Sound, decent theatre DSP soundfields, build quality

Remote, Can not set a source and destination (video & audio)
for recording and listen/view a 3rd. My 7 year receiver would
allow you to do this.

** Also, if you record to a VCR, you can not send a signal
to it without the receiver being turn on, so unattended
recording is marginal!

I like the receiver as most others say, the sound is fine, but mostly best for theatre or pure 2 channel music.

I don't have SACD or DVD-Audio yet so can't attest to music
quality through all 5 channels, although, I heard 5.1
channel Digital Dolby music score which presented a better
musical presentation than did the 2 ch CD of same - can't
wait for well done high bit rate 5.1 channel music!!!!!

The sound fields are not great for music, I personally wish
there was a simple "5 channel same music goes to all channels" mode, especially since my rears are wide-range
speakers, but I can/must live without.

For music the sound fields' effect should be turned down
a fair amount to not get the "sales floor impress them"
demo lousy presentation effect so common!

Well, thats it enjoy!

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pioneer, denon, marantz, onkyo in same general MSRP range.

Flexibility, power, inputs/outputs galore, interesting soundfields, built like a tank

Difficult to lift onto upper shelf of entertainment unit, analog direct will not allow use of subwoofer

Where does one begin? After using a Sond STR835 for a year, I switched to a Yamaha 995 an it was received well into my A/V system. However, 100w/channel left my B&W CDM1NT's just a bit starved for power. So, after pondering the Yamaha DSPA1 and RX-V1, I was able to pick up the STR-DA777ES for less than a grand. At the same time I acquired a Monarchy 18B DAC, so both were installed at the same time (sidebar - don't try to lift this receiver alone). First CD was Gerald Veasley's Love Letters, track 1 (Facing West). Voilume level to 2. OH MY GOD! My CDM1NTs screamed like a bimbo in a "B" horror movie. Was it the DAC or the 777ES? I bypassed the DAC, and the B&Ws still cried like a newborn. But where was the subwoofer? I had set the soundfield to "Analog Direct", and the sub wouldn't fire. An email to Sony (reply took 5 days) explained that Analog Direct was pure source (see the schematic on the last page of the manual) with no DSP augmentation - i.e., straight through with no additives. This means, sorry, no sub, but about the most pure reproduction I have heard without going to a $5 grand McIntosh system. I mean, soundstage that when you close you eyes YOU ARE THERE. Switching to Auto Format Decode allowed use of the sub, but required additional volume to meet the same sound levels. Still a great sound, but Analog Direct with the DAC is truly unbelievable.
Next up, DVD audition. I chose the city meteor shower at the beginning of Armageddon. Using B&W LM1s for the rears, I added +5db to the rears; the center is a CDMCNT, so it was kept at 0db as were the fronts. Volume level to 3, normal surround sound field, and OH MY GOD (chapter 2)! My wife came running out of the laundry room in panic (maybe I should have told her it was new equipment audition night). This is what home theater was meant to be. My Yamaha 995 had required a bit of tweaking after my Sony 835, and suddenly it was like a homecoming. The Sony engineers have done an outstanding job with the processing.
A couple of observations: many complaints were directed towards the documentation and the remote. As far as the documentation, Sony has been very "dry" in their descriptive phrasing for many years. They tell you what to do in as few words as possible. I had to read several instructions over a couple of times, but once you get their "rhythym" of writing, the manual is really quite effective. As for the remote, it is a jewel that suffers from the same documentatiuon style. Once you get how the instructions are written, this is a wonderful addition to the receiver. My only complaint is that it would not "learn" the codes from my Dish Network JVC remote, but there is a disclaimer that states not all remote functions can be learned (perhaps an elective omission to maybe sell another DirectTV system or two?).
Overall, this little mama smokes - Analog Direct gives audiophile-quality music reproduction, and the video processing is beyond compare.
My system:
Sony STR-DA777ES A/V Receiver
Sony CDP-CX240 CD Player
Pioneer PDR-555RW CDR/RW
Sony DVP-S330 DVD Player
Monarchy 18B Digital-Analog Converter
B&W CDM1NT Main Speakers
B&W CDMCNT Center Channel Speaker
B&W LM1 Surround Speakers
Definitive Technology PF15TL+ Subwoofer
Sony KV-35S40 Television
Delta Labs/Acoustic Research/Monster Cables

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Yamaha RX-V995

What can i say,everything about this reciever is strong!

It dosen't talk

Well,where can i begin....I traded up from the sony555es to this baby. With the same specs. of 120watts+5 you would think that the two sonys would compare..NOT QUITE! The sony555 cannot hold a candle to the 777,not even close! The 777 has one of the best sounding amps i have EVER heard in any av reciever. The music is just "thrown at you" as compared to just listening to the 555. Don't get me wrong,the 555 was and is a great reciever...but now that the 777 sits in my entertainment center,giving it up would be like taking candy from a kid!

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Sony555es

Warranty, Preouts, Two sub outputs, decoded 6 channel input,

Picks up FM interferance what ever station you last listened to. horrible manual. stupidly designed remote, control s, control A & AII work poorly, don't think that you can buy all sony gear and have systen compatibility!! poor dampning factor. 2 channel and prologic modes lack punch. Must have good subwoofer.

First I bought a WEGAVEGA sony TV, so when I found out about Control S capabilities I considered buying a sony preamp. Then I bought a sony 300 disc changer, so when I found out about control A & AII I set out to purchase a TAE 9000ES. I hated it and it was a pain to operate and the control capabilities did not work properly. The sound was awful. Next I decided to try the 777es after reading that it had the same preamp phase but yet somehow sounded much better. The 777 did sound better than the 9000 but it had the same design flaws. Remote control compatability caused more more problems than it solved. If you plan on hooking up the control s cord to a sony TV I would like to know how to turn of the receiver with the remote and not both units. In fact I would like to how to turn off the receiver with the remote without shutting off everything sony? Isn't a lack of a power button a big goof, on the remote? I hate to give such a low rating but I think digital surround has a way to go. COMPLETE CHANNEL SEPARATION? I can't hear it or what I hear just doesn't move me like high-end 2channel sound does! The highest rating I would give any 5.1 systen is 3.5. If you compare prologic to DD5.1 then you must hear the difference and realize that the potential of 5.1 can approach the balanced sound stage of great 2 channel systems. I don't think that a "surround sound stage" where the source of sound or imaging can be placed anywhere is to far off! I also think that it can be done with five or six channels, please no more speakers.

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Parasound AVC 2500, Sony TAE9000ES

All anyone could want or expect for $2500 or lower. "It's the sound, period"

Poor manual and hard to decifer directions and remote. No volume light.

I have now had this wonderful receiver for several months and it cotinues to amaze me.
I honestly think Sony should include a vcr instructional tape or online classes to get the most out of this receiver. It has taken me months of living with it, especially the remote, and the infinite tweaks, to realize what I have here. Like a high performance anything, if you don't know how to use it to its max, it is a waste. I suspect there are several consumers using 50% of the capability and because it sounds soooo good, they are happy. My advice to all of you who have one or are going to get one is read the manual at least ten times. Each time you do you will have a lightbulb light up as to something you did not get before. Go to page 30 on the remote manual for important info.
I really believe anyone who is a little miffed and rates this less than 5x5 is just confused on proper usage (which is easy to do, if you do not have an engineering degree) I would like to pass along a couple of tips. As far as no light on the volume knob, I went to an office supply store and bought sparkley stars like kids use. I cut off a point and put it on the knob. From 20 feet the sparkles pick up even the dimmest light and I can see where my volume is.
Whatever you do, do not put this receiver in a cabinet with a roof over its head. It will heat up and cause undo wear that will show up later. If you must put it in a cabinet,buy a cheap small clip on fan, and place it in the back of the receiver. Always have the front door open, while using.
This is a 50 star piece of sonic heaven with a -50 set of directions. I just played the new termiator in dts and experienced an almost religious experience on the great sound. Good luck with this great receiver and I invite anyone with particular questions to email me, and I will try and help. Happy listening.

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Too many to mention

Clean,Powerfull Sound, Features galore, speaker compatibility

Split audio ghost, volume knob light, 10 second remote not good for heavy drinkers

Hey guys and gals, If you end up with split audio source and video input, like what did I push or tweek to make that happen? If you dont want to reset your memory to get out of this mode, however it may come about. I think it's a auto detect problem... firmware, software glitch. Anyway I went to the motorised panel, hit open, hit custom button, There you will see, videodvd, audiodvd ld or simuler keep scrolling to end of menu and edit the name of the sources to what you are using make the video source and audio source the same ie. dvd dvd or cd cd etc close door, restart all components and walla! you still have your parameters you set up and tweeked. Depending on what components, you are using a little experimentation with these adjustments may be required. but after all when you got this baby dialed in you dont want to loose it!

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Onkyo

The sound and the features.

There are none.

Here's a small update to my former review.
I've just come home from a trip to the Hi-Fi store-chain here in Denmark, where I tried the amplifier (in Europe, the model is called TA-VA777ES and does not have the tuner part) on a pair of B&W Nautilus 803 speakers.
As some might know, theres speakers are VERY transparrent and if you don't have a good enough system, you can hear it. I used my Sony SCD-777ES SACD player to play music from, and the amplifier had no problems with these speakers.
The sound was very good (a major improvement from the B&W DM604 S2 speakers I use now). The guys working there, were also quite baffled by the fact that this amplifier could deliver such good quality, and didn't really have any complaints, other that details were missing, but this could be resolved by throwing in an effect-amplifier, of some sort.

The amplifier delivered very high quality sound. The bass was tight, precise and good. The midrange was detailed and to the point. Highs were a bit high, but that's just Sony equipment (some like it, some don't), but the highs were good and detailed too.
It was lacking, you can get better, but for the price and then taking in consideration that this is actually something made for surround sound, you can't go wrong, not in a million years.

All in all, this amplifier/receiver is kick-ass! This baby is a pure gem from Sony. You won't regret buying, ever.
And as one of the audiophile from the shop told me (he was a real fanatic :), the amplifier could really deliver some serious sound, and I was on the right track. Just throw in an effect-amplifier, and I'd be set.

So just go out and buy it already ;)

clean looks and clean power

Remote, turning the damn thing on.

Picked up the amp for AUD2600 about a week back and hooked it up to my sound system. First DVD I tried was Apollo 13, the blast off.. that nearly threw me off my couch. Best mode is AFD for DVD's.

Next I had a copy of Chesky's Ultimate Demo Disc. Played that and used AD mode. Once again, I was seriously impressed. The "Rose in Spanish Harlem" was incredible..

However, this amp is does not sound as nice (for Music) as the SR8000. But in HT is much nicer.

Then I tried figuring out the remote. It's not too bad contrary to what the people say but I have one mega problem. It doesn't control my Phillips DVD player natively. I tried all the modes available and zip-nada. Nothing.... I had to program the learning commands.. which was relatively easy to do. It's nice but could be better. Wish one could draw up the command buttons too.

The Macro functions were not as well done. You would think that the green standby button will also act as a power on button too.. but no. Worse still, I found out that my TV is one that is supported, but tapping on the TV button also turns on the amp at the same time. I'm tempted to leave it on 24 hours now.

Will have to experiment with the EQ & SP settings.

My system..

Phillips DVD860
Sony STRDA-777ES
LG TV
Wharfedales SP89 fronts
Wharfedales SP87 rears
Wharfedales Sapphire Centre
Wharfedales Topaz Sub
no-brand interconnects & cable.

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Marantz SR8000

Just got the unit today and am still tweaking it. Only have a pair of front Accoustic Research speakers hooked up to hold me over until I get the Paradigms I've been researching. Everything looks great, but only concern is the unit heats up quite a bit (gets most hottest on top and on right side of unit). I was woundering if anyone else had experienced this.

I plan to post a follow up soon.

Just got the unit today and am still tweaking it. Only have a pair of front Accoustic Research speakers hooked up to hold me over until I get the Paradigms I've been researching. Everything looks great, but only concern is the unit heats up quite a bit (gets most hottest on top and on right side of unit). I was woundering if anyone else had experienced this.

I plan to post a follow up soon.