I have this amplifier in a full Sony ES setup.
I have the E2000ESD pre-amp, CDP-C8ESD CD-player, and ST-550ES Tuner.

This amplifier puts out way more power in a stereo setup than most people could ever need, when it's bridged in BTL mode, it thumps hard, with no clipping.

I have been mightily pleased with my purchase (2nd-hand) where it's now an absolute bargain.
With the Sony build quality and it being an ES product (even if it doesnt say ES in the model number) it will probably last longer than I will.
Theres the added functionality of being able to provide 4 channels of individual amplification - perfect for a home theatre, or 2nd room setup.

Flexibility. 2, 3 or 4 channel amp. 60 or 125 W/8 Ohm. It is a cheap way to get a poweramp. A great first step get a glimps of what separats can do.

Soundquality.

I bought this amp for its flexibility and for the price. They year was 1991? and most people had not heard about Dolby Pro Logic. I used it as power amp in my first home theater together with an SSI decoder. The soundquality was more than up for my needs back then, given that it is a Sony ES product (without the ES-logo). When used with my NAD preamp and NHT speakers I really can evaluate the sound. In four channel mode the sound is dull and not involving. You really have to pull up the volume to get the dynamics. My NHT easily gets the best out of the amp. In two channel (BTL/Bridged) mode this amp really improves and sounds much more detailed and really nice. Better than most £300-400 amps and much better than any reciver of reasonable money. I have spent much of my earlier "hifi-years" long nights listening to unplugged music, female vocal on this amp. It has got potential to be a great amp, but often fails to give you that extra thrill. It do not draw you into the music... This is a great amp for party sound. It is a great amp for medium quality surrond. This is an amp that would make most "reciver listeners" happy. If you are looking for a true involving sound, look elswere. Today the amp is used with my PC or as a party amp. This amp is well worth the money if you can find use for its 2,3 or 4 channels. Do not hope for high-end but it is much better than any sub $500-700 recivers I´ve heard.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam Alpha series, Sunfire amps, Nads, Sonys well alot. It is a hobby of mine to listen to different products.

The one I own has wooden panels, they look great. Unit is a good looking one. It needs a preamlifier unit definitely, because it has no bass and treble adjustments and no source selection controls.

It is not 5.1 or newly 6.1 (with center surround) capable. I mean it has 4 outputs, not 6.

This amp is good because of being 4 channel based one and also being too silent. If you have a good pre-amplifier like TA-E1000ESD, it''''s a great deal. You can run your surrounds with it. It is not called as an ES product on the unit, but at Sony Amplifier site they ranked it as an ES model. I wonder why? So what do we call to this unit, an ES or not? I actually made a modification in it by replacing it''''s 4 piece 50Volt 6800uF 85 degree capable capasitors with 8 piece 50Volt 4700uF 105 degree capable Rubycon capasitors. (I paralellized every 2 piece) Now it sounds greater. I am using it more than 2 years like that and no problem occured yet. Maybe Sony didn''''t pushed really hard this amplifier? Other revievers complain about being this one quite normal, not professional. But now it is professional and super. It booms wery well, good treble and no extra distorsion from amplifier unit.

Similar Products Used:

Technics SE-A1000, Kenwood KM-Z1 etc.

looks, power, price

bass could be clear

Using this PA sometimes as direct amp seems that they have strong and clear sound. Listening was perform through Cal Labs CD DX2 player and Marantz KI version of model 53. I was very surprised because PA that range of price was for someone who believe only in good american amplifiers very good product.
High range was enough clear that was not boring after long period of listening.
Middle range place good feeling in the room but most expectations was placed to bass range. It was not bad but could be little more cleared as it was my expression.
Putting it together with AMC AV 81 HT sound was quite OK and
I receive what I expect.
Good looking PA for not big price showing lot of fun in looking movies.
Now I can change several time between my PA-s.
If you do not expect but want to have Power Amplifier of great look with enough ammount of power to fulfill average room than buy it.
If you are not audiophile that be carefully- this is for enthusiast who can't spent thousands of US$ for single piece of HiFi equipment.

Similar Products Used:

AMC 2445, Marantz 140,McCormack DNA-0.5,Jolida 302A

No repairs in the 10 yrs I have owned it. Decent sound

I can't complain about this unit, but I have not really pushed it hard. I bought it to run my center and rear surround speakers, which do not require much in the way of power. It has performed well, with decent sound, and has been very reliable for me. I use an Adcom 535 for my fronts, and have never really swapped the amps for a sound comparison. 10 years, and still going strong. Who can complain about that?

Record capabilities

The thing crapped out on me after only 2 years. The eject mechanism that it boasts about....plainly sucks. I jams up and basicly eats your MD's unless you dig it out with a steak knife. I was really bummed when the thing crapped out.

Read above

Flexibility

Very engineered. Feeble power supply. If you drive it hard it will give out. No compariosn to my dinky little Adcom GFA-535.

Very unimpressive amplifier in all ways. Sorry I got it.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GFA-535, Dynaco Mark III, Tandberg 3036A Mk-II