By: dpavlik21 (18-Aug-08)      Experience with product: 6 Weeks

Strengths:	Everything! I'm completly satisfied with this product. IT does everything it says it does. The best of all it's easy to use and understand. It works great with all my components.
Weaknesses:	Can't think of any

Full User Summary
I looked at others and the one down side was the heat generated with the others. This stays cool and I have it on all day. This is important due to the fact I have this receiver tucked away in the wall behind the couch, so you just see the tv on the wall.

By: tkowalski311 (09-Jun-08)      Experience with product: 1

Strengths:	6 HDMI 1.3 inputs, 1080p upscale all inputs, DTS-HD & Dolby True-HD, auto-calibration of the speakers
Weaknesses:	cost

Full User Summary
This is my second Sony ES my 1st lasted me almost 10 years and still works but its outdated in this HD age. I had done a lot of research and waited patiently for the STR-DA5300ES to hit my price range which it did recently and for a small firmware glitch to be corrected. So far I have no complaints installation and auto-calibration of the speakers went smoothly. Great receiver so far, all that remains is fine tuning the settings.

By: jsfb6pts (06-Jun-08)      Experience with product: 3 Days

Strengths:	The sound and upconversion are Great . I really didn't know what to expect after reading so many other reviews .
Weaknesses:	Maybe the price .I paid $949.50 at Authorized Electronics.It is not for every one .If you have large fingers it is a tad tight connecting the speakers .Overall it is a Great use for your stimulus ck

Full User Summary
A lot of reviews said that the remote is confusing ,I don't see it . They did not like the Graphic User Interface ,I think it is fine ,The sound and the upconversion is outstanding .I use it with Bose Speakers ,10.2's AM5's, 301's, 191's ,VCS 10 and a powered Sub woofer .My cd's even sound better . I have not had any problem with The Directv as some reported I am using the HDMI for the Sat receiver and my DVD player . Another review said It made a "clunk " when shutting down ,it is just switching off ,no problem at all .Anyone thinking about this reciever ,by all means go it it .

By: marc_sloan (06-May-08)      Experience with product: 2 Months

Strengths:	everything
Weaknesses:	none

Full User Summary
I had the firmware problem, notified Sony had a new one in one day overnight delivery.This is a highly versatile high quality product. Everyone who listens to my system says its the best one they have ever heard. Of course High quality front and surround speakers with a sub-woofer helps, everything is driven by the Sony5300ES. Very satisfied

By: toddkc33 (31-Mar-08)      Experience with product: 5

Strengths:	1080 upconversion, GUI interface, input connections, 6 HDMI inputs, dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio
Weaknesses:	Setup can be confusing, better setup documentation would eliminate this, main remote

Full User Summary
After spending quite a bit of time doing research I decided the Sony STR-DA5300ES was the best A/V receiver to get and PriceGrabber would be the best source to find the lowest price with an authorized Sony dealer. This receiver is the top of the line. The 1080 upconversion works great. The GUI interface makes setup easy from a chair rather than having to crouch down and setup the receiver from the controls on the receiver. With all the input connections you should be able to connect everything in the house to it. The sound is awesome with dolby True HD and DTS master audio Setup can be confusing if you have never connected something like this before. Better documentation would eliminate this issue. The main remote is confusing if you expect to just go in and start using it without studying the documentation. I plan on getting a harmony one to address this issue.I would recommend this product.