Sony STR-DB930 A/V Receivers

Sony STR-DB930 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

AV Reciever

USER REVIEWS

Showing 41-50 of 363  
[Feb 23, 2000]
Eric Zinzer
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Loads of inputs-outputs lots of clean power. User interactive remote.

Weakness:

clumpsy remote can be over come with practice

This is my second review. I like my toys elaborate such as McIntosh-Carver-BK, but I also like simplicity, affordability,and flexibility. At this time I would like to point out I am continually on a quest for better home theater equiptment, for both the budget minded and the gooroo enthusiest. Lets face it we don't all have thousands to spend. I keep hearing people complaining about this annoying hiss and i have tested this unit thoroughly and found that there is some channel cross talk, but certainly not to the level of the common complaints that are continually talked about. All stereos have cross talk. This stereo is the best bang for the buck and for the budget minded stereo enthusiest. I wish people would read their manuals learn how to set their equitment and quit all the whinning about the annoying hiss. It's obviously something on the input stages of their components such as shotty or low grade equiptment. I have tested 2 of these units with complete and utter satisfaction this unit was built for the europeon market whom for years has been far advanced in stereo technology and demand nothing less. Us americans on the other hand have been hand fed lower grade componentry for so long that when something good comes along were to ignorant to know it. Read the manuals, set the speakers to the proper settings, set the screen depth, I suggest mid or deep and sit back and enjoy a quality sony seldom seen product that was introduced from the europeon market. A quality that sony I'm sure will not be producing anytime again soon. The specs all suggest that this receiver out performs sony elevated standard receivers in the europeon market this is sold as a QS separate. Stop all the whinning.

Similar Products Used:

denon3300 denon1700 nakamichiAVR10 (HK.avr35junk)HK.avr65 is junkier yet.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 02, 2000]
Eric G
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Best bang for the buck

Weakness:

Remote...but for a different reason -> see below. Only one digital coax input (but has 3 optical)

I'd like to start off by saying that most of the reviews here are accurate and have really influenced my decision to go with this receiver.

I have done extensive listening to the Denon, Yamaha and Pioneer, but at different dealers, so I did not have the chance to A/B them. All excellent receivers, but none offered the value that this Sony does (got it at Oade Brothers for an excellent deal).

Once again, to rehash what everyone else has already said, this receiver is awesome for movies, but nothing spectacular for music. And the hiss? Yes, it's there, but not until you turn it up to an insane level. Most of the DSP fields are pretty hokey. And the remote......

Unlike most people, I actually think the remote isn't that bad....that is when it's working! I have since found out that this remote suffers from a problem where the LCD will periodically stop to work, and you lose all the functions within it (soundfield, input source, setup). The strange thing is that other buttons below and under the cover continue to work. I have received feedback from numerous owners who have had the exact same problem. Then again, there are some that are not affected by this.... so it just depends if you're lucky. It's really not a huge deal, since you can get around it by pulling out the batteries and sticking them back in, but it's a pain.

All that said, I still love this receiver and have no regrets buying it at all. 5 stars for value, 4 overall because of the remote problem.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR3300, Pioneer Elite 24TX, Yamaha 795

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 11, 2000]
Ron
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Immense sound processing power and choice

Weakness:

All of the above, due to manual, an audio equivalent of a two-page safety manual for a Nuclear power plant.

First: Thanks to all for input.
Shopping: called OneCall, was told that price had gone up in last few weeks. $ 419 plus shpg., no negotiation. Told them SoundCity had a lower price. Was told non-Sony dealers, or those without stock always low-balled. Called Soundcity, yes, price is up, but we'll forget the shipping, and yes, they're a Sony dealer and had lots of stock. Bought Mon. 6:30 pm, had it in my hands before noon at work Fri. Read manual 3 times Fri. night.
Started setting it up 8 am Sat., by noon was ready to drop it out my third story window. Broke for lunch and shopping. Returned to setup and stated making progress.
NOTE: If, like me you are converting from an all analog receiver: 1)Define each source, they only digital source I have is DVD. DSS sound was non-existant until defined as analog.
2)Sticker shock: a 1 meter Digital Coaxial cable costs between $ 28 and $ $ 40. This is to get the AC-3 or DTS from the DVD to the DB 930.
3)Plan to spend the next few WEEKS getting the sound fields to your liking; each one can be tweeked, leveled, balanced, etc., plus each one can be assigned to a device or preset station.
Lots more confusion with Equalizer, but will study this.
If you plan to buy the Sony Db-930, plan to get to know it personally.

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood analog Pro-logic revceiver

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 17, 2000]
Jerry
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound quality for music and video
Inputs

Weakness:

Remote

I have found this product to be an excellent performer. I have Tannoy 609 speakers connnected with a JBL Sub and surrounds and it puts out great sound sounds great. I must say that if it had the on screen display that the 1015g has it would be very close to perfect. My 1015g is now my secondary receiver in my bedroom.

Similar Products Used:

Sony Strde-1015g

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 18, 2000]
Cory Callison
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good clean power lot's of goodies

Weakness:

The amp hums real bad when left of for long period's on time

Over all the Sony STR-DB930 is a great Receiver and is worth
the money I whould highly recomend it.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 04, 2000]
Gary
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good Looks, value for the money, tweakability, lots of inputs

Weakness:

Hiss, remote,lacks on screen display

I have read some great reviews on this product,( most notably from What Hi-Fi!) and this helped guide me to this product. For the price, there's not much to complain about.
It does an excellent job with movie sound reproduction,delivering lots of punch,and gives you great flexability with your surround parameters.I don't have any complaints in this regard.
In stereo mode the receiver distinguishes itself ably, if leaning a little towards the bright side. This is where the flexability of the receiver comes into play.Plus,if you can, play with your speaker placement, and you should get better results.It's listenable, and for the price(which I'm sad to say, it seems some of you got GREAT deals, better than what I paid) you can't really complain.
As far as the hiss goes,it is there,but from where I sit, it is undetectable.There is a buzzing noise in my rear left speaker when I turn the volume up or down. This only occurs when I have DVD or TV selected. Any soluions out there?
The remote is definately a pain to use, and I cannot get it to work my DVD player.This, with the hiss, is the reason I gave it four instead of five stars.

Similar Products Used:

STR-DE925

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 29, 2000]
D Dizniz
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

price

Weakness:

None

Unlike all the "Audio-PHILs" that listen with one
tin ear then rant away that its not as good as the
10 million dollar system they shoved up their butt.

I listened for 9 months with my DvD System before
posting. I have a decent system, this is an excellent
piece for those on a budget. Frankly people that
have spent more, really didnt get anymore. The
rants I do read are obviously fraudulent. With good
speakers and a good video source I get loud clear
sound with my system. I am happy. Maybe when Im
stuck frustrated w/o a woman to keep me company
I'll spend the extra money on an "Audio-PHIL"
kinda system.

Similar Products Used:

pioneer, yamaha

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 30, 2000]
Marc
Audio Enthusiast

All in all, this receiver is excellent. A bench test of 82 watts/ch really says alot because you barely use 50 watts/ch without going deaf anyway. I could hear my receiver across the street when it's turned up half way. About the distortion, I don't hear a thing. The hissing will be heard when you put your head right up against the speaker as will every other receiver you listen to. If you're looking for a great receiver for either home theater or audio, this is a great pick for the money. The one weakness is the soundfields do not take advantage of every speaker. Can't get all the speakers to work at all times. Some soundfields cancel out some speakers, but when in dolby digital, auto format sounds good. There are better receivers, but this one beats out its price range and some more expensive.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 28, 2000]
MICHAEL
Casual Listener

Strength:

Amazing power, connections galore, sturdy build

Weakness:

None so far

This reciever is simply awesome. The clarity and power of this machine is outstanding. I love the remote. If you can't wait one or two seconds for it to communicate back then bye something else or turn it off. I have heard hiss but at levels past seven. I can,t turn mine up past three without waking up everyone in the neighborhood. There are so many connections that I will probably not use most of them. I love how you can name the video sources, and a lot of sound fields, but I only really use cinema B and normal. Plan to get the sony CDPCX300 to utilies the optical and remote capabilities. It list for 699 and 599 but I got mine for $389 through buyingedge. It may be harder to send it back if it does have problems but I would rather save 350 to $400.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer but took it back the same day.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 03, 2000]
JF
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

price, features

Weakness:

hissing, sound quality

I have owned my db930 for 2 months and have been bothered by the hissing a lot. At level 3, I can hear the hissing from 10 ft away. Finally I decided to exchange it for a Yamaha 795a because people at Soundtrack kept on telling me Yamaha is much better. Plus now 795a and db930 are of the same price. Got the Yamaha yesterday, after listening to just one classic cd, I was very happy that I made the right decision. Very clear,crisp, natural sound from the Yamaha,and no hissing!!! The sony is just no comparison.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
Showing 41-50 of 363  

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