For the previous few years, it is regarded just like the mainstream AV receiver class had turn out to be a three-horse race, with solely Onkyo, Denon and Yamaha fielding rivals. As soon as upon a time a single Sony receiver dominated the under-$1,000 class, and the brand new STR-AN1000 brings the corporate screaming again into the dialog. 

Throughout my listening checks at CNET’s audio lab, I discovered little or no to separate the Sony from one in all its predominant rivals, the Yamaha RX-V6A. Deciding between these two, in addition to the wonderful Onkyo TX-NR6100, turns into a matter of which options are most necessary to you. Is it the power to drive audio system in a number of rooms? Would you like to have the ability to combine with a voice assistant? Or do you need to stream out of your present multiroom system? The Sony will do all of this, in addition to enable Dolby Atmos playback, HDMI 2.1 help and enhanced streaming together with Sonos. 

8.2

Sony STR-AN1000

$900 at Crutchfield

$900 at Amazon

$900 at Greatest Purchase

You are receiving worth alerts for Sony STR-AN1000

Like

• Loads of streaming connectivity together with Sonos
• Glorious sound
• 8K and 4K/120Hz help

Do not Like

• Barely larger worth than rivals
• Decrease energy score
• Poorly designed distant

If you boil it all the way down to options alone, the Onkyo TX-NR6100 nonetheless comes out on prime, particularly because it’s $100 cheaper than the Sony, has slightly extra energy and features a phono preamp. Even so, the Sony gives sufficient efficiency and options to make it price your consideration, too. 

Connections: 8K, 4K/120Hz, 6 HDMI inputs and a pair of outputs

The STR-AN1000 is a 7.2-channel Dolby Atmos receiver that gives an entire host of recent options over the earlier STR-DN1080, together with 4K/120Hz help and Sony’s personal 360 Actuality Audio. Additional, the STR-AN1000 boasts the very best connectivity of another Sony mannequin earlier than it. For instance, Sony has taken a web page out of the Yamaha playbook with the power so as to add wi-fi audio system –such because the $300 SA-RS3S rears and $700 SA-SW5 subwoofer.

On the $800-to-$900 degree, the default quantity of energy is often 100 watts per channel at Eight ohms (which is the impedance of hottest audio system). Nevertheless, Sony solely consists of the 6-ohm determine (100W) in its documentation, and since decrease impedances are simpler to drive, this makes the actual energy determine decrease than 100W. I reached out to the corporate to get an Eight ohm determine and was instructed by an organization spokesperson, “Sony shouldn’t be offering that exact specification for this mannequin.” Nevertheless, primarily based on back-of-a-napkin math I am imagining 85W to 90W to be the actual determine (sadly there is no straightforward formulation to work out the quantity). 

How a lot does this actually matter, given it should nonetheless get lots loud with most audio system? In all probability not loads, however when you’re chasing extra energy or have finicky audio system, then perhaps the Onkyo TX-NR6100 is a greater wager. 

The Sony options six HDMI inputs (two with 8K compatibility) and two 8K outputs. The receiver additionally consists of help for video requirements resembling Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10 and HLG. So far as analog inputs, the Sony gives 4, although it does lack a devoted phono enter. If you wish to spin vinyl, we advise you get a Schiit Mani 2 preamp ($149) or the step-up Cambridge Audio Duo ($349).

Streaming: AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify and Sonos

By way of streaming options the STR-AN1000 rivals the equally well-appointed TX-NR6100. Connections embody Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast Constructed-In, Spotify Join and Roon Examined. The AN1000 consists of “Works with Sonos” compatibility enabling customers to combine their stereo into their whole-house system, however with a catch. For this, you will want to attach a $449 Sonos Port to permit the receiver to be managed by way of the Sonos app.

The receiver gives a bunch of digital speaker applied sciences together with Heart Speaker Raise As much as heart the dialogue in your display screen and Acoustic Heart Sync, which includes a Bravia TV’s onboard speaker.

The AV receiver’s distant is the smallest of its type we have seen from Sony; it is the identical dimension as the corporate’s Blu-ray remotes. A lot of the requisite capabilities are on there, however I might have preferred one thing extra premium-feeling with a $900 receiver. One factor I might change concerning the distant is that the Settings button is tiny and likewise proper subsequent to the HDMI output swap. As soon as I unintentionally hit HDMI Out, thus turning the HDMI output off, and it took a while to work out what was flawed.

On-Display screen interface, guide and auto-calibration

I discovered the Sony STR-AN1000’s interface to be rather less pleasant than the earlier mannequin. The place the STR-DN1080 had a full coloration house display screen, the AN1000 is simply white textual content on a black background. Not less than the textual content dimension is bigger than earlier than, so you will not have to squint when you finally purchase an 8K TV. 

The Sony now gives an upgraded model of its calibration routine, now known as Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX. This entails a brand new stereo microphone and a natty plastic stand — the place rivals’ are cardboard — and it now accommodates a number of seating positions. Should you want to do a guide AV receiver calibration, then the system is sort of highly effective because it now permits you to set the peak of the display screen and audio system, which isn’t one thing most receivers allow you to do.

Within the settings you’ll be able to add wi-fi audio system as a part of the preliminary setup. After connecting the SRS-SW5 I bought a message saying the RF channel was weak, but it surely additionally gave the choice to vary it, and I had no issues after that. As I had already related a wired sub, the system was good sufficient to disconnect the present sub and substitute it. 

I carried out two setups — each manually and utilizing the DCAC calibration routine — and ended up utilizing the automated one as a result of it supplied higher integration between the audio system. My solely tweak was to scale back the amount of the subwoofer, however I do not blame Sony for that. I’ve but to discover a bundled microphone delicate sufficient to precisely measure bass volumes.

As it is a 4K/120Hz or 8K compliant receiver, I examined to ensure it might output to a 4K/120Hz TV. After hooking the Xbox Sequence X as much as a suitable TCL TV, I acquired affirmation that it was compliant. Should you’re a gamer, this receiver will have the ability to sustain with the newest video games.

Listening checks: How does the Sony STR-AN1000 sound?

I in contrast the Sony on to the Yamaha RX-V6A, they usually sounded related, which is to say glorious (sadly I did not have the Onkyo TX-NR6100 out there). Each proved capable of drive my Q Acoustics 3050i system with out effort and with a great deal of finesse. I listened to a choice of digital tracks plus Blu-rays and films streamed by way of Vudu. 

I began with the Arctic Monkeys’ basic Do I Wanna Know?, which I preferred slightly higher on the Sony because it supplied a keener separation between the devices. The vocals and bass line have been tighter than on the Yamaha, although the RX-V6A was slightly extra dynamic on the refrain.

As this receiver is ready to play each Dolby Atmos and 360 Actuality Audio, I attempted the Apple Music Atmos mixture of Daft Punk’s Get Fortunate. The Sony supplied tighter bass and a extra cohesive sound discipline than the Yamaha. On the 2:45 mark when the music breaks all the way down to voice and handclaps, the Sony sounded extra strident. The Yamaha was slightly overbearing as properly, however higher.

Subsequent I attempted the 2 receivers with the Blade Runner 2049 4K Blu-ray disc. Whereas the Yamaha supplied a gripping efficiency with the ultimate chapters of Blade Runner, the Sony pulled forward. The Sony’s bass was tighter and the sound discipline extra cohesive and dynamic — particularly within the climactic combat scene the place gunshots “powed” and waves crashed over the actors as they fought on the web site of their crashed vehicles. 

With Mad Max Fury Highway, the Yamaha supplied a greater sense of peak, although I could not get the rears quiet sufficient, regardless of measuring with a decibel meter. Once more, the Sony was capable of combine the rears higher and provide sound that was extra cohesive and dynamic.

Do you have to purchase it?

With the STR-AN1000, Sony is again doing what it does finest: making high-impact audio gear with the entire options you could possibly need. Whereas it seems to be the identical as earlier than, it is had a redesign on the within with up-to-date connectivity help and even higher customization choices. The Sony is ready to provide glorious sound high quality for each films and music.

As I stated at first, when you’re these fashions when it comes to pure worth per pound, the Sony STR-AN1000 is a bit more expensive and rather less highly effective than its rivals. Get it when you’re into streaming music, however the Onkyo TX-NR6100 gives the same characteristic bounty for $100 much less.

Orbit Brain

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