Sony ES Receivers

slk55amg

I am curious why Sony ES receivers are rarely mentioned. Before I added an Emotiva XPA5 to my system, I ran 7 speakers from a SONY ES5300, ( never got hot, warm yes but never hot) drove 7speakers with ease, never went into protect mode. I am using it still to drive my rear surrounds( FXI 3,s) its been perfect now for 3 years.Thanks in advance....................

danger boy

I don't know that to many people have a Sony ES receiver in here.. is prob the reason why you don't hear much about them. I have no opinion on them.. I Have never owned one. I have owed ES tape decks and CD players though.. and had no problem with them.

cnh

Sony ES series used to be very fine AVRs. Recently, the lower numbered models have been cheapened out.

The other reason they're not mentioned much is that, for the money there are other options...sometimes cheaper?

You ran the speaker set above with that 5300...? That's possible but you probably were not getting the best possible sound from the LSIs with that. Another example...the Onkyo 500X series can run 4 ohm loads but only does so by halving its power output so that it's a far cry from running it 'alone' vs. running it with a good power amp?

Nonetheless, the ES5300 is a nice pre/pro option for an LSI system. You still need external amplification though. Just because an AVR doesn't overheat or go into the protection mode doesn't prove much--other than that it probably has some 'limiter' circuit--like the Onkyo in it.

cnh

slk55amg

cnh wrote: »

Sony ES series used to be very fine AVRs. Recently, the lower numbered models have been cheapened out.

The other reason they're not mentioned much is that, for the money there are other options...sometimes cheaper?

You ran the speaker set above with that 5300...? That's possible but you probably were not getting the best possible sound from the LSIs with that. Another example...the Onkyo 500X series can run 4 ohm loads but only does so by halving its power output so that it's a far cry from running it 'alone' vs. running it with a good power amp?

Nonetheless, the ES5300 is a nice pre/pro option for an LSI system.

cnh

I added the Emotiva, and than went to the LSI,s for my front sound stage. The 5300 is rated for 4ohm, however I did not want to stress it and the LSI,s I added the Emotiva first

mossbacked

slk55amg wrote: »

I am curious why Sony ES receivers are rarely mentioned. Before I added an Emotiva XPA5 to my system, I ran 7 speakers from a SONY ES5300, ( never got hot, warm yes but never hot) drove 7speakers with ease, never went into protect mode. I am using it still to drive my rear surrounds( FXI 3,s) its been perfect now for 3 years.Thanks in advance....................

I've had good luck with the ES line and there's a lot of support for the Sony ES gear in the varios AV forums and it still a good quality choice. Stick with it if it's working for you.

slk55amg

Thanks,its just terrific as a pre/pro ( still driving a pair of FXI3, for rear surrounds).Sony ES support is outstanding, never had any issues with mine, however I did call to ask a question, they( at Sony ES support) were terrific. Called me back a few days later just to make sure my question was addressed correctly.

mossbacked

slk55amg wrote: »

Thanks,its just terrific as a pre/pro ( still driving a pair of FXI3, for rear surrounds).Sony ES support is outstanding, never had any issues with mine, however I did call to ask a question, they( at Sony ES support) were terrific. Called me back a few days later just to make sure my question was addressed correctly.

Sounds like they took a clue from Polk :biggrin:

lanchile

Sony ES line was supposed to be top of sony line like in tv XBR series. But Sony ES amps sucks!!!. you can get way better gear for less money.

slk55amg

Maybe so but since it now only powers a set of FXI3, its not much of an issue

slk55amg

My Tv is a SONY 46 inch XBR5, its 3 years old, the picture is outstanding, as it was from day 1, 3 years ago

lanchile

slk55amg wrote: »

My Tv is a SONY 46 inch XBR5, its 3 years old, the picture is outstanding, as it was from day 1, 3 years ago

XBR serie is excellent build and picture quality. I worked with a technician for 6 years and I only saw 2 XBR for service and they only had broken connection. But for audio ES series sucks as I said before!!!:mad:

BlueFox

I have a Sony STR-DA7100ES AVR, and now use it as a pre/pro. It is built like a tank, is an excellent piece of gear (probably the last good ES AVR), and is rated at 175W/ch. It is the last digital amp Sony made before going back to inexpensive analog design in their current line-up. The problem is the MBAs took over Sony, and engineering was cost cut.

slk55amg

I picked up a Sony ES3200 for my bedroom rig on Ebay for $150. Its in perfect condition, not a mark on it. It powers my RTIA1,s CSIA4, and a pair of FXI3,s with ease, the only weak link is a PSW10 sub, however for a bedroom it sounds terrific. If I can find a micropro 2000 at the right price,I would love to dump the PSW 10.

Sherardp

Like Bluefox, I also have the Sony 7100ES. It was my main piece in the theater room before purchasing my Pio SC07. I now use it in my living room setup and run my Atrium 60's off of Zone 2. Excellent piece of gear, with tons of power on deck. I need to get the new 1080p update done to it, but have yet to take it down in order to do so. Still a fan of the older stuff though.

love2listen

I have been using the Sony STR-Da5ES for several years and have never had any problems with it. It has served me well since day one and does a great job as a pre/pro for H/T.

BlueFox

So, I decided to listen to some multi-channel SACD tonight with the Sony 9100ES SACD player connected to the 7100ES via iLink, and there is NO audio. WTF!!! All the lights and indicators say everything is fine. This has worked fine in the past. Why does this always happen when I am drinking beer.

Anyway, all is fine. I guess there was some type of sync issue between the SACD and the amp. I unplugged the iLink cable, turned off iLink, reconnected, turned iLink back on, and Diana Krall is sounding fine. Whew! I thought I was going to have to change my positive Sony ES post into a slam post.

mantis

I have not Installed a ES receiver in years. The last run of ES receivers I messed around with was when they tried to go digital amps and they caught fire.

Over the years prior to all that I had great success with ES. They sounded as good or better then most others in their price class. They had a run of separates and they where truly fantastic.
Now that this has been brought up , I'd like to take a serious look at what they are doing today. I would be nice to see them make a come back. I might have to get one in the shop and test the hell out of it.

gfong

I have a Sony STR-DA5400ES and really like it. Lots of power and can do 4 ohms, pre outs, phono input, room calibration. Has a boat load of nice features.

Sound and Vison did a review on it, here is the measured power outputs for all channels for the Sony 5400ES.