Sony STR-DB930 A/V Receivers

Sony STR-DB930 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

AV Reciever

USER REVIEWS

Showing 211-220 of 365  
[Sep 16, 1999]
Scott McCool
an Audio Enthusiast

Wow!
I got this receiver from onecall yesterday afternoon and couldn't wait to get it hooked up. I spent about 45 minutes doing the basic connections and rearranging my equipment (this thing is quite a bit bigger than the Aiwa pro-logic it replaced)... I turned it on and was totally amazed! I spend another hour reading the manual(s) and customizing the settings (distance from speakers, height, etc)... Then I couldn't resist any longer so I put 'Air Force One' in my Toshiba 2109, quickly realized it defaulted to a non-5.1 mix, remedied that situation, and was totally blown away.

When shopping I considered the following models for at least some time:
Denon 3300
Pioneer VSX-24
Onkyo 575
Sony 333ES
Pioneer 608

That's basically in order of preference while I was looking. The Denon and Pioneer both sound amazing and will run about $700. The Sony DB930 is easily $200 less than the best prices on those receivers and for to my ears was definitely comprable. I didn't think the 333ES offered enough to justify the cost and had mostly discounted Sony receivers until I stumbled across a post referring to this "new" (in the US) model from Sony. I couldn't believe all the reviews here, but researched it for awhile and decided to buy (not having heard it yet)... No local dealers had it (only one even had the ES line), but I trusted you all and was not disappointed.

It's features have been well explained, so I'll just talk about a few I really like (and dislike):

First, my system:
JVC 32" TV
Toshiba 2109 DVD (coax out)
Pioneer 25 disc CD (digital out)
Magnavox VCR (not even hi-fi, couldn't bear replacing my old hi-fi once I had a DVD player)
Mains: Ancient but incredible Coral floor-standing 5 way mains
Center: JBL CL505
Surrounds: Radioshack Optimus LX7
Sub: Audiosource SW15

Likes:
+Inputs / Outputs for (almost) everything imaginable

+Ability to label radio stations or input modes (I have to use the MD player input for my CD (see dislikes) but you can rename that whole setting "CD(Digital)" on the display.

+Remote: It's a 2-way remote with a small back-lit LCD screen. It's a lot of fun and relatively easy to use. It's universal, and you program it by choosing from a list on the screen (no codes or books). It controls my JVC TV, Toshiba 2109 DVD, Pioneer cd changer, and Magnavox VCR flawlessly, though doesn't access a lot of "special" features on the TV or DVD.
+Power. This thing has a clean, honestly rated 110 watts x 5. No hiss at any volume when playing source material. Some hiss at very high volumes with an empty input selected. Check the specs on this, Sony fudges some of their other numbers but this one deserves it's power rating.

+Sound quality -- This is what it's all about and the 930 sounds phenomenal. As you can see from the equipment list I have very poorly matc hed speakers. I won't pretend the speaker setup sounds as good as a matched setup, but after some tweaking the system sounds great and actually quite well balanced in Video Essentials walk around the room. Note that the Sony has tons of parameters for speaker locations, sizes, settings, etc.. along with customizable equalizer settings for each speaker set. Playing regular CDs through my mains (and sub) sounds great and the 930 has leaps and bounds more clean power at it's disposal than the Aiwa it replaced.

+Second source output -- I haven't run the wires all the way upstairs, but one feature the 930 has over the 830 (and if you don't need it consider the 830 for $100 less) is second source output. You hook up another set of mains upstairs and can listen to a completely seperate source in that room while something else plays on the main speakers. It works and sounds just fine. It also lets me sell off my old receiver and get more use out of my CD changer.

+Night theater mode -- This DSP mode lets you watch 5.1 movies without disturbing others (too much). It quiets the louder parts of action scenes or scores and also cuts output to the sub down. It probably kept my girlfriend from being extraordinarily pissed last night when I had a movie marathon with the new receiver (: I haven't played with other modes (I have been leaving it on Auto Format Decode which picks the signal) but some people have spoken highly of the modes that create extra surround speakers.

Dislikes:
+No Digital in for the CD Player (using the MD player input instead)

+Remote. Yes, it's in both columns. I really do like it but it's hard to use in the dark for much more than changing volumes or play/stop/rewind/pause/ff on the DVD. You access special features of components by pressing the "sub" button and scrolling to the command, so you have to watch closely.

I highly reccomend this receiver. If you're looking for a cheaper way to get into DD/DTS without going with problem plagued receivers such as the Pioneer 608 or Sony's 835/935 line (check the reviews before you bash this) you can't go wrong here. Onecall was also very nice and had the 930 in my hands exactly when they said (2 days after I ordered it).

5 stars, easily.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Oct 02, 1999]
George
an Audio Enthusiast

This receiver is awesome. The sound quality is exceptional. If anyone was even considering the STR-DE 935 forget it. Get a hold of this one. The receiver is totally customizable. The inputs are well laid out. Easy to set up and use. The 2 way remote is enjoyable to ues if you are connected to other sony products that take advantage of it. I have it connected to a Sony 200 Disk changer and it downloads all your disk labels to the remote which is a great feature. The only gripe I have is that it does not have a optical input for the CD. Other wise this one is perfect.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Sep 11, 1999]
Cy
an Audio Enthusiast

hello!I need information about dealers who sell this reciever. I´m trying to buy one of this in a futute trip to the states, but I need it delivereed to my hotel.
The guys of onecall don´t accept foreign cards, and the ones from jandr don´t make deliveryes to the hotels :)

Can anyone help me? Thank you everyone!
And sorry for this posting here, but I need an answer soon

Cy

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Oct 16, 1999]
Philip D
Audiophile

Strength:

Well build, crisp sound, tons of in/outs

Weakness:

Remote codes, setup of settings could be easier...

Strong unit, good bass, especially clear midrange in both music and HT.. I've tried both the Sony and HK model AV65 in my home, on both Infinity and NHT speakers, and my vote goes to the Sony, it's a keeper.. Overall gets a 4, however, because of the weaknesses stated above!

Similar Products Used:

Just the HK AV65.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 16, 1999]
Nigel Lim
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

A lot of features/Price/Performance

Weakness:

Bad quality control

Loads of features, inputs, outputs, solid build and inexpensive for what you get.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 01, 1999]
Steve
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound, loads of features, power to spare, and all at a great price.

Weakness:

Personally, I don't like the remote and there's no CD digital input (but you can use the MD input).

What can I say that hasn't been said. All the features you could want at a great price point.

Loads of clean power. However you can hear a hiss from the speakers with the CD or DVD paused at volume levels above the mid way point.

The DD and DTS decoding works very well. Interesting selection of sound fields. Not sure if I'll be using them when the novelty wears off.

Controls on the unit are generally user friendly, although I can't say the same about the remote.

Got mine from Oade Bros. No problems with the order. Factory sealed as promised. Tried to order the unit through One Call. Their pricing was much higher ($75) unless you play the "find a lower price elsewhere" game. Personally, I'd rather go to a dealer that prices the product lower to begin with.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 14, 1999]
Audio2
Audiophile

Strength:

Best Receiver under $800.

Weakness:

None.

This is one of the most solid receivers on the market. Audio's review makes it clear that he really hasn't picked up or played with the 930. His comment on the power makes this even more clear since I believe the 930 puts out more pure power than the HK. Could this be another visit from our friend Harris worships HK and hates Sony with a passion? Hmmmmmm.

Similar Products Used:

HK 65, Dennon AV3300, Onkyo 575

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 06, 1999]
Randy
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Has the sound quality of higher priced receivers at an affordable price

Weakness:

The remote takes some time to learn.

Excellent reciever for the dollar $$$ Bought mine from Sound City 414.20 with shipping. Did have to wait 3 weeks, but well worth the wait. Great rich sound good amount of power .. Drives my boise 10.1 speakers. Almost dont ned to use my Sub Woofer now. Many sound fields and adjustments to adjust for your particular taste. I believe this to be the best reciever out for under 500.00.... Compared to Onkyo 575 and Yamaha 1105.. and HK AR65. Be sure not to buy the sony DE series receivers they are not near the quality at almost the same price retail.. Buy online ... SAVE $$$ Sound City is a good Choice.

Similar Products Used:

ONKYO 575

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 14, 1999]
AUDIO
Audiophile

Strength:

None

Weakness:

Too much $$$, for too less power.

Ok... so if this reciever is built so well. Then how come it's smaller, and lighter in weight than the Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, or HK? Plus Sony doesn't tell you it's current. Now the Onkyo might be say rated at 80 watts per channel, with 55 current, while the Sony 930 is rated at 110watts per channel, but with only what maybe 12-15 current. The Onkyo's, Yam's, Denon's, and HK's go louder than the Sony. Now this does have some nice DSP modes, but I honestly like to hear sounds the way they are meant to be heard. I read some people buying this unit for $600, you can get a Yam, Onkyyo, Denon, or HK for around that price. Go to a retailer and see for yourself, I did. Another thing on the good side of this reciever it does have a lot of outs, and ins, but you're not going to be using them all.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Nov 07, 1999]
J Walsh
Audiophile

Strength:

none

Weakness:

all of the above

more of Sony junk, if your gonna buy this crap at least get the ES model.

Buy a Denon and listen to Movie theatre quality

Similar Products Used:

Denon3600 dts

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
Showing 211-220 of 365  

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