RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
This is a buyer’s market for legacy Sony ES receivers, and the A$107 asking price is a strong bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile of A$91 in our database of 1525 recent AUD listings. The median for this model is A$167, so you’re getting a top-tier unit at roughly 60% of the typical fair price—this is an excellent deal by any measure.
The STR-DA5500ES is a revered 7.1-channel ES receiver known for its 120W per channel power, six HDMI inputs (including a rare front port), and premium Faroudja DCDi upscaling to 1080p. It supports all major HD audio codecs, adds DLNA streaming, IP control, and features Sony’s HD-D.C.S sound mode for studio-like immersion. At this price, even if it’s older tech (from 2009), it’s a high-value pickup for anyone building a solid, no-nonsense home theater without paying for modern gimmicks.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sony emerged from the ruins of post-World War II Japan, founded on May 7, 1946, by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. Starting with radio repairs and Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the duo secured transistor licensing from Bell Labs, pioneering the TR-55 transistor radio in 1955. Renamed Sony Corporation in 1958—from the Latin "sonus" for sound—the brand symbolized Japan's ascent from cheap imitations to innovative leadership, fueled by Ibuka's engineering prowess and Morita's global marketing vision.
Sony's hi-fi legacy spans headphones, amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and DACs, alongside landmark formats like the Compact Disc in 1982 and Blu-ray. Iconic products include the Walkman for portable audio revolution and Trinitron televisions, blending consumer accessibility with cutting-edge tech. Today, offerings like the Signature Series headphones and ES amplifiers target discerning listeners seeking refined soundstaging and dynamic range.
Positioned as a mid-to-high-end powerhouse, Sony commands respect among knowledgeable buyers for blending mass-market reliability with premium performance, outpacing many pure audiophile brands in innovation and value. Far from vintage relic or niche boutique, it dominates with forward-thinking engineering, holding strong market share in headphones and streaming ecosystems.
See all Sony listings on RADAR.
