I own this receiver for a long time and am very happy with him. The stereo sound reproduction is excellent. With me VA555ES replaced much more advanced and newer receiver ONKYO TX605. Although 555es does not have a modern HD decoders, his sound is a true high end sound ... much better than the aforementioned Onkyo unit. Blu-ray player I hooked up with Multichannel analog inputs and the lack is not felt.
This is an excellent device, which after many years and provides superb pleasure with stereo and home theater reproduction.
Sorry for bad English