Sony STRDH100 A/V Receiver (AM, FM)

223 Reviews

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	Price: $149.00
	Price: $98.00
	Price: $118.00
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Pros: Sony brand quality, inexpensive, good basic receiver
Cons: lack of range in sounds, lack of personality in design

While this is definitely considered a budget or entry-level audio receiver, these days that's not necessarily a bad thing. The price is low, but it has a good feature set and quality that should be more than good enough for most people, especially if they don't have a need to hook it up to video sources. At 100W per channel, the power is just about right for many - loud enough to sound good but not so loud that the authorities are called. Audio snobs may not be impressed by the sound quality, but for most it should sound good. If you're looking for a good audio receiver for a second room - like a bedroom or guest room - this is a good, inexpensive choice for audio. No video inputs or outputs could make it a problem for some. Also, there are no inputs on the front of the unit, which is a pain for some. Audio purists with a discerning ear may be underwhelmed by the lack of range of sounds. As for design, it lacks personality or a sense of unique style. There are, however, more positives. For one, a digital media port makes it easy to hook up MP3 players and other equipment for broadcast on home theater system. Also, this is an extremely low price for Sony brand quality. While dedicated to audio only, it performs a little better than similarly priced units that also do video.

Teac AG-790A A/V Receiver (FM, AM)

89 Reviews

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	Price: $146.66
Sonic Electronix	Price: $149.99
World Wide Stereo	Price: $129.17
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Pros: low price, line in for turntable
Cons: weak radio reception, trouble with bass and mid tones for some music, possible hiss

The low price and good quality are the main reasons we like this stereo receiver so much. It is, however, what is known as a budget receiver. That phrase doesn't mean that it's cheap. In fact, the quality - sound and construction - of this audio video receiver rivals that of some in slightly higher price ranges. That said, if you're on a budget but want a stereo receiver that sounds good, this is recommended. It is not going to have all the bells and whistles of some of the more expensive models, but those looking for a basic receiver will be more than satisfied with this one. Music buffs with a large vinyl collection will love the fact that there is an input for a turntable. There may be a slight hiss sometimes apparent, depending on your set-up and what you're listening to through the receiver. Radio receiver may be a bit weak, only picking up stronger local stations. Possible lack of punch with bass and some mid tones is another negative. That said, the low price is one of the main positives about this audio video receiver from Teac. Great audio quality and very easy set-up are also positives. While this may only be pertinent to older music buffs, there is an input for a turntable, which is rare on any A/V receiver these days, let alone those in the budget range. This is one of the reason that makes this such a great deal.

Sony STR-DH520 3D A/V Receiver (7.1 Channels, 100 W/Channel, 0.09% THD)

76 Reviews

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	Price: $228.00
	Price: $229.99
	Price: $248.00
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Pros: Moderately-priced, 3D pass through, Solid audio performance
Cons: No upscaling of video, No USB port

For its decent price point, the Sony STR-DH520 HD Audio Receiver is a solid entry-level option in the field of audio equipment. It offers a little less in the way of features than the bigger STR-DH720, but not too much as to turn it into an inferior model. Think of it rather as a reasonable, budget-friendly choice, especially if you are setting up your home theater system for the first time. The DH520 supports up to seven speakers in surround-sound configuration with a total output of 100 watts per channel. It has some of the amenities afforded by its HDMI 1.4 certification like Auto-Relay Channel Support or two-way transmission of data between connected devices using a single HDMI cable. This makes for less cables cluttering up your setup. Also, a handy pass-through mode allows data passively through the receiver as long as it is in standby mode thus, eliminating the need to constantly plug or unplug wires which may cause them to break. Alongside those, it has 3D pass-through capability, probably the most important feature that this receiver can have. Similar to the H720, the DH520 features the HD Digital Cinema Sound function for higher dynamics in your audio. It also supports lossless audio codecs like Dolby TrueHD and can sync seamlessly with Sony Bravia televisions. However, as we said in the introduction, the Sony STR-DH520 does not offer all of the advanced features that the DH720 has, like upsampling lower-resolution video to higher ones. It also does not support playback of media on mobile devices as it does not have a USB port.

Sony STR-DH820 Receiver (7.1 Channels, 110 W/Channel, 0.09% THD, Supports 15 Devices)

71 Reviews

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	Price: $399.99
	Price: $428.00
Vanns.com	Price: $429.99
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Pros: Rock solid build quality, Excellent graphical user interface, 3D-compatible, iPod/iPhone dock
Cons: High price, Few connections

Enjoy high-end sound with Sony's STR-DH820. It supports Dolby trueHD, ProLogic IIz, DTS HD master audio and LPCM technologies for optimized sound and packs a host of new features and modern conveniences. It is capable of playing 3D content and has a dock for charging, watching videos and listening music from your iPhone or iPod. With its seven HD inputs, you can easily connect compatible devices. You can watch movies at their native frame rate of up to 24 frames per second and experience true high definition entertainment. The on-screen graphical user interface ensures easy set-up while its support for BRAVIA Sync and BRAVIA Widget Control allow you to have a clutter-free desk and take advantage of simple operation. In terms of build quality, it is rock-solid. The unified design complements modern home decor and the knobs permit easy adjustments. The price of this receiver may be considered higher than other models. Connectivity options are also somewhat fewer but its overall quality blows away standard receivers. Aside from the ability to upconvert standard movies to their nearest HD quality, it is also equipped with a great number of features including Dual Subwoofer Preouts, 2nd Zone pre-outs, Assignable digital audio and video inputs, IR In/Out, HD Digital Cinema Sound, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration, Sound Optimizer for full-range audio, Digital Legato Linear for improved sound quality and Audio Return Channel which allows you to send audio to your TV using only one cable. Bottomline, it is true that there are lower-priced receivers with more features than the Sony STR-DH820 but you'll be hard-pressed to find one with the same versatility and quality.

Yamaha RX-V671BL AV Receiver - Black

45 Reviews

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	Price: $549.95
	Price: $499.95
	Price: $499.95
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Pros: Good list of features, Easy installation, Nice design, Good audio quality
Cons: Limited web interface, High price

If you want high quality sound from a receiver that is easy to set-up and use then the Yamaha RX-V671BL might be the one you're looking for. The unit's sleek black exterior is one of the nicest we've ever seen. Practical and easy to use, the remote control is also well designed - both aesthetically and when it comes to functionality. Network connections allow you to stream content from Pandora and other online music sources like Rhapsody and Sirius Internet Radio. This is a great feature to have, especially for music lovers. Furthermore, a high resolution display and intuitive buttons make operation as easy as possible. You won't have to fiddle with the menus because there are also four scene buttons that permit instant access to four basic functions (Radio or Disc Listening and DVD or TV Viewing) with just one press of a button. This A/V Receiver has a USB port located in the front for connecting your iPod or iPhone. By downloading the iPhone AV Controller App, you can even use your Apple devices as a remote control. It enables you to turn your unit on/off, adjust the volume and get hold of the mute function and other commands. An optional Universal Dock and a Wireless Dock system are also available for purchase in case you need one. All in all, the Yamaha RX-V671BL is a very modern system. The price may be a bit high for some people, but if you demand great sound quality and a high quality system that will last for the next five to ten years, the Yamaha brand is well known for their A/V receivers. The on-screen display is one of the reasons why it remains easy to set-up even though it connects to many different systems in your home. From your computer network to your HD television, this receiver brings everything together and makes it sound great at the same time. With network updates and other high-tech features, you can really get the most out of this product.

Yamaha RX-V371 3D A/V Receiver (5.1 Channels, 100 W/Channel, 0.9% THD)

37 Reviews

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	Price: $229.95
	Price: $229.95
	Price: $229.95
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Pros: Powerful surround sound, 3D and 1080p-compatible, Solid feature set, Easy to operate
Cons: No video upconversion feature

The Yamaha RX-V371 delivers a true home theater experience. It is compatible with 1080p and integrated with Yamaha’s patented CINEMA DSP technology, DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD for cinematic 5-channel surround sound. It also supports 24 Hz Refresh Rate and 3D technology through HDMI connection and features a Compressed Music Enhancer that brings your compressed music like mp3s back to life. With Audio Return Channel, you won't need additional cables because you can use one cable for both video and audio transfer. This A/V Receiver provides an environmentally friendly approach. It has an Auto Power Down feature that lets you choose between 4, 8 or 12 hours and a Standby mode which only consumes 0.5W of power. Another highlight is its Audio Delay feature which can be useful for adjusting Lip-Sync from 0-240 ms. Music lovers would love the fact that this particular model has a mini jack input on its front panel for hooking up portable mp3 and audio players. You can even purchase an optional YBA-10 Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver that allows you to play music from your Bluetooth enabled devices like computers and mobile phones and an optional Yamaha Universal iPod/ iPhone Dock which enables you to connect your iPod or iPhone, enjoy your playlists and conveniently charge your device. Through Silent Cinema Technology, you can experience surround sound even without surround speakers. Aesthetically-speaking and construction-wise, its clean and minimalist design makes it one of the most sleek-looking and easy to use A/V receivers we've come across. It makes operation a snap to do with the inclusion of a remote that enables you to easily control your unit across the room and four SCENE buttons that permit quick access to frequently used equipment and functions such as TV, Radio, BD/DVD and CD. Other features include Auto preset tuning, 40-station preset tuning, 9 selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies and Background Video Feature. Even with its inability to upconvert standard videos to their highest quality, the Yamaha RX-V371 still proves to be a solid choice for both price and functionality.

Sony STR-DH720 Receiver (7.1 Channels, 105 W/Channel, 0.09% THD)

35 Reviews

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	Price: $299.99
	Price: $299.99
	Price: $298.00
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Pros: 7.1 Channel Receiver with HD Audio mode, Support for 3D-enabled equipment, Plays media from mobile devices
Cons: Does not come with speakers

When setting up a home theater system for your living room, getting a high-definition TV is only going halfway, as today's Blu-ray discs carry not only HD video but audio as well. This makes an HD Audio receiver like the Sony STR-DH720 an indispensable part of a complete home theater setup. Paired with a proper set of separate speakers, this unit provides clarity in your audio that is important in order to maximize your movie-viewing experience. This 7.1 channel receiver pumps out 105 watts of pure sonic power in a surround-sound configuration that clearly defines and powers the audio on your media. Based on Sony's extensive sound engineering experience, the HD Digital Sound Mode of the receiver is great for movies with its ability to recreate cinema acoustics to immerse you into the total home-theater experience. Six HDMI inputs give more space for all of your devices, with four of those having support for 3D-enabled devices like media players or gaming consoles. It even has component inputs for legacy devices. Its USB port can play media from mobile devices like iPod or even iPhone, with the added convenience of charging your device on the fly. This receiver can decode advanced audio codecs like Dolby trueHD, ProLogic Hz and DTS-master audio to hear how the sound of your movie was actually engineered to sound. It is fully designed to sync with Sony's own Bravia line of home entertainment products like HDTVs and home theater sound systems. An impressive function that the Sony STR-DH720 AV HD Audio Receiver has is its ability to upsample video even from analog sources connected to it and encode them into a 1080i digital signal for your compatible TV. This process also improves on the general image quality of the video. However, there were some reports that using the DH720 to upsample video signals, especially with lower-resolution devices, causes latency that may shift the audio out of sync with the video signal.