Sony STR-7100ES Receiver: Coming Attraction By Shane Buettner   •   September, 2006

• $2,000
• 170-Watts x 7 into 8 ohms
• Processing Modes: DD, DD-EX, ProLogicIIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DTS, DTS-ES/Discrete/Matrix/Neo: 6, DTS 24/96

Features We Like: HDMI, component and i.LINK switching, transcoding of analog video to HDMI, Direct Drive Digital Amps, three coaxial and five toslink digital audio inputs, multichannel analog inputs, preamp outputs, amplifier channels can be relocated to power separate zones, multi-source/multi-zone

The engineering might of Sony is clearly evident in this ES-branded AV receiver. This AVR features Sony's Direct Drive digital amplifiers, HDMI switching, and transcoding of analog video to HDMI. Oddly, although this Sony is loaded with features and connections, an iPod dock connection isn't mentioned. . . Nevertheless, this is a powerful feature-laden AVR that's very highly advanced and deserves a closer look.