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Product summary
Specifications: Product type: AV receiver; Sound output mode: Surround Sound; Amplifier total output power: 700 Watt; See full specs
Price range: $639.00 - $888.00
CNET editors' take
- Published on: 07/25/2007
All you need to know: the Sony STR-DA5300ES has six HDMI inputs.
(Credit: CNET)Presumably in an effort to steal some of the buzz from Denon's line show yesterday, Sony announced three new receivers in its ES line slated to come out over the next few months. The flagship model is the STR-DA5300ES, successor to the excellent and innovative STR-DA5200ES, and we already have a full review. The big news about the STR-DA5300ES is undoubtedly its connectivity. There are six HDMI inputs, which is more than we've seen on any receiver in this price range. Match that up with its three component video inputs and the STR-DA5300ES's plentiful input names, and you have a receiver that can easily switch among nine high-def components. Wow. Also, like its predecessor, the STR-DA5300ES boasts a slick graphical user interface, similar to the Cross Media Bar ("XMB") nav bar found on the PSP. There's a lot more to say about this receiver, so head over to the full review for all the details.
Sony STR-DA4300ES
(Credit: Sony)While we were extremely impressed by the STR-DA5300ES, we're not quite as excited about the step-down models. The STR-DA4300ES is similar to the 5300ES, but it steps down to three HDMI inputs, has a little less power, and lacks the component video output for a second zone. Like the 5300ES, the 4300ES also boasts onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, plus it features the slick graphical user interface. While that still adds up to a nice receiver, Sony faces some tough competition from the Onkyo TX-SR705, which has many of the same features without the graphical user interface. While users might be willing to pay for the nice menu system, the price difference is large: The 4300ES will have a retail price of $1,300 when it comes out in October, and the TX-SR705 will be available soon with a list price of $900.
Sony STR-DA3300ES
(Credit: Sony)The next step-down is the STR-DA3300ES, which also features three HDMI inputs, but lacks Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. This could be a smart buy for savvy buyers, as right now it's impossible to take advantage of onboard decoding of these new soundtracks because there are no HD DVD or Blu-ray players that will output them in bitstream mode--although Denon has announced a Blu-ray player that will be able to do so. The STR-DA330ES is coming out in August for about $1,000.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on AV receivers. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of av receiver.
High-end AV receivers ($600 and up)
Audio/video receivers differ quite a bit from old audio-only stereo receivers you might be familiar with. Almost all models have the baseline home theater capabilities: video switching, 7.1 channels of sound, and basic Dolby and DTS surround decoding. And even many inexpensive receivers now utilize HDMI inputs and outputs, which offer the potential for all-digital audio and high-def video hook-ups on a single cable.
In a perfect world, power ratings would give some indication of the loudness potential of AV receiver. But unfortunately, not every 100-watt-per-channel receiver is created equal. What's inside does make a difference, and beefy power transformers and capacitors are not only heavy but also expensive; that's part of what you're paying for here. And while the THX certification is mostly a marketing gimmick, it's usually a sign of more-honest power ratings--although you shouldn't pay more just for THX.
Some high-end receivers have Ethernet or Wi-Fi connections through which they can stream audio or Internet radio on a home network. Since these features can be added to a home theater system with the purchase of a separate media streamer (such as the Apple TV or Logitech Squeezebox), there's little advantage to paying extra to have them bundled into the receiver itself.
Look for a receiver with as many HDMI inputs as possible, and one that offers analog-to-digital video conversion (sometimes called "HDMI upconversion"), so any non-HDMI AV sources will still appear on the receiver's HDMI output. Also, avoid receivers that offer only "HDMI video passthrough," which means that the audio soundtrack requires a separate cable. For those models with analog-to-digital video conversion, you'll need to make sure the system also has a good video processor (just like a DVD player). Poor processors mean ugly looking video from non-HDMI analog sources (such as the Nintendo Wii or an older DVD player); the better the processing, the better the image conversion from those sources.
For additional information, please see CNET's Surround sound buying guide
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Where to buy
Sony STR-DA3300ES:
$639.00 - $888.00
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Amazon.com
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$799.99 | Yes |
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$888.00 | Yes |
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$639.00 | No | Not yet rated |
