alright, I just got my 3000ES today...and after a few hours of listening, I am completely hooked. I am currently running my Samsung DTV receiver and my Sony DVD/SACD player into the 3000ES through the coax inputs. Due to the fact that SACD does not feed thorugh the digi input (as I am sure everyone knows) I have that run analog into the inputs on the 3000ES. My speakers are an old pair of JSE Corporation (the same guy who runs Joseph Audio was the owner of JSE before it went under), and I have to say, the addition of this receiver has completely opened them up.
Having gone through DVDs (DMB in Central Park, PJ in MSG and Live Aid), a bunch of studio releases and my tapes, I can honestly say I am hearing things I had not heard before. The sound is very musical...not sure how else to describe it, other than to say I have heard some other playback systems at HiFi stores that sounded almost harsh to my ears...but this receiver sounds smooth....especially on my tapes. They have a much more "live" feel to them...like it is happening right in front of you again so to speak...the big soundstage has alot to do with this...
I will agree with all those that stated the volume control blows...it absolutely does....seems it take a full clockwise motion to get any dramatic increase/decrease. The unit itself is also not plug and play...in that it takes some time going through the manuals and trial and error, but that is probably a result of my not having a system built in the past 15 years...and not knowing what to expect. I am guessing, based on my short time playing with it, it will become inherent...
This will definitely require more listening, but in my short time listening so far, this definitely meets my need for 2 channel...next test...Star Wars DVD...assuming it meetings my HT expectations (and I am guessing it will), I will be ecstatic!
Big +Ts to Darin, Todd and Nick for the reviews and input and Jason for letting me hear your 5000!