Video Asylum: REVIEW: Sony STR VA555ES Receiver by Arnel

Model:	STR VA555ES
Category:	Receiver
Suggested Retail Price:	$1500
Description:	6.1-channel A/V receiver (DTS-ES, DD-EX, PL2, DTS Neo:6)
Manufacturer URL:	Sony
Model Picture:	View

Review by Arnel ( A ) on April 25, 2002 at 02:42:12
IP Address: 202.108.97.218

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When I was looking for a receiver, my priorities were around the functionality of the pre/pro stage of the receiver. This is I think the most critical consideration, because you can always upgrade to separate amps when necessary. These were my choices:
Sony VA555ES (DA5ES in US)
Denon AVC-1SE (5802 in US)
Marantz SR-14EX
Of all these, the Sony is the CHEAPEST. But it has the most sophisticated and flexible pre/pro stage (parametric EQ for correcting room-response anomalies, individual-channel speaker-to-sub crossover in 10Hz steps, surround speaker height+position compensation, simulation of *actual* top-caliber theaters -- in this case Sony Pictures studios in Hollywood, and all tweaks I could possibly think of!). And this is not like some other receivers whose DSP features are plain "special effects" - spelled b-u-l-l-s-h-i-t. I can't imagine using a different DSP mode when watching a sci-fi movie, then switch to another when watching action, then another for drama.
Why then, I wonder, can't other receivers have this kind of flexibility? It shouldn't take a $4000+ separate pre/pro to offer such pre/pro features, as programming those into the DSP chip(s) shouldn't cost a fortune anyway!
And the sound... it's one of the best I've heard, even approaching that of the much more expensive Denon and Marantz flagships. Slightly on the warm side of neutral... but that's better than being bright! It has a rare musicality for a receiver this price, especially on SACD playback, thanks to its Analog Direct mode that bypasses all DSP.
The "ES" construction screams "high-end" all the way. But this is expected of a top-spec product. What is not expected, though, is the rather cheapo-looking binding posts. It's the same thing found in the cheapest receivers. I wonder why high-end receivers don't have the same quality, gold-plated posts that's already de-facto standard in even the $500 budget integrated stereo amps.
Another issue is the remote. It has a flap that you need to flip depending on which functions you require. Most playback functions are outside, while the receiver setup functions are inside. Nice space-saving design (the remote is smaller than most but still managed to have a 4-line LCD display), but I got tired of flipping the flap in and out when I want to, say, navigate the DVD menu (using the hidden buttons) then turn the volume up/down (using the outer buttons). It would also have been better if Sony has at least provided an illumination option for the key remote buttons.
And in comparison...
The Denon has the best amp stage among the three. Having been a happy owner of a Denon PMA-2000R III stereo amp, I highly regard Denon's high-current design. The AVC-1SE seems capable of driving almost any (practical) speaker load. On the DSP side, though, it lacks the flexibility of the Sony.
The Marantz is also high-end in everyway. It is, btw, the best looking among the three. At first glance, it looked like it's the most expensive receiver. But again, its pre/pro stage is a bit lacklustre.
So considering the price, the VA555ES was my best bet. It is in every way a flagship product, but costs less than half of the competition's flagships. It may lack the touchscreen remote and the more powerful amp stages of the Denon and Marantz, but it offers a better pre/pro stage that's truly a "tweaker's delight". Anyway, for the price difference, I can easily buy a Philips Pronto... and there's a lot of good separate amps out there that cost less than $1500 when your front speakers require better amplification.
As to whether it's better than the previous flagship VA777ES... it's debatable, depending on your priorities. I just wonder why Sony couldn't keep the motorized front door, the arguably better front panel display, the rumored better amp design, and the touchscreen remote of the previous flagship.

Product Weakness: front-panel display can't be turned off (only dimmed by up to 60%); binding posts look real cheap; users might get tired of the remote flip; key remote buttons are not illuminated; power reserve / current capability might not be enough for difficult speaker loads.
Product Strengths: one of the most flexible pre/pro stages that will please even die-hard tweakers; high-quality "ES" construction; musicality that's rare among receivers especially at its price level

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	N/A
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	N/A
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony DVP-S9000 ES
Speakers:	Sonus Faber Concert Home surround system
Cables/Interconnects:	van den Hul (various)
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	movies, all music types
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	front-panel display can't be turned off (only dimmed by up to 60%); binding posts look real cheap; users might get tired of the remote flip; key remote buttons are not illuminated; power reserve / current capability might not be enough for difficult speaker loads.
Product Strengths:	one of the most flexible pre/pro stages that will please even die-hard tweakers; high-quality "ES" construction; musicality that's rare among receivers especially at its price level