A Sony that competes with high end receivers!
Written: Feb 24 '03
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: Power; Good Output; 6.1 channel sound built in, with 7.1 ready outputs
Cons: Remote Drains batteries quickly
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this product. Be wary of cheap prices, unless they are Sony authorized you won't get the full 5 yr warranty!
|
|
|
| siliconreaper's Full Review: Sony STR-DA5ES 6.1 Channels Receiver |
When I first set up my home theater system, I originally had ordered the sony str-685. It was rated 100 watts x5 ( though NOT rms), it was a big jump from normal TV. However, being a techno junkie and hardcore geek, I soon found it lacking. At higher volumes, the bass frequencies would start to fade out. I needed something with more power, and for a low price of around $1000.
I considered 3 models, my current DA5ES, a Denon, and an Onkyo. I tried out the Onkyo at home for a few days, and was amazed by the power difference. However, it seemed somewhat simple, I needed more features. I made up my mind and exchanged it for the Sony. When I first saw that the UPS guy was having trouble coming up my front stairs, I knew this was a beast of an amp!
I set it up in under 15 minutes, it was very easy to navigate all the menus and make all the surround adjustments. It comes with 2 remotes, for operating speakers in a 2nd and even 3rd room, all at once! The only problem is the weight, so you better set up good the first time :).
The inputs in the back are an incredible site. You problably wont run out of options here. Digital out , front panel inputs, all gold plated by the way. The view from the top gracefully shows off the receivers guts. Oversize heatsinks, huge capacitors, and a monster power supply.
After setup, I began toying with the remote- this is a 2way remote, so you can download information from the receiver onto the remote! The features and settings are just too long to list - parametric equalizer for every channel, frequency adjustable; crossover, eq memory for multiple settings you can save, custom sound field set up- to name a few.
Build quality is excellent, aluminum throughout, even the volume knob is so solid, it just feels good turning it. Most of the buttons are hidden away behind a smooth glide open door on the front panel, giving it a classic look.
Now for the sound... My speakers consist of Polk rt150s for the left and right, a cs400i for the center and rt1000s for the rears. When I popped in the DTS version of Apollo 13 and watched the launch sequence, it blew me away. There was no indication of struggle whatsoever - even when driven hard! I got to the point where it was just uncofortable to listen too, I didnt try full blast.
Its too bad my neighbors complain, I dont get to really use its power most of the time - you probably wont either, believe me halfway is VERY loud on a DTS track. Oh, and you may want to lower the bass levels on your sub, the signal is super clean and possibly a few dBs too much for some sequences.
The final part- this baby comes with a 5 year warranty!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1015
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
siliconreaper
|
|
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.