| Author |
STR-DA5300ES used as a Pre/Pro with TA-DA9000ES |
bizzibee
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Feb 10, 2005
Posts: 438
From: Wagga Wagga NSW Australia
 |  Posted: 2012-02-13 18:34
Hi Guys,
Been ages since I posted here. Just been busy with life.
Anyway just wanted your thoughts on something I'm thinking about. I still have my Sony TA-DA9000ES and love it just as much as I did when I purchased it. Still haven't heard anything that provides the same audio quality for SACD etc. But I want to update so I can have integrated HDMI switching and Blu Ray Audio decoding. At present I have an external HDMI swicher that just died, and a Sony BDP-S550 Blu Ray player that decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio etc. to it's 7.1 Analog outs which are connected to the Sony TA-DA9000ES 7.1 analog inputs and this works well. But very few new Blu Ray player have 5.1/7.1 analog outputs except the Oppo models. So I'm thinking of buying a used STR-DA5300ES off eBay to use as a Pre/Pro. I will still use the TA-DA9000ES for SACD & CD via iLink. I have a lot of HDMI devices so the STR-DA5300ES's six HDMI inputs will come in handy.
Has anyone done this and if so what were the results like? Are there likely to be any issues. I need two HDMI outs, so the STR-DA5400ES would have been better because it has two HDMI outputs, but I can get around this by buying a dual output HDMI splitting for about $40 so no problem. The STR-DA5300ES are much cheaper on eBay than the STR-DA5400ES. So that is why I think the STR-DA5300ES is my best bet. As I understand it the STR-DA5400ES had improved AMPs, but I won't be using the AMP in the STR-DA5300ES so it shouldn't make much difference.
Anyway I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Thanks!
Kind Regards
Mark
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Panasonic TH-50PZ800A
Sony BDP-S550
Pioneer DV-S969AVi (SACD & DVD-Audio)
Toshiba HD-E1
Sony PS3
Sony TA-DA9000ES (Pure Digital Amp)
Sony ST-SA5ES Tuner
Infinity Kappa 90 Main Speakers
Infinity Kappa Centre Speaker
Boston Acoustics VRS Pro Dipole
[ This message was edited by: bizzibee on 2012-02-13 18:36 ]
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parney
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Jul 23, 2003
Posts: 522
From:
.JPG) | Posted: 2012-02-13 21:06
I think alot of us are in the same boat at this time.I have the da4es hooked up to a Sony BDP-S550 using the analog 7.1. MY other system I have a da5es using it as a pre/pro with a sony ta n 80es and a ta n 220 for a 7.1 setup I have a bdp780 hooked up to my sony tv via hdmi and I use the optical out on the bdp780 to the da5es .I would say go for it and let us know how it sounds.
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bizzibee
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Feb 10, 2005
Posts: 438
From: Wagga Wagga NSW Australia
| Posted: 2012-02-13 21:45
Hi parney,
Thanks for the reply. I thought someone with a TA-DA9000ES might have already tried this sort of option. I guess not!
I guess I will just do it and report back.
Cheers!
Mark
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mykyll2727
Rank: Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
 | Posted: 2012-02-13 23:28
Mark_It's great to hear from you! I hope all is well with you and yours. I tried my DA9000ES as a power amp with my DA3000ES once years ago. I was looking to bi-amp my speakers. That arrangement didn't work so well for me but that was something different than what you're looking to do. IIRC WelwynnNick has tried the DA9000ES as a poweramp mated to a pre/pro and that he reported it worked great like that. If you try it please report back on your findings._mykl
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bizzibee
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Feb 10, 2005
Posts: 438
From: Wagga Wagga NSW Australia
| Posted: 2012-02-14 17:08
Hi Mykl,
Thank you for your warm welcome back!
Yes my arrangement will certainly be different to your Bi-Amping experiment.
Why am I not surprised to hear that Nick has tried something like this with his DA9000ES. I read about his many activities with finding the perfect solution. But I must have missed the Pre/Pro thread somehow.
I will certainly report back my finding once I've got everything inplace and tested.
Kind Regards
Mark
-----------------
Panasonic TH-50PZ800A
Sony BDP-S550
Pioneer DV-S969AVi (SACD & DVD-Audio)
Toshiba HD-E1
Sony PS3
Sony TA-DA9000ES (Pure Digital Amp)
Sony ST-SA5ES Tuner
Infinity Kappa 90 Main Speakers
Infinity Kappa Centre Speaker
Boston Acoustics VRS Pro Dipole
[ This message was edited by: bizzibee on 2012-02-14 17:15 ]
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mykyll2727
Rank: Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-02-15 01:38
Mark_IIRC I read about Nick's use of the DA9000ES as a power amp here_
http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1200932-power-amp-comparison.html
I read the whole thread awhile back so I'm not sure. It's a very informative read anyway. Also you might want to PM him there as he frequents that forum much more than he does here._mykl
[ This message was edited by: mykyll2727 on 2012-02-15 01:54 ]
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Welwynnick
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Oct 21, 2005
Posts: 536
From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
 | Posted: 2012-02-15 15:03
Hi Mark,
As the person who probably did more than anyone to persuade me to make my best audio acquisition ever, its great to hear from you again. And yes, I'm still listening to my (second) DA9000ES - oh, and the DA9100ES too.
I've done a lot to find a better way in the intervening years, including this:
http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=39120&forum=51
http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic.php?topic=37268&forum=51
http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1061595-procesor-shootout-arcam-av9-lexicon-mc12-proceed-avp2-upgrade-company-onkyo-sc885.html
http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1200932-power-amp-comparison.html
I now have a rather ambitious digital active system system, with Denon A1UDCI, Meridian 861, DSP6000, 5000 & 2500. Its had some rather effective modifications as well, as you can see here:
http://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=120545#Post120545
And you know what? I haven't actually told anyone this - but I STILL haven't found anything to really topple the DA9000. Some big power amps can drive difficult electrostatics more effectively, and the modified Meridian 861 sometimes keeps a better focus on the structure of complex music, though at the expense of a loss of resolution with simple recordings. But overall, the DA9000 is still my yardstick after all this time.
The DA9100 is all-but indistinguishable with most sources, better with blu-ray, but is actually inferior with analogue inputs. In fact, the DA9000 has the best digitising analogue inputs of anything that I've tried, and it does work OK as a power amp. Not fantastic, but competitive. But when you factor in the input switching, volume control, speaker management and other functions of a pre-pro that inevitably cause degration between source and power amp, then it makes a lot more sense.
When you add all those functions all over again with an external receiver, it doens't make so much sense. I'm not sure I'd like to use an HD receiver as an audio convertor. My impression is the analogue outputs of good blu-ray players are better than good pre-pros, so a direct connection from something like a Denon 3800BD or Oppo 95 would work better than using a receiver as an intermediate stage. There's not so much flexibility, though, of course.
Best regards,
Nick
[ This message was edited by: Welwynnick on 2012-02-15 16:26 ]
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mykyll2727
Rank: Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-02-16 01:50
Hi Nick_Been awhile. It's great to hear from you.
That's high praise indeed for the DA9000ES! I often get tempted to aquire another 9kES for myself but then common sense gets the better of me. How I wish I could get it fixed. Without question if mine were working 100% or if I could get it repaired it'd still be sitting in my main system. I can't tell you how much I miss having it there. It's in my bedroom now as it still functions as a receiver. In fact, in terms of electronics, my bedroom system is the same as what my main system was a few years ago. I have to say that the Marantz in pure direct/Verastarr combo for stereo sounds wonderful and has proved that indeed the left channel of the DA9kES has developed some issues. I don't notice it in the bedroom though. It's impossible for me to fairly assess if the DA9000ES or the Marantz sound better as pre/pros mated to the Verastarr as it's just been too long that the Sony's preouts were working. Also comparing the sound of the DA9kES as a receiver to the Marantz/Verastarr combo can't be done properly either as the 9kES definitely isn't 100%.
I've been curious as to how your Meridian system is going. I'll read the thread you posted as soon as I get a chance._mykl
[ This message was edited by: mykyll2727 on 2012-02-16 02:04 ]
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bizzibee
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Feb 10, 2005
Posts: 438
From: Wagga Wagga NSW Australia
| Posted: 2012-03-13 22:52
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the late reply. Work has been really busy and we have a new baby, so outside work he has been taking almost all of my/our spare time. Not complaining just explaining why the late reply.
Nick thaks for the links and your thoughts. My you have been very busy haven't you, and you're been through so much gear with all your testing.
Thanks to all for your replies.
I picked up a used STR-DA5400ES on eBay to use as a Pre/Pro with my TA-DA9000ES for Blu Ray and HDMI switching. I'm happy enough with it for this purpose. I will still be feeding the TA-DA9000ES directly via iLink for SACD, RBCD etc. so I haven't lost anything really except no using the analog outsput on Blu Ray player.
I've given the STR-DA5400ES a run directly connected to my speakers to see how it performed. It wasn't too bad at all considering. Thing I noticed most was that the top end isn't as refined compared to the TA-DA9000ES. I will hook it up as a Pre/Pro when I get time.
Thanks again guys.
Mark
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mykyll2727
Rank: Sony Pro
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 4171
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-03-14 19:31
Mark_Congrats on the new baby!!! Boy or girl?
I'm glad to hear the 5400ES is working out for you. May it serve you well for a long time!_mykl
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bizzibee
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Feb 10, 2005
Posts: 438
From: Wagga Wagga NSW Australia
| Posted: 2012-03-16 22:50
We have a baby boy. Michèl Jovanny born on Christmas day (3 weeks early). He is doing very well. Parents are suffering from a dramtic lack of sleep. But things will improve.
Yes I'm sure the 5400ES will server me well as had the DA9000ES.
Cheers!
Mark
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Maxxwire
Moderator
Premium Member
Rank: Sony Adept
Joined: Aug 29, 2002
Posts: 25726
From: Portland, Oregon - USA
 | Posted: 2012-03-17 05:10
Mark- I have a Jovanni of my own he was quite a handful when he was an infant, but that has passed and this Sunday he will be running the LA Marathon.
Sony H-9 MaxxPix
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bizzibee
Rank: Sonyphile
Joined: Feb 10, 2005
Posts: 438
From: Wagga Wagga NSW Australia
| Posted: 2012-03-19 20:44
Hi Max, Well our little boy is a handful as well. Wants to be awake all the time which is a bit of a problem. Anyway hopefully he will settle down soon.......I hope!
Kind Regards
Mark
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