I've been on the lookout for a replacement amp for my home cinema setup. Been doing a lot of reading (and posting) on avforums.

I won't repeat what I posted over there, if you really want to find out, you can read the thread here

It's tricky trying to find a retailer who stocks really high-end Sony. No sony centre wants them, and all specialised hifi shops just turn their nose up snobbishly believing that the only good thing Sony make are LCD TVs. To a certain extent that's true. However, this 28kg back-breaking monster has a few sonic surprises...

Anyway, enough chitchat.

:drool: :drool: :drool:

If could try and describe the audio performance, but the swear filter would show a list of starts followed by "awesome". :D

I think I'm gonna keep this lil' beaut

P.S sorry about this random post, I'm still in awe. A proper AV amp that's just as good in stereo as it is in surround sound. About ****ing time too. And it rocks

I work in AV, and I can confirm that it is truly a monster of an amp

How long is the training course to set it up????

How Much?

Most men read magazines for that sort of gratification Xav - have you ever considered it??

That's one serious piece of kit -- will require some nice speakers and quality connects to get the most out of it, makes my Sony Home Cinema Amp look like a kids toy!

Most men read magazines for that sort of gratification Xav - have you ever considered it??

I thought I'd sound poncy like some of those reviewers for a change :P

Very impressed with it. Watched some movies with multichannel sound approaching reference levels. SWMBO couldn't follow the TV in the bedroom upstairs

Neighbours will love me too

I'm liking this one. It's not a brute, but has plenty of precision punch when asked.

It completes my home cinema set up quite nicely. I'm using a HTPC as a DVD source, doing post-processing upscaling to native 1280x720 resolution onto the Sony LCD projector some other briskodian lumbered me with. Not complaining any more

I think the last thing I need is a new sub. My current one (Paradigm PDR10) is great, but not awesome

Home Cinema is even more expensive than modding the car :P

BTW, the price I get it at work is about the same as the bargainous amazon price

Home Cinema is even more expensive than modding the car :P

But no insurance has to keep in mind, only WAF* lol

Just curious, what speakers are you using?

Louis

*WAF = Wife Acceptance Factor

Yeah not bad - although looking at the back of the amp there's not much scope for running multiple inputs

And yeah home cinema can be way more expensive than modding the car!

So when is opening night at the Xaviplex Cinema and what are we watching then (i'll bring some popcorn)

But no insurance has to keep in mind' date=' only WAF* lol

Just curious, what speakers are you using?

Louis

*WAF = Wife Acceptance Factor[/quote']

Ahh, I've seen WAF mentioned on avforums and it came across as a hindrance to modding. Now, I understand why

It's a bit of a mix at the moment - some stuff I've "inherited", some stuff I've bought.

Monitor Audio R452/MB main speakers

Paradigm CC350 centre

Paradidm PDR10 sub

Acoustic Research AV18 rear speakers

Equalising them had been impossible until now - the EQ on the Sony is pretty advanced too

Pictures are produced by the Sony VPL-HS50 LCD PJ

Equalising them had been impossible until now - the EQ on the Sony is pretty advanced too

Sound you have been busy with the remote lol. Sure you will have a lot of fun with this AV amp.

Just a repeat on what I've posted on the other forum, for those of you interested, read on

I've done some further tests in stereo at my father's place.

He has a plinius pre / power amp combo, a Teac high-end CD player (can't remember the model number), audio physics sparc speakers.

We started off listening to material we're familiar with and refreshed ourselves listening to it on the plinius setup. Then moved over to the Sony, swapping just the connections from the plinius rig (CD phonos, speaker cable).

The differences were remarkably subtle, which I thought was surprising given we were running the plinius in pure class A (it is A / AB switchable). The Sony provided a slightly more clinical rendition on a variety of music (rock, classical, jazz). If anyone's a fan of Maria Joao's Fabula album, I highly recommend track 2

In reality, it actually provided more detail and possible precision in the placement of instruments, providing a highly accurate soundstage.

Reverting backwards and forwards between amps, it became obvious that the Sony did actually reveal more detail, at the expense of a bit of warmth and for lack of a better word, engagement. Whilst incredibly clear, it didn't seem to engage us quite as much, envelop us in sound and emotion as the plinius setup.

Having said that, I would certainly hope that it didn't "better" the Plinius - after all, the plinius setup is 4 times the cost!

As a last test, we swapped over the CD player from the Teac to my Arcam alpha 8. We only tested with the Arcam with the Sony, and used some different interconnects, but it did allow us to switch between the Teac and the Arcam quickly, to compare a particular sound we'd just heard.

The Arcam didn't have quite the same exquisite clarity as the Teac. Sounds were ever so slightly more muddled, but did present more of a boogie factor

So, all in all, I'm very happy with my Arcam / Sony combo, it sounds rather nice.

And I did get round last night to watching a film and testing out both DD and dts soundtracks. It's certainly more precise and agile than my ageing Yamaha. So given the stereo performance is most admirable, and multichannel sound isn't shabby in the slightest, I think I may have a winner

As I've said in previous posts, I'd be intruiged to audition the Yamaha 2600, but compared to what I've already tried and tested, I don't think it stands a chance. The Sony has placed the bar at near-stratospheric levels

So, in summary, I'd have to admit I'm still dumbstruck at how good the 7100ES is in stereo. As the HCC review stated, maybe a bit more work is required on the pigment colour of those speaker terminals, but for the money, you just cannot argue the admirable performance in stereo. This is a truly very good amp, perfectly apt at providing an all-in-one AV / HiFi combination.

I'm sold

When testing the stereo performance, did you try 7100ES's on board DAC? i.e. use Tech/Arcam's digital output.

When testing the stereo performance, did you try 7100ES's on board DAC? i.e. use Tech/Arcam's digital output.

I haven't yet, but can do

What I'd really like to have tested is the i.link interface, as it's more accurate and has no jitter compared to a standard SPDIF.

My Arcam alpha 8 cd player has a coax spdif out so I'll try that at some point and compare

You've got me thinkning about my puny set-up now.... must put credit card away!

For your new sub, B&W have brought one out that's round like a bowling ball and blew their socks off in more ways than one. Think its RRP is about 900 squids, but can't remember the exact model (can find out for you when I get back up north in a couple of days).

WHere do you get most of your kit from? Online or shop?

I have to admit, it's as addictive as the modding for the fabia

I don't know if you were referring to "my new sub" as the servo 15 I picked up last night - about to give it a proper test before the neighbours come home.

My current stuff is a combination of new purchase from shop, second hand from private sale. If or more likely when I buy the amp, it will be through my contacts

I know I can get new gear cheaper online, but I actually enjoy spending time in a proper hifi place listening to various gear and build up a relationship with the dealer. It can always come in handy - although I've never used it