Sony STR-DB900 AV-receiver

The design of Sony devices always attracts a special trust. But let's look not at the appearance or beautiful S-Master Pro digital amplification logo, for which Sony received the award from EISA, but to the facts.

So, STR-DB900 is designed to connect only four sources. Moreover, analog audio inputs are provided only for DVD and VCR, and sound from other components can be supplied only from the digital input. The receiver also has a digital output that is useful for recording, as well as multi-channel 5.1 input, which can be used for the fifth source. Speaking about video signal switching, the situation is even sadder: only composite, three inputs, one output. It seems to me that it was a bad idea that Sony decided not to violate the beauty of the front panel by additional inputs - another source in the selector STR-DB900 would not be excessive.

I will not complain about the lack of on-screen menu. Having dealt with the control, I easily entered all the necessary settings, and they, by the way, consider even the height of the installation of loudspeakers and their resistance. I also had to monkey with the screw terminals for wire connecting, but exactly these ones provide the best contact, therefore cannot be deemed to be a disadvantage.

STR-DB900 reproduces a multi-channel soundtrack effectively and at the same time realistically. The sound differs not only by the absence of color, but also by very high detailing. And the basses are thorough, with a pronounced "seismic" effect. Reproduction of music left mixed feelings. Multi-channel tracks from DVD Audio or SA-CD sounded impressive, but two-channel tracks, from simple CDs, did not involve by dynamics of bass. Adjusting of cutoff frequency between the sub and satellites would certainly redress the situation, but this function is not provided in the Sony STR-DB900. I'm sure in one thing: if you connect full-fledged loudspeakers instead of satellites and switch this thin receiver to pure stereo mode without a subwoofer, it will show its good attitude to music too.