Overall nice reciver.

Protection mode sucks!

In responce to the dude who keeps asking about the new rev... Here you go:

http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/613-2-sony-str-va555es-sacd-receiver.html


I got the first one in the store a while ago, it was down to the 777 or the V555. I'm still not sure till this day if I made the right choise. The 777 is a better amp, no doubt about it, But I do like the software in the V555. Anyway, it's been a good reciver for me, but there are a few anyoing problems.

1. Sometimes when turning it on the amp dosn't switch on. I know this is the emergincey protection mode, but there is no warning most of the time. And just turning it off doesn't always help.

2. I get a cliping in very loud stuff that I know for a fact isn't in my wires or Speakers. It doesn't need to be at a high volume, just a peak of audio. It's not all the time, just when it's been on for a while. So I'm guessing this is becuase of this too hot issue.

Anyway, I haven't talked to Sony yet... I kinda wanted to wait till other had the same issues. Seams that I have a pretty good one of the lot, but that's still not good enought.I was hoping that Sony would exchange the V555 for the next model in good faith, but after looking at the new one, I don't think they will give that one away.

If anyway does get a good contact for exchange or repair do post it here in REALLY BIG LETTERS! ;-)


TV:
Sony KV-36FV16

Reciver:
Sony V555ES

Speakers:
Difinitive Tech
2006TL
2300
BP1X

DVD:
Sony DVP-S530D

VCR:
Sony SLV-M91HF

Game:
PS2 "Component baby!"

Cables:
Monster 900, even the PS2 ;-)

I know I look like a Sony nut, but it's pretty good stuff for the price and it all works together pretty well.

Similar Products Used:

The old 555

Great Looking, Allows you to customize just about everything, Huge assortment of hook ups

Absolutely None

I don't understand why so many people are having problems with this receiver. My 555es never gets hot at all. It will get warm on hot days but that is normal for a reciever. My marantz would get so hot you couldn't touch it for more than 2 seconds. I think this reciever is the best one I have ever owned and I've been buying high end receivers for 15 years now. Maybe people are just clueless on how this thing needs to be hooked up.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz sr-18

Lots of Features, Build Quality, Remote, Powerful, Very Clear

No as of yet

I have just replaced my STRDE835 for the STRV555ES, boy what a difference in sound quality and control. The complete audio range is superb. One of the most noticable differences is how tight and controlled the bass is now.

I have the complete set of Klipsh reference series speakers, RF3, RC3, RS3, KSW12 sub and AR108 sub. I highly recommend the Klipsh RF series as well, great value for the performance and sound quality that you get, you won't go wrong... trust me.

Other Hardware
Sony V48 Proj/TV, Sony DVP-S330...lip sync problems fixed under warranty, all OK now. Plan to upgrade DVD to ES series. SLV-60N VCR, best Timer Set I have ever used on a VCR.

The KSW12 sub is fantastic with this amp over the DE835. I always thought the bass was lacking and uncontrolled with the DE835.

I must admit the unit has so many options and tweakable features that it will take me a day or two to figure them all out. That is especially true of the remote with all the macro's available. The remote works fine both for responsiveness and range... no problems.

Heat wise, again no problem. Yes it gets warm but nothing to worry about. My DE835 got much hotter.

Played some Cd's between 5 to 8 on the volume control...WOW. The klipsh can really handle the power in fact the more you put into them the better they sound. I also have a set of KEF 105.4 reference series speakers and the Klipsh RF3's are much better. I thought the KEF's were good but they are 15 years old!

Watched the Disney Dinosaur DVD with my kids at about 6 on the volume control. The kids were jumping out of their skin...great stuff.

I am very happy with my upgrade. I would highly recommend the 555ES. This is an excellent product. And no I do not work for Sony and I am not a Sony Dealer. I paid 1,200 CDN for it which is a great price.

E-mail me if you want any more specific's

Similar Products Used:

Sony DE835

Lots of connections, digitally controled volume, remote and a simple yet classy front pannel.

Semi-bright highs and high noise level.

First, I have always owned a Sony and when deciding between this receiver and the Denon 3801, I still stayed with Sony. Not because it sounds better, but because I have been brain washed by Sony. For the most, the Denon 3801 was a softer and more natural sounding receiver, but its poor construction and lack of inputs turned me away.

The volume control is a very interesting change for Sony. Normally Sony would have put a motorized analog knob on the unit, but for their new V-ES Series they used a knob with a more digital feel. This makes adjusting the volume with the remote more accurate.

The back of the receiver is very nicely designed and it has plenty of in and outs. All of the connections are gold plated, except for the speaker connections.

The OSD is the same as the DB940; it is more of a display tool than for configuration.

Some people will like the remote while others will hate it. It is a touch screen that can eat batteries very quickly. It is backlight so almost all of the functions are visible in any light. Unfortunately you cannot feel around on the remote for a button, you have to look directly at it. It is rather large and more of a lap remote than a hand held remote. The two-way communication can be very useful, but only if all your components are Sony, it is slow and has a narrower angle for receiving. On the brighter side, if you like neat gadgets and are familiar with the feel of a PDA then it should be easy to use.

Probably the biggest determining factor is how it sounds. The V555ES is a very good sounding unit, but there are better ones for less money. Highs are a tad bright, mids are clear and the lows are tight. Noise was the worst. This receiver puts out a loud "hiss", but it cannot be heard from a normal listening distance. From what I have read, “hiss” is the amp’s gain while a “buzz” is poor electrical shielding of the electronics in or around the receiver. Power is not a problem with this unit; it can breeze through hours of theater level volumes.

The receiver has a virtual 6.1 Matrix, but it does not sound the same as a true 7-channel receiver.

Conclusion: Make sure to listen to this receiver, but unless you are stuck on Sony, you will probably find a Denon or Yamaha to sound more natural. The remote and extra gadgets make it very unique.

My System:
Mains=Klipsch RF-3
Center=Klipsch RC-3
Rear=Klipsch RS-3
Sub=Klipsch Reference LF-10
DVD=Sony DVP-S7700
Projector=Proxima DP5500 w/ DVDO iScan Plus v2
Wires are all mid-level Monster Cable.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE711, STR-DE915, STR-DB940, Denon 3801(compared at store)

Sounds 'good', when it works.

Reliability

I'm glad to see this site added a section for the 555ES; you can see my unfortunate experiences with this (and a 333ES) that I posted previously in the 333ES section.

I'm also glad to see that someone else has posted a review here warning others about reliablility problems with the ES line.

To everyone else who got a Sony ES that actually works out of the box: I'm glad things worked out for you, best luck to you over the coming years... (and I'm being sincere).

Hunt around the web; you'll see some interesting news in the past few years about labour problems Sony has had in it's foreign (non-Japanese) plants.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V596, RX-V1000, NAD T760 (Love ya NAD!).

Clean Power, adjustments galore, ES warranty, Looks.

Adjustments galore.

This reciever rocks. Mine has abosolutely no problems at all. Although I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't get such a good deal from the internet. The only minor negative is that with so many choices in setting up the soundfield it kinda gets confusing. A simple bass and treble would have been nice. You can adjust the sound to your hearts content but it takes 3-4 levels through the excellent LCD remote to do so. Not a big deal especiall if you're computer savy. Sound is clean and ample, I have a self powered sub (Sunfire) so the 120 watts is more than enough to power the speakers. The decoding is top notch especially in 5.1. For anyone upgrading from Dolby Pro Logic, like me, 5.1 is simply awesome. Another reason I got it is that my DVD player, CD player, and DDS are all Sony and the D555 was a no brainer. Overall a great reciever if you can get any kind of discount, but at close to list, there are too many other good recievers out there.

Similar Products Used:

STR-V444ES.

I have a question for everyone here.....Sony is going to be releasing the next version of this receiver in August. It is the STRVA555ES. I have heard rumors that Sony is wising up and putting the amps of the old 777 in this new piece. With the current V555ES, I have heard often that the amps aren't of the quality of the old DA777ES. I have a friend with an old DA30ES. He is thinking about updating to the STRVA555ES when it comes out. But, he wants to know how much difference he would hear. Beyond the obvious 80watts compared to the 120watts figured in the 555. Anyone have any information about this upcoming unit....any info would much appreciated!!!! The list price is jumping to $1500.00, so I would like to know what Sony is adding to justify the price increase?

Hidden parametric/graphic EQ, 5 optical inputs, component video in/out, multi-room capable, awsome remote, and the list doesn't stop.

None

No doubt...the best investment in audio I've made.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 5.1 receiver

nothing

Hissing and hissing

I have this receiver for about three months but it is a real big joke!I paid a lot for this unit but it sounds like a reciever from about $300!The big problem of this thing is the hissing even when the volume is down!And you can hear it until about 1 meter from the speakers.I tried everything but nothing helped.Sony Iam sorry but this ES is something you really must shame yourself!Other things like DVD players or TV,s are perfect but you beter stop this ES-thing!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 595a

Build Quality, 2nd less complicated remote included, Sound Quality.

Subwoofer outputs, Rewmote will not allow you to assign different video input selections on TV when selecting video components.

I have to admit that I really like this unit for including an incredibly impressive array of features in a one piece unit.

My one complaint revolves around the sub out on the unit and that it does not seem to output anything significant to the sub when the unit is set to music soundfields and the speakers are setup as large. It appears that the bass rediection circuitry reroutes all bass to the main speakers on music soundfields. Setting the speaker setup to small solves the issue, but it has a negative impact on the sound of the mains and all of the other speakers as they automatically set to small as well. This is not a problem on Pro-Logic, or in the AFD 2 channel mode of operation. I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed this.

As for the operation of the unit, this is certainly not a unit for someone who does not like reading the manual as it is quite complicated. The beauty is though once you go through the setup, you dont have to revisit it. I happen to like the touchscreen remote although it does take some getting used to.

Movies and music do sound great and this unit represents a significant improvement in sound over Sony previous units with regards to DSP modes. I have not see any issues with regrds to overheating or protection modes at this time, yet I have read elsewhere that this was an issue on the first models that were released.

Other than my sub complaints which get the unit an overall score of 4, I think the unit is an excellent value.

Similar Products Used:

STR-GA8ES + SDP-EP9ES