Price, connections, remote, decent sound

remote, only 2 switched power outlets, rear and sub channels output seem weak, no tape 2 monitor loop

DVD movies (thru my Panasonic A-110U, optically connected to receiver) sound awesome! Music quality is OK. Setting the EQ setting for all the sound fields took some time, but well worth it. My favorite setting to use while listening to music is Disco/Club.

I like that the remote can control most of my A/V equipment (Sony MD and TV, Kenwood CD, Hitachi VCR and the mentioned DVD player). At the same time, I don't like the light green lettering on white, glowing buttons. In dim lighting or in the dark, you can't see the lettering. Using the remote can be frustrating at times. For example, if I want to just turn off the receiver but want to leave the TV on, I have to press the system standby button. However, that does turns off the TV.

Lack of the tape 2 monitor loop made me creative in hooking up my Sony graphic equalizer. I used y-connectors from the MD, cassette and CD players to feed signals to the receiver and equalizer. The sound from only those equipment can be equalized.

I don't know if it how I set up the receiver or installed the rear surround speakers, but the sound from those speakers seem to be weak, specially in Pro-Logic. I will upgrade my speakers soon and I'll see if that will improve the overall sound.

Although i was initailly thrilled to find this item in stock at circuit city for $379, i too received a defective product. It worked wonderfully when watching Dolby digital but as soon as i popped in my Jackel DTS disc it fryed. I noticed another reveiwer had a similar problem. It is amazing that Sony packed this many features into the 835 for so little cost, but i would have rather had less bells and whistles for a more reliable unit. If you get one that works and doesnt fry on you, you will have yourself a 4 star deal. However it looks to me like this receiver wasnt engineered well for multi channel playback ( it runs extremely hot) and it appears there are many QC issues at Sony. I would have like to have loved this receiver because it souns like a great deal but considering i also got a defect it only gets one star.

the 835 has worked well for about a month. great sound will recommend to anyone

This is a quality product. Easy to set up and use. With a wide range of applicantions.

Upgraded from a Sony Pro-Logic receiver. I purchased this receiver from Circuit City (who are now off of my "banned" list since the Divx Debacle) for $399. Set it up with Paradigm's (Mini-Monitors up front, Atoms in back, CC-350 in the middle and a SB10 on the floor.) Let me first say that, in my opinion, DD absolutely blows Pro-Logic away. I couldn't believe the difference. I watched Star Trek 6 first. When the Excelsior hits the shockwave at the beginning of the movie, I swear that alert siren was right behind my couch. Only problem was that I had to turn the sub woofer down. The LFE were too much for the paper thin walls in the apartment. My real problem, and this is probably minor, was that this receiver gets kinda hot. I had to find a new place for my Beast War figures to stand.

This is my first foray into Home Theater. I bought the Sony STR-DE 835 receiver and the Sony DVP 550D DVD player from Best Buy for $379 each including a coupon for 5 free DVD movies and 13 free rentals. I already have Sony TV and VCR. It took me a while to get everything hooked up but I'm impressed with how the Sony S-link control makes operating the system relatively easy. Pushing a single button will turn on power to the 3 needed components and select the correct input/output modes. My family is skeptical they'll ever be able to operate the system but I'm hopeful. I've rented Soldier and BladeRunner DVDs and the Digital Dolby sounds great--considering my speaker setup needs work still. I've played Empire through the Dolby Pro Logic and Sony's Cinema Surround and it sound great.

Many features, Sony name

Not enough power, Very poor bass response

When i bought this reciever I returned it a week later. There isnt enough power on this reciever. It wasnt giving me enough bass with my THX certified speakers. I then went out and Purchased a Denon 3801 and boom a big difference. DONT LET WATTS CONFUSE YOU THEY MEAN NOTHING!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon, Denon

Many features, Sony name

Not enough power, Very poor bass response

When i bought this reciever I returned it a week later. There isnt enough power on this reciever. It wasnt giving me enough bass with my THX certified speakers. I then went out and Purchased a Denon 3801 and boom a big difference. DONT LET WATTS CONFUSE YOU THEY MEAN NOTHING!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon, Denon

DTS decoding, output power (dont need sub w/ floor standing 3-way speakers), the big blue decoder light!

Stupid design on the remote. Cant read the function buttons AT ALL, EVER!! and the little cover broke off.

Definately a sweet reciever...does everything I could ever need it to do. Took a while to set up, but after that its smooth sailing.

Similar Products Used:

Older Sony Reciever & STR-DE875

Sounds great, multitude of options

RUNS WAY TOO HOT! Blows output channels. "Protect mode" does not protect the receiver as it should.

How do you rate this receiver when it doesn't work? RUNS TOO HOT, BLOWS OUTPUT CHANNELS REPEATEDLY! I've got a 15 year old Onkyo receiver that I use in my garage that works better than this Sony. I do not have anything on top of it, it is out in the open on top of my cabinet and I have BLOWN THE OUTPUTS 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS! This unit did work great for 2 years before it started blowing channels, but did run hot. I don't know what has changed. I have the 4/8 ohm switch set to 8 ohm. Specs on the speakers indicate 8 ohm impedence, but measure 4 ohms with a resistance meter. My speakers are Acoustic Research(2-328PS towers, 2-216PS Bookshelf speaks for the rears, 1 C225PS Center Channel, and 1-112PS self powered sub). The speakers are presently in the shop for check-out and I just found out that there is nothing wrong with them. This receiver has NEVER been played over HALF volume while watching a DVD or music. I have read a number of these reviews and will try the "cooling fan" approach as I cannot return this receiver because it is too old. I would NOT recommend this receiver (note the number of people having trouble blowing output channels with relatively similar systems!) We all have one thing in common, different speakers but the SAME receiver! If anyone has any additional ideas for those of us that keep losing output channels please e-mail me. thanks.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo