Poll #2
Sony ES
STR-DA3000ES - receiver
DVP-NC555ES - DVD/SACD player
$1215
Onkyo
TX-SR701 - receiver
DV-SP800 - universal player
$1250
Yamaha
RXV-1400 - receiver
S-2300 - universal player
$1430
I had an Onkyo 797 THX receiver, a Sony STRDB1070, but have no experience with Yamaha receivers. The Onkyo is real world much more powerful than the Sony, although both are rated at similar outputs. That having been said, I actually preferred the Sony. I like its DSP modes, its flexibility, especially in terms of cross over settings. At the end, I used the Sony with 3 Onkyo 2 channel amps which more than made up for its lack of power. Short version, IMO, the processor section of the Sony is superior to the Onkyo. The amp section of the Onkyo is superior.
Now, my Sony wasn't an ES series unit. I'd guess the Sony you're looking at has a substantially better output section than the 1070 did.
I think the Sony is more musical than the 797. I've heard the new Integra DTC 9.4 processor with an Axiom set up, driven by an enormous ATI multichannel amp, and that was very musical. If the new 701 has more in common with the DTC 9.4 than with the 797 then it would be a different story.
Anyway, extrapolating from apples to oranges is fun. Good luck.
