I've had this receiver for 1 week now and I couldnt be any happier. The sound fields are a nice feature to have while trying to tweak your movie settings.
As far as music goes. It has a rich sound and is very clean.
People seem to dislike the remote because of the lag time in changing components, but I figure. If I can walk a whole 7 to 10 feet to turn on the DVD and pop in a cd. I dont need to mess with the remote too much, since I only use it for the volume.
This receiver is definitely worth the money. 5 stars all the way!

just bought this for $545 plus shipping from J&R.Considered the Onkyo 575,HK avr65,and the Pioneer vsx21tx.Cant beat the Sony for features and sound combined.The eq section really sold me.Sweepable bass ,mid and treble for front,center and rear.Remembers settings from each soundfield/source.Most DD recievers tones go to defeat when in Dolby Digital mode.Dvds are just like anything else; they all sound different.So if you want the ability to get the most out of your system a good eq section is a must.The Multi-dimension mode is really nice.Almost makes my directs sound like dipoles(almost!).Plus I,ve never seen so many ins and outs.Even Marantz's 2700 dollar model doesnt have as many.I dont think anything can touch this for less than $1000.00 Be warned,this thing takes awhile to learn butis pretty easy to use once you get thehang of it.

Just got done hooking it up after receiving it from Oades for $525 + 25 shipping. Wow, after almost ten years with the Pioneer VSX-9500s, there was a lot of dust back there! I only have one overriding concern regarding this receiver (this is after I thoroughly enjoyed jamming to some classic tunes--i.e., ELP. the Pioneer had been used exclusively for home theater). I have no complaints on the amp section, although I will agree that it does get HOT. Anyway, the major concern is that the remote really does suck. It looks really cool with the fold=out panel and the LCD display, but it is lame. It doesn't learn and it is not user-friendly. Hell, the "on/off" button doesn't turn the damn thing on. You have to push some more buttons to get that to work. In other words, this unit has a separate command for on and off. This also makes it hard to program another remote to work with it. It bothers me that Sony spent so much on a two-way remote that may be good in theory, but is a far cry from a successful implementation. I'll probably pop for a home theater master or programmable cinema 6.

Got the unit from the Sony Store for $435 flat. Ha ha ha. Well, the joke's on me. I had to send it back. The remote's supposed to be two way, able to download your customized names for attached components as well as names for preset tuner stations. Did not work at all. But no one's sure if it's the remote or the receiver that's broken. I also seem to be missing a way to set the "Wall Type" parameter which lets you compensate for audio reflection. The manual says I can do it, but the receiver draws a big blank when I try. It's just not there. What did work, worked very well. Very nice, rich sound. A little bright, but some solid middles and floor shaking low end (even w/o a subwoofer). The manuals aren't very throrough (especially for the remote) and the rear connectors leave something to be desired ( a little chinsy for an ES unit), but there're more connectors than you'll need and the layout is logical. One thing to consider is that there is no video bus crossover. If you have, as I do, your "Monitor Out" as an S-Video to your TV, then you won't be able to send any RCA signal (such as from my VCR) through that connection. You must run another RCA Monitor Out cable to a separate input jack on your TV.

Just wanted to offer one more concern with this unit. Using the exact same speaker setup that I used with my old Pioneer VSX-9500S with nary a problem in 9 years, I got a PROTECTOR overload shutdown while watching Payback on DBS DD. The unit basically shuts down and displays "PROTECTOR" in the display. I have the unit switch set on 8 ohm impedence. I've heard that switching to 4 ohms is an undesirable compromise. The unit didn't seem to have a problem when jamming to a CD audio source at high volume. This is very disconcerting. And again, the remote does suck (see my previous post). I also have Dish Network DBS equipment as another reviewer noted and this remote won't control it. The shortcomings of the remote far outweight the cool, star trek fold-out panel and LCD display. I must admit that I'm having a serious case of buyer's remorse (AKA cognitive dissonance) about this purchase.

I just got the 333 three days ago. This thing runs WAY, WAY, WAY too hot! I actually had to go to RadioShack (thanks for the tip in this forum) to get a quiet little fan to install in the back of my entertainment center. I've had 2 other Sony receivers in the same EC in years past and never had a problem with heat (did I mention this thing runs HOT?). I called Sony and the girl who answered the phone, although nice, didn't even know if there is supposed to be an internal fan in this unit, and, if perhaps mine was malfunctioning. After waiting on hold for about 5 minutes, she returns from asking a 'specialist', whom also was not sure if a fan was built-in or not. He, "didn't think so, it would draw too much power." (Uh-Okay?!? Although, running INFERNALLY HOT is a better alternative?!?), but that they would build a file and get back to me within 24hrs with the result of their research.
The receiver itself is great. I like all the features this unit has. I LOVE the remote. As stated previously, I've owned other Sony receivers, and much like the others, you simply tell the remote what you want the receiver to do to turn it on. You don't just push power, you must select, for example, 'DVD'. The remote will then: power on the receiver, select DVD for you, power on the DVD player, and, if you also have a Sony TV (using S-link), turn on the TV as well as select the input mode for the DVD signal. What else do you people complaining about it want? I can understand if the remote is truly defective, but c'mon, read the manual (no, it's NOT a book about some guy in Mexico) and get your stuff streamlined!!!

Speaking of the manual, there is a little left to be desired there. The book is only 50 pages long. I really wanted more. It's kinda vague when it comes to the EQ settings. A graphical diagram of the adjustable dynamics would have been great! Thankfully I know a few things about electronics. I would feel very overwhelmed and in the dark otherwise. The EQ is just one of many areas like this...there are many customizable features on this unit, and they all could of used a little more depth and explanation. The only area that is acceptably done is Sony's own Digital Cinema Sound. The worst part about all this are the default settings out of the box. It will sound horrible at first requires ALOT of tweaking and customization just to get it acceptable. Again, I would be VERY overwhelmed if I was a casual consumer. The remote has its own separate 25 page manual and is much more descriptive and 'user friendly'.

I like this unit alot. But with the manual being the way it is, I feel I'm gonna be fiddlin' with this thing for weeks, and I have concern for the heat (I went to a local electronics store and theirs was pretty warm too), I can only give this unit 4 speakers.

Is it possible my unit could cool down a bit after I operate for many hours (do they have a burn in period)? I dunno, if so, or if Sony calls me and tells me I have problem, which is then fixed, I may return and give this unit 5. I'm not holding my breath. As a consumer I am losing faith in Sony's products, and I've been a loyalist for many years. I recently purchased a Sony DVD player-it's had the dreaded lip-synch problem twice in its first month (see other area of this site for DVD reviews: Sony DVP-S530D). Also got Sony SPP-ID975 cordless phone same day as 333ES, it's has a real annoying popping every 3 secs, which I also called Sony on, and they claim is "normal"!?! These are unacceptable 'BASIC' functions that Sony is allowing to pass through their quality assurance line. The phone is going back, AGAIN, for good (yes, I even tried exchanging for another of same, it even does it on speakerphone). Sorry, I know these rantings do not pertain to the 333ES, but I feel they are relevent to the state of Sony today...Buyer Beware.

Very good build quality and 5.1 channel inputs for upgrade

the remote you have to lift up the flip panel to work other buttons.

Well the sound stage is good the depth is a little on the weak side though but over all a very very good reciver. I do like the fact that you can balance out your rear channels because in my setup I have the left rear channel closer then the left one(have to have it that way). I also liked the fact that it has Pre-amp outputs because after I bought the amp I also bought a Carver 705x to power the actual home theatre. So it you see you have future upgrade with this reciver you can do many things with it. The soundstage is good and the pre-amp in the reciver is very clean and good to listen to. Actually if you are going to use it as a pre-amp its really not worth the extra money to spend on getting the 555es which only has the bigger amp inside and the funky two handed remote.(what happens if you already have you arm around that pretty girl and going to move in on her)that two handed remote will screw up the mood. Well Overall the reciver is nice and build very good I read much before decideing on which reciver to go with but if you give this a chance you might like it too.

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SonyES, Onkyo, Parasound,

Amazing quality and feature for the price. Regarding price I was able to get the unit for $499 at (don't laugh now) JOEMOMMACOMPUTER.com. Very nice dealing with the people here. Had to wait a week for it (Out of stock) but I was forewarned about this.

None. Can't beat it for the price

My first experience with a Sony ES product has given me nothing but smiles. The quality, power and features of this the strda-333es can not be beat at a $500 price. Does everything that it askes without ever breaking at sweat.
Some people may say that 80watts/chann is not enough, but to get a 3 db gain you would need a 160watt/channel receiver. Just how loud do you need to go? This one will rock the house without a problem. I am using this in a 500sqrft theater that I built and have no problem filling the area...

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Have used Yamaha receivers in the past. The 333es is comp. to the 795a but was able to get at the 500 series price

Sweet amazing sound even with just 80W/ch. Most flexible in terms of customization. Has almost every feature that a receiver nowsaday supposed to have (S-video, DTS, 6ch-inputs)

The remote control does not have learning capability. Generated a lot of heat so I have to put a mini cooling fan of the top.

Picked up this unit at a local audio store for 650 (with a digital cable too) after reading all of its excellent review here. This receiver has everything a HT newcomer wish to have. It has a cool remote control but I opted to use my HT Master SD-9000 remote to control the whole system. Very nice that I can change the text of the source display so my wife would not confuse between VCR -> TV -> LD -> DVD.

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An old Pioneer receiver that is so inferior compared to this new unit

Sound quality, dynamic range

too inexpensive, makes some people not take it seriously

This one is a keeper.
I have wanted to get into the 5.1 surround for a while, and have auditioned many units before finding the Sony. I was actually looking at the 555ES, and when listening to them, I found no detectable difference between the two as far as sound quality goes so I went with the less expensive unit, somewhat to prove a point.
They told me that this later model unit is now at 100w * 5, but that is really an irrelevant difference between 80, I expect they just changed the rating and not the electronics, but back to the point.
My other system is rated at 240 w/c amp. Listening to it next to the Sony is quite the eye/ear opening experience. The FTC sine wave rated constant load power rating is meaningless is determining the abilty of an amp to produce musical dynamics. This Sony is a jewel. You don't have to spend mega-bucks to get great sound (as I have in the past).
I paid $700 + tax at a local audio store, more than most of you, but I ate up an entire afternoon of the saleman's time listening and comparing different music and movies on the Sony as well as Yamaha's, JVC's, Denon's and others, plus the knowledge and assistance I recieved was well worth the small amount of additional money.
I am very pleased with this unit, it matched well well with my Sony ES CD player and 550D DVD player. The Optical connections work well (AR Tos Cables, also excellent, better than Monster IMHO), and the whole package works beautifully.
It drives my Infinity RS9Kappa's with authority, and Bass/midrange response is supurb, you can practically count the LF cycles. Highs are a little off, maybe a little more shrill than I prefer, but not objectionable.
Overall, this amp sounds easy and unrestrained in spite of it's modest rating. Yes there are more powerfully rated amps out there, most at half the price of this Sony, but the additonal dollars are not to pay for the "ES" silkscreening, there is a real reason why this is a $800 retail amplifier.
This unit will hold it's own against most amps with 50% or more rated power, and compares well to amps with triple the power rating.
The remote is great if you have all Sony gear like I do, it is smart enough to know tnat you are playing the CD or the DVD and arranges the button programming accordingly. The soundfiels programming is a bit cumbersome, but that is not something most people change very often, so no big deal there. The macro programming saves the day, learn how to use that and all the objections I have read concerning the remote become non-issues.
I am surprised they did not plate the back connections with gold, but I have to conclude that it makes no fundamental difference. In reality it probably costs less than $1 to plate all the contacts with gold, so cost is not the issue. I am guessing that Sony decided it makes no difference so use the money on things that do matter. I have never seen nickle plated connections corrode on me and I live in Florida, so why bother? a .00001" coating of gold would not make any difference in connection resistance.
The only negative I can think of is that the unit is inexpensive. A few friends of mine have commented that a $800 amplifier could not possible be very good for serious listening.
Oddly, I would bet that if Sony doubled the price, reviewers would be lining up to proclaim the superiority of the 333ES.

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Carver, Denon, Yamaha, JVC