 I like this receiver a lot. |
| Review Date: October 10, 2009 |
| Reviewer: L. Ross, San Diego, CA USA |
I have had this receiver since Aug. 1, 2009, and am very happy with it. It is missing some features like S-VHS inputs but none that I care about. I purchased it to use with HDMI devices in a 5.1 setup in one room. It works great for me and I highly recommend it.
PLUSES:
* Excellent audio.
* Good GUI that is easy to use, but you must read the manual first and consult it as you go (at least I had to).
* Good readable front and on-screen display with options for what is displayed while unit is operating (device, sound field, etc) and nameable inputs.
* Four HDMI inputs.
* Attractive design.
* Exceptional Auto Format Decoding that produces very good sound from 2-channel sources with clear centered dialogue and some LFE output. I use this setting exclusively for all devices and it unfailingly detects the proper format.
* Very easy and very accurate auto speaker setup using included microphone. It set my front speakers to large instead of small but other than that I didn't have to change any of the settings.
MINUSES
* Poor manual. Too small in size, not well-written. This seems like a common problem with electronics these days, but maybe it is just because devices are more complicated.
* You must purchase a separate device to use with iPod/iPhone.
* No S-VHS inputs (not at all important to me, but might be to some users).
* Somewhat confusing speaker input placement on back of receiver. (I would have put the front speaker inputs above the surround back inputs and next to the center channel input.)
I use the receiver with a Sony LCD TV, Samsung Blu-ray player, Cox Cable DVR, Tivo HD, Energy Classic speakers and Infinity subwoofer. No compatibility problems encountered. I use it is a smallish room (11 x 13) and hardly ever set the volume above 35, so it seems to have plenty of power.
Before I bought this receiver, I tried a Pioneer VSX-919, which is a good receiver that gets excellent reviews. However, I could never get it to sound right to me. The Sony sounded good to me from the get go. That doesn't mean one is better than the other, but for me the Sony was the better-sounding receiver. One feature I really liked on the Pioneer was iPod/iPhone support without having to buy add-on devices. Sony and other manufacturers should do that!
I am very happy with this purchase and would recommend it to others who want a mid-range receiver with good sound, good features and nice appearance. |
The simple answer: It's really good...
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| Review Date: October 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Michael Trevino, Austin, TX USA |
For what it is, a mid-range priced receiver, it's really good. Are there better receivers? Sure. Am I an audio-phile (or whatever)? No. Can I tell the difference between loud-and-distorted and loud-and-clear? Yes. Am I going to drop more than a grand for a receiver? No. Am I going to spend the least amount possible for the basics in a receiver? No. Am I happy with this receiver and it's performance? Yes; very much so.
The context-
I have a medium to small size living room, 14 x 19 feet, hardwood floors, carpet with some natural shades (helps with reducing reverb and echo), a pre-wired system, hooked up to a PS3 with HDMI cables; and to the cable box with HDMI. More importantly I have this receiver hooked up to the Mirage Nanostat 5.1 speaker system (with the sold-separately center channel). And it sounds flippin' great! The receiver has enough power to fill our living room with sound loud enough to wake the neighbors, but we don't ever need to have it that loud. More importantly, it's clear and sharp... no muddled noise. The first movie we watched with this receiver was Braveheart... a good test in music, chaotic battle scenes, and discerning heavy Scottish accents. It passed with flying colors, the girlfriend and I smiled at the quality of the sound; it really is nice having a theater experience at home.
The rating-
I haven't explored all the features yet, and since I only have two components connected... probably won't anytime soon. But I think the up-conversion will be nice when I steal back the Wii from my parents.
I rated the "Ease of Use" around the half-way point. The good thing is that the included mic and auto-setup is pretty slick and neat (and was easy to use), but as with all the receivers I've ever had, some of the terminology is difficult to understand. Many settings I probably won't ever use. And there exists the potential for endless weekends of complicated audio tweaks. When I was younger, stuff like that would turn me on. Now, I'm happy to get everything set up and watching a blu-ray as fast as possible (and why I loved the auto-setup).
It also looks great. The piano-black-almost-button-less-front-plate looks sharp, real sharp... a welcome detraction from the sneezed-on-overload-of-buttons of regular receivers.
So, all in all. 5 stars. In my opinion, it does what it does extremely well. Sounds great, looks great, at a price I was comfortable with. |
Fantastic Sounding Receiver!
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| Review Date: February 17, 2010 |
| Reviewer: P. G. Keller, |
After much reading and researching, I found the Sony STR-DN1000 to offer the most features and best sound in the $300 price range.
I just decided to upgrade from my 3 yr. old Pioneer receiver because it didn't decode HD audio on Blu Ray discs. I was looking for something reasonably priced that did and that would have enough features to last awhile. After alot of reading and looking around, the choice was between the Sony STR-DN1000 and the Sony STR-DH800. The DH800 was $50 less but the DN1000 had more features and it just looked much nicer. I was tempted to save $50 but I had to just get what I wanted and I have no regrets about it. Especially after hearing it, I'm really happy I chose the DN1000.
What really strikes me is how it looks and sounds like a receiver that costs 2-3 times more. It's really easy to set up using the GUI (on screen menu) and auto calibration. All the auto calibration requires you to do is hook up the included microphone, turn it on, and a minute later, your speakers are calibrated and your ready to go. One thing of note though, Sony automatically set the Dynamic Range Compression to "on" and the speaker size to "large". Be sure to set the DRC to "off" so your movies will sound better and your speakers to "small", as most everyone's are. This doesn't mean small in size but rather that it'll properly route the LFE signals to your subwoofer instead of the speakers.
Other that that, I was able to eliminate alot of wires by having everything hooked up via HDMI cables, it runs ALOT cooler than my old Pioneer, and the manual isn't nearly as complicated as some people say. I had it set up to play movies/music really quickly and all else was just extra settings that I could read up on in my leisure. I just didn't find the manual to be that much more complicated than my Pioneer's and I'm nowhere near a brainiac. Just take your time,go step by step and you shouldn't have a problem.
I'm really excited about finally having a receiver that can play all the lossless audio on Blu Ray movies. It makes me want to watch every movie all over again just to hear how it sounds. Terminator Salvation blew me away! The capper has to be the awesome price here on Amazon, which is $160 less than Best Buy. I call that a no brainer if there ever was one. For home theater and movie enthusiasts, I can't recommend this receiver enough. It's a beast, it looks great, has tons of options, 4 HDMI inputs, is easy enough for beginners but deep enough for audiophiles, can do anything audio/video wise for the forseeable future, and has a fantastic price. Easily Recommended. |
4.8 star receiver
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| Review Date: December 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Andrew Singh, Tampa, FL USA |
| Bought this to replace an 11 year old 5.1 Nakamichi. The surround and digital output using all HDMI produces thunderous bass and crystal clear highs. My mom was watching Angels and Demons on Blu Ray last night and 700 watts of the exploding Volkswagen made the walls resonate and she jumped out of her chair! Unit is 'expensive' looking and the GUI seems pretty decent so far. Still have not programmed the FM stations yet, but thus far for CD audio, FIOS cable, DVD and Blu Ray this thing is an unbeatable product for under $300. One note for users of HDMI: you may experience a delay in signal between the movement of the actors lips and the actual vocal sound produced from the receiver. This is easily fixed via the audio control menu A/V m/s delay settings. I set mine at 200 and the lip movement-to-sound-sync is now perfect. |
Excellent Midrange Receiver...The New Mistress In My Life!!!
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| Review Date: March 11, 2010 |
| Reviewer: RDY4WAR, Maryland, USA |
The Sony STR-DN1000 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black)is a awesome sight to look at for sure, but even novice audiophiles understand that you don't purchase a receiver because she looks better than your old girl. You purchase a receiver b/c you want to know if she can perform well at all task. Well, let me tell you...she can, this receiver is well equipped and performs very well.
The sound quality is pure and there are a variety of listening modes to suit multiple taste. The GUI is relatively simple and easy to use. You also have the ability to assign inputs, however, if you choose to use the most current connection (HDMI), there really is no need. My setup contains a 52 inch Samsung LCD, PS3, Xbox 360, Onkyo speaker package, and Verizon FIOS.
***Attention*** Please take note of these items to save you some headache.
1. Please make sure your cables have the latest specs. HDMI Version 1.3 Category 2. I failed to take note and did not have any picture until I realized I had an earlier version of HDMI cable that could only handle 480p. Amazon sells the best low price HDMI cables by Mediabridge.
2. Banana Plugs ...an absolute headache saver. There is not a lot of space behind the unit and the banana plugs are so much easier to use.
The only thing that would make this baby truly PHAT would be a front HDMI input. However, that's just a small gripe and takes nothing away from the way this baby blows. I'm sure that next year's model will have that. At any rate the feature set on this receiver will keep my old girl jealous for quite some time!!! |
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