I know a lot of vintage audio purists don’t like any of the black face receivers and really only see the silver face stereos as true vintage. But, as the years crawl by, or speed by if you’re older, the early generation black face receivers are becoming, like it or not, vintage. Some of them were even built well and had high performance specs. I particularly like the early models that spanned that transitional period from silver face to black face. Mainly because the black metal and wood side panels look almost luxurious in a way. This Sony STR-GX9ES fits that bill to a tee.
It was made in 1988 and retailed for around $1000. As you may already know Sony’s early ES line is their top of the line audio equipment. I believe ES stands for Elevated Standards, which in the early days of the line was definitely the case. Not so much later on. The STR-GX9ES has a big brother – the STR-GX10ES. There are also a couple models lower on the totem pole, the STR-GX7ES and STR-GX5ES. You’ll notice the Spontaneous Twin Drive at the top right of the receiver face. Some view it as a feature while others claim it was a cost cutting measure that Sony tried to turn into a ‘feature’. Sony’s words to describe it are: A proprietary Sony amplifier power supply technology which employs separate voltage rails for different amplifier stages. This methods provides greater headroom and helps prevent clipping.
If you’re more technically inclined, I also believe the following is from Sony’s manual:
The Spontaneous Twin Drive circuit allows the receiver to operate automatically as a class A amplifier when the level is low and as a class B amplifier when the level is high without disturbing the sound signal. This minimizes total harmonic distortion at every sound stage. Condensers having large capacity are used independently for the voltage amplification drive stage of class A and power output stage of class B. Thus, a stable output and high quality sound are obtained, resulting in exclusion of power interference. The class A stage realizes a stable operation free from interference of the power stage even when a instantaneous or strong output is received.
The Sony STR-GX9ES puts out a thumping 130 watts per channel. The styling is typical of the mid to late 1980’s with wood panels, a mix of both knobs and push buttons and analog readouts. The function push buttons are reminiscent of the Nakamichi cassette decks.
I don’t own one of these units but I’ve heard that the chassis is actually made out of plated copper. Looking at the picture below that actually may be the case. It also came with a remote which is very difficult to find these days.
Interestingly the analog signal input is not processed through any digital circuitry so the sound maintains it’s warmer analog flavor. It is a two-channel receiver and one of Sony’s last. It has inputs for CD, Tape, Phono, DAT, Auxiliary, Video1, Video2, Video3/cdv. CDV is Laser disc I believe. So, despite being produced in the late 1980’s it still has a phono input and it’s phono pre-amp section is actually very good. It even has a toggle switch to select either moving coil or moving magnet cartridges.
Overall the Sony STR-GX9ES is a great receiver. If you’re not beholden to silver face only stereos and prefer the later black face and wood look then this receiver would do the job. If you want to go BIG then consider the STR-GX10ES.
I just bought the STR-GX80ES which is the next year model that replaces the GX9ES. The GX80ES changes over to a toroidal transformer but loses the MC phono stage. 110 wpc
I have this receiver and its everything the author has stated and then some. Built like a tank, power to spare, and the phone stage is great. Has the best features of vintage and newer equipment combined. Highly recommended!
Not sure why the author makes such a “big” deal about the STR-GX10ES. It is pretty much the same receiver as this STR-GX9ES. The front faceplates are nearly identical. The only main difference is being about 20 watts per channel more and having a “copper” chassis and backboard to it. Other than that, they both are pretty much the same.
The Sony GX10ES is the best hands down bar none. The copper chassis will last a lot longer than any other and an extra
20 Watts per channel is especially nice when you consider the ES (Elevated Standards)in figuring the RMS Wattage and the .001% THD.
I have the 7, purchased in the 1989 time frame, to replace an aging Kenwood. It is still serving as a great receiver, primarily for playing CDs and sometimes FLAC or other digital using my Smartphone as a server/DAC. This month I sold a Bose Acoustimass system it used to drive, for a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2 speakers. It still sounds great.
I’m on the hunt for a gx9es… I bought it new in 89… 1100.00
It was stolen in 2004…
Anybody know of the 9 or the 10 for sale, I would be interested…
Still looking?
I am looking for a 9 or 10!
Hi Bill,
I have a Sony gx9es that I would like to sell; it’s in excellent condition.
If you are still in search of one please let me know.
Thank you.
Hi Lauren,
Is your Sony gx9es still for sale?
Nick @ chrick2024@sbcglobal.net
I have one of these in excellent condition. Are there people who still want to buy these? Remote, documentation, everything. I bought it new in 1988.
still have sony ES receiver????
holtermike@gmail.com
Quoting one of the above….
“The copper chassis will last longer than any other…”. In what way? Total malarkey! Sony says the copper chassis was to “reduce distortion in high frequencies”. But that said, they’d have to prove it to me. Also, most higher frequencies can’t be heard by listeners anyhow. Look, there are many, many high end brands out there, and copper cladding isn’t on most of their design criteria.
Mike
I’m interested in your receiver if you still have it.
Erickamradt@aol.com
I have two 9’s and a 6…the one 9 I paid $1000 in 89…and the other $225 used 5-10 years later…greatest coolest product/thing I ever purchased in any area and will/would by another one anytime possible….
I have my mom’s STR-GX5ESII and wondering if it was considered decent quality and worth keeping. If I keep it do you have suggestions for wired speakers to pair with it? Thank you.
Kellie, its a keeper, just add a good pair of speaker, turntable etc, and you will have a great system. I have a set of Sansui SP3500 speakers driven by an 80W RMS Yamaha amplifier, sounds magnificent. I’m not a speaker aficionado, so check out audiokarma for advice.
Was looking up a STR- GX49ES for info to sell, no remote or papers but it works fine. Going to post it on other sites but this one looks like it may get the attention it needs.
Should I try to have a gx49es repaired? It went from working to not working very suddenly. Cannot switch from one input source to another. It’s stuck on fm stereo and no longer sends anything to my speakers.
If I give it up are there any suggestions out there for how to replace it?
Thanks
I am looking to buy a STR-GX9ES.
Looking to purchase a Sony str gx 10es or a 9es. Thanks in advance!
Gary
speedshairmetal@yahoo.com
Got lucky and found a 9 and a 10 this month. Good luck to everyone still looking. They are nice.