Comments about Sony Sony ES 7.1 Channel Black Home Theater Receiver:

-I purchased the STRDA6400ES for small home theater and audiophile use. I've been using Sony ES products for over 20 years and have been extremely happy with the ES series. -The STRDA6400ES is much too powerful to use only for a small home theater system unless you have a room the size of a movie theater or are planning on using the multiple room capabilities on a regular basis.-The surround sound separation and realism is as good as I've heard from most sub $5000.00 receivers but at half the cost. I feel the option of using the included auto calibration component has much to do with the surround separation. -The STRDA6400ES has the capability to calibrate system surround sound and store up to three separate seating areas within the 6400ES memory. This function is extremely useful for the person who likes to sit in different chairs throughout their home theater room. With the auto calibration component, calibrating and storing takes only a few minutes for each seating arrangement. -There are more inputs than the average person will ever use, this is truly a professional piece of equipment. It's built for the future.-The wattage output per channel is incredible at low or high volume audio levels.-I've found every function I'll ever need on the primary remote control which is one of three included remote controls.-The AM/FM reception is terrible to nonexistent, an issue which I have on my first Sony ES receiver from over 20 years ago. I live near Chicago; I've relocated several times over the past 20 plus years but have always been close to large metropolitan areas and far away enough to not have skyscrapers interfere with reception so I assume antenna placement is not the issue. I've tried several different amplified and plain aftermarket indoor AM/FM antenna's which also made no difference regardless of where I located them. -If you plan on using the AM/FM receiver you should plan on installing an outdoor roof antenna and hope for the best. I've chosen not to do so yet as I'm unsure if this is the answer. Since purchasing my 6400ES I've yet to speak to Sony tech support about this issue only because I feel it's a characteristic of Sony receivers and I don't want to spend an hour on the phone while I'm asked to move the antenna to the same areas I've already tried. **Your positive input of any success stories with Sony receiver AM/FM reception would be helpful and greatly appreciated by me. I feel I've run all my options more than a few times. -I'm also not yet a subscriber to Sirus or XM radio and can't comment on Satellite performance. [...] -Take note that the Sony STRDA6400ES is not THX certified as I specifically asked and was told it was by the sales clerk (this is not typical of ABT). -All said and done, when I purchased my Sony STRDA6400ES I also purchased a Sony XBR TV, Sony Blue Ray Player, Sony Turntable, HDMI cables, speaker stands for my existing Bose Acoustimass 15 speakers (also purchased from ABT) along with many other accessories.-For what I'm using my 6400ES for, this is truly the first time ever that I can say I wish the sales clerk downgraded me on the 6400ES and upgraded one of my other components. If I had been given the opportunity to look, I most likely would have upgraded to a higher end TV, maybe double the cost regardless of purchasing the 6400ES receiver or another model.-I have shopped at ABT for over 35 years. [...]. -All said and done I will still recommend ABT to anyone; as large as ABT may be I have always appreciated dealing with an independent retailer.