Great sounding. Works as Advertised.

None.

I'm not sure if many of the problems below can definitely be attributed to the receiver. Sounds like *some* (not all) of them may be due to setup errors.

I purchased this receiver as a mid-level entry-level receiver for my first home theater. I have it connected to Polk RT-25Is as my mains and CS245i for my center. Rears are RT-15Is. The Sub is the Polk PSW350.

I consider myself to be very picky about audio and I was concerned that I would notice limitations in the receiver and/or speakers if I didn't spend huge sums of money.

Well, after listening to this setup for a few months, I can't imagine getting better quality at this price. The bass during home theater is incredible. The audio is crisp yet not harsh and without being too bright. There is absolutely no hiss (a problem on the lower end Sony).

It has two LFE subwoofer outs (sends the lower frequencies only to the subwoofer so as not to cause distortion from smaller mains). Though make sure your subwoofer supports this if you are getting a new sub. The lower end subs often do not (the Polk 250 doesn't!).

All in all, excellent sound. . . extremely fair price. . . and plenty of tweakability (though it sounds pretty darn good out of the box with minimal tweaking). If you're just getting started with Home Theater, I think it would be hard to go wrong here.

Thumbs Up!

Everything! LOVE IT!

None that I've found so far...

This is a GREAT receiver! I grabbed a pair of Sony SS-U4030 bookshelf speakers and the SR-C290 set of rears/center channel and it's simply GREAT! I was going to go with a Kenwood HTIB, but...naaaaaaaaaah! This receiver rocks...it could make tin cans sound amazing!

If you're looking at this review because you're weighing two receivers, look no further! Go with this one or the higher model DE945 (although, for the extra $100 and 10 watts, why not just go with the 845? Who needs front-side inputs?). I love it...GO GET ONE NOW!!!!!! And check for a Sony Outlet first...these bookshelf speakers are MSRP $140 and I got them for $59.99!!! I LOOOOOOOVE THIS SYSTEMMMMMMMMMM!!! Next is my sub... :)

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Inputs/Outputs, crisp and clear sound

none so far.

Hi all...I love this receiver but have had a problem getting cable TV to come through receiver in pro-logic. I'm sure it's how I have everyting hooked up but hope other users can give me some help. Here's the deal. Just got a Tivo (sony svr2000 30hr)and was setting everything up. When changing my VCR to input2 on the TV and watching cable through the VCR I heard pro-logic surround for the first time. When I go back to input1 and watch cable through cable box, my receiver says pro-logic but very little is coming out of surround speakers. There is a significant difference between the two inputs.

Here is my stuff:

JVC TV- 1 s-video, Input1&2, audio L&R

Sony str845 receiver

Sony Tivo svr-2000 2 component out, 1 component in, s-video in/0ut

Panasonic VCR- coax in/out, component in/out

scientific atlantic cable box- coax in/out

Sony DVD that is not involved in this set up.

What I want to do is watch TV through the VCR while the Tivo is recording. I can do that now and I get great sound. The problem is when I go back to watching Tivo and/or cable I loose the pro-logic effect.

please help

Sound is crystal clear

Overheats and Broke down 4 times!!!

This unit was good when it worked. It overheated and broke down 5 times before I bought a h/k 7000 which was a grand more.

sound fields

can't think of any

First off thanks to everyone who mentioned they bought their
recievers at sears. And that sears matched internet prices. I couldn't believe it so I went to www.mysimon.com found the recieve at $285 at www.lrdsuperstore.com printed off the page and went to sear. Couldn't believe it the good news was that I didn't have to pay shipping bad news had to pay NY sales tax. One word of warning sears is comission so some sales men will try to add shipping charges to the price. I m not sure if its policy or not but I didn't get charged shipping. So be careful.

Now about the reciever what sold me was listening to
Joe feat Mystical - Stutter (Remix)
at best buy. I had the reciever in cinema ex a mode. It was hooked up to 2 jvc speakers, but i didn't know this. Anyways as I listened to the song I stepped back from the reciever to see where the speakers were and the reciever gave me the impression that it was running on four speakers. I had to put my ear to two of the speakers to convince myself that they weren't on.

As far as power this system seems to have plenty I never have turned it over 1/4 of the dial for fear that the neighbors would complain.

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Awesome look, lots of features, excellent sound quality

none

This receiver is awesome. Like all memorable things we remember in life this is one of them. I will never forget after setting everything up and pressing play on the DVD player to hear the room fill up with crystal clear sound. Amazing !

People complain about the remote being to complex, I like the fact when you take the time to learn it, it can provide heaps of functionality for all devices.

The unit runs allitle on the warmish side, but it isn't a big deal.

I have the sony SAVE315 speaker set and this is way sufficient for my apartment, as running the volume higher than about 1/4 is loud enough to disturb the neighbours..

I borrowed the film "I know what you did last summer 2" and watched this a week prior to purchasing my system with sound coming out through my TV. Watching the film again with my new setup blew me away, like watching a different film, heaps more suspense. "Gone in 60 secs" is awesome with the subwoofer kicking in.

Overall, I am impressed with this unit, I get no hiss unless I turn the volume way past half way and glue my ear to the speaker, which is acceptible for me.

I paid $730 Aussie dollars for this unit and it complements my sony dvd player and speakers just fine.

Anyone like myself who wants a decent setup without paying a fortune would be wise to look at the Sony STRDE845

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It's a sony

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It amazes me that most of the reviewers here complain about the lack of a LED light on the volume knob. Sure, my old Sony had one and it was nice, but c'mon ppl!!

How many of you wouldn't hesitate to rip the crossover out of the SS-MF515 and put in that other one from parts express? (Don't do it BTW, the sony crossover is doing it's job)

Or rewire anything at the drop of a hat?

Well, I too miss the LED, but there is a very simple work around. There is a little indentation on the volume knob. FILL IT WITH WHITE PAINT! That's what I did! Or you can get a little glow in the dark (or white) dot sticker and put it on the knob.

Now you will be able to see how loud you have the volume. I guess you need this visual aid, because I'm with the other guy, I use my ears!

BTW, This is a wonderful receiver!

Thanks for your time.

Stunned......

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none

The unit itself

This thing destoyed my Bose surround speaker set. I was watching toy story 2 and all of a sudden I heard a hiss then POP. It blew all my speakes including my subwoofer. DAMN YOU SONY!!!!!!

Warm sound

Not enough power

This reciever sucks. It overheats WAY too much and I will never buy a SONY reicever again becasue pf it.

Good audio quality;
Plenty of inputs and outputs;
Soundfields highly customisable;
Discrete output stages

Poor documentation on features

This receiver delivers ample punch for home theatre. Even without a subwoofer, low frequency effects are still very impressive with the volume at 10:30 position.

On the front of music, rendition of voice and orchestral instruments is natural with both pops and classicals. Of course the loudspeakers play an equally if not more important part in the equation.

The remote did take a bit of learning to set up and get used to. Personally I dislike having a lot of buttons on a remote and I can appreciate the simplicity of the menu driven design. It is quite logical given the complexity of the equipment. My only complaint is that it only supports very basic operations with my Toshiba DVD player.

Documentation is inadequate in a number of areas, I guess this is typical of Sony.

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