OK I got the 5ES today. [Archive] - Audioholics Home Theater Forums

ctransj

10-16-2002, 08:38 PM

Ok Guys,
Follow the advices from Gene and Stevie, I was able to get a brand new sony 5ES for $600 today. Well, I am excited but not much and plan to use it as pre/pro and have 3rd room stereo.
If I don't like it then I will bug two of you, because of your suggestion <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>. I will let you know, stay tune.

Thanks anyway.

Borg

10-16-2002, 11:02 PM

Where did you get it for $600?
Nice price!

RTPBob

10-16-2002, 11:16 PM

ctransj - Congratulations, I just got one too the other day for $635.  Did you get the one off e-bay?  Also, as far as 3rd room audio, it is a little tricky.  Have to use the remote control to adjust the volume (once it is set to be a 3rd room remote), can't just do it from the front panel.  When I say tricky, there is nothing wrong with it, just took me a while to figure it out as I was testing various features.  

Hope we both like it.

ctransj

10-16-2002, 11:49 PM

Borg,
I got it from my friend who is a sony employee. The store clean up the inventory and has the last 5 of 5ESes for $560. it's a steal huh? i hate to put down the price because that makes you guys jealous <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> . It's damnn heavy and I like its bass management feature, but no video up conversion and 12V trigger.

RPTBob, question for you or anyone please helps.
I plan to use my 5ch HK amp to drive my 5 speakers so my question is : Can I still use the Center and the SB for the thirdroom? If I use the pre-out for 5.1 in main room then can I still use the center speaker teminal ? i know the SB is no problem.
My yamaha doesn't let me drive the speaker if I use the pre-amp for that channel.

Thanks.

10-17-2002, 12:59 AM

Hi,

Could anyone please tell me the exact weight of the DA5ES as specified in the user manual?

Thank you <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

ctransj

10-17-2002, 02:34 AM

OK
I didn't have time to set up my HT but I powered it up and compared side by side with my stereo set up:
Yamaha Cd player, HK PT2500, and Spectrascan 100W/ch amp, Infinity SM100.
I don't know if I set it up correctly but I am not impressive with 2ch stereo. It's a little bit thin and brighter and doesn't go as low low as my PT2500 goes. I will come back with this. <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
As for the weight, it's very heavy, 48lbs and the transformer is huge with ES logo.

I think my unit has a defect, the "input mode" button doesn't have the light as the "audio split" button. Please verify for me.

Borg

10-17-2002, 08:44 AM

Ctransj,
Wow...wish I had a friend like that!!
Congrats on your purchase.

RTPBob

10-17-2002, 11:54 AM

Ctransj, not sure what you mean by "I think my unit has a defect, the "input mode" button doesn't have the light as the "audio split" button."  At first glance, neither of the buttons are not back lighted, they are just silver in color.

As for your speaker question, I haven't had any time yet to play with the unit.  It is the first step in building a HT.  Got a chance to get a good price on a 5ES so took it before I got the rest of the components.  It appears you'd be able to drive speakers from both the pre-outs (using another amp) and the amplifiers in the unit.  But, I'd think that you'd want to use the 3rd room output and not the center & SBs.  Wouldn't the Center & SBs be outputing a different set of sounds than the 3rd Room L & R and therefore sound strange?

10-17-2002, 12:09 PM

Yes indeed. I have the DA4ES and the audio split is lit only when you mix sources (for example you use the DVD coax input to reproduce the sound for the SAT). Input does not light up. And thanks for the weight info.
And for anyone out there who cares, I strongly believe that the review of 9000ES vs. DA4ES was strongly biased and objective. As a simple example, he mentioned that the DA4ES loses seven lbs. compared to DA5ES. Interestingly enough the DA4ES weighs 46.2 lbs. If my math is correct the difference between 48 (as you mentioned earlier) and 46.2 is not 7 … Also the amplification section is put down throughout the article, only to admit in the end that it is “very clean” (i.e. no “hiss or hum” with digital sources even at the maximum volume). Also the difference between RISC and SHARC is debatable…

10-17-2002, 12:12 PM

Sorry, I meant to say "subjective" or "not objective" in the previous post ...

steve

10-17-2002, 06:11 PM

Thanks for the responses on this forum.

Firstly, the reason I compare the 9000ES to the 4ES is that they both bare the name ES.  It seems lately, that Sony is mis-using the ES name.  What they do in one ES model, like the 9000ES and the 5ES, they didn't do in the 4ES and the 7ES.  The power supply lost weight with an addition channel (I'll double check how much based on the comment above), the capacitors are less quality and so forth.  OK,  I do say the power supply is 'very clean', but that's not the only judge of a good power supply.  There is the issue of high and low leak capacitors, efficiency and so on, not all of which is within this article.  One of the reasons why I added so many hotlinks, is so folks in the forum can discuss more details that they research on their own with the hotlinks provided.

I also see the comment someone made about SHARC and RISC being debatable.  My comment to all of you is, so debate it.  That's what the forum is for.

Thanks again,

Stevie D

10-17-2002, 07:58 PM

If I remember correctly, according to the Sony manuals, the DA4ES is heavier than the DA5ES, 1Kg (about 2 pounds) . I have the manual for both and I could check again if requested.
The 3ES and the 5ES have the same weight.Also, the 4ES and 7ES have the same weight.

Bruno

10-20-2002, 09:41 PM

yes bruno, please ... check the weights and write them down here ... also steve, except for the power supply capacitors (15000 microF each which you rightly mentioned are generic) it seems that the DA4ES uses the Nichicon Gold Series capacitors on its boards, right?

10-21-2002, 02:14 PM

Norberth,

the weights reported by the manuals are 20 Kg for the DA5(3)ES and 21 Kg for the DA4(7)ES.

Hope this helps,

Bruno

PS: Here is an interesting comment on the 4ES. (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?postid=935404&highlight=Krell+DA4ES#post935404)

steve

10-21-2002, 07:53 PM

Norberth,

The 4ES does not use Nichicon Gold caps throughout the board as the 9000ES does.  There are a few Nichicon Golds, but the Power Supply Caps are not, and other large caps are not.  The difference may be the less quality generics are not low loss caps.  

I am also researching the weights more and will post in the future.  I have a hard time believing that the 4ES and the 7ES are the same weight, as Sony does beef up the power supply in the 7ES.

There are many good comments here and I'm glad to see you guys reacting to this article.

Thanks again,

10-22-2002, 09:14 AM

Thanks bruno and stevie,

Yes Steve, you're right. I took a peek yesterday into the DA4ES and saw that although most capacitors are Nichicon, only a few are "Gold". Anyway, after spending some time with this receiver I can say that it's growing on me.
For anyone who's interested, I assembled a little spec list with some pictures that I have taken from the DA4ES that is available at:
Norberth's DA4ES page (http://home.nyc.rr.com/cnny/Gear/DA4ES.htm)
And yes, DA4ES and 7ES weigh the same. Still, the 7ES is more expensive due to marketing techniques not technical prowess. Plus, as I said earlier, it has the ES logo on its power supply (which probably is also just a BANDO, I have to check that)...
So, talk to you later guys and thanks again for your prompt replies.

Borg

10-22-2002, 09:21 AM

Norberth,
on your da4es page you have the remote listed as a "learning" remote.  I'm pretty sure it's not a learning remote (if not, please let me know how to make it learn!) as I have a friend with one.

10-22-2002, 09:29 AM

thanks for that observation borg, the info about the remote is misleading, I copied that from a site, I'll rectify it right now because the remote IS NOT learning, it can only be given various codes for different already pre-programmed manufacturers, and it has limited controlling abilities.

10-22-2002, 05:17 PM

My best movie experience from a sound perspective was two weeks ago when watching "The Haunting", DTS edition.
I was amazed by the clarity and the level of details I could hear. For instance, somewhen at the beginning, during the scene where Theo and Eleanore are walking to their room on the big stairs, I could hear the sound of their steps on the carpet. I did not notice this when watching the movie one month ago at a friend's house.

My sound system consists of a Sony DA4ES, 5 Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 (9 feet away from my ears), no sub, the room is not big and well damped (I know, this is crazy <img src="http://www.audioholics.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>, but I had foam mattresses push-pinned on the ceiling and on the wall behind the listener, this improves sound clarity).

Of course, I don't know if I would have had the same experience with another receiver, Sony or not.

Bruno

PS: "The Haunting" is not a good movie, but it has a great sound track

turbo56k

10-22-2002, 11:29 PM

norberth,

you've listed "analog bass management" on your page, is that true or was it a typo error?

Anyway, I've just found a excellent review on the da5es at homecinemachoice.com, just click on the link below
Da5es (http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbench/frame.html?http://www.homecinemachoice.com/testbench/Amplifiers/Sony/SonySTR-VA555ES.php)

Stevie,

Can you confirmed that the Digital to Analog conversion stage is perform by TI's Burr Brown PCM1737 as listed.

Thanks,

norberth

10-23-2002, 08:46 AM

turbo56k,

thanks for bringing that to my attention. in no way is it "analog", I rectified the specs. well, keeping in mind that they are taken off of a major website that sells this receiver it's interesting to note how deceiving and misleading is the info for a new buyer ...

10-23-2002, 03:19 PM

BTW does anyone know where I can get a new STR-DA5ES for under $700?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

RTPBob

10-23-2002, 04:52 PM

Reggie, think your pushing it a little if you want to get a new DA5ES for $700. *Not that it can't be done (I did it), it just takes some work. *As far as I can tell, the cost of the unit to retailers is in the $600-$650 range. *Retailers like to make some profit, even on last year's models. *I'd suggest you do a search on Goggle and contact some of the stores still listing them and see if you can get them to deal on the DA5ES as a last year's model (may need to talk to a manager). *Also, call Jim at Oade Brothers as Steve suggested, to see if he has any suggestions.

Good luck.

10-23-2002, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the advice.  I already contacted the Oade Brothers and was told that they are completely out of the 5ES.  Hopefully I can get my paws on one, but in any case, if anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know.  Thanks RTPBob!

11-06-2002, 12:23 AM

Can anyone provide real objective, scientific data that unequivocally prove to us all how the high dollar caps make a real difference in the overall performance and sound quality???

I have a STR-DA4ES, and it sounds awesome, quiet, enough SPL to cause me pain with some new Dahlquist QX10's...

An while your at it what the big deal over a pound here or there...put a brick in it!!

I have an old DENON DCD 3300. First generation CD player, commercial grade, galvo cables!!! Now A $200 CD player can outperform it spec wise...but they both sound great!!

There aint enough proof, real anlytical data that anyone has provided to prove to me that these receivers are that far apart except for cosmetics, features, ie useablity etc...and PRICE.

I'd love for you guys to do a double blid test and see if you really can pick out the stuff without peaking!

Alex

11-06-2002, 02:50 AM

Alex,
Would you do me a favor? please check if your 4ES still showing the last video source if you switch to a non video source. Make sure you don't turn off the video power by going to the set up menu and turn the dial until the few last options.
Once you set the pwer video is always on, you can play a dvd or sat and then using the remote to switch to a non video source such as cd, tuner.. and see if the video turn off or just the audio switches to the new source but the video is still playing?
thanks
My 5Es doesn't do that I am want to confirm if the 4ES does that then I will trade the 4ES with the 5ES.

11-06-2002, 11:25 AM

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">check if (the) 4ES still showing the last video source if you switch to a non video source</td></tr></table>
ctransj,
You can display any video source along with any audio source. Choose your video source (let's say "DVD") in the normal way, with the remote or the function jog-dial on the receiver. Now push the "Audio Split" button on the front of the receiver (near the function jog dial) repeatedly until "Audio: DVD" (or is it "A: DVD"?) appears. Now turn the jog dial to select the audio source. The video will remain on DVD. I believe that the same can be performed using the 2-way remote, but I may be wrong (the old touchscreen-style 2-ways allowed this, but I don't know about the handheld one that the 5ES uses).

11-07-2002, 11:15 PM

AaronB,
The audio split doens't do exactly what I want, it allow me to play digial input only from CD/DVD. Usually with my yamaha and I believe the previous ES receivers(444ES) does this: II can watch the sport channel from Sat and then switch to a non-video source, I can listen to the CD, tuner, tape and still be able to select analog vs digital, EQ, sound field......
Right now I am ok to use the 2nd room output, but i wish the 5ES wouldn't turn off the video.

11-08-2002, 11:50 AM

ctransj,
The 5ES (and 4ES and other recent ES receivers) have a feature which will automatically turn off the video circuits when an audio-only source is selected. Make sure this is turned off, if you want to be able to do what you describe. You will find it in the setup menu I believe. If this feature is enabled, you will certainly not get any video output when you select an audio source.

11-08-2002, 11:54 AM

ctransj,
To clarify, the feature I mentioned is called something like "Video Power" and you have two choices: ON or AUTO. Make sure it is set to ON. If it is set to AUTO, then the receiver will turn the video circuits off when set to an audio-only source. If it is set to ON, then the video circuits are always on.

11-08-2002, 06:44 PM

For whoever is interested I found a DA5ES for sale on eBay. Click to see the auction.DA5ES for sale on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1396637700)