New Sony HD AV receivers - the definitive guide!

[Clare Newsome]

Right, the test team has just had two full hours of technical product briefing from Sony on the receivers - our scribes are now working on a huge story for tomorrow summarising all the tech-specs, pricing and availability information that neither Sony's website nor retailers seem to be able to agree on!

But for now, here's a brief overview....

Two entry-level receivers:

STR-DG520 - £180 - basic spec (no HD Audio). Due in shops end of July.

STR-DG820 - £300 - does HD Audio decoding, but no video upscaling. Review unit here in the building! Due in shops end of July

Three full-spec HD receivers:

STR-DA2400ES - £500 - review unit due end of July. In shops August

STR-DA3400ES - £700. In shops August

STR-DA5400ES - around £1500. In shops August.

We'll bring you more tomorrow!

 

[Clare Newsome]

And here is part one, covering the DG models in detail....

 

[Andy Clough]

Yup, and we're just waiting for confirmation of the technical specs of the new ES series models which we'll post on the site as soon as we get them.

 

[Anonymous]

does the £300 pound model have pre-outs?

 

[Anonymous]

One last thing. Sony dropped off another piece of kit that we're sure you'll
be interested in. But can you guess what it is? We'll be divulging top-secret
information on this product on August 1st.

Hope it's the HT-IS100

 

[Andrew Everard]

I think I can confirm that it isn't.

 

[Anonymous]

Damn! 🙂
But hopefully you will be reviewing it soon ?

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Clare- have I missed something or are we still waiting for part two-the cream.

 

[Andy Grange]

Ravey Gravey Davy:Clare- have I missed something or are we still waiting for part two-the cream.

If you click on the link Clare provided at the top the update is on there now. Or alternatively, here:

UPDATE - Well, we've been going through the specifications of Sony's new ES receivers with a fine-toothed comb and we've finally compiled a list of the main specs for each of the new models.

Strangely there's no mention of multichannel analogue inputs, but we'd surprised if the new models didn't at least offer 5.1 analogue inputs.

Needless to say, we can't wait to get our hands on them. In the meantime, stay tuned for an in-depth review of the £300 STR-DG820. We'll post it online in the next couple of days.

STR-DA5400ES £1500

6 HDMI inputs, 2 HDMI outputs
Auto AV Sync with some Bravia TVs - automatically delays sound so you get picture and sound simultaneously
31Band Graphic Equaliser and stereo mic for auto-calibration
120W x 7 channels
Upconverts
Upscales to 1080p
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) compatibility for use with an SACD player
Top-Grade GUI
GUI blending up to HDMI
2nd room GUI
Multi-language GUI
Two Digital Media Ports
Digital audio up-sampling to 192kHz
Upscales to 1080p
Upconverts
Bravia Sync
Portable Audio Enhancer Plus
Learning remote control

STR-DA3400ES £700

100W x 7 channels
Supports all HD Audio formats
Upscales to 1080p
Upconverts
4 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output
Top-Grade GUI
Multi-language GUI
GUI blending up to component video
Bravia Sync
Portable Audio Enhancer Plus
Learning remote control

STR-DA2400ES £500

100W x 7 channels
Upconverts
Upscales to 1080p
Supports all HD Audio formats
4 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output
New GUI
GUI blending up to component video
Digital Media Port
Bravia Sync
Standard remote
Portable Audio Enhancer Plus
Learning remote control

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Thanks,Andy, -wasn't expecting it as an update rather as an additional post,so I did not scroll down far enough.

 

[Anonymous]

Great news, thanks. Does the £500 price-point mean that the 2500 wont be included in the current test.....?

 

[Anonymous]

sorry 2400 !

 

[Andrew Everard]

No it won't - we don't have the STR-DA2400ES yet, and I suspect the 2500 won't be available until at least next year.

 

[Clare Newsome]

We do, however, plan to test the Sony STR-DA2400ES against the Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer etc before we decide our 2008 Awards. As soon as we get the kit, you'll read the reviews, but as my summary at the very top of this thread clearly states, that model isn't due to be with us until late July, or in the shops until next month.

 

[Anonymous]

What silly billies Sony are.....

 

[Clare Newsome]

Not so silly on this count - they're getting the receivers out alongside the new models from Denon and Pioneer. Only Onkyo broke cover with a couple of new entry-level models slightly earlier in the year: that's a tempting target for the others to reach with UK-tuned kit....ÿ

 

[Andrew Everard]

Casca:What silly billies Sony are.....

How so?

 

[Anonymous]

Any more new on thesesÿreceiversÿyet?ÿ

Im gagging to hear what people think of theÿSTR-DA2400ES or if Plays 2400ES pricing is anything go by maybe even theÿSTR-DA3400ES!?

 

[Clare Newsome]

We've got Sony in this afternoon dropping off its final Awards entries - they'll include an STR-DA2400ES for sure, plus we've been hassling for no end of other stuff....

 

[Anonymous]

Awesome news! Thanks Clare!

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Clare Newsome:We've got Sony in this afternoon dropping off its final Awards entries - they'll include an STR-DA2400ES for sure, plus we've been hassling for no end of other stuff....

I only need to hear a good review and I'm ordering. I love my current Sony but it doesn't upconvert (so I have all my hdmi cables chased into my wall and a component hanging out from the tv showing all it's glory) and it doesn't upscale - my Arcam looks as good as my old Denon 1940 at just 480p! I can't wait to see that signal upscaled.

If the 2400 is well received by WHFSV, that will be good enough for me.

 

[Anonymous]

Im in the same situation - just waiting to here a YES before I jump 🙂 Although my outgoing amp is a lot older (STR DB930). Imÿwanderingÿwhat wouldÿeffectivelyÿbe a direct replacement for this? Would it be the 3400ES due the the price? I think the DB930 was around £600 when I bought it...

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Yammaman:Im in the same situation - just waiting to here a YES before I jump 🙂 Although my outgoing amp is a lot older (STR DB930). Imÿwanderingÿwhat wouldÿeffectivelyÿbe a direct replacement for this? Would it be the 3400ES due the the price? I think the DB930 was around £600 when I bought it...

I think that's fairly irrelevant. Mine cost £400 when it first came out but I would not expect it to touch £400 receivers in another couple of years time. I would imagine that the 2400 would be a significant jump in class to your DB930.

 

[Andy Grange]

Fingers crossed Sony drop off a 3400ES too; I was all set for a 2400 pending good reviews but the lack of zone 2 has made me look to the next one up.

 

[Anonymous]

Fingers crossed here too!