Possibly the lowest (consumer cost wise) 'Digital Ready' Receiver around, the Sony STR-DE515. Although, MSRP is not listed in the Sony WEB, Crutchfield's (on-line WEB catalog) Sony Store lists it at $299.99. I got mine for $297.99 @ Fry's Electronics. I just returned the Pioneer VSX-406 ($249.99) to Fry's (after 1 week) with the intention of rebuying the VSX-406 at The Good Guys for $229.99, . . yes, $20.00 cheaper. But after surveying the group of Receivers on the wall, this real informative salesman changed my mind by helping me consider what's upcoming in the very near future, basically "HDTV, Digital Broadcast, DVD", etc. Did I want to purchase another receiver in 2 years or so, one with Dolby Digital Ready inputs???
He then pointed out the Sony STR-DE515, (Spec. 100w x3 Front/Center and 50w x2 Surround @ 0.8%THD 8 ohms; 5 Channel Digital Signal Processing [DSP]w/4 acoustic environments; Dolby Digital Ready; Discrete output transistors; Mix output for subwoofer; Complementary push-pull output stage; Separate power transformers; etc.) Their cost $299.99. Um, just like Crutchfield's, . . .but I decided to visit another Fry's in Sunnyvale, and it was $2.00 less that day. (Hey every penny, . . . dollar helps!)
How does it sound you ask? 5 Stars sums it up. I thought the 4 channel Pioneer VSX-406 (80w x4 F,C & S) was good (remember, I could of bought that one for $229.99), . . but the Sony was even better, probably outstanding would be more accurate! Probably has something to do with the amplifier design.
Paired with DCM Time Frame TF250's, AudioSource VS One Center & Surround speakers and complimented with the dbx db-SW15 Plus 15" Subwoofer, my family room never sounded so Theater like! The Dolby Surround Channels separation is more visual, providing an airy quality to the source material while presenting an accurate pin point location to the movie or music in front, side and behind. Movies like Independace Day, or Jurrasic Park comes alive with the Sony's accurate translation of the encoded sound around my Toshiba FST 35" CX35D60. It has more than enough power to do justice on any sound/video source.
With Dolby Digital already making a splash this year (1997) with DVD, and all the major San Francisco Bay Area Broadcast Stations upgrading to broadcast Dolby Digital by 1998, my Sony's six analog inputs for 5.1 channel connection is just waiting for the cost of an optional outboard Dolby Digital decorder to come down.

IT has great sound, and the 5.1 channel input it's just great.

Not enough video inputs

Overall I liked this product the price was just great, for the features it has I got a great deal for a reciever. I would recommend this product for those of you with 5.1 dobly digital outputs.

Similar Products Used:

None

good value

not enough video inputs

It was a great deal a couple years ago, and I imagine something at the same level in Sony's product line is a great deal today. The catch's are: 1) no digital decoder. buy a dvd with a decoder and your fine, and 2) no universal remote, and no dvd controls on the remote. Oh well, you probably need the exercise anyway.
As far as the guy down the list who repairs a lot of Sony's, Sony sells a lot of product. At least their customers want to fix them. Years ago I worked for a large retailer selling TV's and stereos. Sony's quality was certainly better (then) than both Pioneer and Kenwood. Has that changed, I don't know.
I did discover the speaker problem some reveiwers mentioned. I initially had the receiver hooked up to a set of Mission 737 Rennaisance speakers, sounded great. That Christmas my wife bought me a Bose AM-6 speaker set. Now I have surround, but an obvious loss of sound quality. Oh well, that's a reveiw for another category.

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none with surround sound

Lets be realistic here, under $500 cdn, AC3 ready, phono input and much more, this is a good receiver for the money. I'm using Energy 22 Pros up front with
cheesy center and sorrounds so I'll only comment on the stereo sound which
isn't all that bad... Top end a bit harsh, Bass not as controlled as it be,
and depth which definitely leaves you wanting more.

My friend brought over his Bryston 3B power amp and a Bryston pre-amp which
we hooked up in place of the Sony. Guess What? Made the sony sound sick. But
for 3 grand - that is to be expected. All in all, the Sony is actually pretty
good for the money. I'll give it a four.

I have had this receiver for approximately 1.5 years now and it still shows its flair. As far as entry level products go, the Sony has it all. AC3 ready, plenty of power on tap and decent cinema DSP effects. A veritable bargain.
I paired it with German made MAGNAT Vector 22 front speakers. This setup remained only till recently when budget allowed me to expand the system for full home theatre use. After listening to plain 2 channel stereo for the best part of 1 year, I'm still not fazed. The 515 delivers a soundstage that is much wider, deeper and fullsome than most other entry level products - noteably Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo and JVC. Best to listen with tone controls in neutral and not to touch the bass boost function though.

Its only recently that I've aquired the rest of my system. A Loewe Profile 3272z 100 hertz television, Sony X827AS hifi VCR and MAGNAT vector11/center10 surround speakers. The performance is nothing short of marvellous. The receiver combines fast effects steering and subtle ambience to bring a highly realistic home theatre experience. The T-Rex scene in Jurassic Park creates a decent sound field and Days of Thunder has never sounded better.

If there are any quibbles with this receiver they are minor. The first is a lack of decent speaker terminals - solid binding posts would be nice. A more refined and fullsome bottom end also would not go astray. These features will most certainly be present in the STR-DB925 - Sony's high end AC3/DTS receiver.

The STR-DE515 gains 5 stars - even if it is now supersceded by the STR-525