Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24934 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: STRDA1200ESB.CEK
• Released on: 2007-02-14

Manufacturer's Description
High Definition compatible ES receiver for ambitious Home cinema fans. Featuring auto calibration for a perfectly balanced surround sound in any living room.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

I'm no audiophile but I know what I like.
I got this to replace my "old" Pioneer receiver which just didn't cut it anymore in this HDMI world we live in.

Setting up using the automatic system was a breeze and really did give me a far better balance than I ever achieved jigging my old amp manually. I couldn't get the onscreen display to work, possibly because I was using the HDMI connections but the onboard display is more than adequate anyway.

If I had anything cautious to say about this it would be that in this day and age two HDMI connectors may not be enough.

Excellent
This is a superb 7.1 channel AV receiver. It can also be configured for a 5.1 or 6.1 set up.

If you are using just 5 speakers and a sub-woofer, then the unused outputs for the two surround-back speakers may be used to bi-wire the front two speakers instead - a useful feature.

Sound quality is excellent - it sounds clean, detailed, and well controlled throughout the entire frequency range. Bass response is impressive and well delivered also, and thanks to the auto-setup feature, it is perfectly balanced and in proportion to the overall mix (not overblown).

The (microphone driven) auto-calibration feature takes the hassle and guess work out of setting it up. Although you can set it up manually if you prefer. The auto set-up is accurate and it only takes about 30 seconds to complete. There are also bass and treble equalizer (tone) controls available for Centre and Surround speakers (not only the front two speakers).

It has all of the inputs and outputs you could reasonably expect including HDMI, four optical digital inputs (including one on the front panel), one optical output, and two digital coaxial inputs. Not to mention a stack of standard line inputs and outputs (including a phono input).

It sounds very good not only with DVD playback, but also with stereo music as well. There is a very useful 'Multi Stereo' mode which outputs the two channel stereo sound (such as found on CDs) from all speakers plus the sub-woofer.

Other surround modes include: Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, NEO:6, Dolby Pro-Logic IIx, and there is also a Digital Cinema Sound mode which enhances the sound further. It also includes a 7.1 Channel Analogue input - which may be used (for example) for connecting a Super Audio CD player.

This model was awarded `Product of the year 2006' by `What HiFi Sound & Vision' magazine - and there is a review available to download on Sony's UK web site (which is worth reading - if you are interested in what the professionals think).

I agree with the conclusions reached by 'What HiFi' - especially when they say: "There's real verve and enthusiasm in the sound".

I would recommend this receiver to anybody who is looking to build a quality home cinema surround system - at a reasonable price.

Excellent. Five stars. (Also available in silver).