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Product summary
Specifications: Product type: AV receiver; Sound output mode: Surround Sound; Amplifier total output power: 770 Watt; See full specs
Price range: $374.84 - $599.99
CNET editors' take
- Published on: 02/26/2008
When Onkyo released the budget TX-SR605 AV receiver last year, it rocked the industry with its low price and high-end features such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-Master Audio decoding. Other manufacturers pretty much had to stay on the sidelines as TX-SR605s flew off the shelf, but it looks as if Sony is ready to fight back with its new line of budget AV receivers. The company's 2008 line of AV receivers includes four new affordably priced models--the STR-DG520, STR-DG720, STR-DG820 and STR-DG920--and they look pretty good from the spec sheet. Here are the details:
The STR-DG520
(Credit: Sony)Key features of the Sony STR-DG520:
- 5.1 channels, 100 watts of power
- Two HDMI inputs
- Supports 1080p pass-through at 60 and 24 frames per second
- Available in March for about $200
The STR-DG720
(Credit: Sony)Step-up features on the STR-DG720:
- 7.1 channels, 105 watts of power
- Three HDMI inputs
- Can handle eight channels of LPCM audio
- XM-ready
- Available in March for about $300
The STR-DG820
(Credit: Sony)Step-up features on the STR-DG820:
- 7.1 channels, 110 watts of power
- Four HDMI inputs
- Onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio
- Supports x.v.Color
- XM-ready with Neural Surround Sound
- Includes a Sony Digital Media Port
- Available in May for about $400
The STR-DG920
(Credit: Sony)Step-up features on the STR-DG920:
- Upscales analog signals up to 1080p over its HDMI output
- Features icon-driven menu system, possibly similar to what we've seen on the STR-DA5300ES
- Supports x.v.Color and Deep Color
- Available in June for about $600
First things first--don't put too much stock in the x.v.Color and Deep Color features. To take advantage of x.v.Color and Deep Color, everything in the signal chain needs to be compliant, including your video player and HDTV, and many components aren't compliant. Then, you also need the program material to be authored using x.v.Color and Deep Color. Considering that no Blu-ray discs are currently out or scheduled to be released with x.v.Color or Deep color, it's just not a very practical feature.
What about the rest of it? While it's nice to see a dual HDMI receiver fall into the $200 range, it looks like the sweet spot is STR-DG820, with its four HDMI inputs, high resolution audio support, and $400 price tag. That's competitive with the aforementioned budget receiver champ, the TX-SR605--that identically priced Onkyo model offers only two HDMI inputs, but it also includes the key convenience of converting its analog video inputs to 480p HDMI digital output. The STR-GD920 offers more advanced upconversion features and a graphical user interface, but with a higher price tag of $600. These receivers certainly look like contenders compared with last year's Onkyo AV receiver line, but buyers might want to wait and see if Onkyo offers even more for less with its 2008 line of receivers.
If you're looking to spend a little more, Sony's ES line of AV receivers remains current, including the Sony STR-DA5300ES, which is currently our highest rated AV receiver.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on AV receivers. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of av receiver.
Midrange AV receivers ($301 to $600)
Audio/video receivers differ quite a bit from old audio-only stereo receivers you might be familiar with. Almost all models have the baseline home theater capabilities: video switching, 7.1 channels of sound, and basic Dolby and DTS surround decoding. And even many inexpensive receivers now utilize HDMI inputs and outputs, which offer the potential for all-digital audio and high-def video hook-ups on a single cable.
Beyond the now-standard Dolby Digital/DTS surround-processing modes, some receivers in the midrange offer onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding--the two new high-resolution soundtrack modes available on certain Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. While it's often hard for even experts to detect the difference, anyone considering Blu-ray should opt for a receiver with the maximum decoding options possible.
Rather than squint at the tiny front-panel of your receiver, many mid- and high-end AV receivers have on-screen displays--some as elaborate as you'd find on a home game console. Also, thanks to their superior digital processing capabilities, midpriced receivers offer better synthesized surround modes such as Jazz Club, Rock Club, Cathedral, and so on that can be used to "open up" the sound of stereo recordings.
Look for a receiver with as many HDMI inputs as possible, and one that offers analog-to-digital video conversion (sometimes called "HDMI upconversion"), so any non-HDMI AV sources will still appear on the receiver's HDMI output. Also, avoid receivers that offer only "HDMI video passthrough," which means that the audio soundtrack requires a separate cable. What's inside does make a difference, and beefy power transformers and capacitors are not only heavy but also expensive; that's part of what you're paying for here. And while the THX certification is mostly a marketing gimmick, it's usually a sign of more-honest power ratings--although you shouldn't pay more just for THX.
For additional information, please see CNET's Surround sound buying guide
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Where to buy
Sony STR-DG920:
$374.84 - $599.99
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$529.99 | Yes |
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Amazon.com
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$599.98 | Yes |
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$414.99 | Yes |
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$599.99 | Yes |
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$569.98 | Yes |
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