BDP-S5000ES
4.7
5
7
7
In a Class by Itself
Home run! Sony hit this one out of the park! The BDP-S5000ES is the fifth combo disc player that I have tried with my system, and the second Blu-Ray, an upgrade from a BDP-S2000ES. My audio system is a high-end, custom built stereo. The preamp signal processing includes 1960s manufacture Amperex and Sylvania vacuum tubes, and the amplifier is 250W/channel out to custom-built 5-way acoustic-suspension speakers, which have a wall-shaking flat response from 19 Hz to 40,000 Hz. The BDP-S5000ES supplies the preamp using linear PCM tracks when available and analog left and right channel outputs. The video out is HDMI to a 50" plasma TV with 30,000:1 contrast ratio. With this system I can effectively evaluate the BDP-S5000ES combo player for both audio and video. Both are superb, far beyond what I expected. The audio has an open, full-bodied, distortion-free clarity and brilliance that I did not know my system was capable of producing. The video is so good that it makes DVDs look almost like Blu-Ray. The usually noticeable pixels of DVD are smoothed out and the picture has spectacular depth, resolution, and color. Of course, Blu-Ray is even better. Suddenly, I can now enjoy my CDs as never before. CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray sound with the BDP-S5000ES digital-to-analog converters is great, better than some supposedly high-end audiophile DACs. I do not have surround-sound so I cannot comment on that, but based on my stereo audio and my video experience with this amazing disc player, I would say you could not go wrong. You will love it! Wow!!!
May 24, 2009
confused
i have to say that sony developed blu ray and the only players i have problems with are both my sony's? i have an older S560 that had problems playing discs, an update cleared almost all issues (but very slow turn on) plays 98% of blu-rays. i bought the s5000es to eliminate this problem, getting the latest and greatest player i was thinking no problems but it has been a huge nightmare and disapointment. it only plays about 60% of blu-rays and i buy all from the stores, i do NOT burn any. it is very frustrating to buy a brand new BD and put it in and see CANNOT OPERATE THIS DISC? my wife got upset and kept opening and closing the tray even though i told her this would do nothing and then poof after about 10 times she got the UNKNOWN C.N.P. disc to operate, and it operated perfect????????? wow i am beside myself, i bought a $149 samsung BD for downstairs and it plays EVERY BD i have ever put it in. i just hate having to go down there to watch a new movie because my $2k 2 month old sony BD player will not recognize it?
May 18, 2011
Well built
A great BDplayer for a Home Theater. It is solidly built and has the ability to play most formats. I have transfered my HD home videos to BD discs and they look and sound wonderful with this machine. The only thing I have against it, is the lack of a single frame advance or shuttle. Otherwise it is near perfect.
March 9, 2010
ES (Elevated Standard) at its best!
Sure, it's a bit pricey - BUT worth every cent in my opinion. The only complaint that I have is that I wish the remote control had a shuttle-wheel for fast forwarding & reversing. I held out on purchasing a newer Blu-Ray player until I could afford this one, and I couldn't have made a better decision. This player is solid as a rock, and the performance is exceptional in every way. This ES product definitely meets and exceeds the "Elevated Standard" (ES) name. I've used the player for 4 months now, and it has surpassed all of my expectations. Spend the extra money on this one. Seriously.
February 18, 2010
