The STRDB790 will appeal to those who rate audio performance highly in a top-end AV receiver. The STRDB790 is built to Sony’s refined QS Series standard. Behind the stylish aluminium front panel lies an abundance of high quality, noise-reducing components and engineering features, such as rigid chassis, computer-optimised short signal paths, SF heat sinks, slanted PC boards to reduce standing waves, and high powered MOSFET output transistors. The STRDB790 supports the Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS-ES surround sound formats, and features a powerful 100W x 6 output to deliver the home cinema audio experience to full effect. Component video switching is included for switching today’s high resolution video sources such as HD Digital TV and DVD. To... Read More
The STRDB790 will appeal to those who rate audio performance highly in a top-end AV receiver. The STRDB790 is built to Sony’s refined QS Series standard. Behind the stylish aluminium front panel lies an abundance of high quality, noise-reducing components and engineering features, such as rigid chassis, computer-optimised short signal paths, SF heat sinks, slanted PC boards to reduce standing waves, and high powered MOSFET output transistors. The STRDB790 supports the Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS-ES surround sound formats, and features a powerful 100W x 6 output to deliver the home cinema audio experience to full effect. Component video switching is included for switching today’s high resolution video sources such as HD Digital TV and DVD. To enhance audio versatility a second pair of speakers (B) can be connected.
Features:
Dolby Pro Logic II Decoding
Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES Decoders Built-In
DTS NEO:6
DTS 96/24
6 Channel Digital Signal Processing with 9 Acoustic Environments
32-Bit DSP (Digital Signal Processing)
Sony's Exclusive Digital Cinema Sound™ System (6 Modes)
Pre-Programmed Remote Control for Controlling Other Sony Components
Electronic Bass and Treble Controls
Balance Control
Headphone Jack
30 AM / FM Station Presets
Station & Input Naming
Speakers A ,B A+B switching
Subwoofer Output
Speaker binding posts all channels
5 x Analogue Inputs + 5.1 channel input
Phono stage
Front AV & Optical Input
Component Video switching
Composite Video switching
3 x Optical Digital Inputs / 1 x Coaxial Digital Input
Pros:
Great as an entry level system. Loads of connectivity.
Cons:
Not so god at low volumes or for music. Not a true 6.1 system. Sony are now pushing towards their digital amps.
Overall:
According to the people at the Sony Centre the STRDB790 (and more specifically the STRDB790S (silver) and the STRDB790B (back)) have been out since December 2003. It is an entry lever receiver and is the replacement model for the STRDB780. I paid £219.85 (pounds sterling) for the STRDB790S from Empire Direct.
This is classified as a receiver as it contains an FM/AM receiver amp and preamp in one, but I’ll refer to it as an amplifier. This is a 6.1 amplifier, although I was told its not a true 6.1 amp as it mixes the back to channels to create an additional channel and if you want a ‘true’ 6.1 system you need the next model up. I am not sure how true this is. The other issue being is that Sony are not pushing towards digital amps (using their S-Master Pro technology) so this amp will become outdated.
The first problem you will encounter when you buy this receiver, is the lack of 6.1 speaker packages. Sony do not sell any and they sell very few of their speakers individually. Your only option (if you want matching Sony speakers) is to buy an additional centre speaker as a spare form their spares hotline (which, Sony will admit, is expensive). In Sony’s defence, to my knowledge, no manufactures currently sell 6.1 speaker packages.
This review is based on the performance of the receiver with a 5.1 set-up with the Sony SA-VE545 speakers and using Monster XP cables to the speakers and digital optical cables from my digi-box and DVD/CD player. I am also using the receiver to switch my DVD and TV pictures to my TV using component video (RGB) cables from the back of the digi-box and DVD player into the amp and then component to Scart cable to my TV. So as you can see I have optimised the set-up of the amp.
If you are reading this and you work for Sony then I do have 2 complaints: firstly, there are not enough characters on the menu, which results in all the menu items being abbreviated to obscurity - who knows what "D.PWR OFF" or "PWR.S OFF” is? My second complaint is that there is no support for DAB Digital Radio as a replacement for FM, which will inevitably happen soon, even if the receiver didn’t include a DAB receiver they (Sony) could have at least thought about the issue. Sony, in my opinion have concentrated on making an FM receiver with all the bells and whistles which will fade out soon to be replaced with DAB.
The system offers Dolby Pro Logic II to mixes up stereo sources to 5.1, it doesn’t offer offers Dolby Pro Logic IIx which mixes up to 6.1 even though this is a 6.1 amp. It also has neo which will mix up to 6.1 from stereo and supports DTS and super-audio sources. The cool thing is that if you connect up your DVD player using digital optical and set “AFD AUTO” it will tell you what source (DTS or Dolby digital and the number of channels) your listening to and select the appropriate selection.
I am using this amp as a replacement for my hi-fi, so I listen to a lot of music and radio on it. I am not an expert but I don’t feel that this system works too well at low volumes and with music, but I suppose it is a home-theatre system after all, and the sound quality for music isn’t that bad.
This receiver looks better in silver than its black counterpart (the STRDB790B) which looks a little old-fashioned. And it a great value system, which offers loads of connectivity (component video sockets, s-video sockets and digital optical inputs) , and is great as an entry-level system.
Reviewer:
Guest
June 21st, 2004
Pros:
design, features price
Cons:
none yet
Overall:
hi, i have just ordered one of these. But i would like to clear something up. someone mentioned that this isnt a true 6.1 av receiver. I email sony and this is what they replied back with
Thank you for your recent enquiry.
I am pleased to confirm that the STR-DB790 is a full 6.1 home theatre
receiver with a dedicated connection for the Surround back speaker.
I hope this helps with your enquiry.
With regards
Philip Hammond
For and on behalf of
Sony United Kingdom Limited
so there you go. a great true 6.1 receiver for less than £250!!!
Reviewer:
Guest
August 3rd, 2005
Pros:
Looks good.
Cons:
Price. It is absoloute rubish for the price i paid for it. The amplification is no good. Not high enough volumes There is not enough inpute either for my needs! the display is to bright (should be fixed) The remote is EXTREAMLY hard to use.
Overall:
Not user friendly. Major letdown for sony. Steer away if you want a good product.
General disclaimer: All trademarks, images and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies.
This is a public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of productreview.com.au.
Further details in the site disclaimer.
