Customer Reviews

Sony STR-DE698 7.1 Channel Surround Sound AM/FM Audio/Video Receiver

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I would have to agree with the previous user who said that the instruction manual was difficult to understand. Yet, I enjoy setting up components and speakers while trying to find certain acoustic angles throughout the room. In other words...the instruction manual really didn't bother me. Anyhow, the DE698 replaced an older Sony model (6 yrs. old) that had only Dolby Pro Logic (2.1 channel). I was impressed with the first model due to the fact that it never caused me any trouble. It was simply a respectable and reliable amplifier that I could depend on. Consider some of the following attributes of the DE698,


Cons:
1) There is no "optical in" for the DVD player. Only inputs for Video 1, SACD/CD, and MD/Tape. Not that big of a deal since you can connect the DVD into the Video 1 optical input, yet a hassle when using the provided universal remote (pressing between DVD and Video 1 to change the scene or turn up the volume).

2) Through the DE698 is respectable, it isn't the best in comparison to the Denon's and Onkyo's out there. The reproduction of music and movies is considered by some to be average to above average. For myself, I can barely hear the difference between my friends ridiculously expensive Denon and the 698. Even though the Denon was three hundred dollars more, the Sony seems to reproduce the same quality. This is possibly due to the following issues:
- The Denon was connected with 16 gauge Monster Wire (the lower the gauge = usually the better transfer of sound). Sony was connected with 14 gauge Audio Quest.
- The Denon was connected with RCA analogue - bought from Walmart - between the CD/DVD and receiver. Sony was connected with Monster digital optical input/output between the CD/DVD.

3)The DE698 is provided with a "Universal Remote." I'm pretty sure Sony doesn't understand the definition of "universal." To what extent you may ask? Well...I'm still using three remotes! And yes, I did read the manual for this task while setting up the rest of the system.

Pro's:
1) Fits nicely with other Sony Components. Light blue ambiance turns on the face plate of the receiver when Dolby Digital is available. Three optical outputs. Stable speaker connectors (they twist).

2) The DE698 lets the listener tweak the sound within certain sound fields. The "Custom" mode is rather user friendly...and kinda fun (but i'm a guy).

I guess my point is that a lot of people skip out on the wiring of their components which makes a $500 amp sound like a $200 amp, or perhaps the other way around. If you want a decent, respectable, and reliable receiver the DE698 is for you (at least it was for me).

I recently bought a really nice Denon receiver at a really good price (comparable to the Sony DE698 regular price), but after hooking it up and teaching myself how to work it, I say my wife down to run her through it. That's when I realized that the Denon was just too complicated to run all my AV through one remote. There are little sliders to switch between "Audio" and "Video" components, and then the individual components themselves. Honestly, I would start out on some task, such as "go from the tuner to the DVD player and start a movie," and halfway through I would forget what it was I was trying to do. It was quickly clear that for the sake of our sanity, a change was needed.

Well, I wasn't going to drop another $200 or so on a fancy universal remote, so I picked up the Sony STR-DE698. I had it hooked up in just a few minutes, since I was already organized from the Denon install. The remote offers far better initial integration with the Sony Wega TV and Sony DVD player we have.
I was warned that if I thought the Denon was complicated, that the Sony would be twice as complicated. On the whole, I think the Denon offers more features and flexibility for the audiophile, but for people like us who just want a nice surround sound system the Sony is quite sufficient.

I have to agree that the manual leaves a lot to be desired.There are some buttons on the remote that do not at all seem to be described in the manual. Here is one BIG TIP that it took me until the next day to figure out: When programming the remote to control other devices, use a narrow object (I used the end of one of the twist ties) to press the "RM SET UP" button. If you use your finger, you can't get it depressed far enough to activate the programming function.

I like this receiver - it works well enough for me. The sound is clean and powerful. However; it is not without its quirks. Like one other reviewer mentioned, for digital DVD audio you do not get "optical audio in" for DVD inputs, but only coaxial. You only get optical audio for Video 2, so you if have to connect your DVD to Video 2, what do you use DVD inputs for? In my setup coaxial audio for DVD works well enough, but others may want optical. The setup menu on this receiver is not user-friendly at all - does not seem to have any logic that can be memorized or to help it be used intuitively.

Sony seems to be loosing it lately: I had a Sony DVD changer, which started freezing after 1 month of use; my 1.5 years old Sony HD CRT TV's built in MemoryStick reader can't read MemoryStick over 128MB (!!!), this receiver has a frustrating setup menu and strange connections options. I got a great deal on this receiver from Amazon, which influenced the choice, but I am no longer a "Sony-only" customer like I used to be.

I am totally in love with this receiver. The sound is great for the price & the multiple Optical & S-video/component video inputs are awesome. I managed to hook up my cable, DVD player, DVD recorder and PS2 from this receiver to my TV with no problem. One receiver to manage all my components.....best money I ever spent!

Just replaced a ten year old JVC surround receiver with this Sony and i cant believe the great audio that this Sony puts out.
Easy to hook up and get it fired up .Sub woffer is a must and many settings to choose from make it a great receiver for the money,Also Amazon has the best prices on Sony Audio products

We are happy with this Sony receiver and have had no problems thus far. We bought it to upgrade our old receiver which was not dolby digital. We notice a huge difference in sound now when we watch a dvd movie. Very nice receiver for the money.

Great unit, pleanty of hook-ups. All that was needed was a set of speakers

Receiver works well. Manual was difficult to understand and poor instructions(non-existent) for programing the unit for other remote controls. A little underpowered, but seems like a good quality unit for the money.

If you need to drive your 7.1 surround speakers, this SONY does a nice job. It is not the best out there, but it may very well be the best one for the money. All video sources are "upconverted" to S-VIDEO to send them all to your TV with one cable. It took a little while to figure out which surround modes sounded best and how to seperatly adjust the volume on the surrounds, but it does great when properly tweeked. The ProLogic-II modes do great on movies and games. This is a great value, but the universal remote dose not work all my gear.

Great product, great price, free shiiping and lots of features. Has all the hookups you need to expand your home theater set up and then some. Great for High Definition tv's. Has plenty of sound adjustment to tweek and enhance. Only thing I would degrade on this is that the setup is kind of confusing. Once you get it though, it's not that bad. Love It!