Flexible Inputs Galore, TrueHD Decoding, and a Good Price
Written: Nov 26 '08 (Updated Sep 07 '09)
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Pros: Many inputs, 7.1 surround, TrueHD and DTS-MA decoding, and the $300 price tag
Cons: Does not upconvert SD video sources to HDMI. Menu system can be frustrating.
The Bottom Line: A lot of features for the money, and thankfully, sound quality wasn't sacraficed.
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| nad_masters's Full Review: Sony STR-DG820 7.1 Channels Receiver |
After winning a raffle that allowed me to pick anything from CDW's site at work (under $350), I decided to upgrade the entry-level Sony STR-DG510 receiver I purchased less than a year ago. I gave the old one to my 'rents, bought some Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 satallites from the parts bin of Klipsch's own site for cheap (about $20 for each speaker!), and gave them an introduction to 5.1 surround sound.
With my current Klipsch Quintet IIs and Sub 10 in tow, I figure the best receiver in the price range at CDW was the Sony STR-DG820. Yep... that should do those speakers better justice than the DG510. The DG820 is the 2008 entry-level line of receivers from Sony. Of the "entry" level line, the DG820 is the middle of the line (there's the DG520, DG820, and the DG920).
I felt that the jump from the DG510 was pretty significant in terms of ease of use and flexibility. Sound quality was never an issue with the DG510, but the DG820 does improve on a few fronts
Sony STR-DG820
Still considered "entry level", it's an excellent value for a 7.1 receiver that can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD, which is the highest of the high for multichannel digital audio, since they are uncompressed (lossless). Unlike the DG510, the HDMI ports are not simply a pass-through port to the TV.
Unfortunately, there is no upconversion from composite or component video in to HDMI. All videos will be outputed with respect to the input. This mean if you use component video for Video 1, you need to output Video 1 from the receiver to your TV using the component outputs. This also means that a single HDMI cable to your TV or projector is not feasible.
For this function, you will need to upgrade to the DG920. Depending on what you're looking for, the DG820 may be perfect for you at the $300 price ($400 MSRP). For $100 more, the DG920 gives you this upconverting feature (one HDMI output does every inputs, no matter what type), as well as on-screen menus for easier set ups.
Inputs/Outputs
Setting up the STR-DG820 is as simple as most other receivers out there. It's actually a bit easier to work with than the DG510. For example, it is very flexible in the way it allows you to reassign audio inputs to a video input. For example, if you use Video 1 as your input, the only other digital audio input available to you is HDMI or optical link. If your device can only output digital audio using a coaxial cable, you can assign the only digital coaxial input (for DVD in) so it pairs up to Video 1. Neat, huh?
That said, you get a myriad of connections that seem like a lot, but are actually shared. For example, you get 4 HDMI inputs, which are designated SAT, DVD, BD, and Video 1. SAT, DVD, and Video 1 also shares a component video input as well as a composite one. This means if you have a a DVD player hooked up via HDMI to DVD in, you cannot use the component or composite inputs labeled for DVD in.
Aside from the 4 HDMI inputs, you also get 3 component video, 4 composite video (front video input included), and 2 dedicated audio-only inputs (TV and SA-CD/CD-R).
There are also inputs that are paired with outputs, such as SA-CD/CD-R and Video 1. They are perfect for devices that can also record such as VCRs and cassette decks.
All in all, there are inputs for SAT, DVD, BD, Video 1, Video 2 (front), TV, and SA-CD/CD-R.
For SAT, you get a choice of HDMI, component, or composite for video. Other than HDMI, for audio duties, you have a choice of optical or analog RCA stereo.
For DVD, you get a choice of HDMI, component, or composite for video. Other than HDMI, for audio duties, you have a choice of coaxial or analog RCA stereo.
For BD, you don't get a choice at all. You're only allowed HDMI as the input for both video and audio. However, you can reassign the audio to another audio input.
For Video 1, you get a choice of HDMI, component, or composite for video. Other than HDMI, for audio duties, you have a choice of optical or analog RCA stereo. Video 1 also have a composite video and analog RCA audio outs as well. The Video 1 input is perfect for those who still have a VHS recorder or a DVD video recorder.
Video 2 is located on the front, and is only available with a composite video and analog RCA stereo inputs. It's perfect for portable devices, or even for connect a game console temporarily (say your friend comes by with his Nintendo Wii).
TV and SA-CD/CD-R are the only audio-only inputs. TV can use either an optical or analog RCA stereo jack, while SA-CD/CD-R can only be had with analog stereo RCA jacks. The SA-CD/CD-R also comes with output RCA jacks as well. It's well suited for audio CD-R or an old fashioned tape deck.
Also, two other specialized inputs are available. DMPORT and XM requires you to purchase Sony-specific accessories to use. DMPORT is billed as a universal way to input video and audio from gadgets. A good example would be an iPod dock, which Sony sells for $99 MSRP. The XM input is a special connector as well, which is for Sony's XM receiver - also sold separately.
For speakers, all 7 speaker outputs are binding posts for banana clips, unlike the DG510. You can also twist them for bare wire installs. FRONT A is the main front speakers, while FRONT B is only for a stereo set. Unfortunately, the output for FRONT B comes only in the spring-loaded release tab type. No banana plug love here.
Usability
There's a couple more knobs compared to the DG510, but they make sense. For example, I complained that the DG510 lacks a knob for radio tuning. Instead, Sony made us hit small buttons to tune the radio. The DG820 now have a proper tuning knob to quickly change stations.
Remember me complaining about the DG510's lack of a dedicated tone adjustment knob or buttons? You'd have to dig inside of the menu system (using the small LCD display) to adjust this simple setting. On the DG820, you get (you guessed it!) a dedicated knob to adjust for tone! A single button toggles for bass or treble, while the knob adjust for either.
Of course, there is the simple input knob to select the input device, as well as a large master volume knob.
Several sound modes are available, which alls for direct streaming (no processing) of audio, as well as several processing methods to make your movie or music sound like they are in a concert or jazz hall. There are many settings - too much in fact, that I rather not play around with it. I never found any "colored" or processed sound to sound better than direct streaming (unmolested) audio. If the sound needs a bit of help, I find adjusting the bass and treble to help more than coloring it with preset EQs.
There is also a dedicated EQ to play with, but unlike receivers of old, you have to go deep into the menu system to play around with this.
A favorite feature of mine is the auto-cal, which allows the receiver to self-calibrate. A special microphone is included in the box, which connects to a front jack. You go into the menu and select Auto-Cal, and the DG820 generates a few tones and noises from all speakers (including the sub) to adjust phase, delay, levels, and crossover settings. All of whcih can be set manually, if you dare to venture deep into the menu system.
I keep mentioning the menu system, and you may be wonder what I mean. Well, like the DG510, all settings are still set inside a complicated menu structure. Everything is displayed on the small LCD display on the receiver. If Sony would give us PS3-like menu (like on the DG920) on the TV, it would make things easier. Unfortunately, Sony wants another $100 for that, so DG820 owners would have to deal.
The remote included with the DG820 seem much better designed than the DG510. I complained that the DG510's volume buttons are in a weird spot (to the right). Now, the volume is on the left, so your thumb can reach it (if you're a rightie). The right side now adorns a channel up/down button, which makes more sense.
Sound Quality
For the price, the DG820 has a pretty good set of features. So I had to wonder if Sony cut the corner where it count most. Thankfully, no. The sound with the team of Klipsch Quintents and Sub-10 speakers sound just as good, if not a bit better than the DG510. The speakers did most of the job, of course, but as you may have heard - GIGO (garbage in, garbage out).
The STR-DG820 gets loud enough that I wasn't tempted to go any higher. If I dared to, I was afraid of injuring myself. There are no distortion even at the maximum I was willing to go (which is on about the 50 mark). As always, the Klipsch Quintets did an admirable job with the mids and highs, while the Sub-10 gave subtle and accurate bass, so you know the audio signal from the DG820 is very good.
I must say that the Sony STR DG-820 is a better match for the Klipsch Quintents than the DG510.
The Upshot
Unlike the DG510, the Sony STR-DG820 have less compromises to reach it's price bracket. The only features I would want is upcoversion from composite and component inputs to HDMI so I wouldn't have to have different inputs to the TV. The other feature I would like is for Sony to throw the menu system up on the TV screen. After all, if your receiver is connected to a huge display, why use the cramped and limited built-in LED display?
Still, I got it for free, so I can't complain. Even if I had to pay for it, the $300 that most places are asking for makes it a worthy contender (CDW, Amazon, Buy.com).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
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nad_masters
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Location: Chicago, IL, USA
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