Opinions on Sony STR-DE897

[eluth]

Are they any opinions on the Sony STR-DE897? I found a local store which is discounting it for $200 instead of the $400 MSRP.

I'm not looking for a 7.1 system, but primarily a receiver with digital inputs to hook up to two small Polk R15 to listen in Stereo.

Your advices/comments are appreciated.

[aaharvel]

honestly- you should avoid Sony- at any price.

Save a little bit of money up and get you something that's going to last and sound infintely better.

Harman Kardon or Denon.

[F1nut]

Sony ES or no Sony.

[dorokusai]

If you can't move into the Sony ES line, I agree, move along. The ES line is much better than the stock US market DE line.

Aaharvel - We know you don't like Sony, due to the fact we have to read about it every 3 posts.

[aaharvel]

Originally posted by dorokusai
Aaharvel - We know you don't like Sony, due to the fact we have to read about it every 3 posts.

Eluth doesn't know it- he's new. It's called friendly advice.

and Dorokusai- I know you think my opinion isn't worth anything on these forums.

Get over it. :D

[Mike682]

I agree with the others about Sony:

Look at Sony ES or check out other brands.

[dorokusai]

Aaharvel - I assure you that you barely exist to me, but to say your opinion isn't worth anything is self deprecating. An informed opinion is friendly advice while a clearly biased, unsubstantiated opinion is useless.

Happy Listening!

[RuSsMaN]

Can I get an Amen?

[audiobliss]

Nope.

[aaharvel]

Originally posted by dorokusai
Aaharvel - I assure you that you barely exist to me, but to say your opinion isn't worth anything is self deprecating. An informed opinion is friendly advice while a clearly biased, unsubstantiated opinion is useless.

Happy Listening!

An unsubstantiated opinion? Whatever Dorkusai. I, like others on here, have owned my fair share of Sony & ES receivers. I'm familiar with how they sound- especially when compared to other makes and models. So when someone asks for advice and opinions on Sony receivers- then I have the right to give my advice and opinions on Sony receivers.

No- the problem with you Mark is that you are singling me out for expressing the same opinion that countless others on here agree with and express themselves. You have done so ever since I came to this forum- and quite frankly you are the only one; Which suggests to me that you take your rank & file here waaaay too seriously. If I barely exist to you, then prove it. STOP TROLLING MY POSTS! It's that f--king simple. You don't like my opinion on something? Fine. God knows you wouldn't be the first-but what separates you from others on here is your total inability to come across as 'Respectful' when making your point be known.
:D

[F1nut]

Is your AC not working today?

[aaharvel]

Originally posted by F1nut
Is your AC not working today?

I'm sorry F1. It's just that most everyone on here is always nice and respectful to me- except this cat. We're all on here to meet friends and to help others- and i'm pretty certain that this qualifies for most everyone else on the forum as well. I may not be the "audiophile" Dorokusai is but so what? I am sick to death of his trolling, and his attempts to antagonize posters on these forums- particularly myself; and I promise you that I am not the only one on this forum who feels this way.

Once again, I sincerely apologize to all those whom are offended- but sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. There's something definitely wrong here, and it's a damn shame that a guy who has over 6,000 posts to his name doesn't know what it is.

[dorokusai]

Aaharvel - Don't get upset because you were challenged on your opinion, it happens to all of us. We had this discussion in another thread and your Sony experience, regardless of owning 3 units is simply limited, just like mine is on alot of other gear....say for instance Yamaha or Kenwood.

The vintage Sony Esprit, Sony ES and the new Qualia lines are well worth the money....well, maybe not the Qualia, but you get my point. They are high end Sony, not generic cookie cutter Sony, fact.

I have never, nor will I support the purchase of the DE line, period, so we actually agree if you'd take the time to look closer. You want to group everything made by Sony into a singular statement, which is simply not factual.

The difference between you and I is that I don't bash gear, I comment or do not comment at all.

You may, and whomever else can say what they will, it just doesn't matter. This is only a forum and only words, we all have opinions and we can't always agree.

I've been in arguments with my best buddy F1Nut on this place, but he hasn't poured sugar in my gas tank....or told me to go F myself....just said when he's coming over for dinner that week. I don't always agree with TroyD, Madmax, Russman, Hoosier21, EarlyB, BobMcG and a host of others....but no problems are reported, no feathers are ruffled.

I'm not respectful? I don't like to help? I troll and antagonize? Oki Doki, whatever you say, that's fine by me. I don't apologize for anything, it reads like it reads.

I don't dislike you, I just disagree with you....see, it's easy and I'm sure BOTH of us will sleep just fine.

[aaharvel]

ok

[Jeffrey_B]

dorokusai:

I have a 6-year old Sony ES30 receiver (80w/channel) and am considering moving to a separate 5-channel amp and use the pre-outs on the Sony (for now). There are a number of new pre/pros coming out so I'd rather not commit to one yet. Have you had any experiences with ES stuff being used as a pre/pro? JEFF

[bknauss]

I saw an article in this month's Sound and Vision... 3 bang for the buck receivers, and although the Sony DE model put out more power with 1-2 channels driven (somewhere around 180W IIRC), it dropped to a measely 30-35W/channel with 5-7 channels driven. The Marantz and Pioneer in the same article were in the 130W range with 1-2 channels driven, and stayed around 100W per channel with 5-7 channels driven.

[Mike682]

Originally posted by bknauss
I saw an article in this month's Sound and Vision... 3 bang for the buck receivers, and although the Sony DE model put out more power with 1-2 channels driven (somewhere around 180W IIRC), it dropped to a measely 30-35W/channel with 5-7 channels driven. The Marantz and Pioneer in the same article were in the 130W range with 1-2 channels driven, and stayed around 100W per channel with 5-7 channels driven.

I was reading this also...

The Sony just dies out fast with all channels driven

Sony test report:
1/2 channels: 141/122 watts (21.5/20.75 dBW)
5/7 channels: 35/31 watts (15.5/14.75 dBW)

OUCH!! a 6db drop!! with all channels driven

Marantz:
1/2 channels: 118/98 watts (20.75/20.0 dBW)
5/7 channels: 76/64 watts (18.75/18.0 dBW)

Pioneer:
1/2 channels: 110/95 watts (20.5/19.75 dBW)
5/7 channels: 70/61 watts (18.5/17.75 dBW)

[dorokusai]

Originally posted by Jeffrey_B
dorokusai:

I have a 6-year old Sony ES30 receiver (80w/channel) and am considering moving to a separate 5-channel amp and use the pre-outs on the Sony (for now). There are a number of new pre/pros coming out so I'd rather not commit to one yet. Have you had any experiences with ES stuff being used as a pre/pro? JEFF

It wouldn't be a problem. Jtgranby uses an ES pre-amp...and I think DarqueKnight also uses ES processors in his rig.

[dorokusai]

Originally posted by bknauss
I saw an article in this month's Sound and Vision... 3 bang for the buck receivers, and although the Sony DE model put out more power with 1-2 channels driven (somewhere around 180W IIRC), it dropped to a measely 30-35W/channel with 5-7 channels driven. The Marantz and Pioneer in the same article were in the 130W range with 1-2 channels driven, and stayed around 100W per channel with 5-7 channels driven.

The DE series is simply generic, no new news on that front. Keep in mind, most people don't even notice let alone care.

We are the crazy people who get angry about this stuff :)

[Toxis]

do you need a new door stop or a new receiver?

[aaharvel]

Originally posted by Toxis
do you need a new door stop or a new receiver?

lol jesus

[Toxis]

Originally posted by aaharvel
lol jesus WHERE???
*looks around rapidly*

[eluth]

OK. You convinced me.
I'm returning the DE897 to the store tonight. I found a refurb HK AVR-135 for same price range.
(Btw, I already own a AVR-320 for my home theater, I just didn't want to go the road of an overkill system, just for some stereo).

[aaharvel]

Originally posted by eluth
OK. You convinced me. I'm returning the DE897 to the store tonight.

one more soul saved.

and eluth- if it's just stereo you're looking for then look at the Harman Kardon 2ch. receivers maybe? For the $ you'll get better, more powerful amplification from a 2ch. receiver than you normally would from a multi-channel receiver. Also- don't stop with Harman Kardon. Take a look at Denon, Marantz, maybe even Onkyo.

[marker]

Originally posted by eluth
OK. You convinced me.
I'm returning the DE897 to the store tonight. I found a refurb HK AVR-135 for same price range.
(Btw, I already own a AVR-320 for my home theater, I just didn't want to go the road of an overkill system, just for some stereo).

Good move! I also agree with AAH about a 2 channel stereo receiver. You can pick up refurbed HK, Denon, or Onkyos for a good price.

Integrateds are an even better option for stereo. There are also good refurbed deals to be had on NAD int. amps too.

[F1nut]

Originally posted by eluth

(Btw, I already own a AVR-320 for my home theater, I just didn't want to go the road of an overkill system, just for some stereo).

Oh boy! :rolleyes: There isn't a receiver or AVR made that will come anywhere close to overkill for a 2 channel set up. If you had a killer 2 channel set up you'd quickly realize that it's much better than surround sound.

[dorokusai]

Originally posted by F1nut
Oh boy! :rolleyes: There isn't a receiver or AVR made that will come anywhere close to overkill for a 2 channel set up. If you had a killer 2 channel set up you'd quickly realize that it's much better than surround sound.

I must stop you there....just because, for example, someone recently decides that the 2CH arena is acceptable for multi-channel formats, doesn't mean the mass agenda complies.... the masses are against that school of thought. Fact.

I'm happy that folks find what they want in audio, but don't generalize.

Who are you to say that someone doesn't have a killer setup already? Just because they have an AVR makes them morons and not "audiophiles"?

If that's the case, then you must be calling me a moron as well. Yea, I know "I never said anyone was a moron" but the statement "If you had a killer 2CH setup...." speaks volumes.

I bet if Jolida made a 7.1 AVR you'd be onboard 100%.

[F1nut]

.

[dorokusai]

.

[aaharvel]

just wondering about the 2posts above me. looks like i missed something interesting.

[audiobliss]

awww man.....I missed it.......*sigh*....

[RuSsMaN]

Wussies.

I bet Jesse started posting quotes from some obscure website, then Mark retorted with religious and ethnic slurs. At least thats what I'm hoping.

Couple of nice receivers, btw:

Magnum/Dynlab MD-208
Music Hall Maven

[F1nut]

No, No and No.

[shack]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Wussies.

I bet Jesse started posting quotes from some obscure website, then Mark retorted with religious and ethnic slurs. At least thats what I'm hoping.
Nah...they probably just took off their pants and started doing the Hokey Pokey..."That's what it's all about."...

[dorokusai]

Actually it was an open display of affection that got way out of hand....Jesse is a charmer you know ;)

[heiney9]

Originally posted by F1nut
Oh boy! :rolleyes: There isn't a receiver or AVR made that will come anywhere close to overkill for a 2 channel set up. If you had a killer 2 channel set up you'd quickly realize that it's much better than surround sound.

Absolutely true!!!!

H9

[Toxis]

I thought the same last night... :p

[shiu]

Originally posted by Mike682
I was reading this also...

The Sony just dies out fast with all channels driven

Sony test report:
1/2 channels: 141/122 watts (21.5/20.75 dBW)
5/7 channels: 35/31 watts (15.5/14.75 dBW)

OUCH!! a 6db drop!! with all channels driven



Mike, I subscribe to the S&V mag and I read the above also but I thought it was for a DE698.

eluth was talking about the Sony STR-DE897. S&V also reviewed the DE897 in the Sept 2004 issue. It beats the Yamaha RX-V750 in noise level, 1/2 channel into 4 ohms, 5 channels into 8 ohms and has lower THD at 1W. Results and links are as follow:

STR-DE897

1/2 channels: 149/128 watts (into 8 ohms)
1/2 channels: 227/181 watts (into 4 ohms)
5 channels: 76 watts (into 8 ohms) vs RX-V750's 61 watts.
The 2 channel measurements were for both channels driven at the same time.

These numbers are obtained as usual with a 1 KHz signal at clipping but they tested the Yamaha and the JVC the same way. You just have to discount those numbers somewhat for 20 to 20 kHz. T

Here's the reviewer's comments:

"The Sony STR-DE897 is a fine value at its list price, let alone a discounted one. The remote is smaller and a bit more crowded than the others, but the layout is sensible and easy to follow. If simplicity was one of the chief design goals for this receiver — which seems to be the case — then Sony has hit the nail on the head."

Links:

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=5&article_id=658&page_number=3&preview=

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/receiverlab0804.pdf

Not trying to defend Sony, I don't own one anyway but since I read both reviews (including the one you quoted) I thought its fair to post the one eleuth was asking about.

IMO, for $200, the DE897 offers good value, for someone who just want to watch movies with DD/DTS 5.1 without spending much. Since eluth's focus is Stereo music, he may be better off going with something higher end.