List Price: $279.99
Sale Price: $198.00
Today's Bonus: 29% Off
This simple receiver is packed with tons of great features. I've had mine for 5 days and have enjoyed it tremendously.
I live in a small house with a small room for entertainment. I originally purchased the DH520, but returned it for this newer model. I like the simplicity of on-screen set up including using the set up microphone to determine the sound qualities of your room. It worked well and only took a few minutes to set up. With some minor tweaking, I am happy with the overall sound quality for such an inexpensive receiver. It doesn't pack the bass that my 1970's Yamaha produces, but for a theater sound, it is well balanced and I won't annoy my neighbors and others in the house with excessive bass.
This little guy packs a ton of features into this unit, a much improvement over the previous model. First off, the face is minimalist and less cluttered. Control is done mainly through the remote. If you are familiar with Sony products, there is minimal learning curve getting familiar with the remote. It has a USB input on the front to plug your iPhone, iPod into. I find this handy for the convenience of friends or family using their iPods. I use iTunes Match through my Apple TV when then channels through the HDMI to play music through this stereo.
HDMI inputs are limited to 4, but I only use 3. The pass through works well once it is set up and you can personalize each input to read what you have plugged in. For example, the default setting for one HDMI is Game. I was able to change that to read, "Apple TV". SAT/Cable was changed to "Cable", and BD was changed to "Sony DVD" with ease. My older Sony HDTV has two HDMI inputs, but this receiver expands that because I run the out HDMI to the TV with everything else in. Once I upgrade my TV to one with ARC I will be able to have two way HDMI signal allowing me to run my cable box to the TV and output sound to the receiver, effectively freeing up another HDMI input on the receiver. My receiver will also automatically change inputs from Cable to DVD when I turn on my Sony DVD player. This feature doesn't work with non-Sony products, which would be nice, but not necessary.
There are more expensive "Network Receivers" offering Smart Apps... but let me say thisIf you have a Smart TV, or Smart DVD, or Apple TV, Roku, etc that offers Pandora and/or other "Music" Apps you do not need that extra feature. There comes a point where duplicating these apps on each piece of equipment is not only redundant but a waste of money. The other receivers offering these features are also quite limited based on reviews by many magazines. The few added benefits of Network Receivers is App Remote Controls for Smart Phones or Tablets running Apple or Android. None of those remote apps are true freedom from traditional remotes because they only control the receiver AND based on reviews, suffer from immature development.
This receiver also features 4K passthrough so it is ready for future technology by Sony which is technically Super HD.
This is a great entry level stereo for the person who doesn't need constant high volume. The 5.2 channels and wattage is plenty for small to medium rooms, providing clean accurate sound even at higher volumes for extended periods. This will get loud... very loud, but I don't recommend this stereo if your intention is to play music loud, for long periods of time, over the course of several years. Lower wattage receivers get hotter quicker which puts strain on your stereo. Just pay the extra $100-150 for something with more power instead of overrunning this model.
PROS:
Minimalist design with clean front panel free of most buttons.
Simple to hook up HDMI Cable to TV out, DVD HDMI In, Apple TV HDMI in, connect speaker wires. Done!
Some room for expansion (I added my XM Receiver through RCA hookups on back).
Easy front panel USB port to connect iPod or iPhones for direct music
Wattage is ample for small to medium size rooms to run audio cool
Rated for 8 & 6 ohm speakers (older unit only rated for 8 ohm)
ARC feature will play sound back from ARC featured TV through same HDMI cable
4K Passthrough will keep you update for several years
On Screen Set Up Instructions
On Screen FM/AM station programming and tuning
Can have stereo off and watch HDMI devices using passthrough. I didn't like the Standby Mode on the previous years model.
CONS:
Stuck with Black. Wish Sony still offered silver for that vintage look.
If you want a Smart Receiver, this is not it. though I don't think most people need that if they have a Smart DVD Player, TV, Roku, Apple TV, or other Smart Device connected. Just redundant except to use the remote control app which (Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha haven't perfected... yet).
Can't connect the older turntables without a pre-amp.
Wattage is limiting, but perfect for those seeking clean sound at what 95% of people think is loud.
One more thing that is not specific to this just this stereo, but almost every modern stereoThe wattage ratings are not accurate compared to older solid state stereos. My old Yamaha produced 50 watts per channel and blows the doors off this and most modern stereos who boast 100-200 watts per channel. Realistically, this is a 35 watt stereo.
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