Lots of features.

See review.

This is a follow up to my prior post. I have some new developments that may be important to you.

First, another negative I have found. You cannot record from a digital device (like a cd player) to an analog source (like a cassette deck). If you want to record from CD to Tape you must connect the analog out from the cd to the reciever. This is the first unit I have used that cannot convert a digital signal from its internal D/A converters to a analog device. Why?

Second, there seems to be a bug in the internal program. Once in a while if I try to adjust a parameter, like Surround Mode for example, the unit seems to want to control the volume level without even touching the volume control. I have to press the parameter button again, and then the volume control will go back to normal. Hard to explain, but it's not normal. Very minor however, just surprising from an ES product.

Next, the built in crossover can be adjusted from 40 Hz to 200 Hz in 10 Hz steps, for every channel, so it gives you good control over settings and along with the EQ, can be adjusted for any size speaker, very nice feature.

Lastly, the unit has an impedance switch in the rear for 8 or 4 ohm speakers. I experimented with this and slid it over to 4 ohm, well, I noticed a definite improvement, even though my speakers are rated 8 ohms. The benifit I experienced was a decreased noise on the output, a slightly less grainy sound and a HUGE reduction in heat generation. With the setting at 8 ohms the top of the unit would become almost too hot to touch and this is at idle (0 volume) with full ventilation! With the 4 ohm switch on, it hardly breaks a sweat. You do loose 20 watts/ channel, but I don't notice a difference in level so the advantages I describe make me run the unit in 4 ohm mode.

I hope this clears up everything, however anything else you need to know, email me.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon AVR300, Sony ES TAE-2000ESD, Sony ES TAE80ES, Sony STR-DB940.

Myriad of inputs. True high power.For the most part user friendly.

Gets quite warm. No gold plated 5-way binding posts.

This is a great reciever, first high end one for me. I work at an electronics store so I was able to constantly compare different recievers out there. I was going to go with the str-da555es but when this came with component switching, gold connects, and the additional coax input I went with this. There are definitely better out there, but for nearly double the price (even with my employee discount, at cost). I was also considering the denon avr 3300 because it has the 6.1 inputs, but figured by the time I have enough money for that type of system I should be able to get seperates.
Overall a very good reciever for the price. Plus they sound excellent with my boston vr965's.
let the good times roll.
ps - the previous reviewer who was complaining that it doesn't record digital to analog (aka to tape), why would you want to record to tape anyway. If you can get this reciever, you can get a cd burner.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood vr407

Beautiful piece of A/V equipment with the power and sound to back its looks . . . . I absolutely love it so far!

Lack of position indicator LED on volume knob(no big deal, I'm getting used to not having it)

None of the problems listed in the previous reviews. While the unit does get warm if you push it, my previous A/V amp did the same and actually would get hotter(verified this with my I/R thermometer). At the time of purchase, I asked SoundPros about the improper bias settings and they assured me all their units were checked and double checked(newer inventory assured this). It was SoundPros knowledge that only the very early units were questionable and Sony took appropriate measures to resolve the problem. I'm still learning all the functionality of this unit but am very pleased with it's performance. Sound quality, especially during HT use is worlds above my previous A/V amp. I've been using Sony products for years and been satisfied with their stuff. I did have one bad experience with a Sony mobile ES car stereo, but it was resolved by the dealer and still kicks butt. I have nothing but praise so far with my STR-V444ES!