Customer Reviews

Sony STRDG820 7.1 Audio Video Receiver - Black

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Pros:
+ 4 HDMI v1.3a inputs with support for 1080p/24, Deep Color, and xvYCC
+ Up to 7.1 channel output (110Wx7, 8 ohms, 1kHz, 0.7% THD) with A/B speaker zones (7.1/2.0)
+ Lots of inputs: 3 optical audio, 1 coaxial digital audio, 4 HDMI v1.3a video/audio, 3 component video, 2 RCA stereo audio, 3 RCA stereo video/audio, 1 additional RCA stereo video/audio on front panel
+ Easy auto-calibration
+ Re-assignable digital audio inputs
+ Customizable display names for each input
+ Decodes Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS High-Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio
+ XM Satellite Radio ready
+ Supports Sony BRAVIA Theater Sync and Sony Digital Media Port

Cons:
- Awkward remote
- Cannot send analog video signals (e.g., component) through HDMI output, or digital inputs through the analog outputs
- Only has LFE subwoofer (RCA jack) output, no speaker-level (spring-loaded terminal) output
- Multi-channel and DSD signals from SA-CDs are not supported
- Standby power mode can only be activated by the remote

If you're looking for a solid receiver with plenty of inputs, including four (yes, 4!) HDMI v1.3a audio/video inputs, the Sony STR-DG820 is a great buy. This is one of Sony's new line of receivers for 2008 along with the STR-DG520, STR-DG720, and STR-DG920. This is a very compelling receiver for its price as it packs in a lot of great features when compared to other popular receivers including the Denon AVR988 and Onkyo TX-SR606.

Both the 820 and the 920 model have on-board decoding of the high-definition audio tracks found on HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs, along with Linear PCM support (up to 8 channels, 192 kHz). A note to fellow PS3 owners: you'll need to use LPCM output to let the PS3 internally decode the audio because it currently lacks the ability to output all of the HD audio formats natively using bitstream through the HDMI connection. SA-CD owners will be disappointed to find out that this receiver doesn't support any of the advanced audio tracks of the discs, so we're stuck with plain stereo CD output.

Any standard speaker arrangements between stereo (2.0) and the full 7.1 surround sound can be attached and configured individually for optimal performance, or let the quick and easy auto-calibration feature work its magic. I was caught off-guard by the fact that the only connection available for a subwoofer is an LFE (RCA) connector, so my previous passive sub from the old receiver couldn't be connected using bare speaker wires and had to be replaced.

A wide variety of electronics can be hooked up through the different named inputs: Video 1 (analog and digital video/audio), Video 2 (analog video/audio, front panel), BD (digital video/audio), DVD (analog and digital video/audio), Satellite (analog and digital video/audio), TV (analog and digital audio), and SA-CD/CD (analog audio). Digital audio sources can be reassigned to other input modes to match your connections (e.g., you can use the optical audio input labeled Video 1 with the component video input labeled DVD). The only catch is that analog inputs must exit through the analog outputs rather than being transcoded and output digitally through HDMI, and digital inputs cannot be sent through analog outputs. For about an extra $200, analog-to-digital transcoding will be available only on the higher-end 920 model due out soon, but I don't really have a problem with having two different cables connecting from my receiver to my LCD TV instead of just a single HDMI cable.

The included remote is a bit difficult to use with lots of functionality trying to be packed into a minimal amount of buttons. Yellow, silver, and purple labels and dots attempt to organize buttons based on which mode the remote currently is operating, and it takes a while to make any sense of it all. Even after some use, some buttons still make no sense, like why there separate buttons labeled Amp Menu, Options, Menu, BD/DVD Top Menu, and BD/DVD Menu when one or more of these could have been consolidated into a single button. Also, there are two buttons labeled TV--one switches the input to TV mode and one activates buttons marked with a yellow dot on the remote. Basically, whoever designed the remote needs fired. Do yourself a favor and get something like a Logitech Harmony One universal remote to replace this kludgy beast.

All in all, the convenience and flexibility of this receiver combined with the great features for a relatively low price made this product an easy decision for me. If it weren't for the clumsy remote and lack of analog-digital transcoding, I'd give this receiver a 5-star rating.

Many reviewers have already mentioned the strengths of this unit therefore I will not repeat all the features most of you already know about but I will review the audio quality. I am reviewing the European model but it should be identical to the US model ( except for the power transformer ).

I will agree with most reviewers that this unit is a good bang for the buck. Then why did I award it with only 3 stars ? I deducted 1 star because mine was a defective unit. It took me 2 weeks to notice but under prolonged use ( > 90 minutes ) the power transformer made a buzzing noise. The noise was only audible during silent scenes but it was annoying. I don't know if I got a lemon or this was a characteristic of the STR-DGxxx series ( cheap power transformers ). Be aware that many people may find this noise acceptable so be sure to give the unit a good workout before you buy. I returned my unit and did not get another one so I can't confirm mine was a lemon. There was some hum from the speakers as well but that was at an acceptable level and did not get amplified by turning the volume knob up.

The other star I deducted because of Sony's exaggerated power ratings. Before buying the product I had read somewhere that Sony made poor amplifiers with power specs that were quite far from the actual sound output. Unfortunately I ignored the reviewer because I thought he was just another audiophile trying to justify his Onkyo purchase by bashing consumer electronics brand names like Sony and Pioneer. Although he was wrong in regards to Sony's sound quality, he was spot on when it came down to power.

As a first time home cinema receiver buyer, I had no idea most manufacturers rate their amplifiers by outputting a test signal from ONLY one or two channels simultaneously. Now driving all 7 channels, thats a whole different story. Many people probably already know this but I'm pretty sure the majority doesn't. I usually read the user manual of every product I'm interested in very thoroughly, despite that I missed it. Why ? Because Onkyo is the only company that is honest about their rating procedure ( their manuals indicate they drive only 2 channels ). The STR-DG820 continous electrical power consumption is 230W. No amplifier can output more power than what is input. So if you ignore heat loss & efficiency, the 820 can drive 7 channels with no more than 230/7 = 33W continously. That is quite a dissapointment when Sony leads you to believe it can drive 7x85W undistorted.

I know many people will say that power is not that important. Unfortunately they are wrong because of the relationship between power and volume. In order to double the perceived volume, the amplifier has to consume 10 times the power. Peaks in the signal may cause the amplifier to distort from a sine wave to a square wave which can damage your speakers so any extra wattage you can squeeze out of your amplifier is a bonus in order to obtain a clean signal.

I tested this receiver with 2 pairs of Sony SS-F6000 floorstanding speakers ( 2 front, 2 surround ) with no subwoofer. The front and surround speakers were placed 3 and 1.5 meters from my listening position respectively. At these distances the amp appeared to deliver the required power but it was operating close to its limits. Most amplifiers reach their maximum clean output at 50-60% of the volume knob's total range. The range for the 820 is 0-74 and with some films ( Dolby Digital tracks ) I had the volume knob at 35. If you have a larger living room than mine I suggest you buy another receiver or connect very sensitive speakers ( > 90db ). If you have satellite speakers with a powered subwoofer this amplifier will probably cover you as you will get more headroom by redirecting bass frequencies to the subwoofer's amp - make sure you set your speakers to SMALL in that case. I had all my speakers set to LARGE and although they can definetely deliver good bass weight the receiver has to consume significantly more power.

Now lets get to the pros. This receiver is very clear sounding and I'm not saying "for the price". Some hifi magazines have pointed out that it sounds better than the Onkyo SR-606 or Denon AVR-1909 in stereo mode and I could only agree. A reviewer described the 820 as "dull". I personally think the receiver's flatter response curve is a plus, it won't exaggerate any frequencies and will cover a wider range of music while presenting it as the artist intended. Of course the frequency response is not entirely flat, I felt the bass and treble were stronger than the midrange but it was nothing to worry about. AC/DC still sounds warm and not like Metallica. Even without a subwoofer I never felt a lack of weight in the sound ( my speakers are 4-way though ). At volume set to 30 I could shake the apartment.

Here are some amplifiers I had a chance to make a head-to-head comparison at the store ( stereo only - analog direct mode or similar on all amplifiers for equal terms ) :

Yamaha RX-V361: The 820 destroys it. Period.
Yamaha AX-497: This is a stereo amplifier and the 820 sounded very similar. In fact a friend of mine's first comment upon hearing was that they must be using the same curcuitry ! The Yamaha was more powerful despite both being rated at 85 watts per channel.
Onkyo TX-SR605: The 820 sounded slightly more detailed. The Onkyo was brighter overall.
Denon AVR-1709: This was a bit bassy for my tastes. Will suit the hip hop crowd better.
Sony STR-DA1200ES: This model is not sold in the US, think of it as a 2400ES without the HD audio decoders. The STR-DG820 sounded identical in stereo. The "Elevated Standard" models are more powerful beasts though.

I could describe the STR-DG820 as balanced and detailed for music. The fact that it could hold its own ground against a Yamaha stereo amplifier was a big selling point for me. Some of these attributes do translate to surround as well. I tested the receiver with the "Bridge of Khazad-dum" scene from the "Fellowship of the Ring". This is a very taxing scene with both orchestral music and loud bass heavy earth shattering FX. I turned the volume up to 30 which is sofa-shaking level for that movie in DTS. At the point where the staircase was demolished the music managed to remain detailed and there was no clipping from the amplifier. A definite plus !

I didn't test many of the sound fields as I generally like unprocessed sound. The only one I used was "portable" for mp3 playback. I suggest you use it with 128 kbps mp3 files. For 320 or 256 kbps mp3 files, "portable" mode will sound harsh. The Dolby Pro Logic music decoders sounded OK, they created a good sound stage at the loss of some clarity. "Multi-stereo" mode ( same output from front and surround speakers ) would be good for parties but there will be a slight delay between the output of each speaker which can feel weird. You can't have your system calibrated perfectly. The A + B parallel front speaker connection did not give me more decibels ( I have not tried placing the speakers side by side though ) it just appeared to distribute power to more speakers. That can be a good thing at loud levels. It is interesting to note that the amplifier allows you to hook up two 8 ohm speakers in parallel ( 4 ohms total impedance ) but does not allow you to hook up a single 4 ohm speaker, there is no impedance selector.

I hope I have not been too harsh with my rating but I do feel it was deserved despite the favorable price. This is a good receiver but buyers should be aware of its shortcomings, I tried to present a balanced view. I would probably have kept the unit if it didn't have the buzzing issue.

Ive been a Sony loyalist for thirty years, and this is the 8th Sony receiver I've purchased. None of the previous seven failed, mind you. I've just continually upgraded. Even the first one I bought more than twenty years ago is chugging along fine in my garage. But this one has every possible bell and whistle, and the integration into my entertainment system is phenomenal. I had one of those "universal" remotes that cost more than $150, but I put it away when I started using the remote that Sony provides with the STRDG820. It operates every component, including my Pioneer HDTV and the Dish Network satellite box with ease and without having to press 12 buttons to turn a device on or off. And it took less than 15 minutes to program the remote, and about the same to set up the receiver itself. The base unit features four HDMI inputs and switches seamlessly to your video display unit, which allowed me to dump an HDMI switchbox I had used before (my TV has only one HDMI input). This is an outstanding product and the sound quality is ideal. This is a good bet for anyone looking for a sound (and video) processing unit that will rock your home theater without rocking your pocketbook.

My original need was for an a/v receiver that had HDMI hookups. With the SONY STR-DG820, which has four (4) HDMI inputs and one (1) HDMI output, I found the perfect blend of quality features and affordability. Now I can hookup both my Blu-ray and standard DVD players, along with VHS and HD Cable, and output the audio to my 5.1 speakers while using the HDMI output to direct all images to my SONY Bravia LCD t.v. This produces the best sound and image quality possible whichever device I choose. In addition, since most of my devices are SONY, I am able to turn on the t.v., A/V receiver, and Blu-ray player with a single button on the remote. The sound reproduction is so full and absent noticeable distortion that my five year old 5.1 speakers sound many times better than they ever have. I strongly recommend the STR-DG820.

I bought this to replace a Harmon-Kardon AVR330 since the HK didn't switch HDMI and didn't support the newest lossless codecs (Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio). I hadn't intended to buy this receiver, but a large price drop made me jump.

For a non-demanding buyer, this receiver is fine. It's easy to set up, does a great job switching HDMI signals, and is easy to use. It plays particularly well with Sony Blu-Ray players (I have a BDP-S350) and presumably Sony Bravia TVs (don't have one myself, but I suspect they're a good pairing). A low-end home theater buyer can't go wrong with this one if the price is right.

Unfortunately, the audio quality just isn't there. The sound of the STR-DG820 was horribly brassy to me. Far too much high end, not enough low end. I cringed while listening to the receiver because it wasn't able to give me the warm, realistic sound I came to enjoy from the HK AVR-330. I have since returned it and purchased a Denon AVR-1909 - which, while almost three times the price, is the product I should have purchased from the start.

My three star rating is really the average of two ratings. For a buyer looking to get a modern receiver at a low price, this is a four or five star receiver. You simply can't find a cheaper receiver that decodes TrueHD/DTS MA and has 4 HDMI inputs. For a buyer looking to complement a high end TV, speakers, etc, this is a one or two star receiver. It just isn't a high end component, so if you have other high end parts, it's worth your while to spend some more to get a higher quality receiver. I highly recommend the Denon AVR-1909.

It seems like it took Sony forever to get this to market. It was worth waiting for! Although I am using this receiver in a 5.1 configuration, the sound is exceptional when compared to the Yamaha 5.1 receiver it replaced. Setup was incredibly easy with the HDMI cable hookups to my Sony DVD player and Sony Bravia 32" LCD TV. The elimination of all the audio and video spaghetti plugged in at the back of the receiver was great. HDMI is the only way to go! Calibrating the speakers with the included microphone really made a difference in the quality of the sound, even using my old Infinity speakers and Klipsch subwoofer. I am also very pleased with how well this unit works with my Harmony One remote. Although just released, Logitech already has everything to operate the unit on the buttons of the Harmony One. I do not have to keep getting up to change settings at the receiver as I did with the old receiver. Finally, I think that this new Sony receiver is a real bargain as far as price is concerned. I got mine through Amazon.com at Vann's for $350 delivered. Based on my experience over the past month of ownership, I highly recommend this receiver.

I had problems with THREE separate receivers - Panasonic SA-XR57 (kept going into protect mode with 8 ohm speakers at very low levels), Harman Kardon AVR 247 (atrocious menu system for setup, wierd input gremlins), and an Onkyo 605 (heat, sparkling HDMI, humming on HDMI inputs) and began to think I just expected too much for under $300. I bought this Sony after the last receiver went back to the Amazon mothership and WOW. Just wow.

Sony gets a lot of flack for overstating their power ratings or not rolling out receivers that are as feature rich as Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, et al. As for the power ratings, it's regrettable but true - when driving all seven channels, this Sony is theoretically limited to around 35-40 watts a channel. This is, of course, nearly impossible to achieve, however. No film or orchestral soundtrack would likely send a high-intensity signal to all channels at all time; a current limitation with all channels driven does not mean that in everyday usage this receiver won't sound as powerful as its stated power would claim. Then again, there's a lot more to sound than numbers.

And that sound is where this thing delivers. No other receiver I've heard is as warm, detailed, and spacious as this Sony model. It's very easy on the ears - while the Onkyo might provide more titanic blasts, its high-end was always a tad forward leading to terrible ear ringing in bed after watching a loud movie or two. No such problem with this unit. I've been impressed with its ability to drive large speakers with a nice, fast bass sound - using Polk RTi A5 and Infinity Primus 362s from the other room in my apartment, I got sound that was a little different, though likely no worse, than what the NAD integrated amp in my music system produces. I'm floored and still can't fathom why, if all Sony receivers sound like, they get a bad rap on audio boards all over the internet.

Potential cons for the 820:
No OSD
No video upscaling of analog inputs
No phono stage

For anyone for whom any of those are a dealbreaker, the STR-DG920 model includes all three along with the same amp-section. For those of us living in a fully digital world (or, like myself, armed with an offboard phono pre-amp), this Sony STR-DG820 is a fantastic bargain and the best I've heard in the ultra-budget HT price range with modern capabilities. Totally love it.

It took awhile to work through all the directions (2 hrs +) but it was worth the exercise. The microphone supplied with the receiver takes a lot of the guesswork out of getting each of the speakers to the right level. I found out after I bought it that you need to have all the speakers to make the autolevel adjustment work. In other words you can't run 5.1 - you have to have the 7.1 set up. I bought a factory refurb to save some $$ and it looked brand new when I got it - could not tell any difference. I definitely recommend the product to anyone who wants a low cost good quality home theater receiver.

To avoid repetition, I agree with Dan Dautrich's excellent review, and will limit mine to a few additions:

Setup using the factory defaults is quick and easy. The myriad of customizing options available using the AMP Menu lets you adapt the receiver to just about any combination of inputs, speakers, room dimensions and personal preferences. The downside is that it took me a long time and several trial-and-error attempts to tweak every possible setting. A better organized manual and a decent index would have been useful in navigating through so many adjustments.
My only other complaint is the receiver's narrow acceptance angle for signals from the remote control.
Despite its imperfections, the Sony 820 is an excellent value, especially for relatively complex home theater systems or users who want to allow for future additions and component upgrades.

I would not call myself a super-sophisticated audiophile but we do listen to music, play games, watch HD TV and Blu-ray movies and, occasionally, we listen to the radio. Our new acquisition - this Sony STRDG820 - we credit with enhancing all of the above and it does it (with some help - see below) for a VERY low price, considering the features, half of which I will probably never use.

QUICK EVALUATION

This is my quick evaluation, on Amazon's 1-5 stars scale. I will enter the 'star value' first for the sake of a better alignment:

- 5.0 - Packaging. Nothing to complain, really. All was there (batteries included), well cushioned and protected and easy to get at.
- 3.0 - Physical design and ergonomics. It's boxy and the buttons aren't that intuitive either on the receiver's face or on the remote. This in contrast to the nicely done I/O ports layout on the back.
- 5.0 - Physical setup. Easy. All inputs and outputs, and there are many, are logically grouped and easy to locate.
- 4.0 - Logical setup. Relatively easy. Auto calibration is available for the speakers, for example, but coming back later and customizing everything manually is HIGHLY recommended. The receiver doesn't know whether speakers are attached and it must be 'told' and, as I am currently waiting for a new set of speakers, it doesn't know that I don't have a woofer (the one that I have is not compatible with this receiver).
- 3.0 - Operation. This is where 'help' came from a Logitech Harmony Universal Remote. The supplied remote control does the job but, with so many functions and jammed onto that little magic wand, almost everything requires several button pushes, and they had to be the 'right' buttons in the right sequences - see the manual.
- 4.5 - Versatility. This is based on my limited experience. I am trying to be 'all-HDMI' but my satellite receiver had a port problem and, until it was replaced, I had to output it to the receiver through component video and a Toslink cable for sound. Easier done than said, literally. When the Satellite box was replaced, changing the configuration was as easy as unplugging the component/Toslink cables and plugging in the HDMI. Certain options such as XM radio or iPod interfacing may require additional hardware. Speakers can be configured in many different ways.
- 5.0 - Video output. It's simply superb - 1080p without breaking a sweat. I only tested input through component and HDMI and it's perfect, including the lip sync part.
- 5.0 - Audio output. Meets and exceeds expectations. There are many bells and whistles (read the specs) and careful, manual calibration and setup can produce one's dream sound system, for less.
- 4.5 - Power. It's adequate for our large room.
- 4.0 - Value. Competition is tough in the field and there are alternatives priced within Sony's ballpark.

Overall rating: 4 stars.

WHAT YOU GET

- The STRDG820 AV receiver body itself
- Remote control (with batteries)
- AM and FM antennas
- Manual in English (100+ pages)
- Manual in Spanish (100+ pages)
- Warranty papers, disclaimers, warnings, etc.

PRACTICAL CONCERNS

As I mentioned above, the remote is not exactly the best layout, most intuitive control device once can think of. Pre-setting a radio station, for example, can't be done unless one studies the manual and this is true for many operations and functions. I understand that the initial setup, calibration and fine-tuning should be done with a manual nearby but most of us don't expect to need it when we want to listen to the radio or to switch from TV to DVD. In my case, all it was made VERY easy because we already had a Logitech Harmony 900 Remote Control (Black) (and most other Harmony models should do the job) but, considering that the Harmony costs more than the receiver itself, this may not be a good option for everybody.

Another issue was the woofer. The one we had attached to our pre-existing Bravia system was the kind that was powered by the receiver and was connecting through 'normal' speaker wires. It is not supported by the 820. We were ordering new speakers anyway - an Onkyo set, actually :) - so this is not a big concern to us but it's worth mentioning.

There's not much to say at this time other than READ THE MANUAL. As inexpensive as it is, relatively speaking, this is a very complex piece of entertainment hardware and it just can't be 'winged'. It is possible to have it output some decent sound just by connecting speaker, running the auto-calibration and plugging in a couple of wires but that would only give you a 'good' system and it would be a shame since this can be fine-tuned into a GREAT system.