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I read all this good reviews about the Sony 9000es pre/power ht setup and how good it is for stereo music also. Based on all these reviews I read, I was really going to buy blind, or deaf if you will. But when I went down to the dealer to have a good look, horror of horrors! there are no 6 channel inputs!!! What is Sony doing here?? This Elevated Standard set is like a dead end! Say, in 6mths or a year's time when 192khz/24bit DVD-Audio gets really popular, I will still be stuck with this 96khz monster with no option to use an external decoder/processor!!! What's with Sony?!?I can't afford those really Hi-end stuff like Theta or whatever...so,
Now, maybe I should look to Denon or Yamaha instead...
Anyone facing the same scenario?
TA-P9000ES Sony, which looks like an add on solution for 6 channel inputs? Look at the digitaltheater.com and find the PICTURE. Its available in Europe and would think it would be here also pretty soon. The Sherwood is a good alternative IF you don't have a LD player or only need a couple of digital inputs. I don't think the Sherwood has a phono stage either. The Sony has the bases covered and the new box should work as an analog bypass.
Just a couple of clarifications on the Sherwood. It does have a good phono stage. Also, if the digital ins/outs are a problem an MSB Digital Director can be added which works well the Sherwood.The Sony is a nice piece as well. There are some sonic differences between the two (both sound very good) but it likely boils down to features and the users specific room, equipment, and sonic preferences.
Regards,
Rich
I know less about the decoder than you do, but I am excited to see it come out. For $1125 street prices in the US, the Sony is a phenomenal unit, bettering my old B&K AVP1000 for DPL, and I can only imagine for DD and DTS. The decoder may be the way for me to go if I decide not to buy an integrated amp. Would you mind describing what you know about the decoder so far and what formats it will support?
Are you asking about the TA-E9000ES preamp or the TA-P9000ES add on bypass? If you are asking about the preamp go see my review from Jan. 20 1999 here . Mine is way down on this list.If you want more info on the TA-P9000ES go Here .
Note that you can link to the picture in this thread.The Sony preamp would slay any integrated mated with the right amp for your speakers.
I have heard of the TA-P9000ES. However all up I find the TA-9000ES already too expensive in the U.K. adding the TA-P9000ES will only make it more so. Sony sucks in the U.K. They're still trying to flog the STR-DA925 here when the STR-DA930 has been out for ages. The STR-DA50ES has only just become available is difficult to find and rediculously expensive as well. No ones even heard of the STR-DA333ES or STR-DA555ES here.Sony should have added pre ins/outs to its range sooner... it's just lost a customer.
I've had it with them and going for the new DENON AVR-3300 which I can get for the same price as a STR-DA50ES and kicks it's ass. It has 8 channel in/outs, the latest DACS and analogue passthrough etc... It has 5x105watts which is ok but I don't really care as I'm just going to use it as a preamp anyway which is supposed to be similar to the AVR-5700D. I can't imagine the preamp section in the TA-9000ES being twice as good which it would have to be cos its almost twice the price and I'm not an audiophile anyway.
Appologies if this sounds like a flame but I really was intent on a Sony but I guess it dind't work out, thus the frustration and releif with the Denon.
everyone has their own set of needs. I needed a RF demodulator built in (the 9000es has it), a phono section (9000es has it), MORE than 2 or 3 digital inputs (9000es has 5 or 6). The equalizer was a bonus and the 9000es has the best bass management system for the money I've seen. I liked Denon but they had NONE of these features. There is no hurry for the 6 channel bypass for the sony since it already had EVERYTHING on board. And since SACD and DVD audio software are still in the future, I can wait for the new box (TA-P9000ES) to become available and the price will come down. I'd be surprised if it is over $400 mail order when it becomes available. Also the rs232 port used for software updates puts the Sony pretty much by itself in its price category and I didn't want to pay for receiver amps with NHT speakers to drive. I had already been that route and it wasn't pretty.
TRUE. I will definately miss not having the equaliser and bass management. I don't need as many inputs, RF demodulator, phono section or (hopefully) digital outs either.I didn't want to pay the extra for the in built amp/s or tuner on the Denon and that hurts, but as it turns out this will actually give me an extra £400 ($636) to spend on higher power/quality discrete amp/s which I would otherwise not have had.
I've a feeling it may suit my needs. I'm glad to hear you're pleased with yours and that you have an upgrade path.
It's beem nice talking to you.
IF one were to want an excellent HT and stereo setup, then they should consider using a Sony TA9000ES (or even a Sherwood) plus a separate integrated amp. Consider that if a person were to have a budget of around $3500 for a preamp or amp, they could purchase a Sony TA9000ES plus plinius 8150 integrated amp for around $3400 from the right sources (all new with full factory warranty). This is in lieu of buying a preamp and a dedicated amp only, say of the caliber of a bryston 4BST, duel 3BSTs, McCormick, or even Llano ST100. This way, you have the immense processing power and extremely flexible setup options of the Sony (which I own and it is phenomenal for HT and very good for stereo), and the direct input for high-end two channel with the plinius. THe plinius 8150 allows the user to bypass the preamp section to simply use the amp (for home theater) or for stereo listening with the preamp engaged. You would plug your best CD player/DAC combo into the plinius and not the Sony. A cheaper alternative would be to use the Classe CAP151 to the same effect. By this method, one can have exemplary HT and stereo for years to come. THe new SACD units are two channel and you would never need to upgrade the Plinius any time soon. I have my doubts about the sound quality of 5 channels at 20 or 24 bit samples, or even by sonys SACD 1-bit technology. I don't need high resolution on all surround channels for music. WHo needs 24 bit wall reflection information? I think your money is best spent on a good integrated amp to help avoid obsolescence.
Obviously, I hope to buy a plinius 8150 for this very setup if I don't decide to upgrade equipment in my video editing/digital audio project studio at home. You think stereo is expensive, try putting together an good NLE system with nice camera and audio without a second mortgage on the house.I have compared the DACS in my Sony to direct input to my amp (B&K EX4420) with a JVC1050 CD player. This player is older, but a good performer. I couldn't hear significant differences between the two (using the JVC1050 also as a transport into the Sony). Therefore, I have concluded that the DACs in the Sony are average to very good in quality, though not setting any industry standards. This same sentiment was mentioned in the Audio magazine review earlier this year. So, for a person really seeking an audiophile experience at the cheapest, perhaps a sherwood plus classe CAP151 would be the way to go, using DVD players with external DACs or the upcoming audio formats down the road. However, why worry so much about the DACs in the Sherwood or Sony when you can have a stunning integrated also, with very high quality, though temporary, audio from even a simple $500 DVD player? Very little obsolescence at this point and relatively cheap. My money will be for the plinius 8150 and Sony TA9000ES (currently own) with either Gershman RX-20s (I currently own) or Norh 7.0/subwoofer setup. I'd be smiling.
I a/b'd the Sony and the Sherwood. (NHT VT-2/VS-2 speakers, Parasound 2205 amp, Sony S7700 DVD player, Monster Cable interconnects/cable) I couldn't tell a difference in DD/DPL/DTS, but I did like the Sherwood better on music. The Sherwood sounded more natural, while the Sony sounded processed. I didn't like that at all. The Sherwood has 6 channel inputs and is cheaper too. The Sony has better build quality and more DSPs, but other than that, the Sherwood was the clear winner to me. I got mine for $800 delivered and I couldn't be happier. The Sherwood DACs are very good, but if you have a high-end CD player, the direct analog pass through is great. You'd have to spend $3000 on a Classe' SSP-25 to better the Sherwood's stereo performance. Good luck!
I think the new 333ES and 555ES receivers have 6 chanel inputs and outs. Denon 3300 and 5700 have them and I think Denon is coming out with it's own preamp.Check it out-- you my just need to wait a little longer.
Take a look at the Sherwood. It's cheaper and has an analogue pass-thru. All HT pre-amps will be obsolete in time.The best thing for 2 channel music to my ears is a good tube pre-amp and that my friend will never be obsolete in your lifetime (assuming you stock up with tubes for it ;) It simple to integrate with the Sherwood or whatever.
I doubt that DVD-Audio will go anywhere. Sony SACD is more likely and that's done in the player. Besides, it'll be 2-5 years before the software is there and your current collection is not worthless. Who cares? Be happy.
I'm facing similar problems particularly with the sony line. Had my heart set on using one of the ES receivers as a pre-amp e.g. the STR-DA50ES but none of them have preamp outputs. The preamp sections on the Sony's are awesome but the amps suck.If you want preamp outputs you have to go with the Sony TA-9000ES however as you said it hasn't got 6 channel inputs so I discarded it for the same reasons you are. I refuse to pay that sort of money for a soon to be dinasour.
Sony also have the SDP-EP90ES digital decoder preamp which again shares allot of features and functionality with the TA-9000ES and almost had just what I was looking for except that it only has digital inputs no analog and again its bloody expensive. You cannot connect your video player sound to it.
Sony seem to be very clever at not giving you enough functionality to be able to upgrade their kit so you are forced to purchase their top of the line kit to get the extra power or features and even then they are still tight assed about in/outs.
I've given up for the moment particularly as the range of kit in the U.K. is currently limited. I'm waiting until the competition really starts heating up and prices start comming down...
Alternatively I may buy something really cheap such as a Sherwood and just throw it away later on when I find what I'm really looking for.
You may find the Sherwood better than you expect for two channel stereo if you have a high quality front end. Give it a listen.Rich
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