Thoughts on Sony ES line?
LesH
Posts: 77
Looking at a STR-DA1800ES to replace my dying Pio vsx-1121-k (now it's completely "dead" w/ no sound, just video & UE22 error code flashing.) I don't know much about Sony AVR qualities. I was looking for a Pio SC-1222-k, but have not found any at a good price anywhere.
I already have wasted $ on the Pio 1121k just two years ago. Not trying to spend all my christmas funds on myself.
I already have wasted $ on the Pio 1121k just two years ago. Not trying to spend all my christmas funds on myself.
Post edited by LesH on
Comments
-
The above is probably just not a good topic for this forum as it is the general "I'm on a budget and need a low-mid level AVR for my TV..." lame question. I under stand this. This should be my clue to avoid spending any decent amount of money on any of these all-in-one units and just proceed with a clearer path of purchasing a pre-amp and a good amps. By they time I spent the money on the last unit and the next unit, I could have just purchases a NuForce AVP-18 or a Emotiva UMC-200... It is a scary path to begin heading down. (Scary as it could easily consume my thoughts, focus and wallet.)
-
Why don't you get the Pioneer fixed?Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Not a question of quality as most entry level to mid level receivers have about the same quality regardless of brand. What matters most is sound quality, and even that differs only slightly among entry-mid line receivers.
My problem with the Sony you mention is no pre-outs to add an amp down the road. Pre-outs should be one of the main things to look for when shopping AVR's.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Why don't you get the Pioneer fixed?
It is out of warranty. I called and described symptoms to the local repair shop. They said the most certainly HDMI board needs to be replaced at a cost of $330 + shipping just for the part. Repairing the Pioneer is not worth it. 60 miles there and back to drop it off, the parts, the labor, 60 miles there and back to pick it up... -
Why don't you get the Pioneer fixed?
Jesse I have found that in recent years most fix it places are NOT going to touch receivers any more. You'll end up with spending 3/4 of the price new to get it done. -
Not a question of quality as most entry level to mid level receivers have about the same quality regardless of brand. What matters most is sound quality, and even that differs only slightly among entry-mid line receivers.
My problem with the Sony you mention is no pre-outs to add an amp down the road. Pre-outs should be one of the main things to look for when shopping AVR's.
I guess I don't understand this point of view. If you are getting the AVR just for pre-outs and driving with external amps, then why even get an AVR to begin with? Just for the HDMI and DAC? Why not just get a good AV capable preamp?
Pre-outs on the Pioneer did me no good as the whole unit died before I bought better speakers and external amps anyway. If I bought a new AVR, the first thing that is going to become obsolete on it will be the AV parts of the AVR. -
Looking at a STR-DA1800ES to replace my dying Pio vsx-1121-k (now it's completely "dead" w/ no sound, just video & UE22 error code flashing.) I don't know much about Sony AVR qualities. I was looking for a Pio SC-1222-k, but have not found any at a good price anywhere.
I already have wasted $ on the Pio 1121k just two years ago. Not trying to spend all my christmas funds on myself.
Check Costco for a 1222K. I just picked one up for $399. Not all stores carry them though... -
I guess I don't understand this point of view. If you are getting the AVR just for pre-outs and driving with external amps, then why even get an AVR to begin with? Just for the HDMI and DAC? Why not just get a good AV capable preamp?
Pre-outs on the Pioneer did me no good as the whole unit died before I bought better speakers and external amps anyway. If I bought a new AVR, the first thing that is going to become obsolete on it will be the AV parts of the AVR.
Well, because once you get the AV preamp and add amplifiers, your into some coin. Just like receivers, there is variations in quality among AV pre/pro's too. When a 500 buck receiver goes south, your out 500. When a 2-3 k pre/pro goes south...then what ? Pre/pro's become obsolete just as with any AVR too, their not immune.
From a SQ perspective, pre/pro's are the way to go. From a return on coin invested, not so much. Simply look at pre/pro's that retailed over 3g's from a few years ago, say like the B&k REF50. You could pick it up today for 2-3 hundred. At the rate technology changes, your more apt to find out within a year or 2 that your 2-3g pre/pro has suddenly become outdated.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
ken brydson wrote: »Check Costco for a 1222K. I just picked one up for $399. Not all stores carry them though...
I have sent some people hunting locally for the 1222k. In the stores they have gone to for me so far, someone bought every 1222 at once in spring when they went down to $750. So, no $399 deal for me. -
Well, because once you get the AV preamp and add amplifiers, your into some coin. Just like receivers, there is variations in quality among AV pre/pro's too. When a 500 buck receiver goes south, your out 500. When a 2-3 k pre/pro goes south...then what ? Pre/pro's become obsolete just as with any AVR too, their not immune.
From a SQ perspective, pre/pro's are the way to go. From a return on coin invested, not so much. Simply look at pre/pro's that retailed over 3g's from a few years ago, say like the B&k REF50. You could pick it up today for 2-3 hundred. At the rate technology changes, your more apt to find out within a year or 2 that your 2-3g pre/pro has suddenly become outdated.
Thanks for the explanation. This helps me understand why I should not be dropping $2-3k on a avr just for the power. -
2 Channel(work in progress):DAC: Schiit modi 2 uberAmp:Parasound 1200 MK IISub:RBH 1010-SEP Speakers: Monitor 5A peerlesscurrently running some krk rokit 3g since the HK pre outs died and i need to start breaking everything down to move in a couple monthsHeadphones:Source: tidalDAC: schiit modius epre: schiit sysAmp: AQ dragonfly black/ schiit magni2 Cans: Velodyne V-True, Grado SR225i, sennheiser x drop gaming headsetPC:DAC: schiit modius e(over spdif)pre: schiit sysspeakers: prenous eris 5 xtSub: Earthquake Sound MiniMe-P63most of my comments are passing on of info, im a noob, im just trying to help how i can, if im wrong or out of place to comment, dont hesitate to let me know
"WITH WILLING HEARTS AND SKILLFUL HANDS, THE DIFFICULT WE DO AT ONCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES A BIT LONGER, WITH COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. WE BUILD - WE FIGHT FOR PEACE WITH FREEDOM"Seabee Memorial, Arlington, VA -
seabeerob213 wrote: »
Thanks. I checked out this Marantz. It looks decent enough. Is it worth it to buy refurb and tack on a SquareTrade warranty? Or should I see out a new one? How is the Marantz service record and warranty support? -
Thanks. I checked out this Marantz. It looks decent enough. Is it worth it to buy refurb and tack on a SquareTrade warranty? Or should I see out a new one? How is the Marantz service record and warranty support?
Bought the SR5005 from there 2 years ago and it has worked flawlessly since day 1. Would buy another refurb in a heartbeat. I'd go with the SR7005 though.Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV
HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player -
Thanks. I checked out this Marantz. It looks decent enough. Is it worth it to buy refurb and tack on a SquareTrade warranty? Or should I see out a new one? How is the Marantz service record and warranty support?
I bought a damaged Marantz SR7002 a few years ago from accessories that seabeerob linked to. It has a dented corner on rear not visible from front. I bought a three year warranty IIRC. I'm beyond that now, no problems and saved hundreds at the time.
I use an external amp with mine though so I've never used the internal amps.Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Whatever you consider, do NOT buy an Onkyo... They are notoriously unreliable. I have had three TOTL models go bad on me and a fourth (a recent TX818) is starting to act up on me....
I switched to Pioneer and have been lucky so far. I avoid Denon as they have poor support (actually everyone does) and they only have a one year warranty. Sony ES line used to have a five year warranty, not sure if they dropped that to three. -
I appreciate everyone's feedback and suggestions. I think I have found a Marantz SR6007 new for $700. That should be a pretty good unit I think. I am just driving a pair of the first series Monitor 70's, a CS2 with a 505 sub. I feel like I'll have more AVR than speaker.
Hopefully the Marantz will sound better than the Pioneer vsx-1121-k I had. No matter what I did over the past two years, I could never seem to get the Pioneer to sound "good" or "right." I could just be that I don't like the way the Monitor line sounds, but at this point that is what I got.
