Tag : sound receiver, v surround, de898 b, channel a, 7 1, black

Company : Sony List Price : $349.90 Amazon Price : Used Price : Average customer review :

Features

• 7.1-channel A/V surround receiver (100 watts x 7) with 30 radio presets and HD video switching
• Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96:24, and Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx 6.1-channel surround processing
• 7.1-/5.1-channel analog audio inputs accommodate high-resolution multichannel formats like SACD and DVD-Audio
• 6 digital audio inputs and 1 digital output; includes phono input for turntable and preprogrammed remote control
• Multizone/multiroom control; measures 17 x 6.2 x 14.6 inches (W x H x D); 2-year warranty

Product Description

Producing more powerful channels for your home-theater surround sound system - Sony’s STR-DE898 FM Stereo/FM-AM Receiver comes equipped with 7.1 channels supplying 100 Watts per channel, delivered over the full dynamic range for top-class performance. The STR-DE898 supports many audio formats, so play your DVDs and other decordings in digital sound: Dolby Digital/DTS, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II Decoding, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Dual Mono, DTS ES. Additional features include a Digital Cinema Sound(TM) System with Cinema Studio EX A/B/C Modes, 7.1 Multi-Channel Analog Input, Component Up Conversion from S-Video and Composite, 30 AM/FM Radio Station Programmable Presets and a Remote Commander(R) Remote Control With Learning Macros. Designed to complement your widescreen HDTV environment. 7.1 Multi-Channel Analog Input 2 Zone/2 Room Control with 2nd Room Audio Portable A/V Input (Digital Optical In, Analog Audio and Video In) A/V Sync (Variable) - For Synchronizing Audio to Video Switched A /B or A+B Speaker Switching for Front Speakers 2 Assignable HD Capable Component Video Inputs/1 Output SoundField Link Inputs and Outputs - Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr ) Input(s) - x2 / Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) - x1 / S-Video Input(s) - x3 / S-Video Output(s) - x2 / Composite Video Input(s) - x5 (3 Rear, 1 Front) / Composite Video Output(s) - x3 / Optical Audio Input(s) - x4 (3 Rear, 1 Front) / Optical Audio Output(s) - x1 / Coaxial Audio Digital Input(s) - x2 / RCA Audio Input(s) - x8 (7 Rear, 1 Front) / RCA Audio Output(s) - x3 / Multi-Channel Input(s) - x1 (7.1 channel) / Subwoofer Output(s) - x1 / Phono Turntable Input(s) - x1 / Antenna Terminal(s) - x1 AM Clip Type / RF Connection Input(s) - x1 FM 75ohm Antenna / Headphone Jack - Gold Plated 1/4 / AC Outlet - x2 Switched Unit Dimensions WHD - 17 x 6-1/5 x 14-3/5 / 23 Pounds BLACK

Customer reviews

Worked better with a new subwoofer
I collected a hodgepodge of speakers to set up a home theatre in my den 21′ x 17′. I collected 3 of the double Bose cubes (from eBay) for center and surround and planned to use my old large Koss speakers for left and right and to handle bass sound.

The feature that sold me was that you could designate the speakers as “large” or “small” during setup, so that if set to “large” the receiver sent the bass signal to them - so I wouldn’t need a subwoofer…maybe. (It may be that all A/V receivers have this feature - I’m a novice.)

For music listening, particular in the “multi-stereo” setting, the sound was good. You could use the so-called equilizer to push up the bass and the large speakers reproduced the sound nicely. However in the movie modes the equilizer does not work. In each of the movie modes you get whatever equalization Sony wants you to get. I was quite disappointed to not have that movie “feel it in your chest” kind of sound, even at high volume.

So… I spent another $149 at Amazon and bought one of the 400 watt 10 inch subwoofers by Athena (w free shipping!) and added that to the subwoofer output. Nice. John Williams’ music (Spielburg movies) never sounded better! The large front speakers still provide rich full sound and the subwoofer handles the lowest shake the room frequencies.

I noticed another review mentioned that they were not pleased with the bass output. I think the bottom line is that if the receiver has an output to a “powered” subwoofer…they expect you to use it.

The sound for both music and movies is now quite outstanding. By the way, the Bose cubes (bought on eBay) provide REALLY nice surround and center sound. But NO WAY would I pay retail for those.

Additionally, the Sony receiver seems to have more inputs than others in this price range (I paid $269 from Amazon w free shipping). I wanted a turntable input and multi type inputs for my older decks and and for future super audio decks.

Perhaps one of the nicest things is with this Sony A/V receiver running 6 speakers (including the sub) is that you can hear ALL of the nuances of music even when set a low volume levels. You can still carry on conversations in the room.

better than that…
I own this little puppy, and I’m delighted with it. I’ll disagree with with DB Brown, below, by noting two things:

1) Pioneer “colors” the sound. Some folks like it; some don’t. I’m in the latter category.

2) Mr. Brown wrote exactly the same, word-for-word, review for three different Sony products (click on his “see all reviews”) so I’m lead to believe that his review of this product is based on some kind of problem he has with Sony, and not the product.

Sony Slips
The price looked right, but as others have mentioned this receiver has:

*a poor layout for inputs,

*a terrible manual,

*a difficult remote,

Sony is coasting on their name with this one.

In addition, after a period of full, normal operation the unit began to go into “Protect” mode… there was little information available (not in the manual), so I began troubleshooting, as recommended in some online forums, by removing all connections - and found that the unit still entered “Protect” mode with nothing else (components, speakers, etc.) connected… power on… protect mode. Very frustrating to have no information from Sony.

This “Protect” issue taken with the other afforementioned and unrelated design and documentation faults led me to return the unit and go in a different direction.

I spent a little more and purchased a Pioneer VSX-1015TXK; I have been much happier with the Pioneer unit. I also considered the Harman Kardon AVR 240, but this Pioneer has proved to be a winner. I recommend you stay away from Sony until they get it right.

This is a bang-for-your-buck receiver
I bought this in November ‘05 so I’ve had a bit of time to get familiar with the product. Overall this is a great receiver for someone looking for the most bang for the buck. The next higher in this series (DE998 I think) has practically the exact same features, maybe 10 watts more per channel, and so in my opinion was not worth the difference in price with this version.

Setup was annoying (but not impossible). You have to push buttons and turn the setup knob all the while reading the tiny LCD display. Several times during setup I would get to the desired setting, read more from the manual, and by the time I got back to the unit the setup mode had disappeared. Of course this awkwardness disappears as you become more familiar with the machine. On-screen programming and setup is one of the features that was not included with this machine — but remember how much you paid! The remote is very annoying with small buttons and confusing setup instructions. I have programmed it to control my DVD player, TV, cable box and VCR. Once in a while it “forgets” how to talk to the cable box for some reason, or gets confused as to which component (e.g., cable box or DVD player) it is talking to. This doesn’t happen often but it has happened two or three times.

Fortunately setup does not last forever and this is not the exercise you will be doing on the machine on a daily basis. Also, most of the time the remote correctly remembers which component it is supposed to be talking to.

That being said, the sound quality is fantastic! This machine will shake the walls with sound if you turn it up far enough. I do not normally listen to my music at this deafening of a volume most of the time but if I am in a real headbanger of a mood it can happen. When using the receiver at very high volumes it will get HOT, not just warm. Keep this in mind when you place the unit, as it has alot of vents on the top of the unit. The unit will convert composite inputs to s-video output, which was not clear from reading the manual. I bought this along with the Athena 15345 Point 5 MKII System Home Theater Speaker Package and the AudioSource PSW100 10 Inch Powered Subwoofer. This fills the livingroom with sound quite nicely. Also for those of us who still have turntables, you can hook yours up to this machine — a feature lacking in most of the other units I considered.

If I had thousands of dollars at my disposal and was looking for the absolute best receiver I would of course get something else. Although a less-than-perfect setup routine and remote, this unit produces exceptional sound for an acceptable price and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great sounding receiver at an affordable price.

Great sound for the investment!
When I first considered upgrading my 2-channel Sony stereo system to a home theater unit, I read all of the reviews on the Amazon and Crutchfield Web sites concerning the various major brands and particularly the Sony STR-DExxx series. I must admit, I was a bit concerned by some of the more negative comments concerning the Sony; however, I have always enjoyed and had good luck with the Sony stereo products that I have had in the past.

Though I have, in the past, enjoyed having equalizers on my previous 2-channel systems– I have gotten over that after purchasing the Sony STR-DE898 and experimenting with its features and functions. Adjusting the sound on a surround system having 5+ channels would be a bit more complicated because you would nedd to adjust low, mid, and high levels for each channel (not a cost-effective feature for such low and mid-priced systems for manufacturers to provide).

Besides, much of the adjusting that I make relates more to the medium that I want to view or listen to; therefore, selecting the proper Dolby / Pro Logic settings for the medium seems more important to me now. And, in that regard, the 898 makes it simple because you can let it automatically adjust to the encoding on the medium.

Other brand products have more features for the price, but in the 898 I have the features that important to me and a lower Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) than the other brands mentioned in reviews I have read. I use my 898 primarily for listening to classical and jazz CDs and viewing movie and concert DVDs– a strength of the Sony STR-DE systems, given Sony’s presence in the movie production industry.

Currently, I use the S-video connection to my tv, and have my DVD player and cable box connected to the 898. The S-video provides what I feel is excellent quality; though I will likely switch to component video once I upgrade my tv. In the past, I was not very satisfied with the sound from cable programming; now I realize what I had been missing now that I have a home theater system and the ability to enjoy multiple channels of quality sound.

I agree that the user booklet isn’t well-written, but it has been useful as a source of reference when I need it– otherwise, setting up and operating the 898 was fairly simple, especially if you have had experience with previous Sony stereo products.

I sincerely believe that if you are looking for great sound and enjoy watching movie and concert DVDs, the Sony STR-DE898 is an excellent choice as a home theater system. And, it has more than enough connections on its rear panel to attach almost any audio-visual component that interests you.