Great Sound, excellent remote, excellent flexibility,has RF AC-3 connection for Laserdisc players.

Lack of DTS; no coaxial connection for Dolby Digital.

I'm very surprised to read all of the problems that people have had with their STR-D915. I bought mine in December of 1997, and it has worked like a champ for me since then. I have had no problems with the rear speakers or center channel. Admittedly I don't crank it up that much(it doesn't need to be turned up too much for the sound to be powerful), but it works well and hasn't given me any problems. I plan on getting a new receiver soon with DTS, but this one has been a wonderful performer for me for almost six years.

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Harmon Kardon, Pioneer, Technics

I learned this unit inside and out. I used every feature (almost) and found they function well. Set up the speakers with a sound meter - the surround speakers need +6.0 dB gain. My set up sounded great - my wife kept turning the volume down.

Surround amplifier gain was poor. Also, if you left the AB switch in B, it affected the 5.1 sound (my new STR-DA2ES corrected this problem). When I first got the unit the front speakers went into PROTECTION. It had to be sent to the shop for a three week repair.

Like the last three reviewers, my 915 suffered their fate. Specifically, the surround speakers died. The tech estimated $270.00 to repair. He said the surround amplifier (IC701) on the Rear Amp board is defective. For $29.00 quote, I decided to repair it myself. Not so easy! The B+ voltage regulators on the AMP (Q614)and SUR BOARDS (Q503) are bad. I hope that is all. I doubt it is the regulator. Sony does not support board replacements, components only - it is too old. It is hard to remove and replace the components - the copper traces are easily damaged with heat.

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Fisher 1000 (circa 1980).

Excellent power output, has everything you need in a receiver.

This thing runs hot!!! im thinking of putting some cooling fans in it. it also has a problem of blowing out transistors and losing sound.

I have for the past few years loved this receiver it hadd great power and did everything i wanted it to do. Unfortunatly this year i lost my front speaker channels not sure why but the repair shop i called said it was caused by some transistors going out, and its going to cost $150. What is up with this thing, i bought a top of the line receiver i want the thing to work. I did however find out that the ohms of your speakers can significantly do damge to these transistors, maybe this is the cause. I would be in on any lawsuits there are. just email me about them and any other suggestions on this. (itwasntme55@hotmail.com)

great sound, power output, loads of features

runs too hot, sound goes out after a 4 to 5 years of use. The new Sony Models now carry a 5 year Labor/Parts warranty! Wonder why :)

I've had this unit for over 5 years now and I've had it repaired once. Problem: no sound. I had it repaired at a cost of $100. That was a year ago (2002). Now I'm having the same problem--no sound, plus popping noice. Sound comes and goes, mainly the rear speakers. The subwoofer makes a humming noice (I have a 10 inch powered sw from Energy). I'm not even going to bother getting it fixed, its cheaper to buy a new unit. Theres been mention of a class action lawsuit. Has anyone tried to get this started? Is there a CA lawsuit pending? If it is I would definetly like to be a claimant (email me at dgage@knology.net)

Good sound

Heat production, Sony's service

Update to Dec. 31, 2002 review: I talked to Sony (several times) and sent them a letter detailing exactly what I wanted done. I indicated that the circuit boards were discolored and the chips were obviously getting hot. I also stated that the UPC chip had slots to add a heat sink and that they were never added. I asked them to fix the unit and add a heat sink to each chip so the problem doesn't happen again. The Sony Service Center repaired it (for $126.14) and sent the following message: "There is no such thing as a heat sink for the UPC. There has never been. However, I hope you can suffice with a 5 channel upgrade complete with new UPC and mute xsistors and new 5 watt resistors and new 988 protect xsistors." Here is the parts list that they replaced on my STRDE915: (2) UPC2581V (FP1-13) (Sony's part number, 875932652) (7) 2SA988-P (RD4-003) Transistor (Sony's #, 872914082) (2) DTC114ES (RD4-002) Transistor (Sony's #, 872902966) (2) UN4111 (RD4-118) Transistor (Sony's #, 872942257) Total time at their shop was ~3 weeks. When I received it back, I purchased thin gage copper and formed my own heat sink. I applied heat sink compound and attached both heat sinks to the UPC chips. The top of the unit does run much cooler. It is either from my heat sinks or the change that Sony made (or both). I am currently using a 4" muffin fan blowing directly down on the sinks to try to alleviate any future problems. It better last this time ......... Ray S., PE

Unit had good sound quality.

Runs too hot.

I currently have the STR-DE915 which went up in smoke this past Christmas. The front panel display indicated 'Protected' when my daughter was trying to watch a DVD. Shorlty afterwards, smoke and a flash. Poof.. the things dead. Does anybody have a schematic for this receiver? or has anybody had a similar problem. I would like to repair the unit. e mail is bkruse@globecommsystems.com Thanks, Bryan

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Had a panasonic receiver which I never had a problem with.

Plenty loud. I can't turn it up that much without the house rattling, pictures falling, richter scales going off etc...

I will agree that it does run hot. I double mine as a hotplate. Great for keeping that co-co warm.

I was so surprised to read the negativity on this model. I have had not one single problem with my unit. I crank hard rock, watch DVD's like they're going out of style(5.1 of course) and I love it. I'm going to invest in some Bose speakers soon. Must be the weather.

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I had a Sony pro-logic but going to Dolby Digital is sooo much cooler. CIAO

Great sound when working.

Sound output!

Let me add my name to the list of folks that have used this reciever only to have something happen to the sound. Here's a twist though. After the rear sound went out, I took mine back to Circuit City to check on repairing it. After they told me it would be $140, I had them send it back without repairing it. When I hooked it back up to the rest of my system, guess what! The rear speakers worked but the center speaker didn't. I don't know what they did, but I liked it better the other way. It's a shame that SONY would put out a piece of equipment that has such an obvious defect and then not try to take care of the problem. I must say that this is the first piece of Sony equipment that has given me any problems. But it looks like it has given everyone problems. Count me in on any lawsuit.

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I have a Technics SA-410 receiver I have had over 20 years without a single problem.

DD, AC-3 RF 4ohm speaker support. A lot of little tweaks etc.

Has some problems but can be easily repaired if you don't mind trying some new things. I mean, come on, if you love electronics, you should try to maintain them. It;s actually really fun!

I see that a lot of people are having problems with the surround channels. I was lucky to have mine work for a year or more after I bought it used. My rear right started to fade and my center channel would just vanish at times (a smack to the top of the unit ususally brought it back to life). I got the service manual and replaced the rear amp board ($55) with the australian version. It took minimal soldering skills to move the output transistors to the new board. It works perfectly and runs MUCH cooler. Then I resoldered the outputs on the bottom of the main amp board ( there is a panel that can be removed on the bottom to give you access). So for about 60 bucks and a little effort I was able to keep this great receiver with the hard to find (or afford!) AC-3 RF input. It isn't the best thing out there but I'm a poor student ;-)

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Other sony receivers.

I have always liked the Sony brand because of its quality, but see a different story here.

Customer service...

When I bought my unit I didn't have enough to buy the surround sound speakers too - wanted Bose (about $1400 then). Well, finally blessed with Bose past Christmas. Had been using only two speakers on front L/R, no problems. Hook up my new Bose surround sound 5.1 spkrs(after 4 years) and have no center channel and the rear channels come in and out, mostly out. I get a pop when turning the unit on - this was from the center channel. When I touch the speaker wire to the post it sparks and the speaker pops. Had another problem from day 1 - had to hook my DSS audio to Audio 2 but the video to Audio 3. Seems a class action is in order - count me in.