Price Paid:  $275.00 from e-bay used

Summary:
This is a great piece of kit for you listeners who want to enter the digital age. With 4 Digital inputs it allows you to hook up the works. I have my Sound Blaster Platinum live drive connected to the beauty it sounds as good as the rest of my system cd etc. Also have the EP9's optical out going to the pc for full flexibility. As for the sound, it’s a crisp, sharp excellent bass, if like me you like dance this give you the control your after. Setup can be complicated but you can get the perfect sound so it worth it. Using sony's DVP NS700 DVD so get DTS 5.1 runing through the bypass channels on the back useful!!!!!!

Strengths:
Sounds amazing, 4 digital inputs, 1 out. Looks good. Takes your system into another level "The Digital Age" Allows surround to be added to existing stereo sources.

Weaknesses:
Expensive can be found cheap second hand. No analog in, although not really necessary for my purposes. My advice if your reading this get one!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:
not many....AMC make a few

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Hi Fi Buys

Summary:
It works great except I cant figure out how to get it to play CD's from the DVD7000. The DVD7000 works fine with my Adcom DAC 600. I'll replace the EP9ES with another pre/pro when all the dust settles on the current 6.1 or 7.1 formats. But it sure works great! Very clear sound. This is my system:
-Sony 53" XBR
-Sony 27V55 TV
-Proscan 20" S-video TV that will also work as a video monitor by outputing the input signel so u can see what ur editing as u edit.
-Snell XA speaker system(XA75, XA55 and 30sp)I also have Snell Type D's, Q's and KII speakers
-Polk SDA 1's and SDA CRS+ speakers
-SEA 4.0 surround system speakers(I've never used these)
-Custom DiAural crossover speakers w/ Scan-Speak woofer and Seas tweeter. This is a series X-O and sounds wonderful!!!!
-Sunfire True Sub Woofer Mk II(dead flat to 25 hz and still going)
-Marantz 850 multi room pre/pro with tuner and CD player(coax digital out!) and too many S-Video inputs/outputs to count.
-TIVO digital recorder(best thing I EVER bought)
-Adcom 5800 amp
-Adcom 555 II amp
-Adcom 2535 amp
-Adcom DAC 600
-Adcom 565 preamp
-3 DVD players KLH(son's) Sony S7000 and Apex
-Sony 300 CD player
-Sharp portable mini disk recorder(never used it, its been a year, never think of it is the reason I guess)
-Stax Lamba Pro 3 earspeakers
-Grado 60 headphones
-Carver Sonic Hologram C-9
-JVC S-VHS
-Chase Tech remote volume
-Chase Tech passive surround(Hafler)R-L to the rear speakers
-Radio Shack sound pressure meters. I have two of these. I thought I had lost it in a move but found it later. I did the same thing with the remotes to the DVD-S7000 and the Sony 27v55 tv. So I have two remote to each of these at almost a hundred each!
-And some other stuff that is too old.....
-Almost forgot the Sega Dreamcast that they have stopped making.

I'm going to buy the Monarchy DIP 24/96 when it comes out later this month. If u have a DAC u may want to get this jitter reducer. Check out the reviews here!! Got to go. Bye...

Strengths:
All digital. Rave reviews everywhere it was tested. This is a quality produce from Sony. Dont let the name fool you. You can do worse for more money. Its a steal at the current used prices of less than $300!

Weaknesses:
All digital. Wont play CD's from my Sony DVP-S7000 DVD player(if u know why please e-mail me). No DTS(it wasnt out when this pre/pro was introduced.

Similar Products Used:
none

Summary:
Excellent addition to any system without AC-3. Who needs DTS ? when the standard format is AC-3...
I recommended this unit for those who care about quality of sound...

Strengths:
Powerful ac-3 awesome SDDS

Weaknesses:
Digital 96khs

Similar Products Used:
TAE-2000ESD