Best Sony XBR TV ever?

I'm sorry Whatjd:

There are some corrections that I need to make in reference to some model numbers that I have discussed with you last night. The current 32-Inch XBR I was referring to is dubbed the KV-32XBR400 (and not the 100). And the 27-Inch set I was referring to is dubbed the KV-27XBR45. I humbly apologise for the errors.

And by the way, if you like the current 32-Inch KV-32XBR400, then I have you know that Sony has just released this year's version of this set. It is called the KV-32XBR450. I've just found out about it at Crutchfield. To check it out for yourself, you could go to "www.crutchfield.com", and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Sony Store", and once you get to the store, click on the link where they have the 32-Inch to 36-Inch televisions. Then click down to the bottom of that page, and you should see the link to the new 32XBR450.

Good Luck

--Charles--

Watjd- I will have to look at the model #- there is a '2' after the XBR (as in XBR 'squared' they were calling it at the time). Back in '94, it was ~$4k- I got a steal on it, 'cause Sny announced they were discontinuing the 'monitor-only' model. I believe I got the last one in Canada...

Sutts
Toronto, Canada

Beware!!!

I got a great deal on the 32 XBR 250, and it sucked.

Total nightmare.

Just check audioreview for some accurate nightmare stories.
The first and second generation Wega TV's were really awful, but you couldn't generally notice the abberations until you spent a couple of hours in front of them.
My local TV repair Sony Authorized center had no knowledge of the service menu, they used magnets (like in the 1950's) to "fix" my picture, not to mention, making the pic worse, and scratching the cabinet in the process.

Sony said, it's in spec, we're not fixing it again.
Nice treatment for a $2000 purchase, right?
Thankfully, when I was ordering a service manual, I got a nice (so far only 2 that I know of) person on the phone who gave me the # for Sony Corporate.

Within 1 week I had a brand new XBR 400 delivered, free of charge.

THankfully, I didn't have to boycott Sony, as I had planned.

As with all large corporations, some products are good, some are bad.

Sony, unfortunately, is driven to produce a new model each year, and many times, good products are discontinued and replaced with inferior ones.

My next TV money will go to a smaller company, like Loewe.

As for Sony, I like the 34" 16:9 XBR, but it costs $4k, although it does have a built in HD tuner (great, I wonder how useful that will be).

Hello Whatjd -

I own the 32 XBR2. I purchased it from my local Sony Outlet in Tracy, California in 1998 for $1200 sealed box. I believe my set may have been one of the last ones manufactured, it has 1998 date, as the set was discontinued thereafter

If you really want one of these sets, it may be hard to find one but the internet does allow for pretty broad access. I don't know where you are located but if you are in the U.S., call the Sony outlets in your area. They can tell you what they have in inventory at that store but they can't quote you the price as that is corp policy. This could have changed but it is a bit of a pain if the outlet is like 3 hours away and all you save in comparison to the superstores is say $100. Speaking of which, I would also try some of the other tv stores that your area may have. I say this because last year I saw an XBR2 at Andersons TV. It was a floor model and just to show how well this tv has held its value, they were still asking $2000.

As for performance, the set is very good but I don't have experience with the newer ones with the 3:2 pull down and component inputs. The XBR2 has both analog and S inputs and I think, IMHO, the picture with a good S cable, is as good as my brother in laws 36XBR250 using component inputs. Again, this is my opinion. In addition, the set is quiet. I don't know about you but it bugs me to hear that "popping" noise when changing channels or switching inputs. Maybe I got lucky as mine does not make a sound.

Whatever you do, stay away from the first generation WEGAs. Due to the weight of the tube, the yoke had a tendency to slip which caused some "bowing" in the corners, specifically in the top corners. Some of this bowing was alleviated by the technicians coming out and adjusting the yoke but most people fixed it themselves by going into the service menu and changing some of the parameters. This did not always work however as for some owners the bowing was still there though less severe.

I think the mark of a good tv is how long it stays on the market without any changes. Notice how quickly Sony has come out with new Wega models? I am not saying these newer sets are not good but then again I believe the XBR2 came out in 1994 and was not replaced but discontinued 4 or 5 years later.

Good luck on finding an XBR2 but I think if your budget allows, buy the 40" Sony Wega and enjoy.