Strong surround quality, enough equal power to all 5 speakers, lots of DSP modes, can adjust distances, loudness, delay, and highs, mids, and lows responses to match different speakers perfectly. Very good build quality and smart looks

Remote isn't a learning model

The sound of this unit is phenominal. The amplifier is plenty to make my speakers sing like they never did before. One listen and any doubts about spending the extra money went away quickly. Since I first purchased this unit, I've bought a powered sub woofer and a DVD player with DTS output. The sound from the DTS version of Saving Private Ryan is outstanding. The processor in this unit is incredible. Incredible sound for the price. I've owned this product for more than a year, and am extremely happy with it overall. It does all I ask, and has not missed a beat. Its powerful, clean and smooth. The Auto format decoding works well.

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Yamaha DSP-A2

Strong surround quality, ample A/V and Digital hook ups, and the remote is not that bad you just got to get use to it. A bargain for its price.

Gets a little warm if you do not have any room for it. Don't really have any weaknesses in my opinion does me just fine.

I just have to say that for the time that I've own this reciever i have had no complaints from the people who come over to watch movies w/ the exception of the few who doesnt like the loud helicopter and the booming explosions, but they will live. I just have one concern and i just think that with a little help from yall i can do it. I listen to my vcr and for some reason the volume lever on my vcr comes alot louder but doesnt have to be to high on the actual volume control than when i put it on my dvd selector with my digital hook ups on it. Ihave to put the volume selector almost 2x as high to listen to the vcr. but I'll be putting it on the techtalk as well but i figured since yall owned one this is where i go first.
thank alot tdawg_65@yahoo.com

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earlier sony reciever before it had all the video and digital hook ups and sud and dvd sselector.

Looks good/ enough power/ enough inputs.

Too much DSP functions ( they are not usefull ) / too much bass in the two channel mode/ the remote control sucks, you need te refresh your battery way to quick ( 3 a 4 weeks ) and the backlight is also terrible / crispy volume control.

I use the STR-DA50es for 1 year now. The front of the receiver looks very good, almost every button which you don't use too often is hidden behind a flap. Looks very good! The input connectors on the back of the receiver are not gold plated, I was disappointed about it. It is not possible to bi-wiring the front and center speakers so I don't get the maximum out of mine CDM NT series.

Mostly I listen to rock,dance and some classic music, the STR-DA50es deliver too much bass so you get a muffy sound, when you turn your receiver more then a quarter then you can absolutely hear it.

Other point is the amount of unusefull DSP modes, you have the possibility to 1 of the 40 DSP modes and when you select one you get a lot noise during the movie or music.

The remote control is absolutely no good, it devours batteries. The contrast of the remote control is set too dark, so you can hardly see what you are doing. I've bought after 3 days a Philips programmable remote control and this 1 works perfectly. ( Cost me extra $100 and I have still not replaced the batteries. )

One final big issue, I have had 4 sony amplifiers after a year of using it the volume control is going to make a crispy sound when you turn the volume up or down, this is very annoying. You will hear this over you speakers.

The price of the STR-DA50es is too high for what you get.

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Sony STR-DE925.

I apologize for having to post a question, but I could not find the answer I was seeking elsewhere. I planned on picking up this receiver after hearing positive things. However, recently I heard that the remote is a disater and that recently people have been having problems with it "humming." If anyone has experienced this or has any sugeestions---PLEASE email me at rwalsh@umich.edu. Is it true that they have a new 50es coming out in 2 weeks with these problems "supossedly" fixed? Thanks!

Overall this one great receiver from Sony! The sound response are clear and defined. Lots of features to play with but the touch screen remote is awkward to use and eats up batteries. Also it produces a lot of heat! I hope don't need to use the 5-year warranty.
Andrew...

A 5 star receiver. A great remote except it eats battereies and is hard to see in the light.
I called Sony today. They will take down your name and number and contact you when the new remote comes. They told me today should be a bout a month. Will then take it into nearest Sony service center and they will either fix it or replace it.

I read some reviews from people whose salesmen are telling them that they have the receivers with the new remote. They are full of it. No 50es has a new remote in it yet. But once the fix comes they will include the new remote with the receiver.

great, defined sound qualities; detailled adjustments possible (speakers, distances, EQ, DSPs)

some functions only by remote

I purchase the Sony 'power station' for ~ $700 (!) at an internet auction and it was the best deal I could made.
As you've already read in the reviews below - the sound is really good. I hear a lot of 'electronic dance music', and the bass has enough power to let things oscillate. Warm powerful & deep. Of course it depends on the speakers, but the STRDA50ES will never run out of breath.

Now a word to the remote. I cann't agree AT ALL with these "remote sucks"-comments.
This remote is SIMPLE as A-B-C. Within an hour I had my TV (a quite old german model), my DVD and my CD under control. You can comprehend the system without being Mr.Superbrain or Nobel-Prize-Winner. It's just that easy. All main functions of other IR-controlled components in one system.
You can even learn to avoid the 'misplaced'(?) standby-button.

But anyway: ten out ten for the whole system !

Incredible sound for the price

Worst remote ever

At this point, I think you will only find the DA50ES used. So here is what to expect.

For the price I paid, this receiver is amazing. The functions, the clean & plentiful power, the flexability - all stellar. I have some 10 year old Infinity Kappa speakers (they are a little current hungry) and they just sing with this receiver. Receiver rating (for price) 5+

The remote sucks. I finally got mine fixed so that I can dump my stock in Duracell, but even so I don't like it. It takes two hands to operate, has the power switch in the worst imaginable location, and it is all but impossible to teach my wife how to use it. Remote rating (for price) 1- Sony should redesign and replace these under the 5 year warranty. It would go a long way toward building some customer loyalty.

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Kenwood KV 9010

Great Sound.

The remote - It is not programmable

I love this receiver. I would recommend it to anyone. The only problem I have is with the remote. I purchased this receiver in April of '99 and it came with the newly designed remote. (I know this because the remote had a bright orange sticker on it saying this was the new remote). It is not programmable. Sure there are pre-programmed codes for various other AV devices, but not all of them work. For example, I have a new proscan VCR, this Sony remote has 8 pre-set codes for proscan VCRs yet none of them will allow the remote to work with my VCR. I didn't think proscan even made 8 different VCR models.

Oh well, I'll just get a Pronto remote and still enjoy the wonderful sound this receiver has. That is the important part anyway.

S-Video jack for each video input.
Robust power.

Remote

The overall sound of the STR-DA50ES is lively with an excellent sound stage. I found this to be true for both movies and music. Rated at 100x5 watts per channel RMS, this baby will rock the house. I would prefer a more gradual taper to the volume control however since you will find that most of your listening will be done with the volume control set below the 10 o'clock position. Rather than list the features, (which can be found on Sony's web page), I'll just say that for a street price of ~$650.00, this receiver has everything you could ask for in it's price range. My biggest complaint is the remote control. It's LCD display is very hard to read under any conditions, and it sucks batteries like no tomorrow. But for 30 bucks, you can get a Radio Shack 7-in-One and toss the supplied remote. The build quality is not quite up to the former ES receivers that I have auditioned, but it is still quite solid overall. I would have given a 5 star rating were it not for the poorly designed remote.