Sony's new ES Line All-In-One (Digital Power)

Dmason · « **Reply #160 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 01:39 pm »

I agree, SACD sounds especially Yummmmy on this thing, maybe it is the direct architecture. Sounds like some of you are going to hear for yo selves this week.

I read the thread on Newform Research site about the Panasonic. Isn't it interesting that Dr George is pushing the idea of a $400 little piece of fluff mated with pre-programmed outboard crossovers, to power his esoteric ribbon speakers? Hmm? Or that a 75 watt digital amp can make the dual Scanspeak/inefficient ribbon combo sing and slam? I may pick one up today just to A-B the Sony design with the Texas Instruments design.

Hantra · « **Reply #161 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 02:08 pm »

If I had respect for the Newform ribbon, I wouldn't mind taking the guy's recommendation.

JohnR · « **Reply #162 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 02:12 pm »

Interesting thread!

There seems to be a misconception floating about that it is somehow desirable to send a digital switching signal down your speaker cable to your speakers. Don't think so -- you want the low pass filter to be inside the amplifier, otherwise (and apart from the other reasons why this won't work) your speaker cables have been turned into giant RF noise transmitters.

enzo · « **Reply #163 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 07:27 pm »

Or even tri-amp them in the case of the new 6-channel AVD-line??

Wondering to what extent they may be configured.

sharper · « **Reply #164 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 10:09 pm »

Quote from: enzo

Or even tri-amp them in the case of the new 6-channel AVD-line??

Wondering to what extent they may be configured.

I've wondered the same thing but I don't think you can configure the AVD series to bi-amp or tri-amp because they do not have a multi-channel input.

Newform's approach with the Behringer 2496 digital EQ crossover and the Panasonic digital amp is to use the Behringer to split the (digital) signal from the CD player into high pass / low pass and feed that into 4 of the 6 channels of the Panansonic amp's analog 5.1 inputs. So, the Behringer outputs will go to, let's say, for example, the Front Right, Front Left, Surround Left, Surround Right channels of the Panasonic's multi-channel input. It means you can only use one source (without changing speaker cables, jumpers, interconnects)...unless the Behringer accommodates multiple inputs.

Ravi · « **Reply #165 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 11:07 pm »

Dmason, I'm also very interested in the Panasonic Digital receivers. They use an even different technology, but still reportedly sounds great (when you disable all the effects).

So now we have the Sony AVD, Carver ZR, and Panasonic DSP. Its a great time in high-end!

Jonathan · « **Reply #166 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 12:14 am »

I got the last one at OneCall--shipped to my door for $532. FWIW, I explored a couple of the other places that have been suggested (i.e., AuthorizedElectronics.com and ElectronicJunction.com). Their prices were a bit better, but as it turns out, they are not actually authorized Sony internet dealers. I just felt like having a 5 year Sony warranty was worth the extra 25 bucks, especially since there have been some reported problems with some of these units. I believe OneCall still has a few of the S50ES units in stock, and they quoted me $425 on those.

Anyway, I'm excited and even a bit nervous about the experiment. If all goes as planned, I'll be replacing a Unico integrated amp (with phono), a Pioneer PD-65 CD player, and a Sony NS500V DVD/SACD player. Out go the Kimber PBJ interconnects, too. I'll definitely be keeping my Ref. 3A MM De Capo speakers.

I'll keep you all posted as I spend time getting into this unit. I'll entertain conversations about any of the above gear that you might be interested in buying, but I'm not going to sell anything until I'm sure the Sony is going to fulfill my expectations.

Wish me luck...

Jon

Hantra · « **Reply #167 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 12:21 am »

Electronicsjunction sends you a receipt from Sound City BTW. . . Should be plenty to get warranty work.

B

Dmason · « **Reply #168 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 12:22 am »

I for one will be VERY interested in a thoughtful comparison between the SOny and the Unico specifically, two different designs trying to accomplish the same thing.

Jonathan · « **Reply #169 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 01:43 am »

Quote from: Hantra

Electronicsjunction sends you a receipt from Sound City BTW. . . Should be plenty to get warranty work.

B

Hmmm, maybe. The guy I spoke to was quite clear in letting me know that they were not an authorized dealer. He did say something about offering their own one year warranty, and he did say, "We'll definitely take care of you if there's a problem...". I have no reason to believe that Electronicsjunction is not a reputable, service-oriented company--I just felt better buying from an authorized dealer.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #170 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 03:58 am »

Crutchfield has the S50-ES for $499, and I know they're authorized. I can attest to the fact that they are a no BS company where C/S is concerned: I've had to return stuff to them in the past and they really take good care of you.

I really would like to try that unit in my bedroom rig.

Hantra · « **Reply #171 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 04:00 am »

But for $101 difference? I'll take my chances. That's 20+%. . .

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #172 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 04:07 am »

On something cheap I might too. But I did have an experience where spending a few extra hundred $ buying a Denon authorized saved me buying a brand new unit!

Warranty is a bigger issue on stuff over $1k, at least for me...

On that little Sony, tho, I guess I'd take a chance. But I don't know if I'd buy used.

Dmason · « **Reply #173 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 04:23 am »

With all our piqued curiosity from this interesting and informative thread, I went shopping today and bought that new Panasonic Xa45 digital receiver, AND a lime green plastic Tripath powered 2X100wpc Blaupunkt car amp which appears to be a very high quality unit. If it is, I won't be wasting it on my car.

Tomorrow I will wade thru the functions on the Panasonic to drill down to the un DSP'd straight output, hopefully I can make that journey on my own. If I arrive at that destination, I shall hook it up to my monitors and we shall see if John Meyers and Dr George are for real or into the mushrooms again. For you more technically inclined, I am open to ideas about how to house train the Blaupunkt...

Just to stir the digital soup out there, here is some eye candy for you:

have a look at some custom Norwegian ICE powered monoblocks to go with your IKEA decor www.emblaaudio.no and have a look at the latest in Japanese modular digital amps, purported by one popular online audio writer in Ottawa...to be Tripath based. They have nice little limpet monoblocks for you MC types: www.flyingmole.co.jp The adventure is just beginning..

Sa-dono · « **Reply #174 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 04:59 am »

Quote from: Dmason

...have a look at the latest in Japanese modular digital amps, purported by one popular online audio writer in Ottawa...to be Tripath based. They have nice little limpet monoblocks for you MC types: www.flyingmole.co.jp The adventure is just beginning..

Interesting to hear that they may use Tripath technology. They're actually cheaper than the Carvers (even based on 8th Nerve's MAP prices), and are monoblocks instead of stereo amps. I've actually been tempted to try them out just so when someone asks what kind of amps I own, I can say I own Flying Moles and wait for their reaction

Okay..that's not the real reason..but I would be humored by it

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #175 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 06:53 am »

Dmason, where'd you find the Panny reciever? I don't notice it on any of the mass market type electronics sites.

Jay S · « **Reply #176 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 06:53 am »

Can't read Japanese... is the price Yen 35,000 per channel? That would be about $305 per monoblock.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #177 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 07:07 am »

The digital monobloc: how cool is that! Like SD said, I'd love to tell every I bought 5 Flying Moles for my theater!

Wonder if they're actually for sale and if you can order them from that site?

BTW, I found the Panny's @ JandR.com- astonishing enough, the XR-25 is also chock full of digital amps, DTS/DD decoders and 2 Component Vid inputs. FOR $240!

Holy cow! Looks like the main upgrade you get in the '45 is 6 ch analog input plus one more optical input.

Geez, Dmason, I'm dying to find out how it sounds. That would be killer for my 2nd system, especially at that price!

Wonder if an experienced DIYer could dissassemble that puppy and extract the amps...

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #178 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 08:14 am »

One more interesting model: the Pioneer VSX-C301S. I don't know what type of digital technology it uses, but it packs 5 x 75 watts w/all the usual bells & whistles for $180 @ Crutchfiedl. The specs on this one aren't as impressive: 75 W x 2 w/ 10% THD!

Still, I never knew the technology was so pervasive. It looks like you can't swing a dead cat without smacking a digital reciever...

sfdoddsy · « **Reply #179 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 08:22 am »

Dmason,

I'm thinking that, just for the hell of it, one of these might be useful as a backup (or main) for by tri-amped speakers, ie as a six channel amp using the external multichannel input.

Any idea if it will output all six channels full range from those inputs, or if it is five channels only, plus an RCS sub out and a generated center rear?

Thanks in advance.

Steve