Sony 777ES vs Sony 7100 ES Receiver upgrade?

Well, here is my opinion for what it is worth. DON'T BUY ANOTHER SONY RECEIVER TO DRIVE YOUR B&Ws!!!

Most B&W speakers have a low ohm dip at certain frequencies (1.7 ohm for some of the 800 series, I think, not sure about the 700s). This is something that requires very robust amplification to handle - the kind entirely lacking from Sony receivers of which I am aware. I am not a Sony basher - they do some things very well. But Japanese receivers typically have poor power supplies, and your 170Wx7 receiver is not really giving anything like 170 watts into each of all 7 channels at 8 ohms, and once the ohm load drops significantly your receiver is going to sputter big time.

If you want a receiver (of course separates would be better, but much more expensive), I would look at an Arcam Diva AVR 300. This is probably in the same price range and will do an astronomically better job with your speakers. Be sure you do a comparison audition if you can so you can hear for yourself. But in my opinion trying to drive your B&W’s with the Sony is grossly unfair to them and really a waste of money - you will never begin to appreciate what your speakers could and should sound like.

Note: the AVR 300 is listed as 100W x 7channels, as opposed to the 170 rating for the Sony you quote. DON’T BE FOOLED (sorry for shouting again). This is a MUCH more powerful receiver.

"Sorry Newmanoc, I think you may be mistaken unless you have listened to the Sony 7100ES Receiver."

Well, it is certainly possible that I am. I haven't heard this receiver, and certainly not driving B&W 703's specifically. If you have, then your opinion is far more credible than mine. I only offer my view with such experience as I do have, and with the awareness that going into low ohm loads is beyond that for which Sony receivers are typically well suited.

But if you have not heard this receiver driving the B&W's in question, but only seen pictures of Sony receivers hooked up to B&Ws or read some review citing it was done (a little shy of a true A/B comparision, I'm sure you'll admit), then I would agrue caution is in order before suggesting this is anything remotely like a good idea.

But I think all three of us who have posted thus far are in agreement that the best solution is getting a true multichannel amp and using the current receiver as a processor.