[cvh]

SONY STRDN-1030 RECEIVER


So, I finally exchanged my Sony STRDH830 for the NEW SONY STRDN-1030 on Sunday.


One Word - "AWESOME"


The STRDH830 was and is a fantastic receiver and only had it for a few days until I heard the STRDN1030 was due to be released.

I swapped it out and man am I Really impressed. Right out the box worked like a charm. Did a few setup steps for Decoding Master Audio and TrueHD. Then I setup the Built in Wireless Network (yes, I said Built in Wireless) and did a firmware update. All worked just flawlessly.


The next day I setup SONY REMOTE APP on my Android HTC inspire, did a few tweaks and finally was able to, not only control the receiver, but also stream my music on my phone to the receiver. All functions of my Music Player app controlled my song list. networked my Laptop to the receiver wirelessly and was able to stream my music on it to the receiver and control my song list from the Laptop.


My previous Sony STRDH830 did not have these bells and whistles and I honestly thought I would never really use it. Well, I was wrong. I just love it. Audio Decode on Movies beautiful. HDMI handshaking and In/Out just works. Picture Quality Transfer to HD33 from HDMI out is excellent.


The only cons to the STR-DH830 as well as the STRDN1030, or any Sony receiver right now is it has a terrible GUI interface displayed on the screen. This really doesn't bother me, because once setup, i just use my remote or phone to make any changes and totally control the receiver without the onscreen GUI. Also, the remote is way to cluttered. Very hard to navigate. Too many buttons.

This can be a good thing bcause there is all the functions u need on the darn thing Would be nice if it was backlit but many competitives don't offer it anyway.


I recently returned 4 receivers within a 3 week period and settled on the STRDN1030. CNET just did a recent review of the STRDN1030, Onkyo RXX 616 and the Yamaha XXX 573 and compared the Sony sound quality as equal to Denon 1912. At this price range and features, and since it has a wireless antenna, Cant beat the value and build quality.


I highly recommend it.

 

[97vobra]

How quiet is the transformer on it? My DH820's transformer has gotten loud after a little over a year of ownership.

 

[HeadSpace10]

Thanks for starting this thread cvh! I have been calling hhgregg every day waiting for this thing to come in. I don't understand why they can't tell me when it will be available!

 

[cvh]



Quote:
Originally Posted by 97vobra  /t/1421492/the-new-sony-strdn1030-receiver#post_22243202


How quiet is the transformer on it? My DH820's transformer has gotten loud after a little over a year of ownership.

Very Quiet. HAVE NOT HEARD A PEEP OUT OF THIS THING SO FAR.

 

[cvh]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadSpace10  /t/1421492/the-new-sony-strdn1030-receiver#post_22243338


Thanks for starting this thread cvh! I have been calling hhgregg every day waiting for this thing to come in. I don't understand why they can't tell me when it will be available!

I called HHGG almost every day asking about in stock or not. I finally went over there when I noticed it on their website Friday. Talked to the sales guy and he said they will deliver Saturday around 5pm.

I called them around 6pm and they said just came in. I asked them to hold it for me since I had a HHGG Credit Card. I Picked it up Sunday afternoon.

BB does not carry it yet and they had no idea when. I went on amazon after i purchased it and they are out of stock. WOW.


today i went on HHGG site and they had the sucker on a sale, only $20 off. I was shocked. I called them and they gave me the sale price after i had bought it the day before.

I guess they are trying to push it and sell these suckers. Competition, I love it. They had an initial limited shipment on saturday for a display model and a couple extra.

Huge batch of 68 is on the way. I snagged the last one.


Man, this thing rocks. A little early to tell if it will last, but at least it comes with a 2yr warranty.

 

[cvh]

HEAD-SPACE,


LINK BELOW FOR SUB ON SALE AT HHGG (POLK AUDIO)

http://www.hhgregg.com/polk-audio-100-watt-10-monitor-series-powered-subwoofer/item/PSW108#tab4

 

[HeadSpace10]

Thanks for the link on the sub. It may be a minute before I can purchase one. I am right up against my budget after getting the Optoma Hd33, a few pairs of glasses, and the receiver. I need to get 2 more pairs of glasses and a sub.. eventually. I move to a new house next week.


Anyway, I picked up this receiver last night, and was able to play with it a bit. I'm VERY pleased with it so far. I want to write up a proper review, and post on amazon given that there is only review and its negative (dude didn't know what he was buying).


Initial impressions:


-Gui sucks. lets get that out of the way right now. Its nothing too concerning, this is literally last on my list of priorities.


-App for mobile is weak. Yamaha has a pretty cool one, that also allows you to play music from your device, as well as play with audio settings. Again not a deal breaker for me.


-WIFI and BLUETOOTH is HUGE!! To me it makes up for the weak app. I can use the receiver as a speaker and play anything from my Galaxy Nexus running Android. My wife can easily do the same from her iPhone, and she likes the east of Airplay, and this works great on this amp.


-Sound quality is really great. So far, I'm ony doing stereo (i'm half packed up), but I find the audio to sound mch better than my Onkyo did. This probably has a lot to do with how Powerful this Sony is. My Energy speaker LOVE power, so I'm really happy with the Sony.


-I watched a little bit of 3d Legend of the Guardians and it was great. No problems at all!



CVH... a question for you. On my Onkyo I could sort of mix and match video and audio signals. I want to know if this is possible on the Sony. Let me explain. On an audio only input, lets say CD that is using 2 RCA inputs. If I were playing PS3 on the dvd, it has picture, if i switched to CD, since it is audio only, it would pass-through the previous input video signal. So i could listen to CD whilst playing a ps3 game. Do you know if that is possible?

 

[cvh]

HEADSPACE


I cannot really tell you this right now. I've not gotten anywhere near playing around with all the setups and features. Have not really set it up entirely with my CD player, PS3 or even TV. I have it only hooked up to the HD33 and Only really watching Blu rays and 3D. Down the road when time permits, I will have it completely setup. Only thig I can say is just try it when u setup your system. Sony may not let you do this.


I always find that there are always features on diffeent receivers that you wish had everything you want. I guess it just doesn't work that way. Goes for any electronic device.

Keep us posted with all the info and input and the move.


I agree, the one review of the Sony STRDN1030 on amazon is just downright awful. a 1 star. Please. What was he smoking when he did the review. Some really strong stuff i think. I am also getting ready to review it as soon as I setup the Sony and have time to write one. I have tried 4 receivers in this price range and the Sony tops the list IMO. Does not have all the coolest features that Onkyo has, but I would rather have a problem free, well built, long lasting quality Product anyway. I have had a Sony sub and two mid size speakers for 10 yrs. I also had 2 powerhouse sony fronts that lasted about the same, but woofer and tweeter started distorting over the years.


My new fronts are sony FS6000's and they really rock for the price range I got them at. Also two Bose surrounds and a Polk audio center.


anyway, keep us informed.

 

[Drlink]

I've been using the strdn1030 for a couple weeks with a 5.1 system, PS3 Slim and TiVo HD inputs and output to a 42" Panasonic Plasma. I also have it connected to the internet via Ethernet. The strdn1030 is an upgrade from an "ancient" non-HDMI capable Panasonic A/V Receiver and a Monoprice HDMI Switch.


I am very happy with my purchase. I ultimately decided on the Sony for several reasons. First, I wanted integrated Bluetooth Audio Streaming. I have an external plugin Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter connected to another receiver in my home and though I am overall very happy with its functionality, I was hoping an integrated option would afford some additional benefits. My hopes were realized. Once it is paired with a Bluetooth device the strdn1030 automatically turns on from "Standby" and immediately plays music (compared with my Logitech setup where I have to open the cabinet, turn on the receiver and then stream Spotify).


Second, I wanted the future flexibility afforded by built in WiFi (even though I'm not currently using it).


Third, I had previously had some HDMI handshake issues when using my PS3 with a Monoprice HDMI Switch and was hoping another Sony product would eliminate that problems. I have had zero HDMI issues between the Receiver, PS3, TiVo HD and my display. I will say that the delay in powering on the system and switching inputs is significantly longer than when I used the HDMI switch, but it isn't an unacceptably long delay.


Finally, Cnet had very positive things to say about the audio quality. I have found the audio quality to be exceptional.


I have a couple of complaints. No doubt, the GUI is definitely fugly. My other issue is that the strdn1030 shipped with an auto standby feature enabled. I think the default was that the receiver turn off after 10 minutes without an input. I had Netflix streaming of an episode of Sons of Anarchy interrupted three times before I finally got off my butt, grabbed the manual and found the problem. Everything was golden after disabling the auto standby setting in the (very ugly) GUI menu.


Another issue came up when I had the bright idea to GUI menu to pair my Bluetooth device. I thought I figured it out how to do it, and it didn't work. I next dug out the manual and looked up Bluetooth pairing in the glossary. It directed me to page 101 (I think). That page wasn't useful. I was briefly flummoxed until I found a second section on Bluetooth Pairing in the manual which was not referenced in the glossary (page 84?).


Come on Sony. An ugly, unintuitive GUI Menu coupled with a misleading user manual can be a serious problem to an average consumer…especially with a feature like Bluetooth!

 

[Brysiejuls]

CVH (or anyone else),

Sorry my first post to AVS starts with a question but is the Sony STRDN1030 really 21 inches wide?? I'm really interested in purchasing this receiver along with the Sony BDPS790 3D Blu-ray Player but have 19" in my cabinet. Not 21. Ugh! Thanks in advance.

 

[afrogt]

Its around 17" wide just like pretty much every AV Receiver


From Crutchfield website
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DVEpW6p1gmF/p_158STN1030/Sony-STR-DN1030.html#overview-tab

•16-15/16"W x 6-1/4"H x 13-1/4"D



From Sony website
http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921666468385&langId=-1&XID=O:strdn1030:dg_gglsrchla&cagpspn=pla#specifications

Dimensions (WxHxDcm)(Approx.) : 16.9 x 6.2 x 12.7 in (430 x 158 x 322.6mm)


You must have been looking at carton dimensions if you saw anything around 20-21"

 

[Brysiejuls]

Thank you afrogt! I'm so relieved. I was looking at Amazon's product dimensions of 21 x 14 x 9 inches. I did not take that to mean carton. Mislabeled or I'm misinterpreting. Thanks for the links to confirm. Much appreciated. Now to purchase both Sony products along with the LG 65LM6200.

 

[drums1078]

this may be a stupid question, but i just bought this and im guessing that the two subwoofer outputs are only pre-amp level. so i need an amp to power the two 10", 300 watt 8 ohm subs that are cut into the wall behind me, run with 14awg speaker wire...any suggestions that arent too expensive?

 

[swagg3r]

I recently wrote this review on sony and amazon and would like to share here:


There is probably something wrong with this model, since two brand new receivers had dead Bravia Sync functionality. Documentation about Bravia Sync is slim at best. It seems that this is not as popular functionality as I thought it would.


Here is my sad story. Bought a 55hx750 tv about three months ago. Discovered that Bravia Sync is the functionality that lets you control the receiver through the tv . It automatically turns it on/off volume up/down, tv settings change to audio output, just by using the tv remote. The receiver can stay out of sight. (Sounds much better than dropping huge coin on universal programmable remotes that may not work each time you use them). All this is done through the hdmi cables. Well that is too sweet to pass.

First problem, Bravia Sync is only compatible with other Bravia sync products; therefore you are pretty much married to Sony if you decided to use this functionality. Alright, I can live with that since sony has always proven to be a good brand. Bought the Sony receiver (even though I really preferred yamaha) and hooked it up. Bravia Sync worked flawlessly, it kicked in immediately. Audio Return Channel kicked in immediately as well. Life was bliss for two weeks. One day it stopped.


I spent hours upon hours talking to sony tech support. We went through all the settings conceivable, changed hdmi cables, and eventually determined that the problem is the receiver. So the receiver goes back to BB. Swapped it for a brand new same model. Came back home, hooked it up and NADA. Bravia sync was still not working. Called sony back and determined that the tv is the problem. Three weeks later, they sent me a brand spanking new TV as well. Guess what kiddies? Bravia sync was still a no go. So, at this point I have a brand new tv, brand new hdmi cables, brand new receiver, and bravia sync is still not working.


Receiver went back to BB and I am back with my old yamaha.

I should have picked up a Samsung TV in the first place (as opposed to buying a TV @ the sony store) and have more options when trying to use hdmi control functionality.


Be warned, Sony products are not what they used to. Too many unfulfilled promises.

 

[phatal]

Purchased this receiver today. It's going back.

It cannot output audio to both the amp and TV without downconverting the signal to 2ch stereo (for both). It says as much in the manual. My other receivers do not downconvert the signal for the receiver. Since I don't always watch Television with the receiver on I want it to be able to pass the audio through when in standby. Yes it can do that, but only by sacrificing the audio to the receiver. So if I want to go watch a movie or something I would need to go into the settings (each time) and switch the audio out in the HDMI settings from TV+AMP to just AMP. I don't want to have to do that, and I know other receivers can do both (pass a stereo signal to a TV in standby mode AND output discrete surround sound when on, without having to mess with settings each time.

 

[afrogt]

That doesn't make sense to me. You only want it to pass thru audio to the TV when the amp is in standby mode. Why would it need to be TV + AMP for that to happen?


My Denon sure doesn't do that. I only have it set to AMP.


I tried standby mode once just verify that it works and it does. However I really see no point watching TV w/o the receiver on. Takes away much of the enjoyment without good sound.

 

[phatal]

Doesn't make sense to me either, but that's how it works. Set it to AMP only and you get no sound, only video when the Sony is in standby mode. Set it to TV+AMP and you do get sound to the TV in standby mode, but at the cost I mentioned in my previous post.


From the manual:


• TV+AMP: The sound is output from TV’s

speaker and the speakers connected to the

receiver.

Notes

• The sound quality of the playback equipment

depends on the TV’s sound quality, such as the

number of channels, and the sampling

frequency, etc. If the TV has stereo speakers, the

sound output from the receiver is also in stereo as

that of the TV, even if you play back multi

channel source.

 

[afrogt]

Just another reason not to buy a Sony receiver...

 

[jdsmoothie]



Quote:
Originally Posted by phatal  /t/1421492/new-sony-strdn1030-receiver/0_100#post_22482012


Purchased this receiver today. It's going back.

It cannot output audio to both the amp and TV without downconverting the signal to 2ch stereo (for both). It says as much in the manual. My other receivers do not downconvert the signal for the receiver. Since I don't always watch Television with the receiver on I want it to be able to pass the audio through when in standby. Yes it can do that, but only by sacrificing the audio to the receiver. So if I want to go watch a movie or something I would need to go into the settings (each time) and switch the audio out in the HDMI settings from TV+AMP to just AMP. I don't want to have to do that, and I know other receivers can do both (pass a stereo signal to a TV in standby mode AND output discrete surround sound when on, without having to mess with settings each time.

If you're only concerned about passing the cable/sat box audio through the AVR when in Standby, you may want to simply consider connecting the cable/sat box (HDMI) directly to the TV with cable/sat box (optical) to the AVR for when you want to use the surround speakers.

 

[phatal]

Thanks, jdsmoothie. I did consider that, but ultimately chose to go the route of getting a piece of gear that will work as I expect the technology to work (and know that it can if implemented by the manufacturer). I realize at this price point you "can't always get what you want", but there are other choices out there that do work in the manner I prefer.