Sony STR-DA555ES - Opinions wanted

[P-Dub]

I'm currently looking at a used Sony STR-DA555ES receiver for US$400. Here are some highlights:

120 watts per channel x5 8 ohms 20 - 20,000 Hz, 0.05% THD
Dolby Digital and DTS
Preamp outputs for front, rear, center, and subwoofer
Tons of inputs and outputs
adjustable bass crossover in 10Hz increments from 40Hz to 200Hz

Now originally this unit came with some kind of LCD remote, but it looks like the owner has lost it, how I'm not sure as I've seen pictures of it and it's pretty bulky. So is there anything that the remote does that I can't do without it. And this may be a good reason to go the pronto route as I could probably find a CCF for it.

I've got a Yamaha RXV595 with Energy eXL speakers for my front soundstage. I'm guessing that the Sony would mellow out the sound a bit. Plus this would be a step in the right direction towards seperates if I choose. I can then pickup a seperate amp if I feel that the the Sony doesn't have enough power.




Paul

There are three kinds of people in this world; those that can count, and those that can't.

[Kevin P]

Looks like a nice piece ya found there Paul. The Sony's biggest strength is the flexible crossover for bass management. Its biggest weakness is the LCD remote, which I've heard is a POS. You're fortunate that it's missing. You should have no problem finding a universal remote that will run this receiver, or take the Pronto plunge.

And it's an ES model, which has better quality than the more mainstream Sony receivers, which I would recommend you avoid. The Sony ES receivers are the only ones to get.

I can't comment on the sound quality, or how it would compare to your Yammy, since I've never owned, or played with, a Sony ES receiver. I've owned and played with non-ES models but like I said I wouldn't recommend those.

I wouldn't count on a true 120 watts per channel into all channels though, from any receiver. But you even said, if you're lacking for power, you can always add an external amp.

KJP




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[Andrew Pratt]

Paul isn't there a 5ES for sale on HTF? If so I'd look at that over the 555 since the 5ES has PLII and is 6.1 capable. The lack of a remote is a blessing since the sony LCD remotes tend to suck anyway Still for 5.1 the 555ES is a nice receiver and should sound similar to the TA-E9000ES I just sold

[SiliGoose]

I agree with Andrew about the Sony remotes. However, that one might have had some 2-way communication with the receiver. Still, nothing that can't be controlled by the Pronto.

I have a harmon/kardon AVR-7000 in perfect working condition I'd sell for $600 US. It has a slight blemish on the front face but it sounds great.




-Sili

[P-Dub]

Kevin: I've always admired the adjustable crossover on the Sony's, don't know why more companies don't simply copy it. I've heard that the remote is truely lacking, but seeing as I won't even have it, I wouldn't be able to learn any of the specialty key functions, if there are any.

Yup, for Sony I would never look lower than the dB series, in fact I wish I jumped on a closeout Sony dB940 last year during Boxing week.

Don't worry, I'm not banking on the '120W' figure. I'm coming from a 70W receiver, so I would expect the Sony to deliver a bit more power, but I know not to bank on it.

Andrew: Yes, I've seen that unit, but it's going for US$700, which is far more than my budget. Plus the remote is not that good, they downgraded it to what came with the previous year's dB series. I'm thinking this unit, 555ES, would make a nice pre/pro with basic DD/DTS capabilites, which is all I really want. The lack of the LCD remote sounds like a bonus as I think I could probably afford a Pronto. If I looked seriously at the 5ES, then the Proto would be out. I think I'd have more use for the pronto for a long time.

Sili: Oh, that's tempting, but shipping would be pricey and at that price the Pronto would still be out of the picture. I'll have to do some research on the HK. What's their crossover set at? That's the one really cool thing on the Sony, adjustable crossover. I know I'll set it once and that would be it, but still, cool anyway.

One of the selling features is it's a local seller, so to speak. He's located along the way on my trip to Seattle, so I'd be able to easily swing by, audition to make sure it works, fork over the cash and be on my way.




Paul

There are three kinds of people in this world; those that can count, and those that can't.

[MRWILLL]

Paul...

I use the Sony STR-DA555ES in my bedroom. I bought mine last year for $400 (NIB). Before it went to the bedroom, I hooked it up with my main system (see profile). It kicked some serious butt with my front/rear NHT VT-2's. It had more of an "ambient" sound than my Lexicon. My bedroom spks are 4-way towers, and the Sony drives them with ease.

I really like the EQ`ing that lets you tailor the bass/treble/mid of each spk. This was very important to me because my centre/rear spks are the same, but different from my mains. I was able to get the sound of my centre/rears very close to the sound of my mains.

With the rear spks you can select side/middle/behind. This is the one I love because my rear spks lie down on a 2 feet dresser on each side of my bed. It also has a rear spk "Height" placement for low or high spks. I have mine set at low, and the surr's are very active/vocal.

The Sony is a very nice receiver and even better as a pre-pro. Good luck!!




STOP!!...LOOK!!...LISTEN!!
DVD...Hear it from the people who
mixed and mastered it "LEXICON".

[Andrew Pratt]

Does the 555ES have the 6.1 matrix mode in it? If so it did a decent job of enhancing the rear sound stage with just 5.1 speakers in my TA-E9000ES so that might be an added bonus as well. You should be able to find a pronto for $150 or less now.

[P-Dub]

Andrew: Is that so, pronto for $150, I take it that's US$, is that the TU2000? I've seen a TU2000 at eCost for $199. I figure prices would be dropping with the new proto pro's out. Don't know about the 6.1 mode.

MrWill: Thanks for the info on your 555ES. Sounds like there's more adjustments than I had expected. Any opinions on the remote?

Ufortunately, the sale fell through. I have insulted the seller with my many questions.

Oh well, it really got me thinking as to why I want a new receiver and specifically why I want this particular model. A new receiver is in my overall upgrade plans, especially one with pre-outs, then the standard DD/DTS, 6.1, and DPLII. But most importantly the pre-outs, as that would allow me to purchase additional amplification and then head towards the full seperates route. The amps will last a life time, the receiver won't.

A few things attracted me to this particular unit. First of all, the overall value of this receiver @ $400. I've always thought the Sony ES line to be pretty decent, having owned a previous ES receiver has gone along way to entrench that notion. It comes with the minimum DD/DTS decoding and pre-outs, and more than enough inputs and outputs to satisfy my current needs. But, specifically this model features the adjustable bass crossover, this is a big plus in my book. This would allow me maximum flexibility in choosing future speakers. Finally this model incorporated a LCD remote. I've heard that it really is lacking in many respects, but just the idea of a LCD remote was cool, plus it would have made a good resell feature. (Like I'd ever sell it, I'm reluctant to sell any of my HT gear. Hmm, that sounds like a good topic.)




Paul

There are three kinds of people in this world; those that can count, and those that can't.

[Andrew Pratt]

Yes T1000 pronto's are going for $150 USD or less on the used market.

With regard to the receiver itself at least you now know what you want. If there's one thing Sony's have its flexibility for set up. There are simply tons of options for you to play with on them to taylor the sound one way or another.

[Lex]

Don't sweat it Paul, if I was going to get Sony, I would get ES for the better quality. Worth it, IMO.

Lex

[MRWILLL]

Paul...


I would not use the Sony remote if I had the 555ES in my main system. I really don't care for the pencile thing. I want to hit a button real fast.




STOP!!...LOOK!!...LISTEN!!
DVD...Hear it from the people who
mixed and mastered it "LEXICON".

[JonMarsh]

I've bought a few Sony recievers for friends, (ES models from the Sony Outlet stores), and they have decent sound quality and reliable performance. In fact, the very unit you're discussing is one I bought for my girlfriend a year and a half ago.

The remote is one of the two way jobbies, with a built in display indicating what's going on and what it's receiving; I think it has a bad rap not because of the functionality per se, (which is pretty complete), but because the concept behind the user interface and menu system is awkward for most people to understand and deal with- my girlfriend included. It also came with more conventional remote, similar to what comes with a CD player, with no where near the same functionality. But that one's easier for most people to use.

I think what Sony was trying to do with the main remote was build something that had a lot of functionality with a minimum number of buttons; this required having buttons to scroll through menus on screen on the remote (assuming no OSD, if you don't use it with a monitor- it's just for music in her bedroom). It's not at all intuitive for the average person; but I've set up several systems with it, so maybe I got used to it.

-Jon




Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....

[Andrew Pratt]

paul there's a 5ES being sold here cheap.

[P-Dub]

Andrew: Aw crap, just when I had settled for no receiver. I'm going to have to check this out.

Jon: Thanks for the info on the remote.

Does anybody know if Sony lists there Outlet stores on the web. Are they also listed in the Yellow Pages? I'm heading down to Seattle in a couple of weeks and would like to visit one of these outlet stores.




Paul

There are three kinds of people in this world; those that can count, and those that can't.

[P-Dub]

Whew, looks like it's just a Super Tuner and not a full blown 5ES receiver.

Found a link to the Sony Factory Outlet locations None are in the Pacific Northwest.




Paul

There are three kinds of people in this world; those that can count, and those that can't.

[JonMarsh]

Another place I buy Sony stuff (incl. ES) is Oade Bros in GA. Good prices, and they're a legit Sony dealer. My SCD777ES came from them.

http://www.oade.com/

Check 'em out Paul- I've always gotten good service from them- and ThomasW bought his 777ES from them also.

Regards,

Jon




Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....

[Andrew Pratt]

oopssees messa feeeling fooolish ops:

[liverpool1968]

Question: sony str-da555es analog input

Friend:

I wish to Know if you have had problems with the 5.1 analog section of your receiver. When I try to connect the SACD/DVD-A player the sounds drops greatly. Anyway I have tested the connection with regular DVD`s. Do you think that there won`t be any problem with the SACD/DVD-A?

Thanks
liverpool1968

[atchudy]

I have STR-DA777ES with the LCD if anyone is interested.

[liverpool1968]

Price?

[Chris D]

For an actual listing, I recommend posting it officially in the Pawn Shop here!

[ILW8UP]

sony STR-DA555ES

I just got one of these delivered to my door for $340. It was actually for a friend who backed out of the deal. I have an older ES cd player and am very impressed with the quality, so I thought I'd give this a while rather than just flipping it.

To cover the cost, I (at first) reluctantly sold my Denon 1905 to my brother for the same amount.

When I first connected it, I was hugely disappointed....that is until I got it properly setup.

I referred to the manuals twice - the rest I just figured out for myself, and it was a breeze. The remote control is great - so far. Not sure what it will be like in a year, or even a month for that matter.

I've owned several Yamaha's and most recently the Denon. The Sony, in my opinion, blows them all way. You just have to tweak it; and the receiver has so many setup options, it takes time. It will be difficult without the remote, as the speaker setup must be done from the listening position.

Great detail with lots and lots of inputs. I first powered my two main klipsch through the Sony's main preouts, but out of sheer curiosity, pulled it to see what the Sony was like and was quite pleased.

The dual sub outs are amazing, too. I had to turn up my subs to around 7 or 8 for both the Denon and all my Yamaha's .... but the Sony...... I run my subs at 3 and 4 and they just scream.

Just my two cents. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at rcahill@eastlink.ca

Good luck!!

[Casey]

Have a STR-DA555ES - anyone interested?

Just upgraded my home theater and have this awesome reciever now available. Let me know if anyone is interested in picking it up. Offer me a price...

Thanks.

[Chris D]

Hi, Casey! If you'd like to sell something here in the Guide, go over to our "Pawn Shop" subforum... that's our official area.

[Casey]

Thanks will do - sorry to make a newbie mistake.....