Price Paid:  $350.00 from Flanner's

Summary:
I blew up two, yes two of these. Do do not believe it when sales reps tell you they can drive 2 - 4 ohm front speakers. Can't do it. They blow in nearly 1 yr 4 mo. to date of purchase. Other than that, if you are not running low impedance, I'd recommend. Sound fields are abundant and excellent and you can custom tweak. I had the first one rebuilt after 1 yr 4 mo. - cost $150.00 and it worked for 8 mo. then blew again. So I bought a new one which was supposed to be upgraded and improved but the same thing virtually to the day happened - 1yr 4 mo. Wound up trading it in for a B&K which is is a waaaaay higher price/power bracket but it was time.

In case you are wondering, when it blows it just cuts out in the middle of whatever you happen to be watching or listening to - even if it is just low volume TV or music. Bah.

Strengths:
Inexpensive

Everything sounds very good

Easy to tweak and customize your sound fields

Weaknesses:
Cannot drive 4 ohm speakers, no matter what anyone tells you.

Not really enough optical/digital inputs/outputs for today's modern components. Not really enough inputs/outputs period if you are running many components like video game consoles, DVD, VCR, SAT, Tape Deck, CD etc.

Similar Products Used:
Sanyo Receivers - Sony is really much better all around.
Harmon Kardon 330's & 430's for music and stereo sound ONLY.

Price Paid:  $362.00 from Online Store

Summary:
Here I am again reviewing something new I got recently. The earlier Sony ES didn't do it for me, but this STR-DA 1000ES is very impressive in price and performance.
I am really suprised how it performs and how easy it is to set up.
I would never change my Pioneer Elite 43TX for the Sony, but this Sony is in the livingroom for everyone to use and enjoy music, movies, and cable tv.
The Pioneer is in the movie room for "Movies" only

Strengths:
Looks
Price
Performance
Setup

Weaknesses:
None so far and the remote is very easy to use and I have no difficulty using the remote

Similar Products Used:
Harman Kardon
Pioneer Elite 43TX
Denon 2805

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I upgraded to this receiver after my Kenwood VR-509 blew up (after 3 years). The Kenwood was a decent unit, but the Sony is so superior that it is not fair to compare them.

I use this unit for movies, TV and music. I chose this model since it was the only receiver I found in this price range with a learning remote and a phono input.

The surround effects are incredible. This unit does a great job with both audio and video. It separates the audio and delivers it to the appropriate speakers much better than most. I have heard effects with this machine that I never heard with my Kenwood or its Sony predecessor. For me, the real stand-out is the phono input. This receiver can even make old Mono LP's sound great...well maybe just good, but that's a lot to ask of any receiver. A quality stereo LP sounds better than a CD with this unit - I tested it.

The learning remote learned every remote I have. However, the buttons are small and hard to see, especially in the dark. The remote is good, but it is definately the worst part about this unit. At least it has an LCD display to make it easier to use.

Strengths:
Easy to tweak the sound fields and speaker output. Learning remote with LCD display. Excellent sound quality. Phono input.

Weaknesses:
The remote could be setup better with larger or more intuitive buttons.

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood VR509, Sony STR-705?, Yamaha

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Good Guys

Summary:
I bought this to replace a Yamaha RXV-800, which had many problems. This Sony is excellent in almost all aspects. Great sound, for a Sony, relatively easy to learn and operate. Good on music and excellent in home theater use.

Strengths:
Wide range on Equalizer mode though it could be easier to access. Easy switching of modes. Great performance in all modes.

Weaknesses:
Not enough rear plugs----only one AC and not enough variety of optical. Also, you need to use a bit of imagination hooking up components, because, with a CDR and DVDR components, you have to use other plugs and change the name of the component input on the display---fairly easy to do. About the only other thing I missed from the Yamaha was the 5 channel stereo.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha RXV-800, Onkyo

Price Paid:  $635.00 from Visions

Summary:
Paid $635 Canadian which is about $485 US. Bought this receiver today and love it. I have a 5 year old Yamaha RX-V793 that sounds really good but this Sony unit blows it away - and for less money than I spent in 1999 on the Yamaha. The Center channel comes across a bit bright but not obtrusive. I have Sound Dynamics 300ti front speakers and Boston CR5 rears. With the Yamaha I never knew if I was getting sound out of the 300ti's - With the Sony the sound is localized a lot better and the surround effects seem to be a lot better. It took a bit of tweaking to get the sound the way you like it. If you set the front speakers as Large the subwoofer kicks in really nicely and is there when you need it. The setup menu requires you to use a combination of the remote and the front panel - not a big deal for me.

I don't have many VHS movies anymore but it is really nice to listen to them in ProLogic II.

I couldn't get my Toshiba TV and Motorola cable box to run from the remote but that's a minor issue. Also, the remote buttons are small and not backlit which may be an issue for some.

Strengths:
Impressive sound when tweaked correctly.
Better localization of sound than older receiver.

Weaknesses:
Remote buttons are small and not backlit.
Remote may not operate all devices.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha RX-V793