Lots of video inputs
Construction
Value
On-board AC-3 and DTS decoders
Remote (except for lid, see below)

No CD digital input
Remote lid
Can't program radio stations with the remote

After living so long with a very basic, cheap system from my college days, I decided to get a new receiver. I am not an audiophile by any means, but I had heard that Sony makes a good product. An audiophile friend of mine suggested the ES line, but when I found out the price... After reading the reviews here, I was sold on the DB930. I got mine from Sound City for $429, I have no regrets, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for this model (ask for Barry Chin). I think this unit is a steal at anything less than $500.

I really like the flexibility the unit offers in terms of A/V inputs, with the notable exception of no digital input for the CD player (can use MD/DAT input instead) which I find interesting, since my Sony CD player has a digital output. I would agree with others regarding the uselessness of all the sound fields and tweaking ability, but they are there if you want to mess around with them.

I also like having the AC-3 and DTS decoders on-board, so that you can purchase cheaper DVD players without the decoder built in.

I also like the remote, for the most part. It controls the other components in my system with relative ease (they're all Sony), except for my television (Philips 2784C), which I can't find any one of the programmable TV settings that provides total functionality...each setting gives partial function. I like the two-way feature, even though it is somewhat slow...being able to scroll through your CD collection or radio stations, etc. is a plus. Negatives on the remote: the flip-open lid, which you must use if you want to have any amount of control over your DVD player, is something waiting to be snapped off. It would have been much better to make the remote bigger and not have the lid. Also, as I quickly discovered, you cannot preset the radio stations using the remote; once you have them programmed, you can use the remote to change between them, so this is probably only a one-time annoyance and nothing more.

I had only one problem with the unit. When I turned it on, I would get a nasty interference pattern on Channel 2 (only) on each TV in my house, even those in other rooms on other circuits, on cable and broadcast. I exchanged it for a new one, no problems now.

Overall, I am very happy with the unit and would recommend it to anyone looking in this price range. Great value!

Similar Products Used:

None

Sound Quality
Build
Inputs/Outputs
Power and THD

None

Guys, this isn't a chat forum. I know it pisses us happy DB930 owners off to see someone who won't even use their real name bash this excellent receiver. But every time you comment on someones negative comment you are going to mess up the overall 'star' rating of the unit. This is because that negative comment person will again respond with a 1 star rating.

Because 'Audio' praised HK so much I decided to look at the unit on the web, and view the reviews here. Take a look at the HK AVR-65 reviews on audioreview.com and you'll see it is no where near the DB930 on overall ratings at 3.56. Second, I went to the HK site. Yes, their site is way better than Sony's offering you the instruction manual in PDF format on-line and loads of info that Sony doesn't want to reveal. Upon looking at the instructions one can see this unit (HK AVR-65) easily doesn't have nearly as many features as the Sony. Yes, it weighs more (by 3 lbs) and yes it has .02 better THD in 5.1 mode, but the Sony is still rated .02 better in 2 channel stereo mode. And the AVR-65 is only rated at 65 watts per channel compared to 100 watts per channel. Do the math. Am I bashing the HK, no. I have never even listend to it so I can not say if it a better sounding unit. Everyone needs to investigate what they are interested in buying, then demo the units and make a decision. Everyone is also entitled to their opinion. When reading these reviews, don't read to deeply into a comment from someone who only heard the unit in a show room. Take it from the 60+ 5 star rating owners such as myself: this is an excellent receiver for the money with a high quality build, loads of inputs and outputs and gobs of power.

I have to disagree with AUDIO, like I mentioned on my prev. review I took home Yam, and HK, (before I bought DB930) hooked it up with my Energy Take 5, I was not satisfied with the Yam and HK sounds with my speakers, but this maybe a matter of taste. The Yam, Onkyo, Denon and all the high priced recievers out there maybe built well or sound great for someone else' taste but I do know that my DB930 IMHO sounds better than HK and Yam with my speakers and in my own house (not in the store demo room). And oh, forgot to mentionI do use all the input and output of the DB930 except the phono, infact it's one of the reason I decided to go with DB930. I even use the Digital out for my MDAT player/recorder.

My advice is go to your local (not online store) check with dealer re: return policies, take the system home and hook it with your existing system and listen to it, if you don't like the way it sounds take it back and check another make and or model. It's the ultimate test.

Many fun and usefull features, plenty of inputs/outputs, clean stereo sound and impressive home theater sound. Seems to be a great bargain for this price point.

Hard to understand manuals and slow responding remote.

I visited many "listening rooms" over the past few months and heard more than a few receivers that I liked in the $400-$800 price range. The DB930 sounded as good for music and better for movies than any that I listened to. I know that even the sound of a stereo (HT) receiver can be subjective and each person will have their favorites but this one was good for me. It has a great features package. I like "Night Theater", "Headphone Theater" and the "Cinema" settings among others. You can hear the music (or movie sound)just as it was recorded(and not lose the subwoofer) by using the AFD setting. I used this setting and listened to the Muddy Waters "Folksinger" CD (one of the best sounding CD's you'll ever hear) and was most impressed. Of course we will have to wait and see how long these units hold up but really just how long do we need things to last (to you folks who got faulty units right out of the box, of course I understand it has to last longer than that)? Before I got the DB930 I was using a Sony 808ES, I had it for 6 years and it was out of date for the last two. It probably would have gone on working indefinitely but with technology changing so rapidly is that as much of a consideration these days? As I said earlier everyone will have their own taste in receivers but anyone in the market for a new one in this price range should give this receiver a listen.

Some

A lot!

I have a Krell amplifier, and a HK AVR 65, the Onkyo's, Yamaha's, and HK's have higher ratings than this product. This reciever would be nice if it was $200, which it isn't. I remember this being as low as $329 at Sound City, just think of how much it probably cost Sony to make it then. I only bought it because I wanted to do side by side comparision for all the recievers I purchased. And with my Martin Logan Monolith III's the Krell amplifier, and HK AVR 65, and Yamaha Graphic Equalizer sound awesome put together. I'm not making fun of anyone, and I'm not going to stoop myself to someone as low who copies my identity. But there are better products out there that's all.

Similar Products Used:

HK, Onkyo, Yamaha

Excellent quality for an incredibly low price

none found

I have been testing receivers for months and just liked the look and sound of the Sony ES line. I thought they were pricey, thanks to the DB line you can get ES quality without draining your wallet.

Now its time to upgrade my speakers.

Sound & Build Quality, Price, Looks, High-end Features, Lots of Power

Can't make tea or coffee.

This Sony is simply a beautiful receiver for the price. In fact, if it cost a couple of hunred more, it would still make a very good purchase. It costs a lot more in the UK than it does in the US (£450 or $700+).

I mainly use it for watching DD DVDs and I think that's where it sounds best.

The sound is very clean with virtually no distortion even at very high volumes. Power is more than enough for an averaged sized room.

The manual may not have been written to very high standards of user-friendliness, but it's not that bad either. Of course you have to read through it.

The only problem I can see with the remote is that it's a bit slow (being a 2-way remote). Apart from that, it's fine for normal use. Actually, it's quite good in that it can be used to control other devices as well. I

My system currently consists of the following:

Sony STR-DB930
Pioneer front and surround speakers
Tannoy Mercury mC centre speaker
Paradigm PDR10 sub woofer
Toshiba 3107 DVD player
etc.

Overall, it's an excellent receiver. I would give it five points for everything.

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Considered Denon AVR 3000 but liked the looks of Sony better

everythings

anythings.but sony firm brehaviour. I asked on 24 bit DAC. are there ?noanswer 1 month. I don't wanna anyproducts out of this receiver from SONY. No interest to customer.

Product is good and I can say excellence . you must know to do Drange tuuning. It is very effectif, also the treble tuning is not sensible.I listen t o this receiver, it is a little "yavshack voice".But this "yavsack voice" is not negative point, is positive point. Because, you can hear to sounds with inside of musica. Certainly, I must say, If I have to many (more and more ) I think to buy Denon AVC-1 or Maratz Sr-14 but.I haven't. According to me, Sony STR-DB930 is best and excellence. with sound qualities. but you must forget to sony internet advisment/reply-email, or informe. Because I want to learn 24 Bit 96 Hz DAC .Are there in this model or no?Anybody can2t say , there is, or no? But I'm giving only and only (no anothers of sony products) this product (STR-DB930) five star.Because only this products rights to five star. anothers, I don't know? But I'm angry.

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Teac, Denon PMA-980

Power, features and clarity, tons of inputs

None to be found so far

Well, I've owned the Sony of a fortnight now and I have to say I'm very impressed. I have the Panasonic DVDA360 (AC3 Decoder built-in)and was using that to run through the STRDE515 (AC3 ready) which I have had for about 3 and a bit years. My reason for finally upgrading to the STRDB930 was that I was not happy with the lack of control I had over the sound (using 5.1 inputs) and was pretty damn sure I could get more out of DVD. I have been reading What HiFi and other mags and noted that both the STRDB925 and now the 930 had gotten rave reviews and they were was also within my price range. Well as I said I took the plunge a fortnight ago and it definitely leaves the STRDE515 standing. I have a pretty reasonable collection of DVD's, 70+, and I can now say I'm finally starting to get a hell of a lot more out of them, Saving Private Ryan is sensational. I am very happy with the 930 and my thanks to the reviews posted here as they helped me with my final decision to go out there and buy it. So to anyone out there who is thinking about getting the STRDB930, go for it, you won't be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

STRDE515

Price!

For that price!None!!

I`m not an audiophile (lucky me)but i like the sound of this receiver and haven`t bothered
to estimate how many watts it pushes or how it looks inside.
With small children ,neighbours living close to us and not that big livingroom it suites my needs.It plays load and clear without any problems.Some of those who has written their reviews about this receiver and compared it with HK,DENON,YAMAHA etc. doesn`t seem to understand that 1000$ is more than 600$.Let`s get reviews which compares receivers in the same price-group.

Similar Products Used:

Technics