Price Paid:  $300.00 from The Stereo Shop in G

Summary:
I bought this receiver to replace a sony str-de575. what a difference the ES line makes! First off it has a very clean professional look compared to the DE model. Secondly it has much more clean usuable power than the 575, the opening sceen in Attack of the Clones literally made the woofers in my klipsch sf-1s jump about an inch with out any audible distortion. Luckily the ES has a wide variety (40-200 hz in 10 hz increments) of crossover points for digital processing (the 2 channel mode defeats them, another plus), allowing me to set my sf1s @ 40 hz high pass, my sc-1 @ 100 hz high pass, my ss.5s @ 100 hz high pass and my SVS 25-31 pci @ 100 Hz low pass. The ES has a modest amount of DSP modes (Hall, Concert, Jazz, Game and Sony's Digital Cimema Sounds) all of which are similar in sound quality to my DE model. This receiver also employs Dolby Pro Logic II for movies and music. This feature is wonderful, it brings new life to older PL movies (I watch Friday the other night and was throughly impressed) and creates a seamless surround sound effect from two channel music sources (The K&D Sessions were mind-blowing). My only resevation is the remote, luckily my old remote from the 575 was compatible, problem solved. Overall I am very happy and throughly impressed by this entry level of sony's top line and I would highly reccommend the ES line and The Stereo Shop in Greensburg, PA, too.

Strengths:
Clean simple flexiable and powerful.

Weaknesses:
Remote

Similar Products Used:
sony strde-575
sony strde-415

Price Paid:  $499.00 from Brandsmart

Summary:
I stepped up from a 1991 Sony STR-AV770 model receiver when I purchased this product. What a difference! The Sony ES line is much better than the standard Sony line.

Strengths:
Price
Features
Looks
Performance

Weaknesses:
Remote needs a few more buttons...NOT!!
Sony made explicit models of this receiver for different areas of the country, therefore you have to determine which model it is you have while reading through the instruction booklet. What a PITA.
FM reception could be better.

Similar Products Used:
1990-91 Sony STR-AV770 (still works great)

Price Paid:  $508.00 from Niver Electronics (O

Summary:
This is an amp that sacrifices a few features for better construction and better components, yeilding better sound quality. It may only have the basics but it does them very well.

If you are looking for more features than this (6.1 channels, DTS ES or an output for a 2nd pair of speakers) check out Sony's DA2ES or the 7.1 channel DA4ES.

If you are looking for a well built 5.1 channel amp, this may be the one for you.

My speakers are Polk's 5.1 RM6000 connected to the amp via Monster Cable's 16 gauge XP MP speaker cable.

Strengths:
Clean video output if you want to run your video through your amplifier.

Very good seperation among all the speaker channels. 5.1 surround effects are well defined.

ES build quality, performance & a 5 year warranty for only a bit more than a top of the line Sony DE series amp.

While it has fewer features, those features are solid and well done.

Oh yeah, it sounds good too!

Weaknesses:
The remote is another one of Sony's "how many buttons can we fit on here" family of amplifier remotes.

No output for a second pair of speakers.

Only one digital coaxial input.

Video output from the amp it limited to the same format as the video input (no composite video signals displayed over the S-VHS output for example).

Only supports the usual 5.1 versions of Dolby & DTS. No THX.

Similar Products Used:
Sony DE885

Price Paid:  $347.00 from Reliable Audio (onli

Summary:
I ordered this unit to replace my 2 year old STR-DE845 receiver. I wanted the build quality of the ES line, as well as an upgrade to DPLII.

First off, the unit is very solid, weighs in at around 35 pounds, at least 10 pounds heavier than my old unit.

Initial setup I would consider to be quite confusing for a first time customer, the owner's manual has you jump around too much for setting up the options, which are many.

The strengths to me came in the adjustments for the speaker levels, with .5db steps, sub crossover variable from 40Hz to 200Hz in 10Hz steps, each surround speaker level is adjustable.

The display is very clean looking, not too busy. With the front panel closed the unit looks great. For some reason, Sony did not include the old "blue light" for digital processing.

For the money, it is a higher quality unit than the top STR-DE unit, but in my opinion, Sony should have started with the those same features on the DA1ES, and gone up from there.

In my personal use, I am content with staying with 5.1, a very low noise level, and plenty of adjustments. It fit my requirements for everyday use.

Strengths:
Great build quality
Good looks
Fine adjustments of sound levels on all speaker channels
DPLII
HD capable component switching
Sound Field Link capability

Weaknesses:
Poor Remote
No OSD
Few Cinema Modes
No B Speakers
Equalizer Bass does not go down to a low enough frequency

Similar Products Used:
Sony STR-DE845 Receiver

Price Paid:  $0.00 from ABT Electronics

Summary:
I have Sony STR-DB930 already, but wanted another reciever too bad that Sony doesn't make the DB930 anymore... What a steal!!! Anyway I got this receiver due to budget constraints. Very good performance so far, but this is no where close to my DB930 in terms of raw power, no more set of B speakers, no more gold everthing on the back panel, and no more cool LCD remote. I am now using it as a bed room receiver and it is more than enough for that purpose. I first hooked it up in my media room, but then quickly took it to the bed room.

Strengths:
Looks
Clean analog inputs
All essential stuff is there

Weaknesses:
For the price, nothing really but it would be great to have:
LCD remote
Gold plated back panel in/outs
More Watts
At least have a switch for B speakers, even if not have the A+B feature

Similar Products Used:
Sony STR-DB930, Yamaha 54xx/55xx etc
Do NOT buy Sony STR-DExxx crap!!!