Sony STR-DE1075 Audio/Video Receiver with Dolby Digital and DTS

Rating:
Summary: Sony STR-DE 1075 is Good But ..
Review: The Sony STR 1075 has 6.1 and a host of other features. But, many movies and DVDs are not even in 5.1. The receiver has excellent connectivity options, and automated detection of type of signal. The electronics are sound. For a sophisticated electronic device, I find the user manual very weak. It barely covers the basics, and is not well written. Also, Sony has the idea that crowding the remote with buttons is good. It's not. Many of the buttons are set-up related and should be under a flip-top, not comingled with all the "every day" buttons.

Rating:
Summary: A fine Dolby Digital Receiver
Review: The STR-DE1075 is an excellent receiver. It packs a considerable punch for the money. One glance at the connection panel at the rear will confirm that you can pretty much hook up anything with it.

Setting up is easy, particularly if you have it hooked up to a monitor or TV, because the on-screen display is very good. Setup can be done via the clearly laid-out front panel, or from the absolutely dreadful remote control. You can specify the size of each speaker, the distance from the listener and other parameters.

The system is designed around a 6.1 Dolby Digital processor. This means that it can handle the rear surround effects channel that has begun to be added to movies recently. A variety of DSP options are available for those people who have awkward speaker placement or for those who just like to fiddle around.

I have just two complaints about the unit. The user guide .... It helps you setup the system but little else. When I spend hundreds of dollars on something, I expect a clear and comprehensive user guide. Many of the receivers facilities are practically ignored and there is no mention whatsoever of the remote control - my other complaint. It is overcomplicated and unattractive.

I must disagree on one point with one of the other reviewers. It is much better, I feel, to use the remote control to go through the setup routine. This allows you to sit in the listening position while you setup the speakers.

As far as sound quality is concerned, I doubt you will find a finer system in this price range. It has more than enough power to cope with most home-based setups and in two-channel mode, it sounds as good as most sub $500 amplifiers.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A fine Dolby Digital Receiver
Review: The STR-DE1075 is an excellent receiver. It packs a considerable punch for the money. One glance at the connection panel at the rear will confirm that you can pretty much hook up anything with it.

Setting up is easy, particularly if you have it hooked up to a monitor or TV, because the on-screen display is very good. Setup can be done via the clearly laid-out front panel, or from the absolutely dreadful remote control. You can specify the size of each speaker, the distance from the listener and other parameters.

The system is designed around a 6.1 Dolby Digital processor. This means that it can handle the rear surround effects channel that has begun to be added to movies recently. A variety of DSP options are available for those people who have awkward speaker placement or for those who just like to fiddle around.

I have just two complaints about the unit. The user guide .... It helps you setup the system but little else. When I spend hundreds of dollars on something, I expect a clear and comprehensive user guide. Many of the receivers facilities are practically ignored and there is no mention whatsoever of the remote control - my other complaint. It is overcomplicated and unattractive.

I must disagree on one point with one of the other reviewers. It is much better, I feel, to use the remote control to go through the setup routine. This allows you to sit in the listening position while you setup the speakers.

As far as sound quality is concerned, I doubt you will find a finer system in this price range. It has more than enough power to cope with most home-based setups and in two-channel mode, it sounds as good as most sub $500 amplifiers.

Highly recommended.