Sony ES line

[shwing2345]

I just bought a Sony STR-DA50ES and was astonished at the high gadgetry and spectacular sound. I was amazed how one can adjust the tone for each channel. Thus, I've became a Sony ES fan.

I'm already looking into upgrading to higher models. I'm looking at Str-da4es, str-da3000, str-da3100es, and str-da5000es. What do you think about the 3000 and 5000 series compared to the 4es? They seem to weigh considerably less, 28 lbs verses 47 lbs. I'm assuming they use cheaper componetry. Now the 3100 series come out and it weighs 44 lbs. It seems as if the newer series are not so popular, since I have not been able to find much reviews on them. Has sony diminished their quality and are trying to make a come back with the new 3100 series? What are your insights on these models? Is the older models superior over the newer models?

 

[Hi Ho]

You can do better than Sony for the money. Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, all of them are more highly regarded than Sony.

Those "gadget" features are available on models from the other manufacturers along with better video, amplifiers, sound processing, ease of use, and prices.

 

[zipper]

I'd definitely look at some other models before settling on a Sony.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd say at the 5ES and 4ES, those were the last "good" models from them that I liked. Decent power, acceptable sound, but as the others have already mentioned, there are better receivers on the market these days for the price.

If you like all that flexibility, I'd look at Harman Kardon as it allows the same and even a bit more flexibility in terms of config. Be careful though, all that flexibility can quickly turn into a handicap rather than a benefit, especially when trying to figure out what's going on when something is wrong.

Some of the new models have digital amps, so that may be why the weight is down.

 

[Zuke]

I have come to the realization that there are many, many people that only buy "Sony" products. Even though there are much better choices and at better prices.

 

[Hi Ho]

I have come to the realization that there are many, many people that only buy "Sony" products. Even though there are much better choices and at better prices.

That's why Sony is still in business. Same with Bose.

 

[sts9fan]

Compareing Sony to bose is way off the mark. Bose has no products such as the Sony SCDXA9000ES. High quality quite highend gear. Sony has been making stuff like the es9000 and es999 for a long time now.

 

[PENG]

That's why Sony is still in business. Same with Bose.

I don't know about Bose, but Sony does make some nice ES receivers. Audioholics reviewed the 4ES, 5ES a few years ago and a 7100ES recently. These receivers are heavy, all well in excess of 40 lbs, 48 lbs for the 6 channel only 5ES, according to the reviewer.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/receiver_hotpicks1.php

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/sonybattleP2_7.php

I really like its bass management flexibility. It allows you to set different crossovers for each of the front, centre, and surround channels individually. I wish I had not traded in mine a couple of years ago. If you like one of those 4,5, or 7ES, and can get a good used one, go for it. The 4 & 7ES may still be covered under SonyES's unusally long 5 year warranty.

 

[Dan Driscoll]

The Sony ES products are (or were) in a different league than their mass market product lines. Some of them, such as the TA-P9000ES and the SCD-1, are legendary and command very high prices on the used market.

However, some of Sony's more recent ES offerings haven't been up to that standard. I was very disappointed with the SCD-C2000ES SACD changer, the build quality was cheap and the sound quality wasn't that impressive.

 

[Hi Ho]

Comparing them to Bose was probably the wrong comparison. However, while they do make some very nice high end stuff, most of their products are average or worse, yet they charge a premium for their name. That's not to mention all the proprietory crap they throw in (MemoryStick, UMD, ATRAC, etc.).

 

[shwing2345]

Are the STR-DA3100ES using class D amplification? Why is it heavier than the STR-DA3000ES?

 

[sts9fan]

I think the thread title clearly states that it is not about Sony's whole line but thier higher end ES line

 

[Hi Ho]

I understand that. As many here know, I have a bone to pick with Sony. I shouldn't be injecting it into every thread (I try not too).

However, most seem to agree that there are better choices when it comes to receivers.

 

[PENG]

I understand that. As many here know, I have a bone to pick with Sony. I shouldn't be injecting it into every thread (I try not too).

However, most seem to agree that there are better choices when it comes to receivers.

You are right about this forum, but there are many Sony fans out there, try this one:

http://www.agoraquest.com/viewforum.php?forum=51

 

[spcoolin]

Hi,

I am a member over at the above mentioned forum....

Here's what I can tell you...
The STR DA3100ES is a analog amp receiver...the only class D receiver they now produce is the 7100.....the 9100 is rumored to be close to production.

The 3100 is pretty much (by most accounts) a copy of the DA4ES....but lacks the flexibility in bass management, and EQ that the previous DA4, 5, and 7ES offered.

The 2000, 3000, 5000ES models have been discontinued and were digital class amplifiers...
Recently it seems that most of the 3000ES units that have been shipped from certain vendors have been faulty, However the members that own 3000's that are not faulty really rave about the digital sound...These units also lack the flexibility of the 4,5,& 7ES.....

Hope this helps....

 

[Hi Ho]

You are right about this forum, but there are many Sony fans out there, try this one

There are a lot of Bose fans out there too. The most popular products, especially in the home theater world, are usually far from the best.