It works perfectly (if turned on) while watching a component source upconverted to HDMI. What's missing? For one thing, the on-screen menu, or Graphical User Interface (GUI), is inconsistent depending on the source and the output. Or, if you zone out when people start talking about zones, you can use those two extra channels to bi-amplify your front channel main speakers instead.
If you're only going to use five of the seven amplifier channels in your main listening room, you can use the "Amplification Relocation" feature to program the surround back channels as speaker outputs for zone two. Zone 2 offers a single composite video and stereo analog audio, while Zone 3 skips the video. The back panel features separate 12VDC triggers for each of the three zones as well. Interestingly, this second remote cannot even control the volume in the primary zone, so forget about digging it out if the main remote goes missing. Sony even includes a second remote for zones two and three. If you're into multi-room setups, the 5200ES can separately source and output to three zones. Sure, it won't put Audio Research or Conrad Johnson out of business, but the fact that it is there could be the deciding factor in many audiophile-gone-wild decisions. One great feature from my perspective is Sony's inclusion of a good, quiet phono stage and an analog direct mode to take advantage of it. Besides, at low levels XM may be fun, but quality-wise, it's not even close to my iPod, much less a CD. I have DirecTV and get XM as part of my premium package, so I didn't try this. Pony up the $13 monthly XM subscription, pick up a XM mini-tuner on your own dime, and the 5200ES offers an interface and 32 programmable presets to hurry you on your way to poorly compressed audio, with a heart. Alternately, such players can decode TrueHD and send it to the Sony as 5.1-channel analog via the receiver's 7.1-channel analog input.īesides the obligatory AM and FM tuners, Sony takes XM radio seriously. Most (but not all) current Blu-ray and HD DVD players have the ability to transcode Dolby TrueHD (but not DTS HD Master Audio) to multichannel PCM, which can then be sent to the Sony over HDMI. In spite of the fact that the Sony receiver will not accept and decode a Dolby TrueHD bitstream directly (Onkyo's latest receivers are among the first of those that will), that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these soundtracks today with the Sony. When it comes to the newer audio codecs available on HD DVD and Blu-ray, everyone wants to be certain that their receiver can handle them. Digital doesn't get shorted either, with four optical and three coaxial inputs – and that's above and behind the digital audio signals available via the three HDMI inputs. There is video switching for three HDMI (1.2a) and three component sources.
The Sony offers seven channels at 120W each into 8 ohms with two-channels driven full range (see Specifications for more details). While you can get many of the same basic features in a less expensive receiver, the 5200ES is a flagship product whose quality and extra content is commensurate with its stature. Sony's "ES" designation is roughly comparable to Pioneer's "Elite" moniker, and the two sit at the top of each company's line. And since we've segued from cars to fish, you should know now that, for the price, this receiver is better than a fair catch.Īfter a recent price drop, the Sony STR-DA5200ES sells for $200 less than the $1,500 Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi receiver I reviewed a few months ago. The STR-DA5200ES is feature packed, though perhaps not to the gills.
Sony's new receiver is the latest example of more for less. Too bad automobiles can't keep up with home theater electronics, or we'd all be driving around in Hummers that get 200 miles to the gallon, emit pure oxygen and absorb all that heat coming off Al Gore.