Sony STRDE575 Dolby Digital Receiver

Rating:
Summary: Hard to beat features/sound/punch at this price!
Review: Having recently switched to DVD, I had to replace my TEAC ProLogic with something else to go with my BOSE Acoustimass 6 system. The Sony STR DE 575 fit the bill. Great sound, more than enuff power to disturb the neighbors (!), pretty EZ to hook up and use. The DTS decoder performs superbly with GLADIATOR, MATRIX, JURASSIC PARK III...this unit has overall great performance and features at this price. Initial setup is a bit tricky - but hey, for the guys, what else would you wanna do but fiddle with all the controls for a while? The Sony does a great job with its ProLogic (not ProLogic II) and VHS tapes...why spend tons more when you can get all this for less [money]? Grab one soon!

Rating:
Summary: My personal BLASTER
Review: This is the one and only mother of my entertainment system. It creates harmonic rhythm's unlike any other reciever I have ever listened to, and I have heard many. Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan glisten on this baby, and are used to their fullest extent as far as DTS and 5.1 are concerned. Plus, it pack's a harder punch than the average amp you'll pick up at your local your local wally-world. (One note: Gladiator sport's a 6.1 DTS ES feature. The difference is, rather than using five speaker's, it can be upgraged by buying a 6.1 reciever, which this is not. But after listening to Gladiator, I was more than satisfied. This bad boy from Sony spreads out the action that would be in that 6th channel into the two rear surround's. I have read several magazine articles, and those reviewer's said the same thing, and were impressed.) You are literally going to have spears, arrows, and especially Hot Fireballs flying over your head. Back right to front left.

The only real complaint, and your not going to find a reciever without a catch, the menu is not very user friendly to start with. I had to play and play around with it. It's not really a big problem, just a small hindrance.

I ordered this because I already had speaker's. You will NOT, get speaker's with this order, so take that into account also. Other than that, I stand behind this system as the one that caught my eye as a possibility and then after I got it, has become the best I have seen. Sony has great product's, and this may be THE ONE for you, like it was for me.

Helpful hint: Order an optical cable to take advantage of the incredible DTS! And, if your starting out, I recommend making absolutely sure that the DVD player you are going to buy, or have bought already, has a DTS-out plug. (It will say "DTS output" in it's features.) I recommend mine: RCA RC5215 DVD-Video Player.