I wish to make five simple points, one for each star (speaker) that this unitearns from me, and inevitably anyone else who buys it;

1.) If anyone has any doubts about Sony as I did (do to past dissatisfaction
with there products), this product performs as if they sub-contracted
the manufacture and production to an outside "signature" line.

2.) If anyone is not buying because they don't believe Dolby Digital, and
yes DTS, will improve there home theater experience dramatically over
Dolby Pro-Logic, audition this unit. It could be the poster child for
these not so new technologies.

3.) It might come as a surprise to some, that this Sony can be had for much
less than that last car payment you sent out, and ironically, much less
than you paid for that antique posing as the center piece of what could
be an awesome A/V system.

4.) That you do not need to slap down ten "C" notes to get unparalleled
performance, is more evident no where else. How about less than half
that amount. How about $382.00! Web retailer WWW.Onecall.com can
do that for you (telephone orders only, visit the sight for more info).

5.) I've done all the research for you and no, I don't work for Onecall
or Sony. Just buy the thing and you won't be sorry. Look at all
the other reviews for god's sake. You're fellow enthusiasts have
nothing to gain by misleading anyone.

looks, power, multiplicity of A/V inputs/outputs

weak remote, [HISS]

STRENGTHS:
the DB line of Sony receivers is a new innovation, and a good idea, i think. the DE line is unacceptable for most critical listners, and the DA is too expensive for most. The DB line has more guts and inputs/outputs than the DE line and has great value.

i love the display (name memory on functions, large, etc.)

i think the strength of the sony line is its user-friendliness and ease of use, which definitely comes through in this line/model. the other readily apparent strength of this model is the host of A/V inputs and outputs. you simply can't find an equal set in an equivalently priced receiver. overall, the value is good on this model.

on looks, i'd give this unit a 10. it's beautiful, and its a heavy sucker (which definitely is not any kind of drawback)!

WEAKNESSES:
the remote is one weakness. i hate the prominence of the backwards tape play button (who actually uses tapes anymore???). that's not really that much of a problem, but the flip-up part is: after 2 mos. the clip began to wear down, and it would not connect as sturdily. i like the glowing ability, but the component keys are impossible to read in the dark. i think that the '930's remote would definitely be worth it. however, i do like the ease and vast quantity of brands that are supported by Sony's remote commander system.

the main problem i found in this receiver was a awful backround buzz that was somehow linked to the fluorescent display. it was always present when the dimmer was not on, and was unacceptable. i have heard a similar complaint from a couple of other buyers, but i think i (and them) must have gotten a bad egg. but was this why Sony withdrew this DB line so fast from the retailers? it dosen't seem to be available any more.

also, this receiver is not very well suited for the music listener. the sound fields are echoey, so the only real way to listen to music for any level of audiophile is 2-ch stereo. loads of DSP modes and stuff, but none is necessary.

SUMMATION:
you can't beat the price for feature ratio on this receiver. its a powerful and well-thought out design. if not for the buzz, i would have loved it.

however, if i were you, i'd take the $100 step to the '930 on account of the vastly-improved LCD remote, more power, and an additional md in/out function.

this receiver is a good value...lots of bang for your buck. listeners looking for price/features will definitely not be dissapointed. (just hope you don't get a buzzing one, like a few of us, i would have rated it 4/5 overall w/o that major problem)

Similar Products Used:

sony MD and CD players

Remote, No s-video in or out for tv/sat

Can`t read the buttons on the remote and no S-Video Input or output for TV/SAT, other wise sounds great and has lots of different sound fields, good manual, good value for the money. Paid 375.00 at Onecall plus 25.00 shipping.

quality construction, versatility

remote control

I was completely sold on the SONY STR-DE 935, then I stumbled across this website. I didn't know the DB line existed until I read about it here. The 830 seemed to be exactly what I was looking for, and more considering its superiority over the 935 for no more money. I bought it via buyersedge.com, based completely off of reviews from this site. I am totally impressed. This unit is so solid, both physically and performance wise. Anyone thinking about purchasing any unit from the DE line should buy this instead for practically the same amount of money. I also purchased a SONY 550 DVD player and the Boston Acoustics Micro Reference 9000 system, and WOW! My neighbors now hate me. Dolby Digital sparkles and thunders.
My only complaint, like many others who also own this unit, is the remote. It is definitely not up to par with the receiver itself. I use the DVD remote because it is more universal than the receiver remote.

DTS
Features (S-Video, Pre-Outs)
Price
Good, clean sound

Decent remote

I bought this receiver about two months age as an upgrade from a six year old JVC Pro-Logic receiver. Also looked at the Onkyo 575 and the Yamaha 5150. I was wary of Sony after reading some reviews of the other Sony's (DE-835/935). Thank goodness these came around. This receiver has plenty of features to keep me happy for a long time. Setup was easy. The sound from my Toshiba SD-2109 is excellent. I have to agree with a review below saying that the Cinema Surround is excellent. Picked mine up at Onecall for $411 with shipping. The combination of features, quality, and price make this unit unbeatable. I highly recommend this unit to anyone. You won't be disappointed with this receiver.

Also be aware of people who bash particular brandnames in these reviews. After reading numerous reviews one can pick these out. (See review below)

BTW, I have had no trouble with the amps, in surround or 2 Channel stereo.

excellent build quality
great amps
stellar Dolby Digital and DTS decoding
pre-amp outputs all channels
bannana plugs for all speaker terminals
extra ridgid chassis, with all aluminum front panel

none!!!!!!

The STR-DB 830 receiver is top notch. I've had my doubts about Sony lately, but this AV receiver put those reservations to rest. The 830's performance is nothing short of amazing, especially considering its very modest price. The amps are very clean in both stereo and surround sound. I have been running this receiver for TWELVE HOURS STRAIGHT today. I've run through all types of music, DTS and Dolby Digital DVD's, LaserDiscs, and CD's. The Sony handles all of them with aplomb! Music is clear and well delineated, and Dolby Digital and DTS rock my apartment, even at a setting of four out of ten. If I push it past that point, I'd go deaf! I've had the knob up to eight, and NO distortion whatsoever!
This baby has plenty of inputs and outputs, including three optical and one coaxial digital inputs, and a optical digital output for dubbing to MD or DAT. The build quality is superb. It has a huge power supply, full range power to all five channels, plus dual sub outputs, pre-outs for all channels, bannana plugs for all speakers, frame and beam construction, and an aluminum faceplate.
I went to the Sony Europe website, and found out that the DB line, called the QS line (or Quality Standard) in Europe, is a step above the regular Sony line, and a step below the ES line. In point of fact, the DB receivers share a good deal of the ES innards, but you get a two year warranty rather than five for the ES line.
As far as I'm concerned the STR-DB 830 is as good as the ES 330 that I listened to. You just save yourself several hundred bucks! For the money this receiver wins hands down over the Onkyo 575, HK AVR 45, and Yamaha 795a(all of which I've had.) Don't buy anything until you audition this Sony STR-DB 830! Any questions please feel free to e-mail me at foleyartist@earthlink.net.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TX-DS 575
Yamaha RX-V795a
HK AVR 45

lots of inputs/outputs

QUALITY CONTROL!

THIS IS A WARNING! I HAVE ONLY HAD MY 830 FOR LESS THAN WEEK, AND ALREADY THE SURROUND SOUND CHANNELS ARE CRACKLING! IN TWO CHANNEL STEREO THE AMPS FADE IN AND OUT.
I'M RETURNNING IT TOMORROW AND GETTING A YAMAHA 795A. I HAD THREE DEFECTIVE SONY STR-DE835's, SO I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. I WAS FOOLED BY THE SALESMAN WHO SAID THE DB LINE WAS MUCH BETTER QUALITY. STAY AWAY FROM SONY AT ALL COSTS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! THEY ARE TRYING TO GET BY ON THEIR NAME.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V795a

Power, DTS decoding, multiple inputs

remote

I'm a home theater neophyte, but it seems, from friends who have come over, that I've struck gold. It sounds great, lotsa power. I've got it connected to Bose AcoustiMass speakers, and it works equally well on Sinatra or the Foo Fighters.
As for DVD, My player doesn't have optical capabilities, but
I'm able to connect with a digital coaxial, and it does the job just as well.
I used this to replace a Sony that lasted me 10 years, so I've come to expect reliability.
I bought it at J & R in Manhattan for $360.The remote isn't all that hot, but I plan on replacing it anyway for something I can integrate everything onto, so who cares?

awesome array of input, ouputs, ans surround modes

overrated power rating
unaccepatble quality control

I hate to spoil the party, but I too purchased a defective Sony 830. My unit would overheat and shut down, enter protect mode when movie sountracks were too dynamic, and the surround channels would pop and crackle. There is also no way this receiver is 100watts X 5. Sony is fudging their specs. I understand from a friend who sells AV gear that Sony is notorious for overexagerating their specs. I have older Sony gear that still runs well (all of it is over seven years old), but it seems their newer stuff is junk. Just read all the reviews and you'll see what I mean. I brought back the 830 and swapped it for a Yamaha 595a. I lost some bells and whistles, but the sound and build quality is much better. Then to top it all off, my Sony TV, which is less that two years old crapped out too! For features I'd have to give it a three, for value a two ( since it has a lot of features, but if it's defective it's not much of a value, is it???) and overall a one, due to QC issues.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TX-DS 575
Yamaha 595

DTS, DD, 100x5, CINEMA STUDIO MODES, God knows how many dsps, lights up like a carnival when you go into 5.1 decoding, nice clean powerful sound

the remote leaves a little bit to be desired, although it does have some resemblence to a tricorder, also it has the notorious sony run hot problem but nothing a little fan wont fix

This receiver is a great value and a great purchase. If youre lookin for a receiver based on price point or if youre looking for a great receiver for under a 1000 this receiver definitly deserves consideration, i cant say its the best but for price to price comparison versus what you get, i think this one should defintitly be, if not on top, then very close to the top of your list. The sound is clean, the dsp's are the first ones ive heard that actually have a use, the audio video switching is great, its built like a tank, and best of all its got more menus than you could ever hope to get sick of. All in all this is great receiver at a great price, i highly recomend it. Oh yeah and as for the review warning you to never buy sony, i have to agree alot of sony stuff is junk, but every now and then get something very right, i.e. WEGA

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kenwood vr-209