The STR-DB1070 has ES capability, and I believe the DE1075(?). The ES models have DTS-ES, and are the only ones worth getting in the Sony line, IMO. The lower models are just that, and do not get ES capability so far.
Just get a receiver from Denon, Onkyo or Marantz that does it now and have better amps and processing.
5es has it all, i'm not sure about the 3es. Sony does not give out info. You have to pry it from a dealer. Check out cruchfield for specs. If you want a Sony go for the da5es.$975 max at Oades/JR/6th ave/etronics. If the 3es has es discrete, then that would be a real bargain at $650.
5es=
Features
Three 32-Bit Processors: This receiver employs three 32-bit processors, providing ultra-precise surround decoding for DTS-ES, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Surround EX and Dolby Pro Logic II, plus Sony's Virtual Matrix 6.1 and Digital Cinema Sound modes.
6-Channel Amplifier: This receiver drives 110 full-bandwidth-rated watts x 6 channels of power.
6.1-Channel Decoding: This unit is equipped to decode 6.1-channel signals. In addition to the standard 5.1 channels, some movies now encode a sixth channel, the surround back. The surround back channel improves the realism of sounds panned across the rear soundstage.
Video Surround Modes:
Normal Surround: Normal Surround includes the following modes:
Dolby Digital
Dolby Pro Logic II: enjoy 2-channel stereo recordings in stunning 5.1-channel surround playback. The Dolby Pro Logic II decoder reproduces dynamic 5.1-channel surround sound not only from normal 5.1-channel DVD but from 2-channel sources as well. In Dolby Pro Logic II, there is a Movie mode that creates a sound space suitable for movies, a Music mode that does the same for music, and a Pro Logic emulation feature that reproduces sound effects in the way that conventional Pro Logic does.
DTS
Dolby Digital Surround EX: the Surround EX System allows you to play movies that employ a matrix system to produce 6.1 channels from a 5.1-channel film soundtrack
DTS-ES Extended Surround: DTS-ES includes the Surround Back (SB; also known as Surround Rear) channel in addition to the existing 5.1 surround channels of front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and LFE, enabling surround playback from a total of 6.1 channels. Due to differences in surround signal recording methods, DTS-ES offers two types of signal formats:
DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: Discrete 6.1 utilizes the digital discrete method to record all 6.1 channels, including the newly-added surround back channel, as independent channels. Since the surround left, surround right, and surround back channels are fully independent, sound can be freely designed and sound images can move freely and rapidly amongst each other within a background sound that envelopes the room from all sides.
DTS-ES Matrix 6.1: in the Matrix 6.1 format, the surround back channel is matrix encoded in advance to the surround left and surround right channels, and when a matrix decoder plays them back, they are decoded into separate surround left, surround right, and surround back channels.
DTS Neo:6 Surround: featuring the newest DTS matrix processing technology, the DTS Neo:6 function provides up to 6.1-channel surround sound from conventional stereo sources, and can be used with virtually any 2-channel stereo source, analog or digital. Two modes are provided: Neo:6 Cinema is optimized for surround encoded stereo movie soundtracks, while Neo:6 Music mode is optimized for superior surround sound with stereo music sources.
Cinema Studio Ex. A: reproduces the sound characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment's classic editing studio; uses the 3D sound imaging of the Virtual Multi Dimension mode to create 5 sets of virtual surround speakers from one pair of actual surround speakers
Cinema Studio Ex. B: reproduces the sound characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment's mixing studio; uses the 3D sound imaging of the Virtual Multi Dimension mode to create 5 sets of virtual surround speakers from one pair of actual surround speakers
Cinema Studio Ex. C: reproduces the sound characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment's BGM recording studio; uses the 3D sound imaging of the Virtual Multi Dimension mode to create 5 sets of virtual surround speakers from one pair of actual surround speakers
Semi Cinema Studio Ex. A: reproduces the sound characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment's classic editing studio; uses the 3D sound imaging of the Virtual Semi Multi Dimension mode to create 5 sets of virtual surround speakers surrounding the listener using only the front left and front right speakers
Semi Cinema Studio Ex. B: reproduces the sound characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment's mixing studio; uses the 3D sound imaging of the Virtual Semi Multi Dimension mode to create 5 sets of virtual surround speakers surrounding the listener using only the front left and front right speakers
Semi Cinema Studio Ex. C: reproduces the sound characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment's BGM recording studio; uses the 3D sound imaging of the Virtual Semi Multi Dimension mode to create 5 sets of virtual surround speakers surrounding the listener using only the front left and front right speakers
Night Theater: allows you to retain a theater-like environment while listening at low volume levels
Mono Movie: creates a theater-like environment from movies with monaural soundtracks
Stereo Movie: creates a theater-like environment from movies recorded with stereo soundtracks
Virtual Multi Dimension: uses 3D sound imaging to create an array of virtual rear speakers positioned higher than the listener from a single pair of actual rear speakers. This mode creates 5 sets of virtual speakers surrounding you at approximately a 30-degree angle of elevation
Virtual Multi Rear: uses 3D sound imaging to create 3 sets of virtual rear speakers from one set of actual surround speakers
V.Semi-M. Dimension: uses 3D sound imaging to create virtual rear speakers from the sound of the front speakers without using actual rear speakers. It creates 5 sets of speakers surrounding the listener at a 30-degree angle of elevation.
Virtual Enhanced A: uses 3D sound imaging to create 3 sets of virtual rear speakers from the sound of the front speakers
Virtual Enhanced B: uses 3D sound imaging to create 1 set of virtual rear speakers from the sound of the front speakers
Audio Surround Modes:
Digital Concert Hall A: reproduces the sonic characteristics of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, which is famous for its large sound stage due to its reflectivity
Digital Concert Hall B: reproduces the sonic characteristics of the Musikverein in Vienna, which is famous for its hall resonance and unique reverberations
Church: reproduces the acoustics of a stone church
Opera House: reproduces the acoustics of an opera house
Jazz Club: reproduces the acoustics of a jazz club
Disco/Club: reproduces the acoustics of a dance club
Live House: reproduces the acoustics of a 300-seat live house
Arena: reproduces the acoustics of a 1000-seat concert hall
Stadium: reproduces the feeling of a large open-air stadium
Game: obtains maximum audio impact from video game software
Headphone Audio Modes: When headphones are connected, you can select the following sound fields:
2CH: outputs the sound in stereo. Standard 2-channel sources completely bypass the sound field processing. Multi-channel surround formats are downmixed to 2-channels.
Direct: outputs the analog signals without digital processing
Theater: allows you to experience a theater-like environment
Auto Format Decoding: Automatically detects the type of audio signal being input (Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, 2-channel) and performs the proper decoding without adding any effects.
96kHz Sampling Frequency Compatibility: The coaxial and optical digital input jacks are compatible with 96kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz and 32kHz sampling frequencies.
Bass Management:
Front Speakers: you may select "LARGE" or "SMALL"
Center Speaker: you may select "NO", "LARGE", or "SMALL". If the front speakers are set to "SMALL", the center speaker cannot be set to "LARGE".
Surround Speakers: you may select "NO", "LARGE" or "SMALL". If the front speakers are set to "SMALL", the surround speakers cannot be set to "LARGE".
Surround Back Speaker: you may select "NO", "LARGE", or "SMALL". If the front speakers are set to "SMALL", the surround back speaker cannot be set to "LARGE".
Surround Back L/R: you may select "YES" or "NO". If you select "YES", you can use the center speaker as the surround back right and the surround back speaker as the surround back left. Note: The center speaker must be set to "NO".
Subwoofer: you may select "YES" or "NO"
Subwoofer Phase Polarity: you may select "NORMAL" or "REVERSE"
Surround Speaker Position: when using rear speakers, this setting is used for proper operation of the sound fields that create virtual rear speakers; you may select "SIDE", "MIDDLE" or "BEHIND"
Surround Speaker Height: you may select "LOW" or "HIGH"
Front Speaker Crossover: when the front speakers are set to "SMALL", you can adjust the front speaker bass crossover frequency from 40Hz to 200Hz in 10Hz increments
Center Speaker Crossover: when the center speaker is set to "SMALL", you can adjust the center speaker bass crossover frequency from 40Hz to 200Hz in 10Hz increments
Surround Speaker Crossover: when the surround speakers are set to "SMALL", you can adjust the surround speaker bass crossover frequency from 40Hz to 200Hz in 10Hz increments
Surround Back Speaker Crossover: when the surround back speaker is set to "SMALL", you can adjust the surround back speaker bass crossover frequency from 40Hz to 200Hz in 10Hz increments
LFE High-Cut Filter: allows you to adjust the LFE high-cut frequency from 40Hz to 200Hz in 10Hz increments
Test Tone: the test tone feature allows you to independently adjust the volume level of each channel
Sound Field Customizing: Depending on the Mode selected, you can adjust the following parameters:
Effect Level: the "presence" of the surround effect may be adjusted in 0% to 100% in 5% increments
Wall Type (wall material simulation): 17 steps from hard to soft
Reverberation Time: may be adjusted in 17 steps
Front Reverberation: when using Digital Concert Hall A or B, you can select "WET" to increase front reverberations, or "DRY" to decrease front reverberations
Screen Depth: this feature allows you to adjust the sound so it appears to be coming from inside your TV screen; you may turn this feature off, or it may be set to "MID" or "DEEP"
Virtual Speakers: allows you to turn the virtual speakers created by "Cinema Studio EX A, B, C" and "Semi Cinema Studio EX A, B, C" off or on
Front Balance: the balance can be adjusted +/-8 steps
Surround Balance: the balance can be adjusted +/-8 steps
Surround Back Balance: the balance can be adjusted +/-8 steps
Center Level: the level may be adjusted in 1dB steps from -20dB to +10dB
Surround Level: the level may be adjusted in 1dB steps from -20dB to +10dB
Surround Back Level: the level may be adjusted in 1dB steps from -20dB to +10dB
Sub Woofer Level: the level may be adjusted in 1dB steps from -20dB to +10dB
LFE Mix: lowers the level of the LFE channel output. You may select "OFF" (mute), or the level may be set from -20 to 0dB in 1dB steps. Note that this effects only the LFE channel, not the bass sent to the sub through bass redirection circuitry.
Dynamic Range Compressor: you may select standard compression, maximum compression or a compression level from 0.1 to 0.9, in 0.1 steps; the dynamic range compressor feature may be turned off. When active, the dynamic range compressor feature compresses the audio output so there is less variation in volume from Dolby Digital sources; this feature does not work with DTS sources
EQ: you may select one of 23 treble frequencies (ranging from 1kHz to 10kHz), one of 37 mid frequencies (ranging from 198Hz to 10kHz), and one of 21 bass frequencies (ranging from 99Hz to 1kHz) for each channel. You can adjust the level of those frequencies +/-10dB, in 1 dB steps
3-room/3-source Capability: This unit is equipped with stereo RCA jacks and an RCA composite video jack to send an A/V signal to a receiver or amplifier in a second room. A set of speaker outputs allows you to power stereo speakers in a third room. The same source or different sources may be played in the main room, the 2nd room, and the 3rd room.
Multi Channel Input: Although this unit features built-in Dolby Digital and DTS processing, it also has a 5.1 multi-channel input and a 7.1 multi-channel input for use with external multi-channel decoders, including potential future units such as multi-channel SACD players and DVD Audio players.
Station and Source Naming: Each preset station and program source may be given an index name of up to 8 characters. For example, two VCRs can be displayed as 8MM and VHS.
Sleep Timer: The unit may be set to automatically turn off after 2 hours, 1 hour and 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 30 minutes.
Dimmer: There are 5 levels of display brightness.
Remote Control
Multibrand/Learning Remote: The supplied remote is pre-coded to control Sony A/V equipment and most brands of VCRs, TVs, LD players, DVD players, Video CD players, CD players, MD recorders, tape decks, DAT decks, cable boxes, DSS receivers, and projectors. In addition, this remote can learn up to 80 infrared commands from remotes of other components.
2-Way Communication: The remote uses 2-way communication with the receiver; this is to display information stored in the receiver on the display of the remote. This does make the unit incompatible with any type of infrared repeater circuit.
Macro Play: Up to 2 macros, each with a maximum of 16 steps, can be stored in the remote, allowing you to perform a series of operations at the push of a button.
2nd Room Remote: A separate remote is supplied for the second room and must be used with an optional IR repeater to control the basic functions of the receiver. Using the second remote, you can turn the receiver on or off, adjust the volume, switch sources, select a sound field, and control basic functions of the connected components.
Inputs and Outputs
Front Panel:
Phones: standard gold-plated headphone jack
Video 3 Input: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jack and S-video jack
Rear Panel:
Antenna Inputs: FM Coax and AM spring clip antenna inputs
CD/SACD Optical Digital Input: Toslink optical digital input with a protective plastic cover
MD/DAT Optical Digital Input: Toslink optical digital input with a protective plastic cover
TV/SAT Optical Digital Input: Toslink optical digital input with a protective plastic cover
DVD/LD Optical Digital Input: Toslink optical digital input with a protective plastic cover. Note: This is NOT AC-3 RF; if you are using a LaserDisc with AC-3 RF output, a demodulator must be purchased separately and connected between the LD player and this unit!
MD/DAT Optical Digital Output: Toslink optical digital output with a protective plastic cover
CD/SACD Coaxial Digital Input: gold-plated coaxial digital jack
DVD/LD Coaxial Digital Input: gold-plated coaxial digital jack. Note: This is NOT AC-3 RF; if you are using a LaserDisc with AC-3 RF output, a demodulator must be purchased separately and connected between the LD player and this unit!
Phono Input: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks with ground screw
CD/SACD Input: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks
MD/DAT Input/Output: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks
Tape Input/Output: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks
TV/SAT Input: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jack, S-video jack and component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "PB/B-Y" and "PR/R-Y")
DVD/LD Input: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jack, S-video jack and component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "PB/B-Y" and "PR/R-Y")
Video 2 Input/Output: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jacks and S-video jacks
Video 1 Input/Output: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jacks and S-video jacks
Monitor Output: gold-plated RCA composite video jack, S-video jack and component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "PB/B-Y" and "PR/R-Y")
Multi-Channel Input 1: this is a 7.1 multi-channel input consisting of gold-plated left front, right front, center, left rear, right rear, surround back, and subwoofer RCA inputs, plus an RCA jack that is not labeled, for use with external multi-channel decoders
Multi-Channel Input 2: this is a 5.1 multi-channel input consisting of gold-plated left front, right front, center, left rear, right rear and subwoofer RCA inputs for use with external multi channel decoders
Preamp Outputs: 9 gold-plated RCA jacks (front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, surround back, two subwoofers, and an RCA jack that is not labeled)
2ND Room Output: gold-plated stereo RCA jacks and RCA composite video jack for use with an optional amplifier
RS-232C Port: this jack is intended for use in the manufacturing and servicing of this unit
Control A1II: A1II mini-jack output
Control S: 2 Control S mini-jack inputs and 2 Control S mini-jack outputs
Speakers: binding post outputs for front, surround, surround back, center, and 3rd room speakers (not 5-way, because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs and they are positioned too far apart to be used with dual banana plugs)
AC Outlets: 2 switched AC outlets (120W/1A Max)
AC In: AC jack for use with the supplied AC power cord
Impedance Selector Switch
Notes
Backup Memory: Once a sound field is customized, the changes are stored in memory indefinitely, unless the receiver is disconnected from power for about 1 week. If the receiver is disconnected from power for about 1 week, all of the tuner presets will be cleared from the receiver's memory.
Warranty: Some units may be incorrectly packed with a 3 year warranty card. The correct warranty for this unit is 5 years parts and labor.
I wanted the 5es as a replacement for my 777es, but then I discovered the new 3 and 5ess aren't the same quality level as the 777. I'm sure I'd be happy with one, but I didn't upgrade.