Price Paid:  $185.00 from Distress sale

Summary:
Picked this up from someone who needed some quick cash. It was in perfect condition inside and out,and my thought was that I could easily sell it for twice what I paid. Then I hooked it up to test all the functions. It's been in the rack ever since, and has become my go-to pre/amp ever since. I sold my Rotel RB-980BX amp, boxed up the AudioSource preamp, and left the AudioSource Amp One in its box to join the preamp as wonderful heirlooms. This Sony ES receiver does everything I want it to do and more, I got it for next to nothing, could still sell it for twice what I paid, but I am quite attached at this point. While music is my first love and concern, I do enjoy movies on the weekend, and had been using a Vantas tri-amp/processor (emergency backup and potential museum piece)to accomplish this. My front speakers are B&W 600 S3s, the center is a DCM CX, and the surrounds are Cambridge Newton 100's. Due to an anomaly of the room, wiring the rears was a problem and that is taken care of by a Kenwood RFU-6100 surround digital amp and sender/receiver system that does the work for the Sony's rear outputs, but that is another story.
For music, its first responsibility, the Sony acquits itself extremely well, standing up to the measure of not only the AudioSource and Rotel amps and an earlier Yamaha M-40, but the AudioSource preamp as well. The sound is clean, clear, precise and detailed, while having an almost tube-like warmth that is extremely rare in high-end transistor equipment. It also puts Carver's imitation tube-sound in its place for a lot less money - or it would if one could find one of Carver's freaks anymore. In short, the front-end of this thing, pre-amp and left and right, are all first-rate and extremely surprising, especially in light of what's become of Sony's ES line circa 2004-'05. Pity. As for the movies, I'm easy anyway, but this thing, helped along by the odd array of surround speakers and a Boston PV600, puts me in a really GOOD theater, not some mall closet. Truly an amazing performer, the only thing missing is the redundant anyway 5.1 input set on the back, which Sony apparently realized later was some sort of standard which had to be met, even though it adds a mere 2 oz. to the total weight of the exactly-the-same DA-333ES. Yep, the identical same but with the 5.1 inputs so you can use the decoding from your Best Buy DVD player after shelling out a grand for a receiver that can create just about any ambience you want. Does that make sense, really? So look around for someone in a pinch who has one of these not-quite-state-of-the-art DA30 or DA50ESs and steal it. You won't miss the 5.1 inputs and you won't miss 6.1 or 7.1 either. Just how many of us actually own places big enough and well-designed enough to even warrant that kind of thing? Modesty - less is sometimes actually more. I'm tickled with this thing and can only hope Sony will return to this level of build, quality, design and all-around pleasantness and give up the over-priced, under-performing silver washing machine looking stuff before it's too late. Then again, with eBay it's never too late, is it?

Strengths:
Everything.

Weaknesses:
No 5.1 inputs so you can't waste your investment using the tinfoil and plastic device inside your cheap, throwaway DVD player.

Similar Products Used:
Rotel RX-0980BX amp, AudioSource Amp One,
Yamaha M-40 amp, AudioSource Preamp/Tuner
One, Vantas DPA-S50 amp/processor, B&W DM17s, ADS-L1230s, B&W DM 600 S3s, Sony DVP-NC650V, etc.

Price Paid:  $799.00 from Local Hi-Fi store

Summary:
I have used this product since 1998 and I have been extrememly happy with the performance. Being on a budget, this receiver was more than I had previously considered spending but it was a good introduction to high-end audio (this model is the entry level for the Sony ES line.) I use this system to power 2 Cerwin-Vega RE25 towers, a Cerwin Vega E-D63 center channel, 2 Epitome in wall rear speakers, and a BIC America Venturi 150 watt sub. I have been completely satisfied with the performance and quality and probably will one day replace this with another Sony.

My prime viewing location puts me at about 20 feet from the front speakers with the rear speakers just behind the shoulder line and to the far left and right -- about 10 feet on either side. I found the sound quality to be excellent, the power and volume to more than adquate to fill my living room, and the features to be beyond what I expected. I have not seen the problems other owners have experienced. I have yet to have a failure of any type. The settings for speaker size, component specific EQ and sound settings, and the fairly wide db range for adjusting speaker volume and balance make this a joy to own.

The remote controls *most* of my other components to some degree but there is no pre-programmed setting for my Dish Network box. Because I use only limited features for some of my other devices, the lack of total control is not a big minus. I currently use the remote for my Toshiba TV, Toshiba DVD, and Sony CD.

This receiver has a nice collection of Optical inputs but is limited to one digital coaxial input.

Strengths:
Small touches very nice. Customizable text displays for components, A/V jacks in front, optical input for all devices, separate audio and video selector (watch TV and listen to CD at same time), good clean power, (A)uto (F)ormat (D)ecode very useful, good selection of other sound modes. Good decoding quality for DTS, DD 5.1. I'm still amazed at the quality LFE (Low Frequency Effects) adds to the cinematic experience.

Weaknesses:
Remote does not offer *full* control of all devices. 0.5 second delay for AFD can cause you to miss a little audio at start of program. Usually not a problem but I like the short THX or DTS *demos* included on most DVDs.

Being an older model, it does not support DD 6.1 or Pro Logic II.

Similar Products Used:
Previously owned Fisher and Pioneer mass-market consumer devices. Definitely not in the same category.

Price Paid:  $500.00 from magnolia hi-fi

Summary:
I purchased a floor model at a discounted price in 1998 and had not trouble from the unit until approx 3 weeks ago when it would not power up at all. It took me a few days to remember that the unit has a 5 year warranty and bring it the the store I purchased it from. Magnolia is Sony authorized to repair Sony products and so I had a shorter wait (9 days) than other reviewers have reported. Unfortunately, when I brought the unit home yesterday and hooked it up the center channel was distorted and made crackling/crinkling sounds running either the inbuilt test tones or playing Avia audio test tones. It is now back in the shop. It sounds like several other reviewers had similar problems.

Strengths:
5 year warranty.
Handles 5.1 well.

Weaknesses:
It was a decent product in 1998 but technologically has gotten long in the tooth. If I am compelled to replace this
unit I will look into the Denon 1802 or the Onkyo 595 (or better yet wait for the
newer version of the Onkyo 595 that should be rolling out in the next few months.)

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Local HiFi Shop

Summary:
I've had this unit for two years now. After using it for one year, it stopped working altogether. I had to send it in to a Sony Service Center and they were able to fix it. A month later, my home theater was up and running again (it was a long month).

Then at the start of year two, the volume control on the receiver (not the remote) stopped working intermittently. It would work for a few hours then stop working for a few hours. So I sent it in to the Sony Service Center. Some technician apparently turned it on, tried the volume control a single time and said "there's nothing wrong with this".

A month later I got it back, plugged it in and within a few hours, the volume control was having the same old problem. Now they want me to send it in again. That will make 3 months in the shop over the past year or so. That's simply not acceptable for what is supposed to be Sony's more professional line (the ES series).

I hate to say it (because I own several Sony products), but I will never buy Sony again. It's simply not worth the aggravation.

Strengths:
Nice Sound

Weaknesses:
Very unreliable

Price Paid:  $800.00 from Crutchfield

Summary:
I bought this unit because of the Sony ES name and reputation. Now I am not too sure about it's built, quality, and reliability. After approx 1 yr, the remote control LCD display would just go blank. After approx 2 yrs, the unit started giving out popping/static noises in DSP modes when powered up cold. I took them back to the Sony Service Center at Irvine. It took 9 work days (11 total days - incl Sat&Sun) to resolve the problem. The remote was replaced. Some cold joint was found in Unit and resoldered. Well, guess what? Unit works only for 2 days. The remote that was replaced also had a defective screen with a different problem (Not sure if it was new or refub) Both items are now back for service. Hope this 2nd time around will be the end of my misery. I have a Sony VAIO laptop (Made in Japan), Sony 32 WEGA & Sony 27 Triniton (Both V series)- I don't have any problems. But, I must say that my experience sofar with Sony ES in the long haul isn't a good one.

Strengths:
Good Clear Sound (DTS and DD 5.1)

Weaknesses:
Remote - limited pgm, can only operate RCA or Sony DSS.
Reliability after 1-2 yrs.
Expensive

Similar Products Used:
Older Technics Prologic (Made in Japan - Still working!!!)