Love this unit. Upgraded from an Adcom system. The TA-E9000 is definitely the highest quality in terms of build and sound. Installed 1.10C but didn't really notice any brightness as others have noted.
One problem however is that my unit runs extremely hot. After about 10 minutes of running at 45db the unit is too hot to touch on top. Anyone else have this problem? Or is this a normal occurance for Sony equipment?

I love this product. I had the outlet problem. It ended up being a fuse which I replace myself. I read in the warranty that fuses are not covered. I got a great deal on mine because of the problem.

Have had the Sony E9000ES for several months now and just love it. I have it hooked up to a Sony XA20ES CD, Carver TFM-15CB Amp and Infnity Overture 3's and just run 2 channel for music. My question is how can I tell what version firmware I am running in the E9000 and where to get the newest release 1.10c? If anyone would E-mail it to me that would be great: bobmorr@texas.net. Thanks!

I have had this pre-amp for about four months now and I must say I am quite impressed with it's capabilites.For most applications it far excedes the level of performance I require from it.At first I had a problem with internally generated noise above -20db , but I have just installed the 1.04a upgrade and it has magically cleared itself up above -20db.I am not a true audiophile and don't expect to become one anytime soon,but For the price I paid (under a grand) I am going to own this thing for awhile it seems. I also purchased the N9000es to go with it and it has also filled the bill.Plenty of clean power and headroom too boot.Yea,the pre-amp could be better as alot of you have stated,but the thing does just about everything you could ever want and can be upgraded in the future.......COOL... By the way I have been reading that there maybe a newer upgrade than the 1.04a. If one of you true audiophiles would be so kind I would love to have it,that is if you think its worth installing....Thanks

P.S. Oh Yea.. I had my remote upgraded too..,..waste of time for mine,but it may help someone elses..

JD, Do you remember a few weeks back our debate about crossover setup and bass management? You are obviously a liar because back then you lied and said you had the same firmware version as the rest of us, version 1.10c. Now you have version 1.10a? Which version do you have?
To all: I noticed while listening to CDs using the Disco/Club and Live House soundfield that my rear speakers were in use even though the front display showed 2 channels. I never noticed before. I've always wanted a 4 or 5 channel stereo mode so I adjusted one of the EQ settings to tweak the audio coming from the rears and it sounds great!

HERE IS A TRANSCRIPT OF MY FIRST EVER REVIEW ON THE TA-E9000ES BACK IN MAY! :-)
Date: May 28, 1999
IP Address: 206.47.244.29
JD EDER an Audio Enthusiast from Toronto,Ontario,Canada writes:

I got my TA-E9000ES today and here's my initial review of the unit. First, the firmware version is 1.10A. MY first
impression is that the unit is excellent in workmanship and solid in construction. It has no lyp-sinc problem as
reported with the earlier versions from earlier reviews on this site. I used it with my Sony DVD500D player and it
rocked! I can easily give it five stars. The remote works fine for me so far. The manual says that a "one way" remote
is available from Authorized Sony Dealers and Service Centers. The model # is Sony RM-PP402. You will hear more
from me in the next days to come. Sorry but the firmware version did not come with a diskette otherwise I'd share it
with everyone! Peace! :-)

I would appreciate assistance in how to determine the software release of my newly bought unit and information and how to obtain the latest revision. In the first go around, I've been able to match the Sony DSS decoder to the Sony TV. Perhaps an upgrade would help.
Thanks.

I live with mine for about 4 months now and can tell u i love it. I have had many gear in my life and the sony is one of the best. Dont worry about the upgrade if ur model is ok, no hiss or any other bug. I got the 9000 hooked up with a Adcom 7500 THX amp and i am very happy, remember if ur happy forget about the rest! Very well built , almost 30 pounds! Great sound a little bright but match it with the right speakers and ur ok. For movies in Dolby Digital or DTS disconect the equalizer, put it on of then put it on Virtual Theather B that will give u more space in the sound for movies. And on concert dvd that are 5.1 use the arena, stadium and ull be in the concert. For the money u cant get more! On music i used only the digital connection since this pre-amp convert every incoming signal to digital , and i use auto format and i use the internal equalizer to tweak the signal for better sound. so dont worry about the upgrade, if its not broken dont fix it!

I have not posted a review of this great pre-amp before, and I will not do it this time, perhaps some time in the future...
Anyway, I have the following pretty weird experience with this pre-amp and its remote control:
The first set of batteries (the included Sonys) did last much more than around 3-4 weeks, only because I did not have enough time to play around with it. The next set of batteries have lasted till this very day !!! I have used it, but I have also been away on vacation for about 3 weeks, so I had figured that they had run out when I came back. But as I pressed for the backlight, the screen never looked brighter and sharper! I do not use it that much though, as I try to avoid eating the batteries for unneccesary things, but then again these (Duracell AA) batteries have lasted for more than 9 weeks now, and they are still going strong! Talk about 'burn-in'!
Its a European version of the pre-amp and I got it late April this year. So I guess I will not try to have it upgraded...

Even though I will not go into any review details I do think this is a 5 star product!

Jazzy

I have had the 9000 since April, and originally gave it a 5. Since that time the unit has been to Sony for service twice; in fact it is still there, and has been there for a month. I was informed today that my unit was not yet logged in their computer, and that I would have to wait another week before I would know what the status was. Considering that the unit is in this time because of an error the factory service center made in reassembling my unit the first time (when it came back, two of the front panel knobs didn't work!), and considering the abysmal level of service I have received from Sony, even though they are the ones that caused the problem, I will not recommend this or any other Sony component to anyone. Nice going, Sony. You have alienated a loyal 20 year Sony customer. If I could, I'd give them a zero. I'll revise my 5 for the unit to a 1; what good is it if you can't use it?