got the DE835 couple of weeks ago. tried it with different cd's movies etc. good sound quality at low volumes. but creares a humm at higher volumes. was using the bose accoustimas 15 with it maye be that's the problem. replaced the speakers and it still creates a hummm. functional unit not bad for a starter dolby digital unit. for the money its ok. the remote is clumsy.i give it 3 star

Very pleased with this product. Originally purchased a Yamaha 905. Took it back and got the 835. Great sound effects, easy to install and clean sound.
The remote is average. Good display. I installed a small fan from radio shack to reduce the overheating. I have had no problems so far. I got it at best buy for $359.

awsome price $269, great digital sound, and many more options than other brnds that are much more pricy.

none so far

Have not expirienced any of the problems listed below. I find this to be a terrific product by sony and there is no limits to options on this bad boy. Highly recommend to all for great sound and a awsome deal. i picked it up for $369.

Multiple options to play with, Virtual surround fields, Good sound, Kinda cool ability to name your radio stations and inputs, multiple inputs for components, the EQ a audio tweakers dream

remotes with light green lettering suck, remote not backlit(how much could it cost to the receivers price to add this!!????!!!) temperature makes me nervous

Picked this bad boy up at Sears of all places for $279 after they had mis-marked the price. I didnt do any research on the sony line because i was looking at Denons digital reciever line after many years of using my trusty pro-logic receiver. But for the price i couldnt pass it up. I must say i am impressed with this receiver for the power and sound. Have no problems driving my Infinity studio monitor series speakers, and they sound great. Audio from DVDs impressive as well as music cds. I did think when i first brought it home that it sounded flat, but after about 3 hours playing with the EQ, audio sounds very full and impressive. You can spend hours just tweaking the EQ. After reading about temperature concerns, i did like the previous reviewer and mounted a 4" radio shack fan to the switched plug on the back and the unit stays nice and cool even when playing DTS & DD movies at LOUD volumes. For movies, i really like the Cinema Studio Ex. A setting as it seems to give fuller sound tothe ambient surround sounds, the AFD just doesnt sound as good to me. For music CDs and the radio this receiver has tons of sound fields to play with and listen to, i almost never listen to music in 2 channel stereo anymore.A great receiver with good sound, lots of stuff to play with, and more than enough power. I would recommend to anyone interested in upgrading to digital, or starting a HT. I did get this at a great price so for a price/performance ratio i must go with a 5 !

Similar Products Used:

Denon

Great sound, low price, lots of settings

none

This unit does run hot, but it has never turned off on me in the 3 months I've owned it. The sound is great in Dolby Digital and especially love DTS. Mostly use it for DVD though. I should say that if you don't plan on taking the time to setup the internal setting (ie... the equalizer), don't waste your time buying it. It takes time to get the sound right. The time is worth it at the end, nevertheless.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood VR306, Pioneer VSX-D409

Warm sound, not overly bright, lots of different modes to play around with... and DTS capability!

None so far

*Just for reference, this is a review of the newer model.. the STR-DE845

Count me in as another satisfied SONY customer. This is my second major reciever purchase within the last five years, and my first Sony. To be honest, I hadn't really read any of the reviews on the older model ( 835 )and I'd heard absolutely nothing about the 845, so I wasn't exactly certain if I'd be keeping this reciever.

I've now had it for about two weeks and I'm very happy with my purchase. There are more sound modes on this thing than any of the other mid-range recievers I've played around with, and some of them are excellent ( like the Live House mode ). I'm still waiting for my ProCinema 100 speakers to arrive, so maybe I'll give an update to this review once I've plugged those bad boys in and cranked it up.

The remote is extremely cool and easy to use.. and apparently, Sony has corrected the "ugly" appearance, which many of you were griping about on the 835. I have a Toshiba DVD 5109 player, and the digital sound is *very* nice through the reciever. For $400, I'm getting a 500 watt, DTS reciever with a very warm, rich sound. Can't beat that. At least, I haven't seen a better deal.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood KR-V8070

Very powerful and lots of S video inputs and easy to use

none

This is my first audio and video receiver. I had all Adcom, like the Gsa700, and the preamp GTP 450. When i got into stereo music the home sound was not around then but ive always enjoyed sony in the pass and the new reciever is great and its no problem to switch for all different sources,so any one who got the new model please sent there review soon

Similar Products Used:

nonethis is a review on the Sony STR DE 845

Level of precision offered in speaker placement programming. Sound field modes are diverse.

Looks aren't super great, too many LED colors for me, but who really cares right?

Bought it for $305 on ebay new, I prefer this unit over the newer 845 because of the complex remote the 845 offers. "KISS" (keep it simple stupid) was not implied by Sony's R&D department, but the 835's remote is great.

This review is of STR-DE845. Absolutely the most receiver that can be had for the money.

None.

After being thouroughly dissapointed with the HK unit, the local Circuit City allowed me to exchange it for this Sony unit. I have kick myself every time I think about not getting the Sony to start with. Yes it does get hot if you play it loud enough long enough, but what amplifier doesn't?This is absolutely the BEST AV receiver for the money. It has terrific sound in all modes. I do not use the soundfields, only 2 CH STEREO, Auto format detect, and Normal surround. To further squelch rumours that the "blue light" only comes on with an optical connection, I have tried both optical and coaxial connections, and have had the light come on either way. Read your manual. I don't know what it says, but you must be doing something wrong. You would have to spend much more money to touch this unit. I do not know how some of the other reveiwers can say that this unit does not have enough bass. If you want to hear sucky bass, go listen to an HK. I am using the sub out to drive a Carver that powers dual "12 JBL subs. I have the bass on the mains at -3. It is spectacular to watch movies like "Fight Club", and "Titanic". Even "Galaxy Quest", where the sound goes from wide open to nothing, and that is what you hear. I have noticed no hiss, or hum at all anywhere with this unit. If you are on a home theater budget. (Married with children) Then this is an excellent unit. Try it, if you don't like it take it back. That's the attitude I took with it, and I am happy to report that I will be keeping it. This unit not only offers great movie sound, but it delivers awesome CD quality music too. I have a Technics 1300 that is connected via Monster fiber. If your CD player doesn't sound right, maybe it's because you are using the analog connections. Try, if you can, to use the optical, or coaxial inputs, and let the new DA's on-board the STR-DE845 do the work. You might be suprised.I know I was. Great Job SONY!!

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon AVR-45, Kenwood AVR777,

Price/Performance Ratio. Remote Control (despite other's opinions). Multitude of Inputs.

My System:
Sony STR-835 Receiver.
Sony CDP-CE235 DVD Player.
Some Cheap-ass VCR (<$80).
2 - 400 Watt Cerwins.

I have way to many remotes, but I only need the one that came with this receiver to use all of my items. Sure, the white buttons with the glow in the dark thing sucks, but I know exactly where all of the buttons are anyway. I don't look at my remote. Obviously, the other people complaining about the remote just don't use their equipment enough.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use the surround features yet. I'm only using stereo, but this thing can definately push a good sound for DVD and CD's. Bass is not a problem. I don't even use the Bass Boost.

The Digital Decoder saved me some coin when I bought my DVD player which also works great (Looks like Sony finally fixed their DVD problems).

This receiver has a good user interface to integrate all of the essential components of a home-stereo/studio arrangement.