Hi all...
i'm new to the forum. Just wanted to say "hi" and talk some trash about the Sony STR-DA 2/3/5/9000ES digital recievers.

I consider myself an audiophile.
I write reviews on recording equipment and two channel audio hi-end stereo gear (fwiw).

I recently (and reluctantly) got talked into trying out one of these Sony ES digital drive 7.1 recievers for two channel music.

HOLY CRAP!
can you say giant killer?

I posted this review to the "reviews" section of the 3000ES (my personal amp).
You can read my real review on my web site, if you care. www.nickspicks.com

I use the 3000es soley for two channel music listening, and IMO it excells. So much so, that i've sold my individual componants (that I paid around $3k used!!) and replaced them with this box. Componants in question were a McCormack DNA-1 and Musical Fidelity CD-PRE24.

The key to these Sony digital amps is that you MUST feed them a digital signal. This way, the signal path goes incoming PCM > DSD upsample (the magic!) > digital drive amplification > D/A stage > speakers.

The sound is amazing. Largest, most detailed soundstage i've ever heard out of any combo of stereo equipment i've owned. Imaging is so pinpoint, its downright scrary at times. Detail is so abundant that i'm listening to most of my music collection for the first time (so it seems).

I know my review goes against what many others here have said, but I question if they are listening in the same method that I am.
IMO, this is the best piece for two channel music reproductin (from a 7.1 reciever no less) out there w/o going into many thousands of dollars in seperates or the ultimate of high-end integrateds.
I put it head to head against my other amp, a Manley Stingray...and it bested it!
If you are looking for a low dollar, high value amp for MUSIC, then you must audition one of these. They sound fantastic righ out of the box but get much warmer/smoother after a few hundred hours of play.

Anyone else here using one of these amps in this regard?
I've heard from my Sony dealer and trusted audiophile friend that the flagship SACD player running its DSD firewire input to the 9000ES is an experience one wont forget anytime soon. I hope to get to hear that combo some day.
I LOVE technology!