Weybridge, September 2006
Sony Redefines its ES Range
Three new receivers combine technology and simplicity, while a new Super Audio CD/CD player and amplifier reaffirm a commitment to music
Sonys ES (Extremely high Standard) products have long been the flagship of the companys home entertainment range, extending from CD players and amplifiers to multichannel amplification and Super Audio CD players. Now the appeal of the ES line-up is being broadened, with the arrival of three new AV receivers, all featuring innovative technology and solid audio engineering, and the return of the company to the enthusiast stereo arena with a high-quality Super Audio CD/CD player and two-channel amplifier. All the new models draw on the design experience gained over many years of high-end ES products, and also bring in Sonys up-to-the minute thinking on combining user convenience with exceptional performance. Consumers increasingly expect their technology to deliver optimal performance with a minimum of user input they dont want to know how their mobile phone works, but just want all its features to be available at the push of a button and that thinking informs the new ES products. Theres no need to spend hours tuning and adjusting to get them delivering all of their phenomenal capabilities. For example, the new stereo amplifier is the first such design to have automatic calibration, allowing the user to press a button and have the electronics optimise themselves for the speakers used, their location and even the shape of the room. Its a technology Sony has developed and refined for its AV products, solving all the problems of multiple speakers and the difficulties of accommodating six, seven or even eight speakers in a domestic environment; during the development process, it soon became clear that the new Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
system, with its twin measuring microphones, had clear benefits for stereo playback quality, too. The entire new ES range is designed with common styling and interoperability in mind, meaning users can mix and match the AV and stereo products using the Super Audio CD player with either the stereo amplifier or one of the three AV receivers, for example. And the technology found in the range-topping models also trickles down through the rest of the range, creating a line-up of products that set new standards at their price points. ENDS
New Products Information The new ES range is as follows: STR-DA1200ES AV Receiver The entry-level AV receiver in the new ES line-up nevertheless has a wide range of the technologies found in the more expensive models, including seven-channel amplification, HDMI switching compatible with picture resolutions up to 1080p True HD, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration and 7.1-channel audio inputs and outputs. Optical and coaxial audio inputs combine with analogue connections including a moving magnet phono stage, and theres also video switching for component, composite and S-video. Theres also a 60-preset FM/AM tuner. Two of the seven 100W amplifier channels can be used to biamp the front speakers in 5.1-channel systems, equalisation is available on all main speaker channels, and the receiver also offers analogue direct operation for the purest sound with music sources. Also available are Sonys well-known Digital Cinema Sound modes, based on measurements made in the Sony Pictures sound theatres in California. These enable users to hear movies just as they did when the sound engineers mixed them.
STR-DA3200ES AV Receiver This 7x110W model has all the features of the STR-DA1200ES, but adds extra facilities to make even more of the listening experience, whether with music or movies. One of the major additions is compatibility with Linear PCM sound in stereo, 5.1 or 7.1-channel forms delivered via the HDMI input, making it compatible with LPCM soundtracks on forthcoming Blu-ray discs. In addition the STR-DA3200ES has an HDMI repeater function, able to strip out stereo sound from the HDMI datastream and send it on to a TVs own speakers while decoding the surround soundtracks internally, and adds multiroom capability, being able to deliver different sources simultaneously to the main room and a second zone. With a 5.1-channel system in your main room, you can even reassign two amplifier channels to deliver stereo sound in the second room, or use preamp outputs to feed a separate amplifier. STR-DA5200ES AV Receiver The flagship of the new AV receiver range, this 7x120W design adds the stereo version of Sonys Digital Cinema Auto Calibration, for even greater accuracy of automatic set-up, and advanced video switching, upscaling and upconversion. Not only can it switch signals received via its three HDMI inputs, at resolutions up to 1080p, it can even upconvert all analogue video inputs, be they component, composite or S-video, to a 1080i/1080p HDMI ouput. This means all your video sources, even those old video cassettes or standarddefinition TV, can be enhanced to look great on that HD-ready LCD or rearprojection screen, and also makes for a simple single-cable connection between your entire home cinema system and the TV. And with fully-assignable inputs and extensive customisation possible, this truly is a receiver capable of superb performance with total simplicity. SCD-XA1200ES Super Audio CD/CD Player Designed for high-quality playback of both multichannel and stereo audio discs, the SCD-XA1200ES uses Sonys own Super Audio D/A conversion and disc transport, and can be connected to an amplifier via dedicated stereo and multichannel analogue outputs, offering the best performance whatever disc is played. Optical and coaxial digital outputs are also provided for CD playback, and

the player uses selected audio components throughout, including a highefficiency, low-interference R-Core transformer for the audio board. TA-FA1200ES Stereo Amplifier The perfect partner for the SCD-XA1200ES, this 100W per channel stereo amplifier is built around Sonys acclaimed S-Master PRO Digital Amplification, here in its latest fine-tuned 32-bit version. Its also the worlds first stereo amplifier with automatic calibration: connect up the stereo microphone supplied, place it in the listening position and start the system, and in seconds the amplifier sets itself up for your speakers, your room and your preferred listening location, even compensating for the less-than ideal speaker locations sometimes dictated by domestic circumstances. Its all to do with making great sound simpler than ever. Availability STR-DA1200 ES available September STR-DA3200 ES available October STR-DA5200ES available November SCD-XA1200ES available October TA-FA1200ES available October
For more information, please contact: Chika Yoshida, Sony Europe +44 (0)6529/chika.yoshida@eu.sony.com About Sony: Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the Worlds Leading Consumer Brands. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 54.96 billion (yen 7,475 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 and it employs approximately 158,500 people worldwide. In Europe, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.61 billion (yen 1,715 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 136 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 8.22 billion (yen 1,118 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. For more information on Sony Europe, http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter please visit http://www.sony-europe.com and

2-696-254-03(2)

SCD-XA1200ES

Printed in Malaysia

2006 Sony Corporation

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