Sony unveils 2008 ES receiver lineup

Say hello to this year's warmed-over line of Sony's ES 7.1 channel audio/video receivers. Now-standard features in the line include a PS3/PSP-style xross media bar interface, 1080p Faroudja DCDi upconversion, a slew of audio codec support (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio) plus Digital Media Port connectivity to hook up iPod or Bluetooth adapters or satellite radio. The higher end STR-DA4400ES (above) packs a 120-watt amplifier, six HDMI inputs, HD video output to two zones and audio to three zones for $1,500 when it debuts this August. The STR-DA3400ES and STR-DA2400ES both include a 100-watt amp, four HDMI jacks, the 3400 includes an IR repeater and support for a second video zone with its $1,000 price tag, while the 2400 drops those features and includes a basic interface for $800 next month. Take a peek at both after the break, then check your wallet to see where you fit in.

STR-DA2400ES:

STR-DA3400ES:

[Abhinav @ Jun 26th 2008 2:44PM]

Whoa... Looks good keep it coming sony...

[Daniel @ Jun 26th 2008 2:45PM]

give us a price for xbr8 sony.

[T.J. @ Jun 26th 2008 2:46PM]

Vote me down, just saving my comment password in firefox

[CarpeD1em500 @ Jun 26th 2008 2:51PM]

I voted you up. I think you were trying to use reverse psychology, and that trick isn't going to work on me!

(Also voted ^ because you use FF)

[ghoti42 @ Jun 26th 2008 2:56PM]

same here

[lawyer bird @ Jun 26th 2008 3:32PM]

if he was using reverse psychology and you voted him up theeenn...he won i think

[NineT9 @ Jun 26th 2008 3:41PM]

heyyyyyy, I just installed FireFox 3.0 last night :) I haven't used FireFox for about 10 years (Been using Avant mostly)...

I must say, FireFox is awesome, greatly improved, feels smoother then Avant, but I gotta give it to Avant for better options, more options, and better customizing... but ill probably stick with FireFox, its good enough :D

And i hate uninstalling programs

[NineT9 @ Jun 26th 2008 3:42PM]

heyyyyyy, I just installed FireFox 3.0 last night :) I haven't used FireFox for about 10 years (Been using Avant mostly)...

I must say, FireFox is awesome, greatly improved, feels smoother then Avant, but I gotta give it to Avant for better options, more options, and better customizing... but ill probably stick with FireFox, its good enough :D

And i hate uninstalling programs

[ddub @ Jun 26th 2008 5:11PM]

HUh? Haven't used firefox in about 10 years = I've never used firefox..

unless I'm missing something... maybe if your talking about gecko, was it that long ago?

[bob sakamano @ Jun 26th 2008 2:49PM]

6 hdmi inputs AYE?

[tyler @ Jun 26th 2008 3:40PM]

Makes me want to run out and get another PS3, a 360, and 2 other devices just so I can make use of 6 HDMI ports.

[bob sakamano @ Jun 26th 2008 3:42PM]

did they change it? or am i going crazy... now im reading 4 hdmi

[bob sakamano @ Jun 26th 2008 3:43PM]

ok now i see it... for the higher end... im still losing it

[Jon @ Jun 26th 2008 2:50PM]

Now lets see the Next installment Onkyo Offerings and then i will decide which to get

[kjb434 @ Jun 26th 2008 3:12PM]

Exactly, Onkyo will yield the same quality and yet be much cheaper.

I always find Sony electronics to be overpriced. If they innovate something, just wait a bit and someone will make it cheaper.

[Ben @ Jun 26th 2008 5:37PM]

Onkyo kicks the crap out of Sony at any price point. Might as well just buy a Bose.

[Jon @ Jun 26th 2008 2:53PM]

What are they using for Upscalling this year ? i am hoping for Reon-HQV™ HD but it will prob be Faroudja DCDi™ again for Sony

[Jon @ Jun 26th 2008 2:56PM]

For my 3rd post in a row ... Why did they Take it from Last years 6 HDMI's to only 4 this year ? that's a Odd move ...

[Jon @ Jun 26th 2008 2:57PM]

Ahhh .. I cant read it is 6 again , ok Sorry

[rock99rock @ Jun 26th 2008 2:59PM]

6 HDMI inputs.

Freaking sweet.

[Daniel @ Jun 26th 2008 3:05PM]

Can someone explain to someone with little experience in home surround sound why receivers are still huge? I'm not even being a smartass, I genuinely want to know. Thanks

[From My Cube @ Jun 26th 2008 3:10PM]

Look at what all is packed in there! I have a Harmon/Kardon AVR 346 (rox) and they get quite warm. Its a media hub, its not longer an amplifier...Look at a comparable sized amplifier for sub's for a car, they are about the same size...ramping up the watt's on a reciever is still not an efficent task....


besides, who wants a dinky box sitting below their 60 plasma....

[Daniel @ Jun 26th 2008 3:35PM]

That makes sense. I guess I was just confused how in a world where everything gets smaller, receivers stay the same size. Thanks!

[Ben @ Jun 26th 2008 5:50PM]

Easy answer: to accommodate all the components. Think in terms of a computer, but with more audio processing, decent video processing, a high wattage PSU, a display and buttons/knobs on the front, and a mind-boggling number of ports on the back (HDMI, component and composite video, optical and analog digital audio, S-video, 1/4" phono, a minimum of seven speaker terminals and one subwoofer out, pre-outs, RS232, XM, Sirius, AM loop antenna, FM antenna, etc). And I am only speaking of what you would find standard on nearly any recent receiver that retails for $500.

[max kingsbury @ Jun 27th 2008 5:46PM]

Some devices get smaller, some don't. The performance desktop computer hasn't shrunk much in the last decade. Devices that keep the same features tend to get smaller, while those whose features expand stay the same size. This receiver doesn't just receive, it generates video for the xross, it upsamples video. It does all kinds of things that receivers didn't used to do.

[gabe @ Jun 26th 2008 3:09PM]

dont ever buy sony - worst audio equipment ever.

perfect though if you are in college and on a tight budget

[Andrew Borem @ Jun 26th 2008 3:17PM]

On a tight budget? Sony is right up there in price with brands that are actually high quality. But you probably paid an extra 40% to get your 37" plasma in 1080p as opposed to 720. Because you can see a difference, dammit!

[Xoviet chiK @ Jun 26th 2008 3:30PM]

I still have a cheapy Sony STR-K502P Hooked up that I've had for six years. I'm happy to report I've never had a single problem with it, and it has run perfectly all these years. Yeah, it's outdated (was when I got it, didn't even have ProLogic II support), but it still puts out some great sound.

I'd happily buy another Sony receiver :D

[gabe @ Jun 26th 2008 3:31PM]

i know u mean well.

i have a marantz receiver

great entry level product. far better sound quality than sony could ever achieve.

[A.C.E.R. @ Jun 26th 2008 6:45PM]

Yamaha for me.

[macserv @ Jun 26th 2008 6:55PM]

You're full of it. There's a lot of Sony equipment I wouldn't touch, but the ES components are freaking awesome. I have really high standards, and have yet to be disappointed... I had a V555ES before, and just replaced it with a DA5300ES about 9 months ago.

Sony ES isn't the end-all-be-all of home audio or anything, but it's way better than you're giving it credit for.

[Reggie @ Jun 26th 2008 3:09PM]

Sadly: No HD Radio yet from Sony?????

[System48 @ Jun 26th 2008 3:33PM]

That's what I'm saying. If they added Sat Radio and HD Radio it would be perfect.

[From My Cube @ Jun 26th 2008 3:11PM]

disagree... Sony TV's and home theater equipment is above average...now there car audio is the biggest piece of trash around

[From My Cube @ Jun 26th 2008 3:13PM]

crap, that was aimed at Gabe

stupid engadget posting system...also, why wont my avatar show up!!!!!??!?!

[gabe @ Jun 26th 2008 3:36PM]

i saw it thanks - yamaha make better sounding products than sony

i highly suggest people give them a chance over sony -

yamahas tend to run bright - so pair your speakers accordingly.

[BobTurbo @ Jun 26th 2008 11:07PM]

"yamaha make better sounding products than sony"

I find this to be completely incorrect. Sony's cheap bookshelf speakers sound excellent, as do their cheap micro-hifi products. Both are at the top on Amazon. My Yamaha speakers sounded way too harsh.

This constant Sony bashing is just stupid.. who cares what they did, they are a company trying to make money like every other company.

[Dan A @ Jun 26th 2008 3:22PM]

I've never liked Sony's sound quality on their AVRs.

I picked up the HK AVR-254 just a few days ago, looove it!

[Reid @ Jun 26th 2008 3:56PM]

I've been looking at buying one of the top-end HK AVR's off of eBay (factory refurb) when I do my setup. I've got a low end stereo HK I bought the same way that I use with a pair of Paradigms in my bedroom, and it kicks ass. I love how you can get HK stuff for like 1/4 price buying direct refurb. Everything is like new, right down to the packaging.

This new Sony is fairly ugly, as is the remote, but then again, my HK remote is about 10 times as ugly. Let's be honest, all of these modern receivers/amps produce about the same sound, so it's more about style and ease of use/number if inputs than anything else.

1080p upconversion is nice, especially with 6 HDMI inputs. I was just going to use my (3 hdmi port) TV as the switch since it has optical audio out anyway, and that way you're not forced to use your receiver any time you want to do anything. The HK stuff I was looking at only upconverted to 1080i, but that was awhile ago.

[CraziestGadgets.com @ Jun 26th 2008 3:22PM]

is the only reason this thing so big is to hold all this inputs in the back?

[gear @ Jun 26th 2008 3:25PM]

THX ?

[Some Kid @ Jun 26th 2008 3:28PM]

i get that technology has advanced but this from the front looks like something from the 70's or 80's
is there such a thing as a new design?

[Rick Urtel @ Jun 26th 2008 3:45PM]

Yamaha is the way, Sony ES is dead...compared to what ES used to mean, hand tested components, top 1% of the lots of capacitors, power supplies hand wound, braced and copper lined enclosures. Those were the days.
At least Yamaha tries to use good parts from all the same suppliers.
It's all the same now.

[NineT9 @ Jun 26th 2008 3:42PM]

heyyyyyy, I just installed FireFox 3.0 last night :) I haven't used FireFox for about 10 years (Been using Avant mostly)...

I must say, FireFox is awesome, greatly improved, feels smoother then Avant, but I gotta give it to Avant for better options, more options, and better customizing... but ill probably stick with FireFox, its good enough :D

And i hate uninstalling programs

[andres @ Jun 26th 2008 5:27PM]

CCC-COMBO BREAK

[phanbouy @ Jun 26th 2008 9:08PM]

third time's a "charm"

[bob sakamano @ Jun 26th 2008 3:43PM]

ok now i see it... for the higher end... im still losing it

[Le Big Mac @ Jun 26th 2008 3:49PM]

And look at all the connectors on the back. No way to shrink those.

[Matt @ Jun 26th 2008 4:25PM]

These look pretty nice, but those damn pop-off front-input covers are annoying. You'd think they'd come up with something better for their high end products.

[boe @ Jun 26th 2008 5:07PM]

A shame they don't make preamps. I still have my TAE-9000es from about 7 years ago. It is still a good piece although it misses some of the new HDMI functionality I would like. Frankly I think their receivers are OK but that preamp they made 7 years ago was still selling at semi- high end audio places until last year - can't say that for even 2 year old receivers from Sony.