SONY STR-DA3000ES amp ??

[judgeblast]

Greetings all! I after much research I just ordered a new VTF-3 MK 2 with the Real Rosewood finish on sale for $699; the PSB SubSonic 6i was the runner up which I found for $549 - but decided the HSU was worth the extra $150.
Now I need to buy an AMP - the SONY STR-DA3000ES is what I thought would be best 150 watts per ch 7.1 , tons of features - can be found for $600 (on ebay new) $999 MSRP. I've seen a few posts here saying Onkyo & Dennon are GREAT amps, but in looking at the models on EBAY in the $600 range I haven't seen any stack up to the SONY. In sept 04 Sound & Vision - they gave a good rateing to Sonys basic 7 channel amp the STR-DE897 $399 MSRP (they also mention it as a GREAT GIFT in the new Dec. issue) so I would hope the 3000ES would be even better & I like the fact Sony's ES line has a 5 year warranty. I saw one guy here post he heard something about a prob. with the amps digital drive??

Any one with this amp or any advice please post.
When I get the new amp my old Carver M 4.0t will rock my weight room I guess.

Roy / Judgeblast

[JDaddabbo]

I personally would consider the Denon 3805. Its a bit more money, but an overall better unit. If just a tad out of your price range and you can get away with a little bit less power, I would opt for the Denon 2805 over the Sony as well, of course here the Sony would win on the power front, but still the Denon is a better unit, and not just in build quality, but also in performance, features that mean something and that work as they should, etc... But this is just my opinion.

[octalon7]

I'd check out the Outlaw Audio amps as well.

http://www.outlawaudio.com

[Newbie 13]

The Sony 3000ES is one of the new digital amps. It is supposed to be very good. The Sony digitals apparently can keep the signal in PCM until the conversion for the speakers which no other digital can do that I know of. Here is a consumer review with more info-- http://www.nickspicks.com/stereo-3000es.htm

I just picked a digital JVC F10 for $250 to play with and am already considering selling my $1500 receiver. There is no background noise at all on the JVC digital receiver. It is incredibly clean sounding. I had been very skeptical of the digital amps but I'm converting to a believer in short order. If you're looking at receivers/amps below $1500 and don't check out the new digitals you are doing yourself a disservice.

[Dudley]

Just remember that the extra 50 watts (150 vs 100) is barely enough to hear the difference in volume.

[Retread]

Just remember that the extra 50 watts (150 vs 100) is barely enough to hear the difference in volume.

On average, it takes a 3dB difference in power to be detectable. 3dB in power is a 2:1 ratio. So it would take 200 vs 100 to be generally detectable.

[judgeblast]

Thanks for all the great replies! I understand that the watts p/ch. isn't the almighty definer of great sound or amp quality (just a starting reference). I was "told" in order to go 2x as loud you need ROUGHLY 5X the power - so you'd need 500w per. ch to blow away 100w amp (don't know how accurate that is); I am used to having 400w per ch. stereo. with my old Carver, but, I don't crank it up like I used too.
I'm now looking at the Denon AVR-2805 & the Oknyo TX-SR702 - both on EBAY in the $600 range along with the SONY, I think the Okyno may be in the lead.

Once I decide on the amp, then a good $300 ?? center chanel speaker will be all I need, I seen a KEF Q9c that looks nice; opinions?

Roy / Judgeblast

[Dudley]

I have not heard the KEF's lately, but they sure are some of the nicest looking speakers out there.

[KFB]

I would go with the ES. I have a DA1ES (non digital) that I am very happy with. You can't go wrong with the 5 yr warranty vs the 1 year on your other choices either. Your best bet if you can is to demo them in home, with your gear and accoustics and make your decision based on that. Just make sure the retailer doesn't have a restock fee. As far as your center, you really need something that matches sonically to your mains for the best soundstage and effect. You haven't mentioned that I saw what you are currently running. Just my .02

[judgeblast]

My system:

Reciever: DENON AVR-3805 s
Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK 2 Rosewood
Center S. Definitive Tech MYTHOS THREE
F. Speakers: Cerwin-Vega M-100's
Specs: Sensitivity 1W at 1M = 107 db; max output level pair at 3M 131db.
R. speakers: Polk AUDIO 4A's
TV: NEW Sony KD-36XS955 - 36" Hi-Def, Hi-Scan, SUPER FINE PITCH CRT
DVD: New Sony DVP-CX777ES 400 Disc DVD/SACD/CD
also a Sony DVP-CX850D 200 Disc DVD & Pioneer 6 disc CD & other old crap.

Decided against the Sony, Outlaw & Okyno amps, Thanks all!
Roy S. / Judgeblast