Hey guys, we have a had a run of Integra Receivers go bad. We have been having almost every .2, .3 and .4 we sold have some sort of issue. We switched to Integra becasue in 2009, almost every Denon we sold went bad. The Integra's were rock solid from the .7-.1 series. Since we also have a service center, we also see tons of Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo and Marantz come in. We are currently a Sony Display retailer. I am just looking for some real life feedback on the Sony ES Line. How good are they? Reliability? Discrete Codes? Integration Friendly? etc? We are currently demoing the 2800, and it seems like it has everything we need at that price point. Plus it sound pretty good.

Terrible for integration. No direct streaming source input command. Can not even listen to that source in zone 2 unless main room is. Maybe with C4 it is better as they are partnered. Other than that, ok.

Over the last two years we've been using Sony ES receivers ( 1800 , 2800 and 5800 series ) almost exclusively . Did not have a single issue . Nice set of features , sound good , great warranty , rs232 , ip control , discreet codes , fairly well protected line ( price wise ) . One thing that i don't like is the lack of OSD for volume control , input switching etc. . Not too crazy about the overall setup either . Once you get used to those little quirks - great sounding receivers priced right .

We don't use Receivers for Zone-2, so that is not a problem. Is there a discrete code for volume level. When we were doing Denon, I could send a discrete code that would turn the volume to about halfway for the Sonos Input. Then I could send a command that would send volume back down when changing to the Cable Input. This was a nice feature because it easily allow my clients to use the Sonos controller for volume.

Adam, have you had any units go bad? I really like the 5-year warranty.

Definitely yes on rs232 and IP side , that's how we control volume between sonos and other inputs as well . I am not sure about the IR ....
We have installed roughly 40-50 units , so far not a single unit went bad . I was told by some manufacturer that an acceptable failure rate is +/- 1% , so I guess we have not installed enough to meet that quota yet :) .

Build quality is always second to none on those. From an installation standpoint Sony has been very solid for me over the years, although ES receivers of the past (DD/DTS) had no real 232 or even rear IR input that you could use without a converter. IR discretes have been VERY steady over the models - including the automatic turn on with input command- which is ALWAYS a big plus in my book.

For lack of experience with newer models I can't speak for poster above who says there is no command for Airplay or whatever. Zone 2 issues, I wouldn't think, would be any different than on any other AVR. That's great that they now have 232 and IP control.

We have to carry Sony receivers because we are a dealer, but almost never sell them. They are just OK in my opinion. Sounds is so so. OSD changes every year and is always confusing. This year is a little better. I like that you can turn them on with input commands like Integra/Onkyo, but they always seem to be missing codes for other stuff (i.e. surround modes, network inputs, etc..). Is it to much to ask for a discrete all channel stereo mode. I still don't even know what the hell AFD even is.

You should take a look at Yamaha Aventage line. We have had absolutely zero repairs or warranty issues since we switched from Integra. We still get almost 1 call a week about another bad Integra & another HDMI board failing.

We've had good experience with ip control with control4.

No complaints on quality side.

Agree with the OSD and configuration issues mentioned above.

+1 on all of these comments, especially the lack of an All Channel Stereo mode altogether, let alone a discreet code for sound fields, always bothered me alot. The new ones may have it, in fact I think they do but for years they didnt and it always made an install look bad when you couldn't at least force the rears to play when the customer started whining.

We have been doing Marantz, and have been very happy. We were doing Anthem, and loved the way they sound, but the switchover to the new series was brutal.

I run a 2800ES in my home currently. Its performed great. Sound pretty good. and is easy to control with my C4.

I try not to rely on network services embedded into receivers, so the lack of discrete there isnt a drawback for me at all.

I do really like the fact that Netfilx, Hulu and Amazon are all built right into the receiver as well and the interfaces are actually quite easy to navigate.

There's Multichannel Stereo mode, but it does not work if the source is multichannel. Arguably, it shouldn't have to, but I'd say there are still those scenarios where multichannel stereo is preferred even for a 5.1 source.

They seemed to be expensive compared to Denon or Yamaha. They setup was always a PITA.