Customer Reviews

Sony STR-DG520 5.1 Audio Video Receiver - Black

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I bought this receiver, along with a Blu-Ray player, for its HDMI inputs. Hidden in the fine print of the product description are the words "pass-through", which apparently means it can "pass through" audio to a TV via HDMI, but not to speakers which are connected to the receiver. Further research revealed that I'd need to buy the STR-DG820 or 920 to get this internal audio-processing capability. Uh, what's the point of the receiver if it can't utilize the audio via HDMI? Yes, I could connect an optical digital or coaxial cable (in my case, I could only do that for either my satellite receiver OR the Blu-Ray player but not both, but that's another story). I sent it back.

Up until a month ago my "home theater" consisted of a 15 year old 32" tube television with a KOSS home entertainment/DVD system. So forgive me, but this is all new to me. We were going to get an LCD TV, but we got a DLP projector and a Blu-Ray player instead. I had cables all over the place, running to the hi-def cable box and the Blu-Ray player as well as power for it all. What a mess. Never mind that I had to use three different remotes just to change the channel, raise/lower the volume, etc. Plus, all of the equipment was behind us so it would reach the projector. Not fun when you're trying to change the channel. Finally frustrated, I bought this Sony A/V receiver so I could a) hook up all of my equipment to it, b) reduce the amount of cables running up the wall/ceiling to the projector, c) hook up my KOSS surround sound speakers to something since they were sitting off to the side, not in use and d) move everything back to the front of the room. Well, this device took on everything like a champ. I've got my hi-def cable, Blu-Ray player and even my PS2 hooked up to it and everything plays on the projector perfectly. The KOSS speakers hooked up easily, except for the sub-woofer. I'm still trying to figure that one out. (Something to do with the cable for the SW, not a receiver issue)

Like a previous reviewer, I am not an audiophile. I don't know much about frequencies, THD, bells & whistles. I can tell you this much though...when the T-Rex roars in Jurassic Park on the 112" screen, my whole house vibrates! It's pretty awesome. Additionally, I've still got a free video input and two free HDMI ports to add more stuff and it's got a DMPort to hook up my portable music too. One last thing to point out, when I had problems with the picture on the PS2, I called Sony for support and the guy on the phone was so good. He walked me through everything step-by-step, was kind and courteous and in the end, told me that "I" did a good job! Two thumbs up to Sony for the equipment and their exemplary customer service! Yes, I am sure there are better devices out there for you audiophiles, but if you're an average housewife like me, don't know much about this stuff and aren't looking to spend a fortune, this device does not disappoint in the least.

I do own this product and am not an audiophile per se. I bought this receiver to replace an older HTIB after I purchased a new Sony Bravia LCD TV. Is it the best receiver out there? No. Is it a good receiver for the money? You bet. I paired this receiver with Harman/Kardon surround sound speakers and a Samsung Upconvert DVD player. Guess what? Sounds great. Still figuring out the set up and such but if you do your own research and this receiver is on your list than I don't believe you will be disappointed. As for technical aspects of this receiver you will have to do your own research because I am not qualified to explain all the bells and whistles. But suffice it to say I am quite pleased with my recent purchase.

This receiver gives you decent value for the money. The following are short-comings:

It will not decode the audio from the HDMI cable so you will need to run both the HDMI and an optical or digital coax from the component to the receiver. It will also not upconvert either. In addition to this, it will not switch component to HDMI output at any resolution. So if you are using an older XBOX that has HD-Component cables, or an older DVD player, etc.. that is using component, it will not output that through your HDMI to the TV. You will have to run a separate set of component cables to your TV. This receiver, therefore, does not improve on clutter in your home theater set-up.

In terms of postives there are many in terms of sound quality. This receiver gives you a great deal of latitude for tweaking the sound to your desires. It has great bass output and my surround sound has a lot more thunder and power behind it than it used to on my old receiver (a Kenwood VR7070). Everything from Bioshock to Baseball games have nice clear surround sound now. I can't complain at all about sound quality.

For my man-cave theater I'll be getting the STR-DG820. It has the same sound (if not better) but it switches component to HDMI, passes 480p through HDMI-out, and decodes all the latest HD sources like Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD.

My 9 year old receiver finally died. Complete set up took about two hours, but it took me a 1/2 hour to get out the old receiver and components to make way for the new one. Once out of the box it was a really easy set up.

For Video: My Blu-ray player through HDMI connector goes directly to the HDMI in on TV. My FIOS HD DVR box via HDMI goes directly into the TV.

For Audio: Blu-ray to new receiver via optical; FIOS HD DVR to new receiver via optical.

I have all video going directly to TV and all audio to receiver.

Harmony remote: No problems out the gate with this receiver using a Harmony 688 remote once updated. This is unbelievable. When I buy a new component it normally takes a call(s) to their support, because the remote doesn't work with what they had for their update.

Ipod: This unit does not come like some others with a slot for your ipod. However, for 20.00 you can buy a cable with 2 x RCA's on one end and that small single headphone jack tip on the other end. I just plugged in the RCA's in the back of the units "SACD" slot and hid the cable underneath the unit. When I want to play the ipod through the receiver, I simply pull out the cable from under the receiver and plug it into my ipod and set the receiver to SACD.

Performance: It took me a while to figure out the all the settings and menus in the set up. It will play great without any fussing in 5.1, but if you want to get it working to your personal satisfaction you will need to go into the settings.

The sound of the unit is great. It blows away what I was used to previously having a 9 year old receiver that I bought when DTS was brand new in the home theater market, so I am very pleased.

All in all it is a great unit for the price. No extra frills, but it gets the job done...at least at my place.

Indeed, this is not the best amplifier or digital hub. It is not the best receiver. But anyone looking for 1080p pass through at 24 or 60 frames or 80mhz components for HDTV cannot really do any better. Got mine for 163 dollars from circuit city 10% off.

Indeed, the poster riled by the THD number is giving you a 1% distortion rate but this is only for the most sensitive frequency 1kHz. Overall from 20-20000kHz there is a stat of .09% THD just like most of the specs claim. No confusion anymore, I am looking at my book.

I advise serious users looking for a Headphone out direct or people that need those components for a screen like the non HDMI Dell 2405 1920x1200 to buy this receiver. I myself use Etymotic ER4 headphones for my PS3 so this system does everything I want it to. For 163 dollars I honestly could not do any better. For HDMI all you need is optical out and you have your 1080p bluray experience.

For people looking for higher end you need to look elsewhere. What do you honestly think you are getting for this price. The SQ is exactly what you would expect and coming from a serious audiophile it is decent, nothing noteworthy, but nothing too terrible. Optical is a must for PS3 users as there is a buzzing from that particular component that does not go away.

It doesn't cost 4000 dollars so don't expect that. I have listened to just about everything out there from Krell to Denon and all the rest including some independent manufacturers, heard cables from MIT and the like that actually cost 10000 dollars, and others also who sell their amps for 10000 dollars LOL I can't afford any of that but this is still a very good deal for the price.

I`m writing this after owning the product for 1 1/2 years, so this will give you an idea of how bad Sony has gotten. It worked fine for the 1st year, then the left and right front channels went out shortly after the warranty expired. This past week the digital coaxial output died, rendering my DVD player useless. It was then pulled out of service. In no way was the unit abused or turned up to anywhere near full volume. This was my 2nd Sony receiver, the 1st was a model STE-DR475 purchased in 2001. That one lasted 5 years before the center speaker output died. It`s now in use as an outdoor stereo receiver (until the left/right outputs die on this one too). There is no reason why random outputs die on the Sony units, except for low quality of parts used. I have electronic equipment(JVC, Sanyo)20-30 years old that still work as when they were new. A receiver with ZERO moving parts should last more than 1 and 5 years. Stay away from Sony, their quality has gone downhill severely in recent years.

I was shopping for a replacement for my Onkyo TX-SR304. One of the shops I went to had this on clearance for less than $100. I took a chance and bought it, was skeptical about Sony Receivers. When I got home I hooked it up and made some adjustments and was surprised. Love watching action movies - it had much more "kick" than my Onkyo. Great frequency response - kudos to Sony! Some notes: would recommend turning Bass & Treble to full, NO HDMI pass through, set crossover to 150Hz for small speakers & 80Hz for big speakers.

The other reviews of this product, were VERY helpful in letting me make an informed decision! It has 2 HDMI inputs, but as others have said, the receiver does not process the audio from the HDMI signal. There are 2 digital audio inputs. One optical, and one using a single RCA plug. I have the HDMI from my high def cable box plugged into the port for "DVD", and my HDMI upconverting DVD player is plugged into the "BD" blue-ray disk port. The digital audio ports are associated with those HDMI ports. I would have preferred only using one cable per device, but this is what I found at this price point. I was not willing to pay an extra $200 to have the receiver process sound over HDMI.

The sound balance was somewhat challenging to configure, for my hodgepodge of speakers. The front left/right are some big towers that were all the rage when I was in college. I can't bear (yet) to part with the speaker war beasts, from my dorm daze. (...or is that supposed to be days?) The center channel is a shielded Boston Acoustic bar that was actually intended for this purpose. The rear channels are some little off brand things, that I bought to go in a car, many years ago. The speaker set-up actually lets you specify (within certain parameters) what kind/size speakers you have in different positions. The intention seems to be, that if you have a center channel speaker without a big woofer, but your side channels do have a big woofer, you can send the bass to the sides. I'm using 5 speakers, without the +1. I get lots more bass from my side channel towers than my neighbors are likely to enjoy. At least this way the speakers are on stands, and not pointed at the floor like most sub-woofers. So far no complaints from the neighbors, and the sound is awesome.

I would have liked the receiver to allow me to choose which device names and cable combinations went together. My solution was to buy a Sony universal remote. When I press the button on remote to change to the "DVD" signal, it switches to the audio/video for my DVD player (even though the receiver says it's in "BD" mode, since that's the ports I had to use). When I press the "TV" button on my remote, the receiver goes into "DVD" mode, which is where my cable box is attached. Unless you are using digital audio from a DVD player and a blue-ray player (and why would you have both if your BD player can upconvert regular DVDs) you'll need to do some similar mis-labeling. It only has two digital audio inputs, but I'm amazed how much better the sound is, over my 15 year old Sony surround receiver.

I'm satisfied at the price point. The sound is great, and after a bit of fussing, it works how I want it to.

I got this reciever to power the Sony SA-W3000 sub and the Polk Audio RM75 5 speaker set. this reciever puts out good power to each channel and the sub. it has many theater options so be sure to read and listen to each setting before you choose the one you want. i like the HDMI pass through and the Optical inputs for higher quality sound. The reviever has many other imputs if you system does not have these options. it looks sleek and is very functional. the only down side is that it has many options for each setting so be sure to read up on how to utilise its power. if you can get the settings right for your space this will put out the power and sound you are looking for at a good cost.