This amp beats all others!! and the so-called high-enders who spend six digitson speakers etc... can thumb their noses because the smart ones know that only
how it sounds matters. Not because it has snob appeal!! I listened to this and
a McIntosh, a Proceed, Yamaha Dsp A-1, B&K, Proceed, Rotel, Classe' and Krell.
Two salesman and two other customers also listened to an informal test.
We took turns switching the amplifiers back and forth while the others listened.
the B&K was noticed right away! Yep, it was the only one with the LOUD HUM!
We all could here little differences when pointed out and also couldn't always
tell which amp was being reviewed. some prefered one over the other when facing
them but otherwise, only the McIntosh was felt to be "smoother" at over $6000.00
it better sound different! Anyways, without getting into a long review on every
piece involved, everyone agreed that the sony seemed to be the first amp that
had come out that had so many features and great sound at only $875.00 to
$1300.00! compared to thousands more, why would you spend $5000.00 more just for
a difference barely perceptable? Some people just don't know what to do with
ALL THAT MONEY I guess. A 5 STAR DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!

I heard this last week connected to the new TagMclaren AV32R surround processor (what I went to audition), and I was impressed. It couples well with the Tag (which is serious Audiophile quality) but did sound like a small weak link in the system (couldnt quite put my finger on what sounded wrong, but it was only slight).
However, this was the first time the amp had been switched on (according to the dealer) and so I'm sure that it would sound even better after a couple of days.
BTW: the UK version looks stunning in the Gold finish, and is only 776ukp!

I WILL ADMIT I WAS SCARED WHEN I FIRST PURCHACE THIS AMP. SONY HAD NEVER EMPRESSED ME WITH THERE HI-END PREAMP'S AND AMPLIFIERS. WHAT HAPPENED? THE N9000 IN MY EARS IS ABSOULUTLY FLAWLESS. IT SCREAMS. IT YELLS. IT RULES. I LOOKED AT MANY AMPS BEFORE I PURCHACED THIS ONE, AND WILL ADMIT THAT IF I WOULD HAVE HAD $5000.00=>$7000.00 DOLLARS I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT ONE OF THEM. BUT BEFORE BREAKING MY BANK I DECIDE TO CHECK OUT SONY'S PRODUCTS. ALL IT TOOK WAS ONE MUSICAL NOTE AND OUT CAME THE CHECK BOOK. THIS AMP IS WORTH EVERY RED PENNY THAT YOU WILL SPEND!!! 5 CHANNEL MODE IS JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE 2 CH MODE.

Clean sound, fairly quiet, inexpensive, integrates w other sony stuff, flexible.

Still a bit of noise!

Bought this with an TA-E9000ES Pre, and it mates with that very well. They really are made for eahcother... Imagine that.

When on, with inputs grounded, I hear a bit of hiss on the channels when I hold my ear to the speakers, but nothing to speak of really.

Sound is excellent. Plenty of power for my smallish room and NHT 2.9 speakers (4) and AC2 center. I end up driving it anywherebetween -55 and -35dB, for excellent sound. Very responsive, open, and... Great! Perhaps a little bright and bass-heavy for some people's taste, but I just love the sound! Using it in 5 channel mode for Home Theater now.

I have ordered a CD player which will be connected on the second 'direct input' of this amp. The pre has a little digital noise, I am trying to get rid of that this way. With the direct inputs grounded, the amp is pretty darn quiet, I am aware of a bit of hiss, but I can't say i really hear it per se.

COmpared to some of the other amps I have had, this one is fast, accurate and aggressive; seems to have enough power to fill my (smallish) room.

If you have lots of space or big speakers, this may not be the amp for you. There is a limit to the amount of power it will put out. I ran it in bridged mode for a bit, sounded great as well.

It integrates with Sony Contral A1 system, which makes it turn on when the pre comes on, and the pre will respond to other components in the system. This means one remote for all functions... Life is beautiful, for me AND my spouse!

All in all, I think it is a pretty darn great amp for very little money.

Niels.

Similar Products Used:

AdCom, Akai, Sony amps.