There is no question that this is a great piece of equipment. Just look at all the great reviews by the major home theater publications (Audio Mag., Stereo Review, Sterophile Guide to Home Theater, and most recently Home Theater). They have all been impressed by what the Sony can do and at such a low price. Bang for the buck this piece cannot be beat! However at a price anything can be improved. This is not a $10k super high end unit. It will certainly compete with units costing twice its price however. Sure the remote could be better and the new one IS. The firmware fix (v1.04a) is simple and clearly improves the overall sound quality in all modes. Sony customer service via the 800 number could clearly use some help but their sevice center in Novi, MI was very knowledgeable and helpful. Kudos to the sony engineers for thinking about those who want just about everything in a processor but don't have an unlimited pocket book to pay for it.

Clarity, detail, and imaging. Very easy to use. Upgradability. Very musical sounding.

Lack of 5.1 channel inputs, high noise floor, no straight analog throughput, output to high/low, barely readable remote control.

I have been using the TA-E9000ES pre-amp for a little over a month. I bought it to replace my aging Adcom GTP-600. The first thing I noticed was how hard the remote is to see - even in a brightly lite room! Also, the quality of construction is first rate. The rear connections are logically laid out, and the front controls are simple but effective.

When I first hooked it up, I was very disapointed - it sounded like crap. It had a cheap, tinny sound to it. The bass was blurry and soft. The mid-range was a bit compressed and relaxed. The top end was very detailed, but lacked body and fullness and sounded on the thin side. The firmware version was 1.10A. I visited the Sony website and downloaded the 1.10C revision. I hooked up my laptop and proceeded with the update which went very smooth. Took about 10 minutes to complete. I let the preamp break-in over night and the next day's listening was totally different!

After the short overnight break-in, things began to come together better. The bass was alot tighter, the mids were smoother and more neutral, and the highs were more liquid and fuller. After listening to Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' CD, I was totally amazed. I sat spell-bound listening to 'Time'. The detail was astounding. I quickly drug out all my CD's and started listening to them again like it was the first time, all over again! Some good songs I use for referencing equipment is, (among some Chesky & Telearc CD's) Just about anything from Fleetwood Mac, Steve Miller's Greatest Hits, Live's Mental Jewelry ('Beauty of Grey' sounds very Powerful!), Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the moon & Wish You Were Here, and a few others.

For movies, I dug out The Matrix, The Haunting, and Saving Private Ryan. The digital Dolby decoding is flawless. I didn't experience any sync problems at all. I didn't try the DTS decoding since my Sony DVP-7000 doesn't support DTS and I don't have any DTS DVD's.

Overall, I am satisfied with this pre-amp. Some of the things I don't like:
NOISE & CROSSTALK: This is a very noisy pre-amp at moderate to high volumes! I could turn my old Adcom up to 100% with nothing but the faintest white noise hiss from the speakers. This preamp has alot of analog hiss/crosstalk and digital 'jitter' sound noise at high volumes while nothing is playing - unacceptable for a $1400 pre-amp.
OUTPUT LEVEL TO HIGH: The output level is selectable between Normal and Low. Normal is too loud and causes distortion at output levels above 2/3rds. Low is TOO low. Why not low, med, and high?
BASS MANAGEMENT: Why can't I select a cut-off frequency for the subwoofer WITHOUT turning on the equalizer? If the sub is active, I want to control the cut-off. The default is way to high and I needed to use my sub's controls to set the cutoff at 80hz.

Although there are a few flaws, the overall sound quality and ease of use won me over. The remote is usable, but a 3rd party replacement is reccomended. There are better preamps out there, but not at the sub $1500 price range.

Equipment used in this review:
Parasound HCA-2205 5 channel amp (5 x 220W)
Sony DVP-7000 DVD player w/Monster TOSLINK cable & Straightwire Rhyapsody II interconnect
Mitsubishi 790 SVHS VCR
Sony DSS receiver
Toshiba 55" High Definition rear projection TV
Denon DRM-710 3head cassette deck
Sony TA615S 3head cassette deck w/Dolby S
Paradigm Studio 100's (mains), Paradigm Servo 15 sub w/X-20 controller, Paradigm Studio CC (Center), Paradigm Studio 20's (surrounds), Straightwire Maestro speaker wires (biwired up front), Wireworld Eclipse & various Monster/Kimber analog interconnects.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Denon, & Onkyo products

smooth sound, solid LFE bass, everything!!

none.

The new upgrade V2.01 improves on the 2ch & 5.1 ch for a more smoother, neutral sound. It eliminates some of the harshness of the previous upgrade. There's a HP setting and for those wondering what it's for, let me tell you, it's for setting your Headphones level. Next for the Noise band setting, again, it's to specific the test tone bandwidth (std, wide or narrow), try it. There's also a LFE setting. Now, let me enlighten you by saying that this is different from the Subwoofer level setting, trust me. Increasing the LFE or subwoofer is different and not the same. LFE signal improves on the impact, wherelse subwoofer level merely increases overall output. Try to set your LFE below +3 or your sub might overload, again depending on your sub gain etc. Here's another simple test (channel sub with LFE only), use a solid recording with solid LFE. Now let's say you up your sub +3 and listen, next return to zero and then up your LFE +3, notice the difference? Of course! The LFE setting (I repeat), imparts impact!!!!!!!! If you've got any question regarding TA-E9000ES (any question), email me or let me know and I'll answer all your question

HT and digital sources

Music, esp. analog including SACD but not 24/96 DVDA! Cookie monster battery appetite.

It is rather fortuitious that I'm the 301st review and I post on this date.

Why me? Some of you would be familiar with me already.

http://pub7.ezboard.com/faussiedvdandhtforumsonytae9000esinformationforum

Why this date? Read on...

Now that link -

Thanks to Susukino for the translate.

>Sony is providing 6.1ch Cinema Studio EX & Virtual
>Matrix 6.1 upgrade kit for TA-E9000ES owners.

>Cost is 15,000 yen about $200US. (available Sept 21,2000)

>The kit number is VUCD-E9000A
>(CD-Rom, cable, Version upgrade)

>This upgrade will decode 6.1 source (DVD..etc) to
>recreate virtual 6.1ch EX without using a rear centre
>channel speaker.

>It gives you the same 6.1ch Virtual sound as the
>STR-V555ES

>For true discrete 6.1ch EX sound, Sony may makes
>you buy their new 6.1ch EX processor.

So there you have it.

I expect the forum to get fairly vocal as Sony Japan keep the new firmware unavailable outside of Japan.

Eventually it will be available to cries of 'piracy' and other heated arguments.

And Sony will deny its existence just like 1.10 and 1.18

Of course this situation is mirrored with the Sony 777es receiver.

'Firmware, what firmware?'

The more things change, the more they stay the same?

T.

Similar Products Used:

Japanese receivers, THX processor/poweramps.

I just got my E9000ES last week togther with the matching N9000ES amp. I give it 5 stars all the way for appearance, built quality and sound. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
I do not have any problem with the remote control, not yet anyway. There's no hiss either. However, I find the processor's inability to "remember" an input/DSP mode to be a minor inconvenience. I hope that Sony release an operating software upgrade via RS232 port for this oversight. Also, a dedicated or permanent volume display would be nice, too.

I have some friends who are actually thinking of flying to another country to buy the E9000ES and bring it back (hopefully without having to pay for a 35% import tax) because: a) the E9000ES is cheaper there; and b) the E9000ES can be purchased separately without the matching N9000ES amp. I do wish them the best of luck (they do need it). This just goes to show how hot the E9000ES is.

Kudos to Sony, the one, the only.

ATTENTION: THE REMOTE CONTROL CAN BE TAKEN TO A SONY SERVICE CENTER AND BE REPAIRED. THEY REPLACED THE LITHIUM BATTERY, 4 "AA", AND AN IC KIT WAS INSTALLED FOR FREE. I DROPPED IT OFF, THE TECHNICIAN KNEW WHAT WAS UP BEFORE I STARTED TO RANT. TOOK A WEEK TO FIX AND THEY SENT IT UPS TO MY DOOR (FREE). I STILL REFUSE TO USE IT THOUGH. RATHER GO DIRECT TO THE SOURCE AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. VERY HAPPY WITH THE SONY TAE,TAN9000ES AND DVD7700. SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OTHERS ARE HAVING. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

SONY WILL FIX THE REMOTE FREE. TAKE IT TO YOUR FRIENDLY SONY SERVICE CENTER AND HAND THEM THE REMOTE. THEY WON'T SAY A WORD CAUSE THEY KNOW THE REMOTE BLOWS. THEY'LL REPLACE ALL BATTERIES AND INSTALL SOME IC CHIP.IT'LL TAKE A WEEK AND THEY'LL UPS TO YOUR CRIB. PROBABLY STILL WON'T USE IT WHEN YOU GET IT BACK, ANYWAY, HAPPY EFFIN' HOLIDAYS!

Product

Tech "Support" ( Who know less than I do )

I finally got a response from Sony "Tech Support" claiming that 110c.bin IS the latest revision and 118c doesn't exist or is a typo. This is interesting considering the BTIMAPS clearly show file 118c.bin and all the version numbers in the procedure document AND the download link ALL show 118c.bin. I am now mailing Sony with links, and pictures demonstrating either

1:) 118c.bin exists and Tech Support are ill-informed
2:) 118c.bin exists and we're not allowed it yet
3:) 118c.bin DOESN'T exist and the Sony webmaster spent a few days knocking up fake screen grabs referring to a non-existent product upgrade for his/ her own amusement
4) It's a conspiricy

I think they're in order of liklehood

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha D2

Upgradability

Extremely poor, unknowledgable, and unresponsive technical support for this product.

Same as with Jonathan - when the "1.18c" file is downloaded, the old 1.10C file appears. Of course, Sony hasn't gotten back to me thus far, and claims that I am the first to tell them about this (wonder what they did with Jonathan's inquiry??). Really a shame for such a large company to treat customers like this.

Similar Products Used:

TA1000, 2000

Sound quality, build and upgradable.

Remote

I upgraded my unit last night. Although the 1.18c upgrade is posted on the Sony site, the software program continued to list the 1.10c version. I installed it anyway and thought it affected the sound in a positive way making it warmer and less metallic sounding on stereo music. Has anyone else come to this conclusion? Of course, I'll admit, it could all be in my head. Incidentally, Sony should not be making mistakes like this and should seriously consider disciplining whoever is responsible for this mistake.

Similar Products Used:

TA-E2000ESD; Lexicon DC-2

dolby digital/dts/mpeg multichannel decoding. 24bit/96khz dac. 3x 32bit dsp chip and support firmware upgrade via. RS232 port multi-pin connector.

the av preamplifier do not have 5.1 input for use with sacd/dvd audio format player. firmware upgrade is very limited it could not upgrade to 24bit/192khz dac and the decorder also can`t be upgrade to 6.1 multichannel dolby digital matrix surround and dts extended surround system.

the tae9000es av pre amplifier is a hardcore when it come to multichannel surround home theater system. aimed at achieving the very highest formance standart. and the timing speed of surround sound from dolby digital/dts format really impressive me. thanks to the 3x 32 bit dsp and the 24bit/96khz dac. what really disappoit me is that tae9000es could not go far when it come to future upgrade. but i heard resently sony has a preamplifier adapter model tap9000es to support the sacd/dvd audio and 24bit/192khz dac. and really hope that the tap9000es preamplifier adapter will be in singapore market soon. but what about the new 6.1 multichannel dolby digital matrix / dts extended surround. is sony going to support this new multichannel surround system. this is my home entertaiment system it is equipt with: sony tae9000es av preamplifier. 2x sony tan9000es 5 channel poweramlifier.denon pma-1500r integrated 2 channel amplifier. sony dvp-s7700 dvd player. pioneer dvL-909 Ld/dvd player. marantz 63mk2 ki signature cd player. sony mds-jb930qs mini disc recorder player.sony cdp-cx350 megachanger. bmb dep-3000k karaoke processor.yamaha tx-492 tuner. slv-777nc video player recorder. sony kp-48mn2 rear projection tv.mission 775 front speaker.tannoy m1 rear speaker. tannoy mc centre speaker klipsch ksw-300 powersubwoofer. castle plf 200/2 powerline filer. monster cable m1/mk2 speaker cable. monster cable 850i analogue cable.monster cable interlink 100 analogue cable. monster cable lightspeed 100 tosklink cable. monster cable datalink 100 coxial cable.and monter cable video2 s-video cabble. monster cable 201sw thx subwoofer cable.

Similar Products Used:

str-da50es