Great Receiver for the Money
Written: Aug 23 '01
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Pros: Lots of features, lots of inputs/outputs, cool remote, decent power, good sound.
Cons: Operation is a bit complex at first, remote a bit slow.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a very good mid-range receiver, you won't be disappointed with this one.
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| nsheldon's Full Review: Sony STR-DE945 5.1 Channels Receiver |
The Sony STR-DE945 is one of the better mid-range receivers I found when looking for a good receiver to start my home theater. I didn't need audiophile quality (nor could I afford it), but I wanted a receiver that could handle the varied sound and video inputs that I knew I was going to have and still sound good. After about a month of research, learning about the latest features and standards available, I settled on the STR-DE945 along with the Acoustic Research HC2 home theater speakers (a good combination by the way).
INFO YOU WON'T FIND (EASILY) ON THE 'NET.
As most people reading this probably know already, when you buy something technical, especially from the Internet, there's usually going to be some sort of surprises when you actually start using the item you've purchased. This may be good, or it may be bad. Either way, though, it would be nice to know about some of these things before the money was spent on it. The STR-DE945 had a few surprises of its own, some good and some bad. Though you can probably find a complete list of specs and features for the STR-DE945 somewhere on the net, the beauty is in the details.
As an example: The STR-DE945 has digital audio inputs (3 SPDIF, or otherwise known as Toslink optical inputs, and 1 coaxial, RCA-type, digital input). You may know already that the STR-DE945 can handle multiple sampling frequencies (32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2, and 96 kHz), but you probably didn't know that it can handle those sampling frequencies in 2-channel PCM format, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 5.1-channel Dolby Digital, and 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 5.1-channel dts. You also probably don't know that it can only handle a sampling frequency of 96 kHz in the DVD/LD optical and coaxial inputs (at least according to the manual, in one of the small notes at the bottom of the page describing digital multi-channel connections). Another thing I'm sure you didn't know is that if you are inputting sampling frequencies above 48 kHz, none of the DSP functions will operate (which includes the Cinema sound fields, equalizer, bass boost, and auto-bass re-routing which automatically sends all bass frequencies from any of the 5 channels to the subwoofer if the speaker size for those speakers is set to "small"). I've tried this myself by inputting an 88.2 kHz sampling rate (via DVD/LD optical input using the CD re-mastering feature of the Panasonic DVD-RP91) into the DE945 and, sure enough, no bass from the subwoofer, no EQ, no bass boost. This isn't too much of a problem if you never input digital signals above 48 kHz, or if you have full-size speakers in your sound setup that don't need a subwoofer to sound good. This isn't much of a problem for me as I simply do not encounter sampling frequencies above 48 kHz in normal operation.
Here's another thing your favorite search engine won't tell you about the STR-DE945. If you plan on jumping on the DVD-Audio bandwagon (like I did), you'd better have 5.1 channel analog audio outputs on your DVD-Audio player, because the STR-DE945's digital inputs only recognize 2-channel PCM audio input, not any more channels than that. DVD-Audio can use 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 channel (5.1 channel) PCM or lossless-compressed audio formats at 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz, and 192 kHz with 2-channel PCM (or compressed) audio. Now, since the DE945 will only accept 2-channel PCM or multi-channel Dolby Digital/dts bitstreams (which are compressed, not PCM audio), and at a maximum of 96 kHz, you'll need to hook up your DVD-Audio player's 5.1-channel analog outputs to the DE945's 5.1-channel inputs. This shouldn't degrade the sound significantly asuming your DVD-Audio player has decent D/A converters (I don't know of any that have bad ones). You'll want full-size speakers all around to get the best sound out of DVD-Audio since the DE945's DSP does not interact with the 5.1 inputs at all, and thus will not re-route bass to your subwoofer.
THIS RECEIVER ROCKS!
Now this is what you've all been wanting to hear. How does the STR-DE945 sound though? I'm no audiophile (thought I probably know enough about this stuff to qualify, at least at an apprentice level), but I must say that this receiver is plenty powerful enough to rock a moderate-size room. The frequency response seems to be decent. There are no audible distortions in the sound at high volume (or at low volumes) through either the Acoustic Research speakers or through my Senheiser E2600 headphones.
The number of features in the STR-DE945 is so great that it seems Sony could not find appropriate access points for all of them, and thus "hid" them under multiple button presses, either on the remote or on the front panel. Setup is easier if you have a TV connected to the Monitor output on the rear of the receiver since it outputs a VCR-like display for setting up and selecting features.
Yes, I know everyone complains about the speed of the remote control. I can see why, but I don't feel it's a good reason to not consider the receiver. Besides, it's a cool remote that does just about everything. The slowdown happens when you press a button after the remote has been idle for about 15 seconds. It sends out the signal of the button you just pressed, but then tries to establish the current condition of the receiver. This takes about 1 second if it is able to communicate with the receiver. However, if you're not pointing the remote toward the receiver, the remote will continue to try to communicate with the unreachable receiver for about 4 seconds, during which you cannot press any other buttons. This small drawback is no reason to disregard the merits of the receiver (or even of the remote which can control everything, even the kitchen sink if your kitchen sink is infrared remote controlled). The remote has 2 user-assignable function modes (for say an additional, unconnected CD player), can control 2 different receivers at a time, has 2 user-programmable macros, and has a cool back-light LCD display. I would like more buttons on the remote. Yea, that could make it more confusing, but I don't like having to flip out the cover to access the number buttons.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR.
In my experience with the STR-DE945 I've noticed about 3 note-worthy issues, though none of them is a major issue. First, it becomes very hot, especially when turned up loud for a long time. So hot to the touch (on the top, not on the front panel) that you can't keep your hand there without fear of burning yourself. This may be due to incorrect impeadence markings on the Acoustic Research speakers I have connected (they indicate "8-ohm compatable" but they may actually be less which would explain the heat). Second, the little LED behind my MUTE button has a short in it. This developed probably a month or so after using it. This could be a result of the high heat the unit generates, or it could be unrelated (perhaps someone accidentally pushed the button too hard while I wasn't around). In any case, I have found that by putting a bit of pressure on the front panel (or the sides of the unit) the short goes away, for a while anyway. I don't plan on taking it in just for this issue, as I know Sony will take months to fix it. This is probably a problem unique to my situation and not likely something everyone will see. Third, the remote slowness thing.
All in all, this is one of the best receiver deals around. you're not likely to be disappointed, especially now that you know what to expect.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 360.00
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Epinions.com ID:
nsheldon
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Location: Fresno, CA, USA
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
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