Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Unit went back to the repair service 4 times. Mixed it up with someone else's the first time (different serial numbers). Couldn't repair mine the other three times; video out, jacks don't work, etc.. The last time it came back the video 3 jacks in front don't work. I have to crawl behind my TV to connect an XBox and disconnet the A/V jack on the back of my TV. Thanks Sony! I was so appalled at the service and product quality I wrote the Chairman and CEO of Sony a letter in Toyko. Even after assistance from corporate it came back not working properly. I've given up. Their service operation is completely disfuncional and mismanaged. Sony is living on their past good reputation however their product quality continues to decline - everthing from the camcoder I had that lasted less than a year to the A/V line.

Price Paid:  $327.00 from JandR.com

Summary:
I bought this in need of more video inputs, to suppport my TiVo habit. Connections: The unit has adequate a/v connections, except that the video2 has no S-Video. So I had to get a cable adapter (comp->S-video) from TiVo to Video2. I couldn't just use comp, because on this unit the S-video is on a separate bus. You have to use all S or none. Also, the DVD digital input is coax, while all other digital inputs are optical. Would be nice to have choices, or at least have them all the same. Theater: good sound. I don't have a center rear speaker to try, but otherwise good surround effects, both in Dolby Digital II/DTS, or the various sound fields. Music: Good from DVD/CD/MP3, but haven't tried MD or others. The auto-detect sound field is nice, as is the one-button 2-channel function. Sounds good in a small room w/small sub. Can't vouch for bigger rooms. Features: customizable input titles is cool, but I suspect that's common now. 2-room is cool, if you can find a long RCA. I haven't figured out the on-screen thing yet, but I'll keep working on it. Takes a lot of time to get all the stuff it does. Speaker distance/position settings are effective.

Strengths:
Good sound in small-room environments. 2nd room feature. Compensations for speaker type/location.

Weaknesses:
Needs S-video on Video2. So many features that it gets very complicated finding something. Still haven't mastered the on-screen thing. Switching to universal learning remote is tricky.

Similar Products Used:
Various JVC and Denon receivers.

Price Paid:  $230.00 from circuit city

Summary:
I bought this receiver at Circuit city and it was an open box item so I got a good deal on it. The only problem is it did not come with a manual. If anyone could sent me a copy of the manual please contact me at jayyoungs26yahoo.com

Price Paid:  $403.00 from IBuyDigital.com

Summary:
Actually a 2002 model. This is a great receiver for the price. I got a hell fo a deal on mine. The sound is very clear. I haven't heard the "sony hiss" yet. My old sony had the hiss and also had static when you turned the volume up and down. It seems like they have fixed these old sony problems. The unit is packed with features for the price. Way too many to list. My buddy with a $1000.00 receiver was amazed at what I got. Now it's not audiophile by any means, but it's a solid receiver to power your basic home components. The movie sound you get is amazing!! Really crystal clear stuff. The CD sound is good but not amazing. And I don't even have rears hooked up. The Dolby Digital II is great. Makes any two channel source into 5.1 audio-it really works well. The unit really kicks the base, even with my small woofer. I have a small room, so can't vouch for the unit's performance in larger rooms. Lots of rear connects. Just a great receiver at a great price for the audio enthusiast who cant' afford the high end stuff. And if you know sony, go to Crutchfield and compare this model to their 1070 or ES models. You actually get more with this one! Not the high quality componentry of ES, but more features.

Strengths:
Tons of Features. Good Looking. Great Display. Excellent base reproduction. Sony's Digital Cinema Modes and Audio Theater modes really make a difference. EQ is very nice. Ability to change video signals through the reciever. Can set all different EQ settings for each mode. Tons of connects, front and back.

Weaknesses:
Remote is clunky. Auido volume response is slow-takes a few seconds to go from quiet to loud, mostly because they have such a wide range of volume-maybe not a weakness actually. On-screen display could be easier to use, esp. the EQ frequency display. Sony manuals always suck. They need to fix that.

Price Paid:  $300.00 from etronics

Summary:
sony makes a hell of a product 110x5 channels doesnt rock you then no reciever will . movies are great music is awsome with sub only you have to have a powerful sub to take advantage of this reciever .i was giong to get the yamaha but when i compared yahmaha didnt have goo power yes it has clean sound and prbly sounds a little better than sony for music but sony is just as clean and more power

Strengths:
power ,clarity , 6.1 matrix

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
yhamaha ,pioneer