[colincornaby]

Looking through this board I saw a lot of people who were recommending against the STR-DN1000. I'm looking at it right now, and I thought I'd share a list of what I'm looking for, and then maybe get some feedback on why this isn't a great receiver....


Something to do at least 5.1 with good sound quality. I live in an apartment right now, so I want something that will work with the speakers I have without blowing away the neighbors, with room to upgrade later after I move. If I do 5.1 here, I probably won't do a subwoofer right now, even though I'd love to... (I have neighbors below...)

Something with HDMI inputs, preferably with 1080p upconversion. I have a Samsung LNS-4096 as my TV right now, with a TiVo and an XB360, so I'm all out of inputs, and I'd like to at least add maybe an AppleTV and a Bluray player/PS3...

*Upscaling over component would be nice, I have a Wii...

XM compatibility. I know the Sony receiver doesn't have this, it has Sirius. In looking I haven't found many new receivers with XM, and I'm willing to hold out hope, however misguided, that I'll eventually be able to use my existing XM account with a Sirius radio. But if there is a better option out there with XM, I'm listening.

HD radio isn't necessary, I'm not a fan of the radio here anyway.

Something easy to configure. I have a Harmony, so I'm not as worried about input switching. But the STR-DN1000 has an XMB interface, which seems nice in theory, but I can't find any shots of it in action.


Thanks!

 

[jorams]

I purchased an STR-DN1000 on saturday at Bestbuy to replace an STR-DE985and frankly other than the HDMI inputs, nothing else is that much better.


The GUI is slow on TV, but a nice feature to have, if you are willing to pay the extra $100 over the STR-DH800.


I have a BD, digital cable/DVR and Wii. The upconvert feature sucks on cable but is good on the Wii.


I am also weary of the surround processing in that it switches from DD/DTS multi channel to Linear PCM on its own and when it does that, sometime goes to two-channel stereo, not full surround. I have to select one of the "fake" 5.1 setups to get surround sound, which is OK. Other times, it auto decodes fine. Still trying to figure the best setup.


Overall, it's an OK receiver and favorably competes with the Yamaha 565 and others, it just won't blow you away soundwise, but it's OK.

 

[zubinh]

Any thoughts as to why the older STR-DG1200 is selling for alot more on sonystyle? Looks like similar specs to me.

 

[chillycat]

Rec'd mine 2 days ago. Amazon had a special including free freight. [$361.00]

So far, i'm liking what i'm hearing/seeing. Fairly EZ setup.


Running Time Warners SA HD box and a PS3 via video componet in/out. Optical Cables for both, in the audio dept.


Only issue i'm currently observing:

- Sound volume flutuates greatly while TV show goes to commercial. Also, while changing channels....it seems volume differs greatly,depending on which channel you land on. This was not a problem with the receiver i used 3 days ago.

- The included remote RM-AAP040 is killen' me. I'm not getting decent range at all. Not certain who's the culprit, receiver or the remote. Workable remote range is only 10-12 feet away. Since we sit 14-18 away.....this could become a problem. I've e-mail'd Sony to see if thev'e any idea what the problem could be. Even my Logitech One cannot get better range...so i'm tending to believe the receiver's to blame. Again, not a problem with the receiver i used 3 days ago.

 

[Dub from GA]

Any more recent experiences with this reciever?

 

[colincornaby]

For reference, I went with the VSX-23TXH instead. Similar price point (depending on who/where you get it, usually a little more), slightly better features, and seemed like it had less issues than the Sony.

 

[Samsung-Guy]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jorams /forum/post/16900815


I am also weary of the surround processing in that it switches from DD/DTS multi channel to Linear PCM on its own and when it does that, sometime goes to two-channel stereo, not full surround. I have to select one of the "fake" 5.1 setups to get surround sound, which is OK. Other times, it auto decodes fine. Still trying to figure the best setup.

So yours does that too? I had a little scare yesterday and today where it quit recognizing the format all together and I couldn't get TrueHD on my Blu-ray, and was forced to use the E.Surround selections for surround on all inputs. Today it just decided to start working again on its own.


I can't really complain with the receiver though. Good price, decent sound, good features, looks nice, enough inputs for me and the GUI is nice even though it is slow. I got mine for $300 shipped, I doubt I would have found anything much better for that price. So far I am happy with it, minus the little AFD Auto issue. I'd rate my experience a 7.5 or maybe an 8 overall, so far after a month.


The VSX-23TXH isn't quite the same, since it is nearly twice the money. The cheapest one I saw was about $550 plus whatever for shipping. Unless one can be found for less elsewhere. I like Pioneer. My first receiver was a Pioneer back in the day (12-15 years ago, early 5.1 surround).

 

[dreamfield42]

I have an str-dn1000 and I have one quick question for those of you that have one. My GUI fades to about 50% brightness. Is this normal? After using it for a little while the full illumination comes back and then fades again. I have it connected to a 52" Sony TV (kdl-52v5100.)



BTW, to answer the thread question...the GUI is the only concern I have with this receiver. I really love it otherwise. I actually like reproducing the audio automatically, however, you can set it to produce the surround effect of your choosing. I also have 2 devices (Directv hd dvr and Philips Blu-ray player) connected with hdmi and then a single hdmi to the tv. I have had no problems with this either.

 

[philihp]

The thing that sucks about the STR-DN1000 is it doesn't have any preouts, so you're stuck with the internal amp. Should you ever want more power, you will have to buy a new receiver, rather than just another amp. This isn't uncommon, but it's fairly annoying.