it probably wouldn't bother most people since when your playing audio or video you don't hear it but at $800 it just plain shouldn't be there.

I've had this reciever for over a year now and I would say it is a very clean sounding preformer. If your speakers are't power hungry and this unit has plenty of clean power that it is for the money an extermely good value and I would recomend it to anyone.Five stars for overall rating.

I'm no authority when it comes to audio, but I realize that this receiver is quite mediocre. First off, when the unit is turned off, the subwoofer hums audibly. This is terrible. The unit hums, and for classical music at low volumes I want to throw the television at the receiver. Direct pass is OK, although bright. Tons of inputs.
Sound fields are a complete waste - they suck and just make the sound muddy.

I have had this receiver for over a year. Nothing but praise. The hum problem described by others can be traced to the power supply coming to the receiver and the sub. Put them both on the same circuit and it will go away. It is really a sub problem and not a receiver problem. I use this unit for home theatre and music. It rocks for both!!! I agree that there are more soundfields than you will ever use but the power delivery for this unit is clean, clear and tight. The class A push/pull amps in this thing are outstanding, better than the newer 50/30/333/555ES amps. You can get this unit at clearance prices now. A great deal. I don't care about DTS(DD is DVD, DSS standard). I prefer the digital ins for all my devices and this unit has a bunch! I hope the new Sony's return to the build quality of the 80/90ES.

Plenty of clean power for most applications

Remote
What more can I add about hum.....

OK, overall this has been a great receiver BUT:

To no avail, I have tried and tried to eliminate a hum that presists only on my digital connections. Whenever the unit is put into my DVD input, a hum emmits from every speaker. I have returned the DVD player, tried my bedroom model DVD player, and tried many different coaxial and Toslink connections. And yes, every component is tied into the same circuit of the house - including all of the subs. I even tried a Monster Cable HTS 2500 to help out - no luck. I 99% sure it's something on the inside.

I'm currently using the 80ES as a pre/pro only and will be looking to sell it once I find a pre/pro suitable to my needs and budget. With the 80ES hooked up to 3 Adcom 555MkII's and Def Tech BP3000's / BP2000's /a CLR3000 center / PF18 sub, the sound is awesome. Just REALLY hate that hum...

The remote is as basic as their entry level models, but can be programmed to do most tasks. I replaced mine with the H/K - Microsoft remote; much better, but at another $350!

For what you can pick one up for now; it's a real bargain if you are in the market for a outstanding DD reciever. I personally don't care at all for DTS. I sold my laserdisc player and collection having loved DVD's from day one. DTS has limited distribution at best and not a feature missed on the 80ES.

Similar Products Used:

Mainly entry level Sony recievers in the past

Amplification, Number of Imputs, Construction

No DTS, Surround Modes aren't saved, remote, no 5.1 imput

When I first purchased this unit 3 years ago it was state of the art. For those of you who can buy it now for 400-500 dollars - do it!!! This machine is a monster. I love turning it up and shaking the hell out of my floor and walls!!! Although I am going to upgrade soon (Denon?), I still highly recommend this peice. It is PERFECT for a beginner's home theater. I bought the unit in college and I have never had any problems at all.

***A special note
This is directed towards the idiot who posted a review about trying to listen to "concert volume" stereo using the DA-80ES by turning it 3/4 of the way up. NEVER DO THIS, idiot!!! This is a home theater amp - not a DJ amp or a concert amp. There is a BIG difference!!! Why would you subject your home theater equipment to such abuse??? For example, my receiver causes my ears to ring but I never ever turn it past 1 o'clock on the dial!!! (And I have very good speakers!) Of course it won't play at "concert volume"!!! This is also VERY dependent upon your speakers. You have a lot to learn my friend. A lot indeed.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Carver, Harmin Kardon, Yamaha, Polk, Definitive Technology, Martin Logan

Was ready to buy an 80es and a complete es system (dvd 300, cd 7aes) to upgrade my old carver based system (15 years old). Will not buy the 80es now since realizing that it does not have a 5.1 input (6 rca jacks). The truth is that at this moment (until they revise the unit) it is obsolete at this price point in the market. Because of this when dvd-audio or any of the other competing new dvd based audio standards come out any of the es line receivers will not be able to receive their outputs. Beware. There are many higher/mid range receivers with 5.1 inputs. Will either buy yamaha 995 (not thrilled with that prospect - take a look at the remote), or will look and wait for another 3-5 months.

Excellent value, exellent sound, I'm very satisfied with this choice.