Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Navy Exchange

Summary:
I have had this unit since it's first release in 1999. It has been with me through countless natural disasters and 3 countries. My dog ate the remote and I have yet to find a replacement but I am not complaining because even without being able to tweak it as much as I like the sound is exquisite. No it is not DTS no it is not THX but I would not trade it in for any other model that is on the market. My friends all have these fancy new Home theatre in a box systems but none compare to what I have.

Strengths:
Crisp, clean, clear sound. Nothing else matters. No matter what mode it is in it sounds good.

Weaknesses:
You can't do quite as much tweaking without the remote.

Price Paid:  $650.00 from Audio King

Summary:
I know it's not relevant to discuss this product but I had to redeem the Sony STR-DA90ES's name after having read harsh reviews. This receiver is like having a Clydesdale horse that can tip-toe on rice paper. So much raw power that is executed so exquisitely. Unbelievable guts in this number. I tend to like my music/movies loud. I've not been able to turn the dial even half way in over 3 years of use. This thing screams. Audio is crystal clear at any level.

There is the issue that plagues so many regarding this receiver. "Oh, that darn remote! I hate it!" That's the response that seems to permeate most reviews. I think that the STR-DA90ES's remote works quite well for most functions. It's easy to use and the GUI is well thought out and planned. I've seen worse. I've seen much worse. Aside from that, any critique is being nit picky.

Now, since the time in which I've purchased the Sony STR-DA90ES many revolutions have come to home theater/audio. The purpose of a company is to make new products and develop new technologies to prod the consumer to forget that 6 months ago they just shelled out a grand on a new receiver. So, obviously, we are all aware of the fact that one receiver is never going to be able to keep up with the times. When I purchased this receiver DTS was in it's infancy, nothing over 5.1 was heard of, DVD was new - much less DVD-Audio or anything else, and so on. DTS would be a turning point for some people but I still feel satisfied with the STR-DA90ES and I still stand behind this prize fighter of a A/V receiver.

I hope my future receiver will be able to live up to the extremely high standards set by the STR-DA90ES.

SYSTEM:
Receiver: Sony STR-DA90ES
Television: Sony KV-32V68
DVD: Sony DVP-C650D
VCR: Sony SLV-779HF
Power Conditioner: Monster Cable HTS3000
Main Speakers: Klipsch KG 4.5
Center Chanel: Klipsch KV1
Rear Speakers: Klipsch KG 1.5
Subwoofer: Klipsch KSW-12
Cabling: All Monster Cable - Z series and Video 3

Strengths:
Power, Design, Quality

Weaknesses:
No DTS (if that's your thing), No Pre-Amp In, limited future upgradabilty

Price Paid:  $450.00 from used online

Summary:
I love this reciever. I have built my home theater and audio system around IT! I researched this reciever for quite awhile before my purchase so I knew about the potential strengths and drawbacks of the remote and the on screen display. I was using a HK avr 85 reciever with a madrigal/citation IRIQ remote that allowed me to control my reciever, tv, and all other devices from one remote via the IRIQ. However the H/K did not have the power or sound quality at 85 watts that I needed for loud listening in my large theater room. The 125 watts of the Sony solved that problem and by using s-video connections on dvd, vcr, and DSS I can control every source from this recievers' remote like the IRIQ but unlike the IRIQ I dont have to look down at the remote. Instead with the Graphic Users Interface and Sony Vision Touch capabilities I can easliy navigate through a minimum of menus by way of the onscreen display on the tv to diplay and perform virtually any function that I need. I dont have to take my eyes of the tv screen and look down at a tiny remote screen. It is extremely user friendly to operate all my componenets without getting different remotes out and figuring what button to push. Any particular specified components power on and off and start to play with one touch of a button. I really feel that this is the most user freindly couch potato remote and reciever on the market!! The initial set can be difficult but once you figure it out it is worth the setup hassles.
The sound qualities of the 90esg is superior to any other reciever I have auditioned. In the direct mode DD 5.1 is fantastic. Sound levels at high volumes are acheived effortlessly with the 125 watts per channel. Finally these can be purchased used on ebay and other sites for under $500 which makes them an exceptional value. The lack of DTS is such an unsignificant matter that all I can say is who cares if it doesnt have DTS. There are a multitude of soundfeild adjustments you can make if you are into that but the real kicker is the 2 channel stereo sound in direct mode. It is very clean, clear, and powerful. I have experimented with expensive seperates and tube gear and this reciever has caused me to sell it all and consolidate my audio gear into one home theater and audio system centered around this reciever. I dont write this review cause I want to sell it a hope someone will read this and want to buy mine so I can purchase another product. No way this unit is a keeper.

My System:
Sony 90esg reciever
Sony 7700 DVD player
Sony 61" projection TV
JVC svhs vcr
Newform Research 645's for front mains
Bolender Graebner 220 center channel
DBX soundfeild V rear channels
Though my system may not be world class it is what I consider to be high end. I have built it around the sony 90esg reciever and the GUI onscreen remote diplay and I couldnt be more satisfied.

Strengths:
Power. Sound. Build quality. REMOTE ONSCREEN DISPLAY!!!

Weaknesses:
None for my preferences.

Similar Products Used:
H/K. Other Sony. Marantz.

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Dealer (old stock)

Summary:
Outstanding receiver. The sound is incredible. I have recently gotten the upgrade bug and want to trade up but this has me spoiled. I honestly can't find another receiver that would be noticably better. I think I may go separates. The only receiver I would think of trading up to is a Denon 5700 or 5800, but that's such a beast.

On the remote, if you have it set up for all your components and used S-Video, I think it would be great. But I have component in and there are many functions that you cannot get a Direct punch button to, you have to navigate through menus. So I bought an RTI TheaterTouch remote. One of the only ones that can control the Vision Touch Sony's. With that, I can run Macros to adjust all the Sony's modes. It's nice...

This model does not directly compare to the current Sony ES line. The 555 and 333 are just not in the same league. Ask any Sony dealer. They all love the old 90ES and the only receiver that compared was the 777 which is an awesome unit if you can find one I hear.

This review is late in coming but I see some of these on Ebay every now and then, they are worth it.

Strengths:
Sound, excellent DD decoding, some useful cinema modes, direct pass for 2 channel, huge number of inputs...

Weaknesses:
No DTS, no 5.1 inputs and too dependent on the remote.

Similar Products Used:
none

Summary:
Make No Mistake this is the best Sounding Receiver Sony has Ever Produced, It has only the Future-Proof weaknesses I've described, But It's strengths are many. I had Demoed so many different models & brands before Deciding this was the Clear winner.
Even Now in 2001 I would not trade up for a new model because of the overall superlative stereo sound in its direct mode.
Only seperates will do you One better but you have to deal with More Expense,Extra wiring that is Extremely Crucial to its sound, & less inputs on Most Preamps.
If It's Still Available Try It Out You won't be Mistaken.
Frank F. (Frank's Sound Room)

Strengths:
Great Sound In Direct Mode,Excellent Dolby Digital, Labeling of Inputs,Smooth Dynamics

Weaknesses:
No 5.1 Input, No DTS, Not DVD-audio Ready

Similar Products Used:
Onkyo 919, Denon 3600