Owning this reciever is a bona-fide treat. I have Infinity Overture 1's for front L/F; CC3 center; and 2000.4's in the rear. With Velodyne CT120 for LFE's. On Dolby Digital & Pro Logic the left to right and front to rear panning is so seamless it's almost "annoying." Power (100x5 class A push/pull is more than enough. Especially when one considers with the Overtures and Velodyne I have triamplification on the cheap. I don't care about S video inputs (I go direct to the TV) but it has 4 as well as 4 optical inputs. DSP is no better or worse than any other. Folks with decent speakers who proclaim one DSP worse or better than others I believe are trying to articulate the fact that DSP gets in the way of a good system. With this reciever there is one caveat to DSP. The 3D mode includes a "virtual" rear multi-speaker simulation which is the real goods. Sounds like 8 speakers are arrayed in amphitheater mode behind the listener. For my taste, better than dipoles or bipoles which only muddy the rears . . . sounds like a overcoat is used for baffles. Try the Fleetwood Mac "The Dance" DVD for exceptional concert sound. It doesn't have DTS. My feeling is DTS is like the Russian economy . . . has all the potential in the world and always will.
The good reviews on the Overtures are justified. A corvette is a good blend of speed and drivability. The Overtures are a good blend of music and HT. Only the CC3 has same tweeter as Overtures. 2000.4s are just right for the rear and the towers look cool in the rear.

I highly recommend this reciever. I like it better than the brand whose big silver remote looks like something the Jetson's use to control their microwave oven.

I love this thing. I rocks on just about everything I throw at it. Someof the reviews have been harsh.--All Hog Wash!!! Good goin' Sony!!

I recently returned a Sony STR-DA90ESG to the dealer in exchange for the STR-DA80ES. I returned the 90ESG because of the control and automation issues I outlined in my STR-DA90ESG review. I'm happy enough with the sound, but the fact that the audio mode is not saved seperately for each input is a large issue for me. I listen to 2 channel CD audio and AC-3 surround for movies. When you use the 80ES/90ESG it uses the same audio mode for all inputs. So when I switch from movies to CDs I get simulated surround sound. I've found this mode to induce a lot of noise so I don't use it. I recently added a subwoofer which surfaced another issue with the 80ES/90ESG. If the subwoofer is connected and on, it will play in all modes. The only way to turn it off is to use the front panel controls. Here is the sequence I have to use when switching from movies to CDs.1) Switch the input on the receiver with either the remote or a knob on the front of the receiver.
2) Open the front panel of the receiver
3) Press the setup button
4) Press the down arrow button twice to get to the subwoofer setup
5) Press the left arrow button to turn the sub off
6) Close the front panel
7) Shut off the surround mode by pressing either the direct pass button on the remote or the one on the front of the receiver.

When switching back to movies you need to do all of the above again. With my old ES preamp it saved every setting seperately for each input, (including the digital EQ settings). The was great as I even had seperate CD players, one with the EQ set to cut the bass-enhancement on many POP CDs, and one direct pass for better recordings. Needless to say I am very disappointed that Sony missed this incredibly useful feature on these receivers, hope it comes back on new ones. Seems to me that this is only software. I would gladly trade some of the 40+ suround modes for a little more control of the unit.

100 fullbandwith watts, can get load enough to make your ear drums bleed. best quality in all the wires, buttons, and every thing else, even the things that you plug your rca wires and your speaker wires into are better than any ive ever seen. and when your watching a movie or listaning to music, its the best sound ive ever heard. and the style of it is great. and there is a pannel that slides down on the front to reveal more buttons and options.

doesnt have DTS, but dolby digital and DTS are almost the same. its worth not having DTS.

I would even pay more for this receiver than i did, ITS THAT NICE, BELIVE ME. If you like good sound, and powerfull sound as well,you will like this. Its kind of expensive, but if your looking to get a high end reciever, for me it would be this one. If your looking to spend a little less, like 200 - 300$ i would go with a yamaha. they wouldnt have as many featers, but you wont get ripped off with the watts, and im sorry to say it but if you went with a cheap sony you wouldnt get the power, unless its an ES reciever like the str-da80es, with an ES reciever you will actually have way more powe than a yamaha. Let me make it easy for you. IF YOUR SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY. GO SONY.
IF YOUR NOT SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY, GO YAMAHA.

Similar Products Used:

the sony str-v555es, almost the same just newer and more watts, wich you really dont need.

100 fullbandwith watts, can get load enough to make your ear drums bleed. best quality in all the wires, buttons, and every thing else, even the things that you plug your rca wires and your speaker wires into are better than any ive ever seen. and when your watching a movie or listaning to music, its the best sound ive ever heard. and the style of it is great. and there is a pannel that slides down on the front to reveal more buttons and options.

doesnt have DTS, but dolby digital and DTS are almost the same. its worth not having DTS.

I would even pay more for this receiver than i did, ITS THAT NICE, BELIVE ME. If you like good sound, and powerfull sound as well,you will like this. Its kind of expensive, but if your looking to get a high end reciever, for me it would be this one. If your looking to spend a little less, like 200 - 300$ i would go with a yamaha. they wouldnt have as many featers, but you wont get ripped off with the watts, and im sorry to say it but if you went with a cheap sony you wouldnt get the power, unless its an ES reciever like the str-da80es, with an ES reciever you will actually have way more powe than a yamaha. Let me make it easy for you. IF YOUR SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY. GO SONY.
IF YOUR NOT SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY, GO YAMAHA.

Similar Products Used:

the sony str-v555es, almost the same just newer and more watts, wich you really dont need.

I have had this unit for about a week but I think I'm going to send it back. In two channel mode, the sound is very "Brite" and Ifound it to become annoying to listen after awhile. In the power department, this thing rocks. It can easily pound my speakers and the sound is clean. I feel that most of the DSP modes are a waste. Lack of DTS and inputs for a future decoder have also been factors in my wanting to send it back. I have also noticed that it gets hot after a short time of playing at moderate levels. I guess in the end if one suffers from "High Freq Hearing Loss" from listening to music to loud, then this is the unit for you.

I bought this receiver from Joe J. (see his review below). I don't have quite the same subwoofer issues, so my outlook on this receiver is a lot more favorable. The ES receivers run a lot quieter (THD) than the cheaper entry level 825, and 925 receivers, while providing the same number of features, and rock solid construction. People who own an LD and a DVD player will be dismayed to see only one input for LD/DVD, but digital recording enthusiasts (DAT and MD owners) will welcome the optical and coax inputs.
This is a very solidly constructed receiver (like most ES gear), with the standard 5 year warranty. There are feature galore, including s-link (love it or hate it, it's there), a drop down front panel, tons of s-video inputs, AC3 (no DTS, however) and pre-amp inputs. The output is a very nice, very clean 100 watts per channel. I've been searching for the faint hum audible on my older 915, and it's nowhere to be found on the DA80ES.

This is a well balanced music/HT receiver, although the DSP modes are pretty much a waste of time. It sounds dynamite with my speakers, and I'm very happy with it. If you're into home theatre, or just want a well built fairly inexpensive receiver for music, this is a pretty good choice. High enders, keep looking, but for everyone else, this is a great piece of equipment.

Sound Quality, Features, Awesome Sound, Number of Inputs.

No Subwoofer Test Tone, Surround Modes(i.e. Dolby Surround, and other DSP Fields) do not switch automatically when you switch input mode. Thus, if you are watching a DVD with Dolby Surround active, if you switch to CD, the Surround stays active.

I purchased the unit in November 1998. This was my first surround receiver purchase, although I've been a musician and audio enthusiest since the mid 70's. What impressed me most about the unit is its incredibley clean and quiet power. And do I mean quiet!!! NO Hiss, NO Hum. I've been using the reciever thru AR 303 Classics as well as NHT Super twos, with matching centers and AR Edge surrounds. The amplifier runs so cleanly that when watching DVD's, you have to pay attention as to the volume level at start up. Even at extreme volume levels, the amp is dead quiet until the sound track starts. If you start a DVD and crank it up, you will get blown out when the Movie Sountrack opens. Believe me, my wife found that out the hard way!!! This is a well engineered product. As a matter of fact, a feature that I really like is that you can hit the Direct Pass button, and the signal runs straight to the speakers, bypassing speaker size control (In surrond mode). This allows you to use LFE to direct bass to sub during Dolby Surround usage, but immediatly allow Main speakers to play normally (full spectrum) when listening to 2 channel music. A friend of mine just spent over $3,000 on a Proceed Pre/Pro and it WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO PASS A FULL SIGNAL TO MAINS, NO MATTER WHAT!!! Kudos to sony for getting it right.

There are dozens of DSP Modes to choose from, all of which can be modified by the user. Sure, most people will only use a few of these, but its great to have the selection at your disposal. I calibrated my 80 ES using the Video Essentials Disc, and also the DELOS (Stereo Review) Test Disc. After calibrating with my sound meter and adjusting the millisecond delays to compensate for room demension (to avoid "HAAS EFFECT") the real sound quality blasted thru. Theater referance all the way.

In response to those who talk about "thin" sounds. Your speakers may not be matched to the reciever. This Reciever thru my AR 303 Classics are so rich, I've gained over 20 Pounds since I purchased this Bad Boy 80 ES. (My wife blames her good cooking!) Regardless, I hope you enjoy your equipment as much as I have enjoyed my Sony ES. Ain't Home Theater the greatest?

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Pioneer Elite, Onkyo, HK, NAD.

plenty of inputs and outputs,es build quality . reminds me of receivers of the 70's.

nothing major found yet tuning receiver dificult , all bass and trebble controls many steps if you are used to knobs

have not finished hooking it up but so far beautiful sound. got it as a display model for 450$
was going for the db 940 for 400 for the es quality could not pass it up beautiful machine , I have a cdp-cx400, and a teac v900 (great machine from 1985 3 head 3 motor, dbx) jvc 4600 s-vhs vcr. will post a review when i get the whole system up.

Similar Products Used:

old onkyo tx 4500 , pioneer sa 7800, tx 7800 both circa 1980