State Of Review

[manicm]

I know strictly speaking this should go in the AV section, but I think it bears pointing out here.

The most noteworthy part from this review of the new Sony AV amp, is that the one dedicated to pure music reproduction is through, deep breath, Bluetooth.

Oh well.

Sony TA-AN1000 review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 winner. Sony’s new home cinema amplifier is worth the wait

www.whathifi.com

 

[Deliriumbassist]

I know strictly speaking this should go in the AV section, but I think it bears pointing out here.

The most noteworthy part from this review of the new Sony AV amp, is that the one dedicated to pure music reproduction is through, deep breath, Bluetooth.

Oh well.

Sony TA-AN1000 review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 winner. Sony’s new home cinema amplifier is worth the wait

www.whathifi.com

It's absolutely fine to do a test with Bluetooth, because it's a feature and a lot of people will probably use it.

But you're right - it's a bit crappy that it was the ONLY music test, especially when the amp has that not-exactly-inconspicuous 'Hi-Res Audio' sticker on the front.

 

[Sixtyten]

Everything about WHF's coverage of this new budget Sony AV Receiver feels off.

 

[npxavar]

What a pessimist would gather from this is that streaming from Bluetooth is better than all other streaming options (AirPlay 2, Spotify, Chromecast and Sonos).

 

[manicm]

Everything about WHF's coverage of this new budget Sony AV Receiver feels off.

This is not a budget amp. It's 1000 quid, and I'd expect users to want to use something better than Bluetooth, unless they're just watching movies with it.

 

[nopiano]

I agree it seems odd, but surely an AV amp will mostly be playing movies from discs or a streaming service. So the Bluetooth is for the occasional visitor who says: “Have you heard this?” and points their phone at the Sony.

 

[Sixtyten]

This is not a budget amp. It's 1000 quid, and I'd expect users to want to use something better than Bluetooth, unless they're just watching movies with it.

Everything about this amp, beyond the price screams "budget". I'd venture it's the replacement for the entry level STR-DH790, rather than the 1080.

 

[npxavar]

Using an amp for streaming, or any device other than a computer/smartphone, requires learning to use the GUI of said device.

People want convenience, myself included. Bluetooth allows you to use a GUI you are familiar with an a device you are familiar with.

Personally, I went so far as connecting a 5m cable from my smartphone to the amplifier. Not visually or ergonomically pleasant, but less is more when it comes to GUIs.

 

[manicm]

Using an amp for streaming, or any device other than a computer/smartphone, requires learning to use the GUI of said device.

People want convenience, myself included. Bluetooth allows you to use a GUI you are familiar with an a device you are familiar with.

Personally, I went so far as connecting a 5m cable from my smartphone to the amplifier. Not visually or ergonomically pleasant, but less is more when it comes to GUIs.

I'm dead sure the Sony amp has an app, it has Airplay, Chromecast, even Spotify Connect.

I stand by my opinion, that this review of a 1000 quid amp is deeply incomplete.

If it was a $200 device I wouldn't have bothered to comment. But my logic dictates that people would care about decent music playback. And Bluetooth is the LCD.

 

[manicm]

Everything about this amp, beyond the price screams "budget". I'd venture it's the replacement for the entry level STR-DH790, rather than the 1080.

Whether it's 'budget' or not, it costs 1000 quid. There are much cheaper AV amps, from Sony itself.

 

[npxavar]

I'm dead sure the Sony amp has an app, it has Airplay, Chromecast, even Spotify Connect.

I stand by my opinion, that this review of a 1000 quid amp is deeply incomplete.

If it was a $200 device I wouldn't have bothered to comment. But my logic dictates that people would care about decent music playback. And Bluetooth is the LCD.

I see what you mean. It is a major capability of this amp and it is left unreviewed.

My positive experience with Bluetooth is based on the Ifi ZEN Blue, i.e. a dedicated device, with aftermarket power supply (iPower 5V).