Sony STR-DA333ES Receiver

This high-grade surround receiver from the Sony topnotch ES line has some increasingly rare features that are meant to please both audio and video enthusiasts, such as a phono input and a built-in AC-3 (Dolby Digital) RF demodulator for use with a DD-compatible laserdisc player.Sony pays fastidious attention to detail throughout the receiver's design and construction. A 24-bit processor handles DTS, Dolby Pro-Logic and Dolby Digital decoding, while a 32-bit digital signal-processing (DSP) engine provides Digital Cinema Sound and other DSP sound fields. For the audio lover, the STR-DA333ES offers a Direct Pass switch that allows the user to bypass most of the preamplifier and signal processing circuitry, providing a direct signal pathway to the receiver's output stages. Video enthusiasts will be stoked to hear that the STR-DA333ES' back panel hosts three A/V inputs with S-video and dual video monitor outputs. The STR-DA333ES' jack pack also offers one coaxial and four optical digital inputs, as well as analog inputs for up to six stereo sources. The receiver is rated to deliver 80 watts x 5 into 8 ohms in home theater mode. The AM/FM tuner has 30 user-programmable presets. Additionally, the two-way remote control can communicate with the receiver and also can display text and status information on a built-in LCD.