Did I get Switcherood?

[markw]

As I've always said, they are OK when they work but when they fail, and they do seem prone to that, fixing them is a problem.

Sometimes stereotypes (no pun intended) came into existence for a reason.

But, just like Bose, they have a lock on name recognition and probably won't feel a thing.

[ciscokid1970]

This is pretty much the end.

I picked up my Sony ES receiver yesterday from the second shop. He even opened the top to show me his work.

Bigger transistors are back...actually according to the tech they are much more than transistors (they have 5 leads) and contain some logic and power control parts.

That tech is a big fan of the Sony ES equipment, he likes that the place things in modules and have lots of protective circuits. He compared the insides to a yamaha, and onkyo and you can see the difference (he is less impressed with the newer yamaha and onkyos). He says that the ES line has the same build quality that you see in the top end Denon and Marantz.

We chatted for quite a while (we even talked speakers but we do not have enough time for that)

Any way for a extra $20 he had replaced the power caps with the biggest ones that will fit in the case and replaced some of the caps on the board with polyester film caps. This really helps the dynamics.

Separate note: I changed the caps on my speaker crossovers to polpfilm caps and it made a huge difference (this is how we started talking about speakers).

As I had said before I have been very impressed with this receiver, the only thing that has broken was the volume knob motor.

It was late when I got out of that shop so I did not have enough time to stop at the first shop and give them a piece of my mind. I think I will report them to the BBB and end it at that.

[poneal]

As stated previously, if not resolved, this can bug you for a lifetime. I'm glad that you took the effort to get a second opinion and resolve the issue. As for me, I will definitely look at the inside of mine before I take it in to a repair shop.

[stratman672001]

I've been hearing alot of nightmare stories lately involving Sony ES gear and their service centers. The ES quality (both build and service) seems to have slipped enough within the past 5 years that many are vowing never to buy from them again. Your story is just the latest. I almost got an ES SACD player. Got the cheaper one instead. If it dies I'm not out that much and can just chuck it. Once the warranty runs out on yours and something goes wrong, I'd seriously give serious thought to either Denon or Marantz for a replacement. Their quality is a touch better.