Power; Number of Inputs and Outputs

FM Tuner. Integrated circuits (ICs) in the output stage are prone to fail.

This receiver lasted a few months past 5 years. Later I knew that's the usual period of guarantee for ES series. Besides only Sony Service can repair it, and the Service Manual is impossible to obtain.

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Yamaha DSP-AX620

hello, how can i get a operating instruction for sony receiver str- ga8es

Most of the Home Theatre features you would ever want including S-video switching, DSP, and parametric equalization. For music lovers, there''s the Direct Line feature.

No Dolby Digital decoding

The GA8ES provides a good choice between Home Theatre and Music-only setup. It has all the features you can want in a HT receiver such as S-video switching, tons of DSPs (although I tend not to use any of them), parametric equalization (set how large your room is from small to large, set what kind of wall type you have from small to large, specify the position of the listener relative to the speakers, etc), and more. The only thing that is missing is Dolby Digital decoding but I was able to solve this by using a DVD with DD decoding. As a music lover I also appreciate the Direct Line feature that bypasses all of the filtering circuitry. I''m still debating if the Direct Line feature (when connected to the CD inputs) sounds better or worse than using the Dolby 5.1 inputs when hooked up to the DVD player. As some of you may know, there''s a "trick" where you can bypass the DVD''s DAC by using the digital 5.1 inputs on the receiver. Of course, you should only use this if you find the receiver''s DAC is better. I don''t have enough time to evaluate this but I may submit an update on this topic at a later date. I find that speaker set up is very important and wonder if some of the other reviews (not just on this receiver) have them set up correctly. For my TV and sound calibration I use "Video Essentials DVDI 0711". With my current set up I find that I no longer experience listening fatigue compared to my older system. My current setup is: Sony STR-GA8ES Receiver Sony DVP-S500D DVD player Axiom M3Ti bookshelf speakers all around Silver Sonic T-14 Speaker cables Silver Sonic BL-1 Series II Interconnects

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Harmon Kardon, other Sonys

This is my first forey into a (relativley) high-end reciever. I have been living with lesser units for quite some time and was recently able to buy the STR-GA8ES. This is a middle of the line Sony ES reciever. (I have seen this unit for as little as $700.00 and as much as $950.00.) I also purchased the DSP-EP9ES ($750.00 MSRP.)The DSP-EP9ES is a very full featured Dolby digital decoder that has gotten many favorable reviews. Both were purchased in a package deal for quite a low price. Both of these products are part of the "ES" (Elevated Standard) line for sony.
The system with which I am using the components consist of: Definitive Technology BP-2 bipolar mini-moniters, NHT SW3P (home made version using the 1259 woofer),sony center channel, sony surrounds, pioneer dual sided laserdisc player, magnavox hi-fi VCR, sony CD player, and 30" Toshiba direct view TV. Video components have been included in this review to reflect on the video switching capabilities of this unit.

I have only had the electronics for 1-2 weeks now. So far I am quite pleased with the fact that these products actually seem to live up to their "ES" title. Build quality is good. While not on par with companys like B&K and Nakamichi, over all build quality is good.

This reciever is feature laden, to many for me to list all of them. I will touch on a few. There are some nice binding post on the back of this baby, there is also 5.1 input for an outbord processor, direct bypass switch which takes all digital processing and tone controles out of the signal chain, parametric eq, dolby pro-logic decoding, s-video switching, preamp outputs, and many nice DSP functions for seating position-wall type-etc.

Sound is, in my opinion, very good. This reciever simply blows away any reciever that I have ever owned. In stereo bypass it has been quite a nice piece. I have been able to hear nuances in recordings that I never even knew were there. The sound is quite clean and has much more detail than I am accustomed to hearing come out of -my- equipment.

Pro-logic processing is quite good. The sound steering is very precise.

I am quite pleased with the reciever and will enjoy listening to it for some time to come.

I will be posting a update on this unit at a later date

Reliable workhorse.

None at all, really - for the price

Most of my equipment is on the higher end of the scale - multiple pre-amp/amp configurations. I bought two of these units in Germany prior to returning to America for use at my computer desks. At $125.00 a stab, why not?

The GA8ES at my desk is used for several hours daily with a pair of 'bookshelf' JBLs, augmenting a Carver TFM-15CB (which powers a 10 CuFt Cerwin-Vega subwoofer, Thiele-Small tuned flat to 22 Hz). Never skipped a beat or gave me any problems whatsoever. The other unit was wasting away at the wifey's desk, so use it as a small system in a lounge setting - powering a pair of Bose 901 'watt-sponges'. No problems there either, which is a pleasant surprise - the Bose EQ can strain an amp at higher levels. Sound quality is good, tuner sensitivity and selectivity are adequate, DSP is clean and all functions are intuitively easy to use.

Neither of these units powers a 'main' stereo system, though I believe they'd do a fine job amplifying mid-high efficiency speaker systems with higher impedances.

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None. Home system consists of separate Amp/Preamp/Tuner/processor components (Carver/Yamaha/SAE).

I just bought the GA8ES, used, at a very steep discount. More recent ES receivers lack either an in-line processor or tape monitor input/output and based on my positive experience with other ES products I wanted to use one to power a set of Bose 901's that require one or the other for the equalizer.
As is well attested in audioreview's hall of shame, the 901's don't satisfy many people--but they can be a real delight in a mid-priced system that doesn't pretend to be upper end audiophile stuff. Given the placement problems, etc., I am very pleased with the results of the GA8ES and would recommend it highly as a used or steeply discounted unit.

The remote is mediocre, the controls and parametric equalizer are not very intuitive, but, especially in the direct pass mode, the sound is great--tight,well defined bass, lots of 'air' and well defined instrumental timbre and placement. Audiophile it's not, but this is a damned good inexpensive receiver and I hope that the newer ES models perform as well.

PS- for years I avoided anything and everything Sony, the ES seems to address very well the needs of critical consumers one a limited budget. I give it a four.

Best Reciever I have own.Need I say more?Good enough for Electrostatics.

I got a great deal on this receiver along with the EP9ES decoder from Crutchfield (of all places!) for $700. I'm using it to replace an old, non-5.1 ready A/V receiver in my 2nd system, which currently means stereo only, but when I buy a house I will use it as a H/T set-up in a finished basement, etc. I'll post a follow-up at that time.
My main system is modest too, and includes a Marantz PM-68 integrated stereo amp, a Yamaha DSP-E492 A/V amp/processor, and a Denon AVD2000 AC3 pre/pro. I didn't expect the GA8ES to sound as good in stereo as the PM-68, and it doesn't. That's no surprize as I think the $500 (list) Marantz sounds BETTER than $1,000 integrateds from Arcam, Rotel, Denon S-series, Onkyo Integra, and Yamaha. The Marantz has more extended and defined bass, smooth, smooth, smooth mid-range, and airy and detailed treble. I know, I'm comparing an audio only amp with an A/V receier, but keep in mind that the GA8ES was not too long ago Sony's best receiver (1996-97 I believe), while the PM-68 is one model above entry level. I'd say the Sony is on par with my friend's Denon AVR-3200, which is very good indeed.

Since I purchased this mail-order, I was concerned about having to run through the A/D-D/A chain just to get some tone correction. Although I normally listen in the Direct Pass mode, not all CDs are mixed in good taste. The first thing I did when I hooked up everything was to turn the EQ on but set flat, and toggle between Direct Pass and EQ. As you would expect, you do sacrifice some resolution with the EQ, but not so much to over-ride the benefits it brings. I must admit I prefer analog tone controls, but this parametric EQ is a powerful and versitle tool. Why the treble adjustments stop at 8K is beyond me, 10 or 12.5K would be much more useful. At least the Bass Boost stays out of the A/D-D/A chain.

What I want to know is where is the "elevated standard" for the surround amps? 50 wpc @ 1 Khz into 8 ohms! Is Sony serious? If it is a 30 wpc amp then call it that! I have an old Onkyo 80 wpc stereo receiver that I will use for the surrounds. It has no trouble driving low impedance loads and is a close sonic match to the Sony's front channel amps.

This receiver is nicely appointed with "ins and outs". Two tape loops, Two VCR loops with S-Video plus three other S-Video ins, a 5.1 in, pre-outs for center and surrounds. The Power-Swap option is cool. Yeah, a six channel pre-amp out would be nice, but then why even bother buying a receiver? The learnig remote is limited, but still a nice touch on a $400 receiver. Since I only have a pair of speakers connected I haven't tried out its Pro-Logic or DSP, but judging from the EP9ES it should be pretty good.

All in all, this is a excellent receiver for the money, at least as good as Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo. Compaired to my Marantz amp, it sounds a bit congested, but still very good. For $400 I doubt you could do better, especially considering just how fully featured it is. At this price I say get one while you can.

solid build, enough power and features

amplifier acoustics, remote control layout

I'm reviewing the GA7ES, not the GA8ES. Basically the same except for less DTS modes and maybe less power.

I use my Nad for about 8 years with Boston Acoustic towers and a Sony ES CD changer. More often than not, I hooked my Cd player directly into the Nad amp, bypassing the pre-amp. I controlled volume with the CD players variable out signal. I loved this set up. By no means an audiophile set up but enjoyable for me.

I purchased the GA7 after graduating college, looking to upgrade and integrate home theatre. A 'Direct line' feature was the clincher for me. It seemed logical enough and was perfect. A home theatre set up which was easily converted to a CD/Amp/2 Speaker setup.

From the get go, I was not please with the acoustics of this amp. But I was patient and took a full 30 days to ensure the electronics were broke in. Sure enough, I didn't notice much improvement and to this day, continue to be disenchanted with this product. I should have known better than to buy sony, but I thought this was a new era for them.

More so than sony, I'm sore with the hifi store that sold it to me. They were willing to help me, but only at great economical adavantage to them. Had I accepted their offer, I would have gotten into some high end electronics that I was not interested in nor able to afford.

Bottom line, be careful who you buy home audio from and don't buy the Sony GA7ES.

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Nad 705

I purchased the GA8ES to replace my older Sony STR-2090D Receiver in a modest home Theatre system. The richest of the sound was immediately apparent. The 2090 was over emphasizing the treble to a shrill, were the GA8ES was clear and pleasant. Although both receivers are rated at 120w per channel, the GA8ES was clearly less strained. Physically, the unit is very well built and very heavy (35 lbs). The controls are easy to use locally, and remotely. I particularly like the "soundlink". Each preference is linked to device switch (e.g., TV function, has a preference link to the EQ and Soundfield (Dolby Pro Logic, and Bass boost maybe)) This allows me to fine tune each function to the proper EQ and Soundfield. This function extends to the individual tuner presets as well! The Receiver has a full 6 channel input, but no digital inputs. The receiver offers 4 channel pre-amp output (Center, Sub, Rear (switchable to Front). It was a perfect match for the Panasonic A310 DVD Player, and its built-in decoder.
If I hadn't bought the Panasonic A310, I'd purchase the EP9ES to go along with it.

This was the top Sony ES Receiver in 1997, and I bought it recently at a greatly reduced price at a local dealer. For the money it is a great Receiver, and is flexible enough to allow me to expand/upgrade my system down the road without wholesale replacement of equipment. My only wish would have been if the "newer" model had all the same functionality, while maintaining the quality. Maybe the next generation will.