Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 51
 A good buy if you're not expecting a lot June 30, 2010
JD91 (Montclair, CA United States)
I bought this receiver to provide sound to the TV in a bedroom and not as my primary unit, so I was not expecting a lot from it. I was pleased that it had HDMI capability but disappointed that it is "pass-through" only, requiring RCA or Component hook-ups for sound, probably one of the reasons it was discontinued. Still, for a discontinued model, it has a lot of features, including being able to adjust from simple 2-Way to 5.1 speaker output and all levels in between, with Dolby support, so it can be used with a wide variety of speaker set-ups. It also has high quality sound output and its own surge protection system so it shuts itself off if there is a sudden spike in power. My only major gripe, other than the HDMI issue, is that, in "Standby" mode, it closes its analog speaker connections, causing feedback if it is, as in my case, hooked up to a speaker system with its own built-in amplifier. I don't recommend it for your main system if you wish to go to all HDMI, but if not, it is a great amplifier, especially for the price.
Good if you are going to use it for sound only April 27, 2010
Ivane Jorjadze
My goal to arrange cheap 5.1 home theater with good sound was achieved! This plus Yamaha NS-SP1800BL 5.1 gives a good result. So, i don't see the point of using this receiver for video upscaling, you would want to go with something more expensive and having hdmi repeater. Only sound? - absence of hdmi repeater is not a problem at all. I spent a while figuring out how to connect it to some major devices and decided to share my experience.
1. tv cable box: connect you receiver with digital optical cable (~ $4) or coaxial to the box directly, turn off tv sound. It's a common mistake to connect receiver with digital optical audio to tv, tv usually transfers only stereo sound. You have to connect it to the tv cable box and switch audio out to dolby digital, depending on channel broadcasting you get 5.1.
2. laptop: First, you need s/pdif 3.5 mm jack which is not rare nowdays, otherwise no 5.1 out here (I guess), go to 4. Suppose you have s/pdif, then get Digital Optic Audio Toslink to 3.5mm Optical Cable (amazon has it for ~ $8) and connect to the receiver. Do not forget to change output on your laptop to dolby digital.
3. DVD: same as with tv cable box. Just get an optical or coaxial cable, set dvd audio output to dolby digital, mute tv, connect dvd to receiver directly.
4. mp3 player: 3.5 mm jack to rca L and R, very cheap cable. You won't get 5.1 here but you do not expect to, it's music, it's recoded in stereo only (ignoring some crazy classical blue ray 7.1 recording).
Stop complaining about hdmi pass-through, save money, live better!
PS: I prefer Multistereo mode when I have no 5.1 input signal.
My Thoughts April 15, 2010
D. Stewart (Ferndale,Washington USA)
This is a great unit for the price. I needed something more current and this seems to fit the bill. I would like the remote to be more universal but again for the price this receiver functions Good.
Sony 5.1 A/V Receiver April 9, 2010
Larry Curry (Waynesboro, MS USA)
An entry level AVR with plenty of HD inputs. Will need TOS-Link cables for surround sound with game consoles, HD DVD players, etc. Easy to set up, produces very good audio. I have never used the AM/FM aspect because I live in a rural area and signal strength is a problem so if I want to listen to the radio I use the computer. I have a much better Sony AVR connected to my 55 inch LG plasma in the den. This is a very nice unit for an entry level,I am very satisfied and I feel sure you will be too.
Great Budget HDMI Receiver March 13, 2010
Big Lou Manno (Nashville, TN USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I purchased this Receiver as an upgrade to an older Sony receiver without HDMI. I also purchased a Bravia LCD and Sony Blu-ray player. All have the Bravia Sync feature and allows control of all Bravia Sync components through any of the remotes (very nice feature). The receiver will actually switch between the Bravia inputs.
The sound quality is nice (running dual cone 6-1/2" up front, 5-1/2" center and small satellite rears, no sub), and the level, size, crossover and distance adjustments for the the speaker sets is excellent (w/o a sub, you cannot set the crossover or size of the front l/r speakers).
There are three HDMI inputs that offer Video/Audio transmission, and the receiver can be set to pass the signal through when the receiver is in standby mode. It can also be set to send the audio signal to the TV speakers along with the Receiver speakers. My only complaint is the component signal is not sent down HDMI. In order to hook up our Wii, I had to actually connect the Wii to the TV first, then send the audio back to the receiver from the TV. That work well, but I'd rather have all Audio/Video sent to the TV through HDMI.
There are a lot of features for this price point. While it may not have the power, features, and connection offerings of the more expensive units, it is a great band for the buck. To be honest, the reason this receiver does not have the more robust features of the more expensive units, is because those features make them more expensive. If you are looking for a basic, inexpensive receiver with HDMI inputs, this is the receiver for you. If you are looking for more features, power, and piping all video/audio through HDMI to the TV, look at the more expensive models... ;-)
Showing reviews 1-5 of 51
|
![AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters) [Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B001T9NUJE.01._AA75_PU_PU-5_.jpg)
![AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters) [Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B001TH8UUA.01._AA75_PU_PU-5_.jpg)
