NONE

HHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

At the advise of all the losers on this site pimping monster cable, i tried it. Thanks morons! The hiss sounds alot crisper and cleaner now. Thanks!!! Glad all you great people are so knowledgeable about your electronics, that a cable can remove an internal hiss from a digital processor. Just goes to show the intelligence and maturity level of the average Sony customer, posting under someone else's name and while doing so, not having a clue as to what their talking about.

If you're going to post under someone elses name, at least have something intelligent to say, losers!

SONY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Decent amount of features for the price...dolby, dts, 80x5, etc/Looks good

Shhhhhhh/Hiss

This model has his strengths, but its weaknesses drove me insane. I was forced to return this receiver because I enjoy listening to soft music once in a while and the shhhhh sound was overbearing. I took it to the Sony service center and they would do nothing. So, just get the DE475 instead. Its basically the same model with the same features, but much improved. I lisened to them both and the shhhh on the newer model is much much quieter. The only time you hear it is when you put your ear up to the speaker. How often do you do that?

Similar Products Used:

Aiwa shelf systems

Just wanted to add my two cents to the discussion about hissing: The dealer from whom I bought the receiver told me that the first batches of these receivers had a malfunction that caused the hissing mentioned here (it can and will be, according to him, fixed under guarantee). Apparently some insulation was missing.

Anyway, I haven't noticed the problem so mine should be one the newer, fixed ones. Seems like a great product and the value for money is excellent with DTS and all.

Good range of analogue inputs, channel separation and standard DTS/Digital soundis excellent

BAD hiss problem (curable), Lower output than quoted, overloaded design

In short, this a good basic receiver to introduce Dolby Digital and DTS at an affordable price. I paid 150UKP which is quite a bargain over here.

Whilst the sound clarity and separation in Digital/DTS is good, the overall sound is let down by the nagging hiss which is constant at any volume below about a 12/13. The hiss does not appear so much in 2-channel mode. I understand that new newer batches do not have the hiss, due to the fact that extra component insulation was added. I will be getting on to Sony about this, as the unit is fully under guarantee. Also, when in AFD mode the 'click' when the receiver changes from stereo or nothing to 5.1 is annoying with the hiss!
I think its also worth noting that the hiss problem is not as apparent on my 6ohm Tangent speakers (which I usually use as rears), instead of my 8ohm Sonys.

As I work as a cinema projectionist, I can quite safely say that NOBODY would be happy if all they could hear was hissing throughout the movie.

Other that that, the only other quibbles are the fact that Sony seems to have overestimated the sound output quite a bit, the fascia is so cluttered, and the lack of an OSD makes set up quite fiddly. And a few more digital inputs wouldn't have been missed, either, as well as some binding posts rather than springclip terminals for the speakers. But I suppose that would do away with the bargain price tag! The unit sold so quickly here, I had to wait 2 months to get one!

On the positive side, there are plenty of analogue inputs, including a further 5.1 in for future upgrades, the RDS system on the tuner works well, and sound and reception are generally good. There is no phono input, so vinyl lovers will have to fork out for an off-board pre-amp.

As Ive mentioned, the Dolby Digital decoding is excellent, but I havnt had much of a chance to try out DTS as DTS DVDs are thin on the ground over here. Listening to Gladiator in DTS did prove to be an experience. From a personal point of view, I have always preferred Dolby - it seems to be more spacial and have a lot more punch. Its more or less like doing a direct DTS/Dolby SR-D comparison in a modern cinema - I like to be able to let the surround sound merge into the background, whereas DTS just sounds as if it really is coming from a speaker.

In stereo, theres no way that it can match a 2 channel amp, and the sound is rather neutral. Pro-Logic decoding from the UKs NICAM stereo broadcasting system is more than adequate.

If you get one of the new batch models, this could well be the perfect receiver for those looking to take their first step to Dolby Digital and/or DTS.

Similar Products Used:

more Sony (speakers, MD), Arcam (CD), Pioneer (DVD)

Easy setup

I bought this receiver because I wanted to upgrade to DD/DTS, and I have been very happy with it. I haven't experienced any of the hiss that others have complained about. The difference between the Dobly prologic 2.0 and the DD 5.1 on DVDs is amazing! I love the quality and sound separation. For under $200 I don't know that you can get a better deal.

Similar Products Used:

Sony ProLogic receiver de-705

might get cought

this is the best 1 yet see with all the features and the looks i can 100 cash for it its great now i dont have to steal my moms tv to get my crack by thois receiver and tell me where u live its the besrt thing u could ever do

Similar Products Used:

everythiong

might get cought

this is the best 1 yet see with all the features and the looks i can 100 cash for it its great now i dont have to steal my moms tv to get my crack by thois receiver and tell me where u live its the besrt thing u could ever do

Similar Products Used:

everythiong

Cheap construction, not easy to use
Bad sound (HISSSSSSSS IS HORRIBLE)

This is a cheap reciever both cost wise and quality.
Not especially easy to use and the hiss is horrible when listening to classical music. Do even bother wih headphones. The hiss will make you insane.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Onkyo

Hiss!!!

This is the first Sony receiver i've ever owned. I just got a 32" sony Wega, so I wanted to stay with the same brand. The receiver looked and sounded not bad in the store, but as soon as I hooked it up at home It became obvious that it had a problem. I knew exactly what I was getting, so I wasn't expecting audiophile quality (even the power cord is attached to the unit - just like your average alarm clock radio!) However, the hiss from all five speakers is really annoying. After reading all the reviews I am returning the unit to the retailer for exchange. Yes, I will give another one a try - we'll see if the newest batch they just got from manufacturer has the same problem.
Anyway, Sony Canada reps here in Vancouver are not aware of this hiss as a general problem with this model. Local authorized Sony repair centre can fix the hiss under warranty- or at least that's what they say. However, I do not think this a viable solution for a product out of the box. Where is the quality control?!!!!
The receiver is really nice for the money (Visions matched RadioShack's price of $299 canadian- USD 200). It has enough features for it's class and Dolby Surround sounds clear and lively. But the hiss is unacceptable- I will see if I have any luck with another unit. If not I'm going for Pioneer svx-d509s.

Similar Products Used:

Technics, Pioneer

Dolby Digital, DTS, Optical and Coaxial inputs

Remote

If you are a first time home theater buyer then this is a great little piece for the money. As an entry level it has it all Dolby Digital and DTS decoders, optical and coaxial inputs for your dvd and satalite systems and a 0.09 THD.
Although it has video switching it does lack s-video inputs. overall this is a great start for anyone looking to purchase a entry level a/v receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood VR-407, Pioneer vsx-d510