Lots of features and inputs.

Sound quality muddy.

Purchased it and listened to it for about a week, based on the reviews here and the number of features. After a bit I decided the sound wasn't quite right and I couldn't fix it by adjusting the treble and bass. Eventually returned it for a Denon AVR-1800, which sounded much better (fewer features, though)

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-1800, other Sony receivers

Design, The Sony brand, price

THE BLOODY REMOTE + sound quality with lack of details in the higher frequencies

I have added a Rotel RB-980BX power-amp to it with a very good result. IS IT A BLIND MAN WHO DESIGNED THE REMOTE? Let´s hope Sony comes up with a new remote within the near future.Besides that, the sound turns to the right channel only when playing at very low volume. It seems this is a general Sony problem, it's the same with a friend of mine's ES-model. Still, overall, I'm very pleased with my receiver.

Full-bandwidth power, multi-channel decoding, awesome selection of inputs and outputs, etc., etc., etc.

takes some time to acclimate to the remote, operating instructions, and features of this receiver

The only Sony products I have been disappointed with are their speakers and phones. This is an amazing receiver that surpasses all others in it's class and a few above. For the money, you just CAN'T do better for music or home theater. Navigating the remote and setup features is a bit cumbersome at first, but after spending some time the comfort level increases. Be prepared for incredible sound.

I have a friend that is a film maker and usually owns all high-end, incredibly expensive A/V equipment. He mentioned a decoder/tuner upgrade. After he saw/heard my receiver, he bought one instead of going the separate component route. He said, "I did not believe there could this many features and as much power in one unit." Knowing his tastes for quality in sound and product selection made me feel better about my purchase.

If you buy this receiver, you will not be disappointed. Go to onecall.com and tell them I sent you. These guys really took care of me and my friend and had the best price.

Similar Products Used:

I've owner a few other Sony receivers and used several other brands in this same price/class

Good value, good performaer, solid construction

The remote..ack! EQ hard to set up

Well, after getting a DVD player a few months earlier, I was itching to upgrade from my ProLogic reveiver to Dolby Digital. After checking out the reviews of Sony's DE line, I opted to the DB series. The 830 had all the features I need in a receiver at this point. It seems to be well made, and handles all my accessories with ease. The sound while watching DVD's is fantastic!

The only gripes I have are of course the remote (whoever engineered that thing needs slapped) and I do prefer the way my older sony handled the EQ as a 5 band eq vs. the DB830's 3 band system. I liked the light on the volume knob of my old sony better also, I can't see the light on the new one where I sit. I wish you could turn off the blue digital light, its gets overbearing in a dark room.

It does work great with my Sony DVD player, the s-link works like a champ! When I pop in a movie, the receiver turns on and switches to DVD mode automatically. It auto recognises the type of sound input also (Pro-Logic vs Digital vs DTS)

Overall I am pleased with my purchase, got it for 385US from onecall.com

Similar Products Used:

Older sony AV receiver

Dolby Digital, DTS, Limitless Soundfields, Power Output, Low Distortion, Integrated Remote, Smart Looking Front Panel, Value

Runs a little hot, so you'll need a cooling fan if you plan to place it in a closed cabinet

If you have never heard a DTS Audio CD, you don't know what you're missing. And if you like live concerts, DTS puts you right there. And for the audio enthusiast, you'll be glad to know that DTS CD's are only a few more dollars than regular CD's. In fact, you can get the most value at www.kencranes.com where they sell most DTS Audio CD's for $17.50 vs. $25.00 list, with only $2.50 shipping "per order."

This A/V receiver is hard to beat. I bought it from Crutchfield for $449.00 (ask for Eddie). It was nice to work with someone who is really knowledgeable about audio products and who was not half my age. Crutchfield may not have the lowest prices on certain items, but their service and low shipping cost makes them a better value for my money.

The Sony DB series has many of the same design features offered in their ES series, but at less than half the price. You may have trouble finding the DB series at local retailers, as most only carry the DE series. Save up for the DB series and you won’t be disappointed. I thought about the 930 model, but for an extra $150.00 you only get a 2nd audio source out (who really uses this feature) and a two-way remote. Other reviews I read here at audioreview, before buying my system, alluding to problems with the 930's remote led me to the 830.

My current home theater includes:
Sony STR-DB830 A/V Receiver
Sony DVP-C650D (DTS Capable)
Sony SLV-678HF VCR
Sony FD Trinitron WEGA KV-27FV15 TV
Polk Audio RM6500 Powered Subwoofer/Satellite Speaker System (“A”)
B&W 503 Tower Speakers (“B”)
Monster HP Speaker Cables

One note, I wired all 5 satellites directly from the receiver even though Polk recommends wiring the satellites from the subwoofer. This receiver has a very adequate crossover so it would be a shame not to take advantage of the 5-way binding posts on both the receiver and speakers. Enjoy!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Onkyo

Price, High Current Amp, Limitless Features, internal crossovers, design, S-video setup, optical in/out

Remote, remote, and also the remote

This isn't the easiest receiver to find a good price on, but if you happen to come across it for less than 400, you are doing well. I got it for $369 shipping included. Use buyersedge.com to find the sweet prices.
This receiver is never short on function. It has great S-video inputs, optical inputs, Excellent DTS and 5.1 decoding, and High current power.

The remote, as we all know, is the weak point. The function buttons are horrible with light green writing, but once you learn the buttons, you never look anyway. 2 days and I had it all memorized. The remote is the only downfall and that is great to say. It doesn't run near as hot as many people want to believe it does as long as you have enough air space above it for circulation.

The power is exceptionally clean and the internal crossover setup is good enough for the pickiest of people. You could spend hundreds more for an ES model or an extra 100 for the 930 just for the remote. Save your money and buy an all function remote instead. Wait a few months for the new Sony SV-A2100 to come out. It will have double the storage and many times the functionality of the old model, and lcd touch screens are damn cool. Either way, the ratings here tell the story so don't take my word for it.
Good luck

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE615, Harman/Kardon AVR65

Overall Price, Overall built well, Heavier than the cheap stuff. I think I'm happy, but my luck sucks.

On my second unit, I had Bad Sub pre-outs on my first unit

Why did I buy?
I really like all the bells and whistles. I just wish it had an on screen display. I really appreciate the speaker setup (speaker distances in feet, not time in ms), the LFE mix adjustment, and all those cool surround modes. It has everything else!

Music settings?
I listen to most of my music with the arena mode on. Its default settings are too much, but when the "effect level" and "reverb" are cranked down, the ambience is really enhanced at a realistic level. Makes me go WOW on some live recordings.

My eternal bad luck?
Unfortunately my first unit was ordered from J+R and the SUB out's were DEAD. Not only that, but when the SUB out was activated in the menu they had a DC bias of 45 volts across them!! . This caused my SUB amp to go into protect mode until the decoupling capacitors equalized. This Also caused the sub to pop when changing the input mode. I was really upset. Everything else worked. I thought the problem was user error (This thing is new right), but when I connected the sub to L+R the sub started to act normal again. Anyway, I received my second unit from J+R and cross my fingers, hold my breath it works correctly.

Why 830, not 930?
I purchased the 830 instead of the 930 because the fancy remote difference did not bother me, the power rating difference I feel is bulls__t and the extra i/o wouldnt be used anyway. So, why not save 50$

Ratings:
5 Stars for value, 4 since I had to return the darn 37 lb package (-20$)

In the end:
After I would have rather have spent 30 more dollars for a 930 and odds are my luck would not have been as bad; plus I would have the 2 way remote. FYI: I'm a student and was trying to save a few bucks. Go figure, the power of beer money.

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood RV-9090R

Sounds clean to me, lotsa inputs, video switching, bang for the buck

Remote doesn't PIP control my TV

Fantastic receiver for the money. Sounds great with my old speakers (Magnepans and full-range bookshelfs). Has more inputs that I can use right now but someday I'll get satellite and Tivo. Remote is complicated, but eventually you figure them out. It can turn on/off my TV and DVD, but PIP doesn't work :( . I don't hear any hiss. This is just an excellent DD/DTS receiver, perfect for people like me: don't need top of the line (Sony ES, Denon, Yamaha) but dont want entry level, love bang for the buck, & like gadgetry and features (DSP sound fields).

I'll admit I bought this without an audition, but I'm very happy with my purchase. My last receiver was a Sony STRAV460B which served me well.

Similar Products Used:

RPTV's built-in pro-logic

Price, Quality, Features, DD and DTS, 2 Channel Stereo

2CH Stereo might sound bad if you live in Delaware...

Don't let one bad review change your mind on this receiver. If you experience hiss then it's a defective unit and you should return it. Since it's a relatively new unit and the sister DB930 unit also exhibits the same symptoms it could be due to early production problems? There are many other people with this receiver who aren't experiencing any hiss problems.

Sure Dolby Digital sounds great on any receiver and is light years ahead of 2CH Stereo. DTS is even better on this receiver, slam in Sheryl Crow's DTS version and it's like you are smack there in the middle of a live show. Now, as for 2CH Stereo, the unit sounds no different than it does using normal decoding. To support this, I've listened to the Chesky Records/Stereo Review Stereo Surround Setup CD track # 11 which is the stepped stereo pan test. You can clearly hear the far left, mid left, top/center, mid right and far right imaging produced by this track. My guess is poor speakers if anything, the imaging and soundstage on my Paradigm speakers is excellent with this receiver. Again, before you start accusing the receiver, there are a number of other factors that could cause the sound to be flat, i.e. bad speakers, room acoustics, etc... To date, there are over 250+ reviews for the DB930 and close to 80 reviews for the DB830 and there is only one instance of poor 2CH Stereo performance. The only major gripe for 2CH performance has been the lack of the subwoofer.

Again, this is an excellent receiver for the money. It's truly a step above the DE series and right in line with the ES series. Sony is finally putting out some decent mid-fi equipment. 5 Stars.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo

Dolby Digital Performance

Sound in two channel stereo mode (without subwoofer)
remote - hiss in surround channels

First I would like to say to Bob from Ohio that the reviewer that compared this unit to a guitar amp was from Texas and not Delaware.
I stand by my previous review that this unit's two channel stereo performance is not on the same level as its Dolby Digital performance. I am aware that the subwoofer output is muted during straight two channel stereo - however - the sound is flat - two dimensional - there was is no depth to the stereo image. If you plan on listening to this unit in the two channel stereo mode this unit is not for you. I am not the first reviewer that has noticed the hiss in the surround channels - perhaps we all have defective units. I have found AudioReview to be very informative but everyone has different opinions - if you are satisfied with your unit - great! - but please don't dispute other reviewers opinions just because they don't agree with yours.