Nice DD features

Lack of bass punch

I've had my receiver for a little over 4 months. I got it open box for $200 at Best Buy. Didn't come with the remote though (what a shame), but my previous sony remote controls almost all the functions, so it was not big loss. I can't complain about the reciever at all. For the money, it has far surpassed my expectations. I haven't had an opportunity to hear a ultra high-end system, so mine sounds perfect to my ear. I guess ignorance is bliss. I've had no problems with the functioning of the unit. It used to run very hot, but I installed a cooling fan in my entertainment center, so it is no longer a problem. I would recommend this to anyone who has this unit. I've heard that the 835 does not run quite as warm, but I have no proof to back that up. All in all, I am extremely happy with my purchase.

i have the sony de825 and i love it no
problems with it. i love to tuneandadjust the sound to music or videos.
i have a wuestion, i want tot but the proscan dvd player, but not sure it works with the 825 remote. if anyone have proscan let me know.

thanks.

I have researched as many systems as I could and found this to be the Best Buy for less than $500. I have since found that the home theater sound is second to none. I origionally purchased the STR-DE525 then decided I needed the digitial capibility. In home theater mode, there is no comparison between the two sony models even in just plain suround sound mode. I purchased it for $349 at Fry's electronic's (and saw it at Best Buy for $499). I can't say enought good stuff about it. And to top it off it has to have one of the coolest remotes!

Not many.

A lot.

Although I haven't experienced any of the problems described by other owners, ie: overheating - fuses - hissing - protector mode etc., I did have a problem with the speaker switch about 4 months into its use. I could get sound on A and A/B but not B. The repair shop said the problem was due to a defective cold solder point (great quality) but was easily fixed.
I am extremely disappointed with this units performance, it did not come anywhere near my expectations. I wish the extended warranty provided for an exchange or refund.

Similar Products Used:

None.

While not up to the levels most serious audiophiles would consider, the SonySTR-DE825 offers a very strong feature set and an excellent user interface. In addition, the sound reproduction is very good. My only real complaint about the unit is the odd selection of inputs provided. While the unit provides an ample selection of inputs, some of the choices made in the design are very strange. For example, the DVD/LD input doesn't have S-Video connectors, just composite. And there's no digital input for CD, but there IS one for Tape. ?? Overall though, this is an excellent unit for Ac-3 home theatre, and will drive even mid-end speakers very powerfully. It includes a dizzying array of DSP sound fields, which can be useful for enhancing Dolby Pro-Logic movies, or even some CDs (it reproduces acoustical effects very realistically). The dual subwoofer outputs are a nice touch. The unit is very easy to use, as is most of Sony's gear. The included remote is nice, but it should include learning ability. Still, for the money this is an excellent system to build a home theatre system around, and a solid choice you won't regret.

I would however, recommend that if you are considering the STR-DE825, that you take a serious look at the STR-DE925, which adds 5-way binding post outputs for speakers and DTS compatibility. At last glance, it was about $100 more. If I had it to do over again, I'd go that way.

I am deciding whether to buy the Sony STR-DE915 or the Sony STR-DE825. James' message says there are no digital inputs for CD, so what your telling me is I can't use the optical output on my CD-file? I sent an email to Sony but all they did is send me back some specs, they said nothing about any inputs, I sent them back a message and asked them to read my email this time, I haven't heard anything. Someone please help me decide on a Dolby digital receiver for under $500 with optical and digital inputs one of which I can use with my CD-file. And if you have any recommendations please let me know where I can find it. Thanks

I bought my Strde825 back around the September October time. i went through crutchfield, which was a major, Whups. I could have saved 200 bucks through www.800.com about a month later. I have only minor gripes with this receiver. Such as the same with the remote not being learning, that's a pain in the ass sometimes. Another thing is that it doesn't save setting's seperately. right now I have a crap Subwoofer, so I have it turned up for music. Then when I watch a DVD it starts frying. Sometimes, I do have some problems with the remote "double clicking" in other words, I press the channel button once, it goes two. Same for all the buttons on the outer part of the remote. probably just my remote however. I'd take it because well, It's a Sony. Now, i'd go with the 925 because the price has gone down. Unless you have a DVD without DTS, like mine, then that's basically worthless.

What it means is that there is no Coaxial output on the 915. The coaxial looks almost like an RCA cable. The optical is the weird lookin one. I needed to go to the 825 because my DVD is an early one, and only had the Coax. The Opticals work on the 915

An actualy review ( and not a comment ).
I purchased the 825 about a week ago for about $540cdn. And for the dollar - I couldn't find a better deal around for the feature set the Sony offers. DTS was not a big concern to me - maybe will be in the future, but for the next 5 years of which I play to keep it.

The 825 has something around 24 sound fields. Personally, I don't really like soundfields except to show people what it would sound like - and to occasically pretend I'm sitting in the back of the Club while Bob Marley's playing.

But the sound is clean, and there's a tonne of power. Inputs and outputs a plenty. People complain about the demodulator for the LD, but I don't own an LD so I really could care less. I do not have a DVD yet, so I havn't had the chance to try out the AC3 capability's, but I have heard them in the Soundroom where I bought them - and it sounded pretty good to me.

The remote control and the fact that this unit has the AC3 decoder built into it defintely make it worth the extra money over the Sony 525 unit.

It just so happens that I purchased a Sony 200-disc changer last year, and it hooks up to the receiver via Control A1 cables. Turns out, I can scroll through my list of cd's on my controller (it has a 3 line LCD display on it). Very handy - seeing as I can't read the 200disc very well from 10 ft back.

Great receiver - great price.

Hmm, i was planning on picking audiophile, which i consider myself as, but since i dont have a big budget, this style will do....Now for my review:
I just got the receiver this week and havent had time to go get my dvd rom off of my friend, so i have no real clue about the performance with AC-3, i have hooked up, my computer, VCR, Tuner (duh), and my n64 :)
The sound is amazing:) but my rear speakers are not mounted, they currently sit on the couch facing the person who is sitting there, I need info on mounting speakers, (i need to know a good place for them) and my front speakers, are great, same as center. The fronts are Yamaha's and i have a JBL surround package, 3 speakers. I have watched a few Pro Logic movies, and it really gets me into the movie!! I LOVE THIS RECEIVER!
the setup was very simple, but this bitch about it was:
My tv is pretty old so it was hard gettin it to all work out...i dont have cable so my antenna reception sucks, and my vcr is also very old, not ancient like my tv, but its still old. so i dont have to worry about S-video. The TV problem is: it doesnt have composite outputs :( so i have to hook it up to the vcr and use the vcr for my tv. the other thing is that my vcr programming is all screwed up! meaning the little buttons that u have to tune in to the signal is all messed up! My solution is i have a newer vcr but the damn tape player is broke, so i have to get that fixed. The next thing to buy is get a new tv, probably 27" or 32" if i have some money left. The remote is a really neat toy also, it have a little display on it, which you can do basicly everything from the couch. Which is great for movies.

ok the run down for the receiver...I got this for $370 looking at the other people in this little message board, u guys payed way more than i did. The receiver is the best thing i have in my house currently :) well for sound that is. Just let me tell you that, thats why i give it 5 stars, if u want to know more please e-mail me.