From: monitn@rebecca.its.rpi.edu (Nicholas Monitto)
Subject: Re: Sony ES vs. Sony A/V receivers
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 09:18:06 GMT

2ftntold@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:

>After reading a favorable review on the Sony STR-GX99ES A/V receiver, I
>decided it was the best receiver for my tastes.  I noticed in a buyer's guide
>that this model had almost identical specs and features as the Sony STR-D2090.
>What is the difference between these two receiver models? The only differences
>I saw were that the ES had 4 channels opposed to 5 and has wood side panels. 
>Does the ES have a higher current amp?  I thought ES models were suppose to
>have less features and higher quality components.

Wow, I must be bored, it's after 4 in the morning... :)  Well, here goes-

I don't have product information for the STR-D2090, but I have it on the 2070.
The 2070 is 5 channels (130x2F, 30C, 30x2R), DSP, Pro-logic, parametric eq,
6 audio, 3 video inputs and lots of digital related features.

The STR-GX99ES is 120x2F [stereo only] or 75x2F, 75C, 60surround [probably 30
per channel] when run in surround. It features Pro-logic, parametric eq, DSP,
5 audio, 3 video inputs and similar digital related features. It also includes
discrete output transistors, Optical A multi-stage biasing, spontaneous twin
drive, separate power transformers for audio and control... These are common
features in the ES line which supposedly make them more durable and able to
drive low impedance speaker loads. The GX99ES looks almost identical to the
2090, so I imagine that they are almost the same. The 2090/2070 has 1 more 
audio input which (my guess) is the "Digital" input which takes a straight
optical or coaxial digital signal.

>I called the local audiophile store and they quoted a price of $925 for the ES
>model.  I also contacted some mail order companies and got a price of $705 for
>the plain Sony.  Both of these models list at $1000, so why is there such a
>large discrepency in the price?  Is the ES model identical to the regular model
>except is $200 higher?  Or is the local audiophile store just quoting an
>extremely high price?  If so, where can I get the ES model more reasonably
>priced?

In my area (Albany/Troy NY) I can pick up regular Sony equipment at a number of
local stores, including Silo, Lechmere, etc. I can only think of one audio
dealer [Altair Audio in Colonie] which deals in ES equipment. Generally, the
ES items are found only at high end stores. This would explain the price 
difference; while your local Silo/Lechmere/Sears/etc. will often drop their
price dramatically for a sale or to lure your business from a competitor, the
higher-end stores will rarely engage in such practices.

My $0.02: the GX99ES is a good looking receiver you can do a lot with. If it
were me and I could afford the ES model, that's what I would buy. The 2090
probably has only a 2 year warranty, the ES line has (I believe) a 5 year
warranty across the board. The ES models seem to be built better- the inside
electronics are built to perform better, and I have yet to hear any complaints
about them. On the other hand, the Sony middle-end receiver line has been
plagued with problems. I have a 1070 which is still acting up...
Overall, I like Sony gear (mostly) and I like what they can do when they do it
right.

Questions and comments welcome. All data came from Sony product literature.
>Thanks for any info,
>Scott Shumate
>Junior EE at KU
>sshumate@tesla.ece.ukans.edu

Nick (monitn@rpi.edu)
Organization: Misc. student, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA