Guy Martin
Second Unit
- Joined
- Nov 29, 1998
- Messages
- 347
Folks-
I'm still looking for a good receiver to replace my old Sony DE725. Mainly I'm looking to move up to DTS at long last. In recent weeks I've checked out the Denon 1803, the Onkyo TX-SR500/600, Panasonic SA-HE100, Pioneer 711/811 and the HK AVR 125. Fine models all in the $300-500. My leaning had been to the Onkyo 500 simply because my parents have one and have been pleased with it so far. My speakers are Energy Take-5s with an 8". I live in a relatively small studio apartment so power isn't an issue. Neither is Dolby EX or DTS ES since again, small apartment, no place to logically put that extra speaker. Although it would be nice to have EX/ES capability for futuring proofing.
Anyway this is all somewhat of a long-winded way of introducing the main point of this post. I have in the last day been given an opportunity to purchase from the Sony ES line at an incredibly good discount. One which makes even the top-of-the-line STR-DA4ES well within the range of the previously mentioned models. My question is, is the ES line really top-notch? And what are the differences between a 2ES and 4ES in performance (I already know about the feature differences)? In particular I've heard that the 4ES has much better amplifiers than either the 1ES or 2ES, which makes me lean towards spending the extra money for the 4ES. I am given pause however, because my speakers can only go to 100watts and the 4ES tops out at 110watts (not that I would ever crank the volume to the top, but I don't want to run the danger of blowing a speaker). This would not be an issue with either the 1ES or 2ES. Any danger there?
- Guy
I'm still looking for a good receiver to replace my old Sony DE725. Mainly I'm looking to move up to DTS at long last. In recent weeks I've checked out the Denon 1803, the Onkyo TX-SR500/600, Panasonic SA-HE100, Pioneer 711/811 and the HK AVR 125. Fine models all in the $300-500. My leaning had been to the Onkyo 500 simply because my parents have one and have been pleased with it so far. My speakers are Energy Take-5s with an 8". I live in a relatively small studio apartment so power isn't an issue. Neither is Dolby EX or DTS ES since again, small apartment, no place to logically put that extra speaker. Although it would be nice to have EX/ES capability for futuring proofing.
Anyway this is all somewhat of a long-winded way of introducing the main point of this post. I have in the last day been given an opportunity to purchase from the Sony ES line at an incredibly good discount. One which makes even the top-of-the-line STR-DA4ES well within the range of the previously mentioned models. My question is, is the ES line really top-notch? And what are the differences between a 2ES and 4ES in performance (I already know about the feature differences)? In particular I've heard that the 4ES has much better amplifiers than either the 1ES or 2ES, which makes me lean towards spending the extra money for the 4ES. I am given pause however, because my speakers can only go to 100watts and the 4ES tops out at 110watts (not that I would ever crank the volume to the top, but I don't want to run the danger of blowing a speaker). This would not be an issue with either the 1ES or 2ES. Any danger there?
- Guy