I use the predecessor STR-DA5200ES as a preamp. It replaced a TA-9000ES preamp. Over the years, I've owned a number of preamps, including APT, Briston, Denon, and the aforementioned Sony. I've also had occasion to audition other high-end brands in my system which belong to friends or which I've returned after purchase. The STR-DA5200ES is by far the best of the lot, even when used purely as a preamp for music enjoyment. It is free of stridency, can be accurately calibrated to account for speaker and room acoustics deficiencies, and -- best of all for pure fun -- can be used in its Multistereo soundfield mode to turn ordinary two-channel material into a startling approximation of multi-channel playback which rivals multichannel SACD and DVD A playback. Since the 5300 has cured the video upscaling bugs present in the 5200 and is presumably identical to or superior in other regards, I think it will do well by you as a preamp.
Sony STR-DA5300ES as Preamp?
I'm wondering if it's worth using the 5300ES as a pre-amp and running a more powerful 5 channel amp (rotel or parasound for example) for the speakers in 5.1 system. I'd like to be able to use the hdmi, video and sound fields of the sony but use better amplification. Any thoughts on his being worth the effort?
Thanks
Thanks