Sony STRD-H820 -- very nice for under $300

[DaveSimmons]

I needed a new receiver and ordered the STRDH820 from Amazon for $297 shipped just over a week ago (it's now $269!).

Feature-wise it's comparable to the Onkyo 609 which most authorized dealers sell for around $500. It has features the Onkyo 509 lacks such as 7.2 channel vs. 5.1, upscaling of component & composite. to HDMI, an iPod AV dock instead of just USB, and auto speaker level set with an included microphone.

Build quality is fine for the price, a little more plastic than my old Onkyo 80x, but that cost $800 back in 2006. Setup was easy, and having 4 HDMI inputs is very handy since I have a PS3, 360, PC and might add a Roku. The Sony can control 5 video sources (mapped to the HDMI, component and composite) along with a couple of audio devices.

I set it up over the weekend and have watched Netflix streaming, Amazon instant, DVDs and blu-ray over the last 5 nights using a Polk 5.0 setup (RT55 fronts, RT10 rear, no sub). I also listened to lossless FLAC music ripped from CDs to my music server PC.

Sound quality is quite good, and there were no video issues using a PS3 and the PC (HDMI for video and sound).

I give it a solid thumbs-up for the price, especially at the current price of $269.

 

[Ross Ridge]

Feature-wise it's comparable to the Onkyo 609 which most authorized dealers sell for around $500. It has features the Onkyo 509 lacks such as 7.2 channel vs. 5.1, upscaling of component & composite. to HDMI, an iPod AV dock instead of just USB, and auto speaker level set with an included microphone.

The Sony STR-DH820 isn't comparable to either the Onkyo TX-NR609 ($500) or TX-NR509 ($300). Both are network receivers, a signficant feature that the STR-DH820 lacks.

Both Onkyo receivers also include Audyssey EQ2 speaker calibration, including a microphone. While it true that the TX-NR509 is only 5.1 and doesn't have upscaling, the $500 TX-NR609 has 7.2 channels and upscaling to HDMI. It also has significantly more inputs than the STR-DH820, 4 ohm speaker support, powered zone 2, FLAC on USB, and uh... a VGA input for some reason.

From the sounds of things the Sony STR-DH820 is a better fit for your setup at a better price than either of these Onkyo receivers, but I don't think it's fair to describe them as being comparable. Especially not the TX-NR609.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You're right, I missed that the 509 actually has a better auto EQ than the Sony.

With a bit more reading, I'd also agree that Onkyo's network music feature is good if you want to use Napster or Pandora and don't have a PC or Roku connected. The DLNA streaming seems to have rough edges, one Amazon review mentions the 509 has errors if folders have too much content.

So in the $300 range it's a choice between upscaling and 7.2 vs. better auto speaker setup and network audio features. And brand preference. I've been happy with receivers from both of them, and have an Onkyo 601 in my home office that still works great for 2.0 audio.

 

[kornphlake]

call me a fanboy but I'd sacrifice the few features the sony offers to get a better amp section in an onkyo. Obviously my needs are different than yours, last time I checked I only own 2 movies with a 7.x soundtrack and I only own 5 speakers, I no longer use devices with component/composite outputs, and my HT speakers are 6 ohm nominal. To me a higher quality receiver with fewer features makes more sense. The sony does offer a lot of features at a decent price though, if you need these features and don't need something 4 ohm stable it's hard to beat $269

 

[soulcougher73]

For under $300 id probably go Denon 591 myself.

 

[DaveSimmons]

For under $300 id probably go Denon 591 myself.

That seems like another good choice, as long as you don't need component upconversion to HDMI, two Amazon reviews mention the quality is poor. It's also even $20 cheaper than the Sony.

The budget receiver market has definitely improved compared to a few years ago.