Sony STR-DB930 A/V Receivers

Sony STR-DB930 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

AV Reciever

USER REVIEWS

Showing 81-90 of 364  
[Feb 16, 2000]
Bryce
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Lots of options for the cost.

Weakness:

Remote, too much navigation required.

Have to throw my 2 cents in. I have been a big Sony fan for a number of years, just couldn't see a real price/value ratio that made it desireable. Now that I can afford to spend a little more, I went full out. Sony XBR, Sony DVD, Sony Hi-Fi VHS, and finally the STR-DB930. Liked all the options available and the very favorable reviews on this site. Ordered it from Victor's (399.00 + 20.00 shipping). Hooked it up and was immediately hit by this hum or buzzing without any input selected. I know all stereo systems have some hum or hiss, but normally it is only obvious when you are right up against them. This was noticable from fifteen feet away at a mid volume setting. Even in mute it was very noticable and increased in with the volume (again in mute). When played in DTS (Antz) the hum was definitely there and again increase with the volume. Tried different locations, Sony booklet says 10 feet from the TV, with the same result. Tried another room without any television near and had the same result. The speakers are fine, RM7500 (tried the speakers in stereo with a HK3500, no hum) and in the second room, AR9LS (again with the HK no hum). Don't know if I got a bad one or what. I thought at first I was expecting too much from a mid priced receiver. The HK never had this problem and I also have a Carver m1.0t with a Mod Squad Line Drive preamp which never had this problem with any input. Both of these costs considerably more than the Sony a few years back. You get what you pay for? Anyway, while moving it back the first room, I heard something rolling around loose inside the receiver. So it is probably defective. Sony Quality control needs some work. Needless to say, I did not try it again. I went to Ken Crane's to listen to their surround setup. With a Marantz receiver I did not hear any noticable hiss or hum from a normal, ten foot, listening distance. Decided to return the Sony. Tony at Victor's was very understanding and said no problem on the return. Cost me $28.00 shipping and insurance to return. Asked if I could upgrade to a Yamaha RX-V995 and he said just pay the difference after they received the return. So I'm out the $28 to send it back. Hopefully the Yamaha will deliver better sound and quality. One last item. Ever try to contact Sony via e-mail? After a week, they responded with call the 800 number. Two times, once when I asked why the STR-DB930 cannot be found on their site and then with the humming on the STR-DB930. Call the 800 number and you get a non technical person who tells you to take it to a Sony authorized repair facility to check it out. Sony, get real.
Again, based on other reviews, I am assuming I got a bad unit. I just didn't want to take a chance on another one, especially with other comments that match mine on the site. Value, if it works, for the money I would say a five. Mine didn't work, so I have to say 2. Overall, based on my experience (defective and definitely a hum/buzz)again, only a 1.

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
2
[Dec 17, 1999]
Bubba
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound, ability to rename inputs, equalizer

Weakness:

Remote (of course)

I upgraded from a 6 year old Pioneer ProLogic system. I listened to the 930 and 333es and thought that they were about the same. The 333 seemed to have a little bit larger sound field, but the 930 had more bass. The 930 was also less expensive. I ended up going with the 930.

I think it is a great receiver. I've watched both DD and DTS DVDs and have had no problems. The difference between DPL and DD or DTS is incredible.

One thing I really like is the equalizer. I know most people say you should never touch an equalizer, but my speakers are not matched (to say the least). The equalizer allowed me to set up the main, center, and rears on their own, so that I was able to get the sound of my speakers to match better. It made a HUGE difference in the quality of the soundfield. I plan on getting a good matched set of speakers, but until then, the equalizer is doing a great job.

I don't hate the remote, but it could be better. I do like the fact that you can rename the inputs. For example, what was Video 1 is now renamed LD, Video 2 is PSX (Playstation), etc.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 14, 1999]
John Craft
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

This receiver really gives you the most bang for your buck. I love experimenting with all the sound fields and the equalizer. I have my Receiver connected to a new Sony DVP-C650D DVD player. The two units complement each other quite well. They make my Infinity Minuette speakers and Infinity BU-1 subwoofer really come alive. I upgraded from an old Sony component rack system that wasn't even pro-logic. I'm really impressed with the clarity of sound and picture into my Sony 35" XBR TV. I

Weakness:

No major weaknesses so far. Since this is my first digital receiver and DVD player I'm kind of in shock with the deluge of technology. I do think the remote is difficult to learn. It is quite slow in 2-way remote. Any suggestions on digital hookup between the receiver and DVD player. I am using the optical digital out to the DVD player. I was told that the coaxial out is even better?

I think that this receiver gives the best overall value for your money,therefore the value rating of 5. I paid $525 at a local stereo store just to avoid the hassle of buying over the internet and taking a chance on receiving a damaged or defective unit. It's not meant to be a high-end unit, but it does have many of the features you would expect to find only on units costing over $800. I highly recommend this unit. My overall rating of 4 is based on the remote being difficult to learn and the fact that the unit apparently doesn't play CD-R discs although I have not verified this for myself yet. I thank everyone who provided ratings on this unit as it made my selection process a simple one.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3300

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 01, 1999]
Jeff
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Many features and high quality at a reasonible cost. 2-year warranty. Numerous DSP modes. Speaker size/distance adjustments.

Weakness:

Delay when trying to access a function in the 2-way remove (must point at receiver) Otherwise, great unit!

Destroys their DE line in regards to all around quality. Sound is equivalent to the ES line. Hooked up to following components:
Boston Acoustics 950 towers
Boston Acoustics vr12 center
JVC bookshelfs (surround)
Toshiba 5109 progressive scan DVD player via monster optical connection
Paid $479 at onecall.com through a price match of another reviewers message.
Highly recommend.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 01, 1999]
Michael
Audiophile

Just ordered it today. Sorry to take up space, but I had to
after I saw someone post a $479 price. I bought mine from
Audio Video Shopper for $389 + $16 ship. The number is
1-800-888-5343 EXT 714. Talk to Rich.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 24, 1999]
Bruce
Audiophile

Strength:

Solid construction, good variety of inputs / outputs.
Clean sound, ample power.

Weakness:

no tape monitor

What a refreshing unit this is from Sony. Good clean sound, ample power, ES-constructon, at the price of a DE! I was'nt even considering Sony when I started looking for a new A/V-
reciever. I was interested in the JVC-8888, but did'nt like the reviews that I was reading. Several years ago I bought a Sony DE-series reciever, and while I liked the features, and power, the units speaker outputs were wired in series, diminishing the upper-end of the musical spectrum when both A+B speakers were playing. Since then I've used Pioneer equipment, and never had an A/V-reciever that really "knocked me for a loop". I owned some top-notch 2-ch "powerhouses" back in the mid "70s", and miss the clarity and presence found in those old recievers. The Sony DB930 is the first A/V-unit I've used that gave me "flashbacks" of the old 2-ch days. This is a very good reciever, at a modest price. "thumbs-up" to Sony on this one!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer vsx-D901S
Pioneer vsx-5500S
Sannsui 9090
Pioneer SX-1250

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 20, 1999]
Drew
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

sound, features, inputs/outputs, build quality

Weakness:

user manual and remote

This is a great receiver. No need to go into excruciating details about how wonderful this receiver is because it is mentioned throughout other reviews. Just go get one...don't walk...run! You will not find anything under $600 that can go toe-to-toe with this bad boy. The sound fields are cool too! Got it from onecall for $429 shipped...deal!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 15, 1999]
Anil
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Value (price/performance/features), quality (ES like), tons of features

Weakness:

Still haven't been able to use the remote effectively

After using it for about two weeks, I like everything about this receiver (well, may be except the remote which will take a bit of learning!). The initial set up was easy and it had all the inputs and outputs I needed (+ some). It feels much better built than the DE series (it is heavy!), has a lot of features of the ES series at a more affordable price, and has a two year warranty. The sound is superb with plenty of power and it does not really get very hot (unlike some other Sony receivers I have seen). The auto sound decode feature is great and the list of available sound options is quite daunting. Controls are well laid out and easy to understand/use.

I bought it from OneCall for $450 delivered FedEx with one year interest free financing. Their service was very good. Purchased it after reading tons of reviews of this product on this site and I must thank everyone who helped me make a great decision!

Similar Products Used:

STR-925

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 20, 2000]
Jort Lyklema
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clear sound, especially in DD and DTS; Nice looks; All de connections and features one can wish for; Well built.

Weakness:

Hiss from speakers, wenn AFD or surround modes are used.

This is one of the best buys I've ever made in my live. I have spent weeks in every Hifi store in Holland to compare similar products and finally have chosen the Sony for it's better performance, looks and connections featured.
I should say I'm a bit disappointed the new model STR940Qs cam out a few months later, whotout my dealer infoming me at the time buying, but no big improvements are made I think.

My equipment:
Sony DVD 725
Sony CDP 930 cd-player
Sony STR-DB930 receiver
Heco Mythos 500 floostanding speakers
Heco Mythos surround speakers
Heco Mythos center speaker
Canton AS 30 Subwoofer
Van Den Hull Hybrid SC122 speaker-cables

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 15, 2000]
Billie Jacobs
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Good value for the money

Weakness:

Amplifier section if you have nice speakers

I recently sold my unit to a co-worker to buy the Denon AVR-3300. Here are some of my reasons:

1. Amplifier section was not very detailed with my B&W 601's. I had a yamaha that had much better sound quality before I bought this one.

2. The remote was less than desireable.

3. I wanted more crisp,clean power.

Thanks to the guys at Products on the cutting edge (potce.com) for pointing out some of the newer units. Their reviews pointed me to the Denon. I am much happier with the Denon, but it did cost more.

Similar Products Used:

DB925

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 81-90 of 364  

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