You Don't Get What You Don't Pay For
Written: Jan 22 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: good FM tuning with direct frequency entry
Cons: loud hissing sound in the speaker output stage
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| the_plumber's Full Review: Sony STR-DE135 2 Channels Receiver |
Recently I decided to upgrade my office music system to be able to
listen to FM broadcasts in addition to CD's. A survey of local
consumer electronics vendors yielded only 3 possibilities for a basic
2-channel stereo receiver. Based on brief listening to the unit within
the store and an assessment of the relative build quality of the units
I purchased a STR-DE135 and took it to my office.
The packaging of the unit was well done, and the build quality was
fine for such an inexpensive unit. After setup, I programmed in a
collection of stations and left for the day. The FM selectivity and
sensitivity was good.
Upon returning the next morning, I settled in to work and soon
wondered where this odd soft, hissing sound was coming from. I
turned the volume of the receiver down and chased the still-present
sound to the speakers. After checking the connections for the unit
and turning off all other electronic devices in the vicinity, I
determined that the noise was coming from a late output stage of the
receiver (it was not present in the headphone output). The volume
of this "noise floor" was independent of the volume control and was
louder than the fan in my standard office PC.
This is completely unacceptable behavior in an audio product and
it resulted in my returning the item that day for a refund. I suspect
that in getting the price for a 100Wx2 receiver down so far, with a
remote control, etc., that there are simply not enough dollars to
purchase and assemble a quality product. Unfortunately, as far as
I can tell Sony does not offer any other 2 channel receivers in
their product line. This is a case where, to me at least, a ~$150
product had a _negative_ value. If Sony had just built a stereo
receiver at a more reasonable price point and with more realistic
power levels (say 30Wx2) (e.g., $200-300) it would probably have some
actual value to me as a consumer.
Given that the other two units were even less expensive than the
STR-DE135 and appeared to have been more poorly made, I would have
to recommend extreme caution to anyone seeking to buy a simple
stereo receiver. Moving to a less well known brand and up in price
point, or simply purchasing and/or refurbishing an older unit is
likely to be a better course of action.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
the_plumber
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Reviews written: 1
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