Sony's STR-DN1040... about to pull the trigger unless other ideas...

[pieper53]

Howedy,

I was recently convinced (albeit pretty easily) that I need to purchase a new receiver. I've been impressed by all of the reviews around Sony's STR-DN1040. I will admit though that I am somewhat brand loyal to Sony and realize that that could be driving some of my decision (when I fully realize that I shouldn't). I am curious about Denon's receivers however haven't seen one that competes with features and performance... I am a newbie here so I could be wrong here. I don't need all the bells and whistles; I'm more interested in performance (but would like wi-fi).

People have told me that Sony inflates their watt ratings and that Denon has more realistic specs. Not sure how true this is although I wish Sony didn't advertise 165W @ 8 ohms, 1 channel driven when it looks like most use 2 channels.

That said, a bit about my set up: I'm 75% movies and 25% music....

My towers are Pinnacle S-Fit 1050 and my center is S-FIT CTR 350. The towers cost me $300 delivered ($150/speaker) and the center was $80; I mention this because I don't know how realistic their advertised MSRP price is.

My sub is a Kplisch RW-12d.

Currently my rears are speakers from a Sony HTIB.

Please give me any advice as it is always appreciated.

Thanks for listening.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

HTM Power Output @ 1% THD 2CH 8 ohms/4 ohms/ 5CH 8 ohms


$7000 Pioneer SC09: 268.7/523.4/267.3
$5500 Denon 5308: 235.5/339.2/184.6
$5500 AudioControl 1: 119.7/197.8/105.8
$5500 Yamaha Z11: 243.6/387.4/183.1
$5000 Arcam 600: 119.2/207.3/95.5
$4000 NAD 787: 184.5/207.1/149.2
$2200 Pioneer SC07: 182.2/301.6/150.5
$2000 Rotel 1550: 150.1/235.0/111.4
$2000 Anthem 700: 160.2/221.0/93.7
$1800 Cambridge 650: 174.4/229.9/142.3
$1600 NAD 757: 121.9/181.0/91.2
$1500 Yamaha 2000: 189.3/287.4/79.9
$1400 Onkyo 1009: 179.5/250.4/131.2
$1400 Integra 50.2: 172.4/259.8/134.1
$1300 Cambridge 551: 111.3/139.8/81.2
$1200 Marantz 6006: 153.2/195.8/92.0
$1200 Denon 3312: 143.3/225.5/103.0
$1200 Yamaha 1020: 129.2/173.0/73.2
$1100 Pioneer SC61: 150.3/247.5/127.7
$1000 Anthem 300: 116.3/165.9/83.4
$1000 Sherwood 977: 145.1/209.9/109.2
$500 HK 1700: 108.9/196.3/39.5
$900 Denon 2313: 152.1/192.5/90.8
$580 Denon 1913: 117.7/151.1/81.7
$550 Yamaha 573: 111.4/126.2/24.9
$500 Sony 1030: 134.7/167.7/90.4
$450 Yamaha 473: 96.5/143.2/Protection Mode
$450 Pioneer VSX42: 118.2/157.8/79.9
$350 Denon 1612: 118.5/141.5/79.8
$330 Pioneer 821: 110.3/150.7/78.1
$230 Sony 520: 141.7/160.6/81.3


Well, in terms of actual measured power output, the Sony does pretty well.

 

[pieper53]

Can you please explain that chart to me?

Thanks.

p.

 

[PENG]

Can you please explain that chart to me?

Thanks.

p.

Those were lab measurements taken with by the Home Theatre Magazine using the same methodology presumably under the same conditions by probably the same person. To certain extent that allows us to do a fair comparison of the actual tested outputs of units regardless of the specifications published by their manufacturers. It also shows that for some reasons many people on various forums such as this one don't Sony receivers and are suspicious of their claimed output ratings despite what recent the available test data are telling us. Obviously there are also happy owners, I owned a couple of them (ES models) before and had no issues with either.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Can you please explain that chart to me?

The Sony 1030 can output 134.7 Watts per channel x 2 Ch into 8 ohms, 167.7 watts per channel x 2 Ch into 4 ohms, and 90.4 watts per channel x all 5 channels driven into 8 ohms, all @ 1% THD.

For comparison, the $1300 Cambridge AVR can output 111 WPC x 2Ch 8 ohms, 140 WPC x 2Ch 4 ohms, and 81 WPC x 5Ch 8 ohms.

The $1200 Yamaha 1020 can output 129.2 WPC x 2Ch 8 ohms, 173.0 WPC x 2Ch 4 ohms, and 73.2 WPC x 5Ch 8 ohms.

So in this example, the much cheaper Sony (which gets zero respect ) outperforms the much more respected pricier "audiophile" Cambridge AVR for 8 ohm 2Ch, 8 ohm 5Ch, and 4 ohm 2Ch and outperforms the much more respected and pricier Yamaha 1020 in 8 ohm 2Ch and 8 ohm 5Ch outputs.

So in terms of power output, the Sony appears to be as good as any AVR in the $1000 range.

I think in Direct/Pure direct modes, the Sony will sound as good as any.

But I have no idea how the Sony does with room correction, subwoofer EQ, etc.

Yesterday, I applied Audyssey XT Flat + Dynamic EQ on my Denon 3312. Then compared this vs Pure Direct mode. I can subjectively and easily tell that Flat + DEQ sounded better than Pure Direct mode in my living room when listening to music.

I also use Audyssey XT Flat DEQ in my HT room. Last night I was testing GI Joe Retaliation BD. The sound was 100% better than just Pure Direct mode in my HT room.

BTW, this GI Joe Retaliation BD has some amazing bass!

So room and/or sub EQ could potentially make a significant difference - more so than a few difference in watts.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Wow, you got some great deals with your speakers I gotta say, I know list/msrp price are inflated but this is really crazy good deal you snagged
Before speanding money on new Avr would you like to describe two things to us:
A) Size of your room (total space including any openings)
b) what is your current avr ?

p.s: I agree with ADTG, good auto room correction is more important than few more watts.
Audyssey is pretty much set the bar for industry and everyone else is trying to catch up.
Audyssey XT is highly recommended due to much higher precision of measurements and calculation over lesser variants.
XT32 is even better, but found only in mid-hi and hi-end models

For about $500 I would rather this MARANTZ SR5007 100w x7 NetworkingTheater Receiver w/AirPlay 3D 4K | Accessories4less
Audyssey XT, Pre-Outs

 

[pieper53]

Howdy,

Thanks for the replies.

My room currently is ~12'x30' with cathedral ceilings and one side (a 30' side) being almost completely open. I will be moving soon though and my tv room should become much smaller. Currently I sit about 20' from the tv and speakers.

I am using an old Sony AV receiver that is pretty dated (no auto room correction).

Thanks again,

p.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

In this case - My humble 2c - Don't change AVR unless you really have to. Get a better/larger sub and/or tv. If possible rearrange the furniture to sit closer to the tv
You current sub - RW-12 is actually ok (if you got it for $250-350) for mid-sized rooms, but in your space I think it's just not nearly enough for great HT sound
You're going to need a bigger sub

 

[lsiberian]

Has anyone reviewed the Sony auto-setup. The STR does appear to be a huge step up.